Selfless

Final

2010-12-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

I've read some great things recently. All of which inspire me to write about that topic or this topic. I'm not very good with hard news I have no desire for it. But I do admire those journalists who are always on top of the next story before it even hits.

Well, lately I’ve been reading a lot of features. I see features as life news that unfolds before the world’s eyes. People’s stories are so real it’s actually shocking sometimes. And thinking about this blog I was trying to figure out what I’m passionate about and what I know.

To be honest I don’t know much. All I know is voice and church. I know how the church ministry works, for the most part because I grew up in it. I’ve seen the church at its most disgusting points. And the same goes for voice, I know it because I grew up singing. I’ve always taken lessons and I have a passion for music. If I could choose right now what I wanted to write on for the rest of my life I would choose people. People from all walks of life, living anywhere!

Some people might say features are easy and they always talk about the same things. Well, to a certain degree that is true. But people have the gift of lifting each other up through shared experiences, or even unshared experiences. There’s just something about knowing you’re not in it alone. Now as a Christian I always remind myself that I know and I believe Christ walks with me. I believe Christ will see me through. But a lot of what Christ does in our lives is through other people. A person is a blessing; a person’s story written out is a traveling blessing touching one heart—one life—at a time.

I just read an article written on a man by the name of Sayed Mossa. Mossa is Afghan and he worked a good job serving the wounded soldiers of his country. One day he chose to follow Christ. But, converting from Islam to Christianity is a crime in Afghanistan. Choosing Christ in that country means the government has full rights to imprison you. Choosing Christ for those, like Mossa, in persecuted countries truly means to forsake everything. Mossa was arrested on May 31st and is still in jail in northern Afghanistan. He is a husband and father of six, all under the age of 9. Mossa is still in jail because his government chose not to abide by their own law. An indictment was not presented within 15 days of his arrest and any criminal has the right to be released if an indictment was not given within 15 days. But they have neither charged or released Mossa yet. His story became known when a westerner visited him and he gave the westerner a letter describing his experience and condition in jail. The letter was then forwarded to WORLD Magazine and it caused awareness throughout the world, especially in Kabul.

That is what I want to report on, write on, and bring awareness to.

Everyone has a story deeper then they even know. Not every story will touch each person, but every story will touch someone. I would love to open the eyes of others through the eyes of someone else's life.

A Life of Ministry

2010-10-24T23:59:00.000-07:00

I honestly don't know much about anything except for a tiny bit of music and ministry. When you think about it anything anyone truly knows--cooking, playing an instrument, coaching--is something they are constantly working at or working on. It's just a part of their life. I've grown up in the ministry. My father's a minister and my mother is his wife. Every bible study, every visitation, every church service my entire family was there--father, mother, sister, and myself. That's just how it was, and when I go home during the summers that's still how it is.

Growing up I always said I wasn't going to be involved at church "like this." I planned on attending a large church free of problems and drama..and I dreamt of singing on an amazing praise and worship team. I look back at those days. I was so young and naive. No church is free from problems and drama, just like no life is free from struggle.

Somewhere down my life journey the Lord laid upon my heart the very thing I didn't want to take part in growing up--the ministry. Over the years of anger and lack of patience, of frustration and learning I came to love God more; I came to love His people more and a great desire grew within my heart--a desire to serve the church.

When asked what my plans are after graduation, I basically said the same thing over and over and over.

"I feel led to work in the smaller churches, where they don't have the means to pay for a music minister or a youth minister. I want to help the smaller churches develop their music programs."

It was all such a great dream. In my mind the process, by God's grace, would go so smoothly and after helping one church I could move on to the next and then the next and then just go where ever the Good Lord would lead me.

Currently, I am helping in developing the music program at my god-father's church. Oh the struggles...
In the beginning I was so excited. I was just happy. One day it hit me that the Lord was giving me the priviledge now to live out the dream that I had been telling people about for the longest time.

But even that excited leaves me. The time and effort that I must muster up to get through a simple rehearsal knocks me over. I find myself dealing with a great number of personalities and sometimes it can be so disheartening.

But the call for Him is so great! In a month's time I've already learned so much about patience and the constant pouring our of His love on these people. I've just forgotten that as I pour out He will replenish me.

I'm tired and beat and the truth is I'm swamped--completely in over my head. But, my God is forever good, and His strength is at its best in my weakness.

So, I've lived a life of ministry since the day I popped into this world. I figure my niche could revolve around my current experiences but at the same time I would be using my life as an example of how the Lord is moving and how He is leading me. For instance, this week I didn't practice patience and grace at rehearsal, but I was reminded on numerous occasions this weekend that I should have.

STOP before it's too LATE!

2010-10-08T23:39:00.000-07:00

Oh dear...one of my closest, quite annoying, rude tempered friend--more like acquaintance--returned from a short lived vacation. And, well, "it's" sleeping on my couch, eating my food and seriously drinking all the good stuff (the good stuff being mild, ofcourse). "It" also brought along "it's" cousin--the respiratory infection.
In case you're wondering, "it" really goes by Procrastination and The Respiratory Infection goes by "SUPER SORE THROAT".
Yup, I've been hit!! Procrastination and SST. I seriously feel like dying daily.
With everything I have going on SST will probably hang around for a while, but I've decided to kick out Procrastination. I mean Procrastination was always inviting me to do this and to do that. I was so busy doing the things that were of no benefit to me, I didn't notice I was missing out on the "good stuff"; everyone knows "milk does a body good."
So, when I came home from practice I kicked Pro-pro out and enjoyed a glass of milk. SST is chillin' on the bottom bunk, but a couple of blue pills should send him packing in a week at most.

I don't want to bury my life under papers from yesterday, or the day before yesterday, or the day before that. So, I shall STOP "slackin'" before it's too LATE!

Reflection

2010-09-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

I’ve finally reached my senior year in college. Freshman year seriously feels like yesterday, so many great memories…so many great moments. I can’t say that I have any regrets, but obviously I do recall some poor choices I’ve made over the years here at college. One of the poorest choices I made from second semester freshman year until the end of my junior year was not taking the time to “stop and stare”. Plenty of refreshing, uplifting moments passed me by simply because I passed them all by without a second thought. Lately, I’ve been walking from the music building feeling tired and feeling pain from trying to continue life with illness but when I see the sun playing hide and seek with the trees between the cottages and the J building I can’t help but “stop and stare”. Lately, I’ve been just sitting in that area for a couple of minutes each day. I figure my apartment basically looks the same everyday, but the view outside changes minute to minute. If I don’t take in that minute it will just pass me by.
I’m enjoying this year so much…so far. I can see how I’ve grown since freshman year. I know a lot of others don’t see it, but I don’t think the same, and I don’t make the same poor choices just because I don’t want to do something. I can also see how the Lord is working in my life and in the lives of those who I hang out with. He is so good.
Out of all my years here in college one of the greatest things I’ve learned is that God is truly in control. Politics will always be around but at the end of the day I rejoice in the fact that God is forever in control. My life is in His hands and He will not lead me astray.

How to Take Care of a Perm/ Curly Hair

2010-04-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

Taking care of one's hair, in general. can be a daunting task. With the speed at which everyone moves there is no time to put on lotion, how can one take the time out to do hair. Curly hair, though differing from one person to the next, is basically wash and wear. But, without proper product curly hair has the tendency of just becoming super poofy as the day goes on. Ten minutes! Ten minutes is all that is needed for one to properly primp one's hair. With the following quick and easy tips one will be able to manage the unmanageable.

1. Run hair through water if a shower is not taken. It's much easier to work with damp curly hair than dry curly hair.
2. As you run your hair with water, don't forget to condition it well.
3. Dry hair with towel until it's lightly damp.
4. Use leave in conditioner or if you don't have any, regular conditioner will do. Run the conditioner through hair until you've detangled every strand.
5. Take a wide tooth comb and comb hair from top to bottom, remembering that you want your hair to be smooth and, again, detangled. Use as much conditioner your hair calls for.
6. Take a bit of gel, moose will work--but gel is preferred, and run fingers throughout hair. The more gel one uses the crunchier one's hair will become. If you want a softer look, use only a little to keep curls together.
7. Now take a towel and crunch hair up from ends to roots. The use of the towel removes some gel, shapes curls, and keeps hands sticky free.
8. Continue with this process until hair is fully crunched to your desires.
9. If you choose to blow dry remember to blow air downward. Blowing air any other way causes hair to poof, and removes any refinement the curl once had from the process of geling and then crunching.
10. Air drying curly hair is actually the proper procedure.

It's not terribly hard to get that hair done. Ten minutes is all you need for a more refined hair do.

Blog 3

2010-03-26T00:51:00.000-07:00

I love this years theme for the simple fact that everyone can relate to it on a personal level. Dreams are some of the greatest gifts God has given; they allow people to desire a type of success, but in the end I believe many would say it is the process, the steps taken, to attain a dream that has molded one's character or being. Actually attaining the dream is a bonus. Even if the dream isn't attain, the process, the time spent, will last lifetimes.
4,105 balloons has reminded me that I and my 4,104 classmates have dreams we all wish to achieve and dreams that have floated away. Sometimes I'm so stuck on myself and what I want that I forget others have huge dreams too. Sadly, I'm also reminded that some people have completely given up on their dreams, some have given up on God. But really, His dreams for His children are 4,105 times better than anything anyone can fathom.
I've always had a dream. I'm a dreamer, so I can't remember a day when I didn't have a dream. Right now I dream of getting into a great grad program at a totally different school. I do enjoy learning, I just think that the busy work teachers give causes me to dislike some courses. In grad school I hope to further my understanding about the subject I'll be mastering in.
Aside from my dream today, I've always had a dream of becoming part of some kind of movement. It doesn't need to be a huge one, it doesn't even have to be greatly recognized; it just has to make an impact. I'm thinking I'd love to take part in a church plant with fellow college students.
The church has always been a great passion of mine. I originally wanted to study at biola and major in worship music. When my parents strongly objected the idea I thought I would never become what I felt was in my heart to do. I don't think my dreams changed in this situation, but I do believe that my path towards that dream changed.
I dreamt of studying worship at Hillsong College in Australia when I was a freshman. I thought that once I graduated here I would go there. I felt it in my heart, I thought it was my one dream I had to attain. But sometime last year I no longer desired that dream. I wasn't sad, it was just a little weird. I didn't give up on it, I just figured it was something God put in my heart once for whatever reason, and now for a another reason He has removed it.

2010-02-26T13:49:00.000-08:00

He could have been Mr. America—minus the fact that he was no where near buff, disliked the idea of “strutting it” in man-kini bottoms, and was allergic to spray on, rub on, and under the sun on the beach tanning due to his sensitive skin—if someone had just informed him of such a competition. The name would have suited him well. He was intelligent, smart, bright, knowledgeable, and any other words that mean brainy. Although, he’s wasn’t Mr. Gorgeous, it was okay there wasn’t any competition on the national level with that title anyways. But boy was he a funny one, can someone say Mr. Congeniality?!
His name was Sam Song. His name was Sam Song because he is no longer around, no longer here among us, with us, here, among us. He died and that’s how the story ends; so here’s the beginning.
Sam Song was 1/8 of every other major Asian ethnicity. Being so unique, in that he was uniquely a nationality on his own, every Ivy League school wanted him. Scholarships were being tossed his way like popcorn thrown at the screen during a “boo” moment in the movie.
But, in reality, Sam wasn’t in need of financial aide; his family owned a chain of restaurants, Chalk-ed-Fillets: fillets chalked full of goodness. So, Sam decided to go to a school that didn’t necessarily beg for his presence but wouldn’t mind if he was around, Charleston College, the junior college down town. He was warmly welcomed and began his classes that fall.
Finding the campus to be open, and the atmosphere pressure free Sam figured he would have no trouble breezing through class and enjoying life at the same time.
Introduction to Creative Writing 201
The classroom had a few tears here and there, but nothing that someone wouldn’t buy and fix from thrift shop. The tile floor was peeling allowing students to assume it was lenolium. Desks were cracked—in half, leaving some students to use their laps as extentions. But Sam just figured it was all part of the creative process. A “creative” room for a creative writing class, what fun.
Suddenly, Mizz America walked in. Not Miss, Mizz. It was a beauty pageant recognized on the local level, but just anyone could be crowned Mizz America. Only the most lip gloss poppin’ girl had the honor, and was her lip gloss poppin’. Or, that’s what Sam was thinking.
The school year went by no quicker or slower than any other year. Except this year’s ended in Sam and Mizz America, Della, getting married. The couple was so happy. Though they both decided to continue their education, they didn’t need to because Sam grandfather passed leaving him with money to last the rest of his first child’s life—it didn’t last that long.
During mid-semester of both Sam and Della’s second year, Della’s father had gotten in some deep trouble financially and he asked Della to spot him some cash.
Della knew Sam wouldn’t give her father any money because, well, her father didn’t like Sam and Sam took that fact personally. So, one night when Sam and Della were spending quality time together, she asked him to tell her the pin number of his bank account because as his wife she should know just in case of emergency. And even if there wasn’t an emergency they were married and Della made it clear that there should be no secrets between husband and wife.
Sam loved Della so much that he told her the pin number. The next morning Della made breakfast and then left early for school. Sam didn’t think anything of it, until that night when he out at happy hour with his friends and his card wouldn’t work. He knew she was gone and so was his money.
The following week he died in a car accident caused because of an earthquake.

My "Testimony"

2010-01-25T14:58:00.001-08:00

I recently looked up online how to write a personal testimony. One website gave three steps to follow, they were around the lines of how you use to live, what caused you to change, and how you live your changed life now. I dove deep into the depths of my memory chasm to recall the life I use to live. It was a pretty good life--in general.
At a young age I was almost trained to do well, in everything. I had to be number one or if that failed, I had to be second 'cause first was taken, and later top five was completely fine with me. Then one day I just gave up, everything. Straight A's were nothing to me. They weren't hard to get and I didn't gain much from receiving them. They were just A's. My life before looked pretty good. I did everything I was asked to do; get A's. Then I decided to stop. My grades slightly suffered, but life was still life.
I ended up moving to a private "christian" school my junior year in high school, and I received the highest G.P.A. in all my academic career, a 4.25. I had nothing else to focus on, nothing else to do. So I just did my homework and studied for tests; the many things one can attain without friends.
And today...I am what I am. There are times when I am a small piece of yesterday, and there are days when I am nothing like the day before. The life I live today is seriously just for today. Basically, I don't see myself with a testimony. I'm sure I have one, as everyone does. But I'm still constantly changing and developing into I don't even know what. I feel as though my testimony changes daily.
But, God has changed my life. Before, although to the standard of many, I did extremely well in school and in all the extra-curricular activities I participated in. I was the well rounded daughter of a minister. I played sports, joined pageants and talent competitions, was "popular", received good grades--I mean my life was good. But there was no point to it. Although I had so much, inside I had nothing. I was empty and different.
John Piper, C.S. Lewis, and A.W. Tozer--to name a few--have all written on the inner desires of a human. Within each person lies a deep yearning for The Creator...to find The Creator and to know Him. Humans have an innate, intrinsic desire for God.
I was taught that in life I will find very few friends--if any. I didn't believe people who would tell me such things, I always figured I would have a best friend or a couple of best friends who would stick through it with me forever. Until I grew up...until I experienced "friends" over and over and over again...until now... Until now there are moments when I, secretly inside, wait around for a long lasting group of friends--like the t.v. show.
Now, I'm not completely cynical or skeptical towards people with great friendships or am I in disbelief that I, myself, have a true friend ( I have like five).
But I strongly desire a friend with no cruel or horrid intentions towards me. I want to be loved and cherished.
I am much more than bubbly...heels...fashion..."pretty"...talkative... I am much, much more than what anyone knows.
My testimony today deals with life--my life-- and how much more it is because God loves me. I am thankful, grateful, for all the people that walk through my life, even for a moment. But my life does not revolve around my friends or my achievements. My life is not my own for I was bought with a price.
God changed me, and in doing so He revealed Himself to me. When I think I'm walking alone, I'm not. When I desire that one friend, when I need to fill that one part of me I know He's that friend and I know He completes.

How to Make Room for Your "EXTRA" Clothes

2009-12-17T14:06:00.000-08:00

How to Make Room for Your “EXTRA” Clothes

Are you the type of person who has to pack everything you feel is a necessity, even though others think you can do without? Or do you live in a dorm room and are forced to share closet space that you honestly could use yourself? Well, no need to worry, here are a few steps to help you use every bit of space you have so that you don’t have to go without your favorite pink sweater.

1. Separate your clothes into piles. A pile of pants, shirts, dress shirts, skirts dresses, delicates etc.
2. Once all your clothes are separated choose which drawer you want to place your piles in. For example, if you only have three drawers the top drawer could be for your delicates, the second drawer for your shirts and the bottom drawer for your pants and skirts allowing you to hang your dresses and jackets in your closet.
3. First, being to roll your shirts. Fold your shirts vertically and begin from the bottom of the shirts and simply roll each shirt forward.
4. Now, you have several pieces of shirts that are now in a compact form, which saves you more room in your drawers.
5. Take each rolled up shirt and place them, in whatever order you desire, in your chosen drawer and continue the same process with your other piles of clothes.

This same method will also work for packing your suitcase for any trip you might be taking. Simply rolling your shirts, pants, skirts, sweaters, dresses, etc., will basically add space to areas you thought you didn't have.

But...
BEWARE! You can't really use this rolling up method with sweatshirts. The thicker the clothing the harder it is to roll. Also, if thick clothing is rolled you won't save much space because of the bulkiness of the clothing.

Remember you don't have to give up your favorite 4 pairs of pants, or even leave a pair at home. Just roll 'em up.

Blog #1

2009-09-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

1. Word: Extraordinary
Type: Adjective
Define: Very unusual or remarkable.
Derivative: extraordinarily (adverb) extraordinariness (noun)
Origin: Latin, from extra ordinem 'outside the normal course of events'.

2. Word: Manifestation
Type: Noun
Define: A sign or embodiment of something.
Derivative:
Origin:

3. Word: Monkey
Type: Noun
Define: A small to medium-sized primate typically having a long tail and living in trees in tropical countries.
Derivative:
Origin: "of unknown origin, perhaps from Low German."

4. Word: Clarity
Type: Noun
Define: The state or quality of being clear and easily perceived or understood.
Derivative:
Origin: Latin claritas, from clarus 'clear'.

5. Word: Cranky
Type: Adjective
Define: eccentric, odd.
Derivatives: crankily (adverb) crankiness (noun)
Origin: "originally in the sense 'sickly, in poor health': perhaps from Dutch or German krank 'sick'."

6. Word: Eccentric
Type: Adjective
Define: Unconventional and slightly strange.
Derivatives: eccentrically (adverb) eccentricity (noun)
Origin: "Greek ekkentros, from ek 'out of' = kentron 'centre'."

7. Word: Cull
Type: Verb or Noun
Define: Reduce the numbers of (animals) by selective slaughter.
Derivatives:
Origins: "Old French coillier, from Latin colligere 'gather together'."

8. Word: Cultivate
Type: Verb
Define: Prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening.
Derivatives: cultivable (adjective) cultivatable (adjective) cultivation (noun)
Origin: "Latin cultivare, from cultiva terra ;arable land'."

9. Word: Geranium
Type: Noun
Define: A herbaceous plant or small shrub of a genus that comprises the cranesbills.
Derivatives:
Origin: "Greek geranion, from geranos 'crane'."

10. Word: Orange
Type: Adjective
Define: Relating to Orangemen or their Order.
Derivatives:
Origin:

11. Word: Monopoly
Type: Noun
Define: The exclusive or control of the supply of a commodity or service.
Derivatives:
Origin: "Greek monopolion, from monos 'single' = polein 'sell'."

12. Word: Protege
Type: Noun
Define: A person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced person.
Derivatives:
Origin: "French, 'protected'."

13. Word: Bookmark
Type: Noun
Define: A strip of leather or card used to mark a place in a book.
Derivatives:
Origin:

14. Word: Spontaneous
Type: Adjective
Define: Performed or occurring as a result of an unpremeditated impulse and without external stimulus.
Derivatives: spontaneity (noun) spontaneously (adverb)
Origin: "Latin spontaneus, from sua sponte 'of ones own accord'. "

15. Word: Sweater
Type: Noun
Define: A pullover with long sleeves.
Derivatives:
Origin:

Grace sat in a not so extraordinary blue cushioned chair as she prepared her homework. Typing away on her orange computer she couldn’t seem to relieve her mind of a picture she saw hanging in the library; a picture of a cranky monkey.
“Why would they put a picture of a cranky monkey on any wall?” she wondered.
Just sitting with complete lack of focus Grace decides to read a random book she sees under her desk.
“A random book,” she said, “Well I’m so bored, I think I’ll read it.”
She cracks the cover and the title page read The Eccentric Protégé Who Owned a Cranky Monkey.
Grace read the first half of the book and was touched by the protégé’s love for his cranky monkey. Although the cranky monkey wasn’t like “man’s best friend” nor was he a cat, Grace found that the cranky monkey, just like any other living animal (pet), deserved to be loved.
Seeing since time kept running, Grace had to place a bookmark in her book and seriously focus on finishing her homework.
“No more spontaneous random actions,” she said to herself.
But, being Grace only five minutes went by before she found herself surfing the web for a brand new sweater, a pink polka dotted sweater.
A random ad kept on popping up with four words on it: clarity, manifestation, cull, and monopoly. Grace didn’t care much for the first three words but when she saw the word monopoly, memories of playing the game as a child flowed through her mind. It was then that she decided her wedding theme would revolve around the one game she couldn’t win; monopoly.
Grace took a glimpse at the clock and, again, was back to work. She finally finished her English homework and was now on her science work. Grace was required to cultivate a patch of soil for a geranium.

Why I need Africa more than Africa needs me

2008-12-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

Living and growing up in America sometimes I don't pay attention to what is happening around the world. I can easily get caught up in what's in or "cool." And that may sound cliche, but that's the truth. Then there are moments when I get the privilege of being updated on world news and realizing that I am able to experience what some aren't. For example, clean water. Sometimes I am even picky about what kind of water I drink, when others don't have choices. That's why I believe I need Africa more than Africa needs me. Africa reminds me of a couple of things. I'm reminded that I am not broke. I heard this sermon, and a pastor had said that anyone who has two dollars in his or her wallet is richer than most people in the entire world. There are times when i have more than two dollars. Africa reminds me to be grateful, to be thankful for all I have. I'm reminded not to take things for granted. I need Africa to bring me to reality. Sometimes I approach my dad and I say, "Daddy I need this. Daddy I need that." But I don't technically 'need' new black high heels. I don't need a new dress, just because it's on sale. There is a number of material things that I say I need, when others in the world live day by day with only a pair of shoes, and some without any. Africa doesn't need my material belongings, my "needs." I need Africa's reality.

Final Blog for the Semester

2008-11-29T12:39:00.001-08:00

This semester has gone by so fast. And I can’t help but be happy and sad. Happy that it is over and I got through it. Yet sad that time is going by so quick.
I recall the beginning of my Intro to Journalism class. Oh, my word the difference and difficulty of it just hit me. All the interviews, in both Yearbook and Intro to Journalism, the varying writing styles, it was almost foreign. I seriously wanted to drop. Just thinking about how I was feeling then, man memories.
And this might sound cliché, however, I stuck with it and I’m glad that I did.
Because of my journalism classes I made a conscious effort to try and read more. More reading caused me to think some, and then I would find myself writing more, even if I just wrote on my thoughts.
Specifically, I believe I’m a better writer/journalist as a result of discussing with others my ideas and hearing their input. Sometimes I’m shy or I just don’t want to share because I’m afraid I’m wrong, or my idea’s just bad. But, I think I’ve overcome that. Talking through ideas with others has broadened my mind, I guess. I feel as though I was able to share my thoughts, others shared theirs and my idea became better.
Being in a journalistic environment has caused me to actually think, and thinking has bettered my writing.

Breathing: A Foundation of Singing

2008-10-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

www.vocalist.org.uk/breathing101.html
www.your-personal-singing-guide.com/breathing-for-singing.html
www.expertvillage.com/video/49273_voice-tips-breathing.htm

The voice is a beautiful instrument that most people use on a daily basis. People are able to scream, talk, whisper, laugh, and sing because they have a voice. Although not everyone was blessed with the gift of singing, I strongly believe that each person has the ability to learn how to sing. No "Joe" may not be the next Josh Groban, and "Jane" won't ever come close to Whitney Houston but, they can probably hold a note. And when one can hold a note, one can sing. I just think it's all about learning how to do so.

Breathing. Breathing has been a human's way of living, of surviving. It is much more than a fact, that when someone is no longer breathing he or she is no longer alive. So, just as breath is essential to each human being, it is definitely essential for singers. But, there is a correct way of breathing. And when there is a correct way of breathing there has to be an incorrect way as well. Now although babies are young and don't do much but smile and cry, they are great examples of how to breathe correctly. If you, or someone else, were to observe a baby's breathing their stomach region is going up and down, up and down. (I say "stomach region" because one's stomach is for food, not for air.) They breathe using their lungs and their abs. More importantly when one, breathes as a baby does, one is not taking shallow breaths. And that would be the correct way of breathing. It's just funny how adults, for the most part, raise their shoulders when the breathe, or take in a deep breath. That is incorrect. Anytime your shoulders lift when you breathe, you are taking in shallow breaths of air and then breathing incorrectly.

So, since breathing correctly is a foundation of singing, a good exercise to try out is simply standing shoulder width a part with one foot slightly in front of the other. Make sure you have proper posture. A good way to check proper posture is to stand against a wall, making sure your head, your two shoulder blades and your bottom are touching it. Now, with your proper stance breath in through your noise, only allowing the air to flow to your lungs and your abdomen area. You should feel your lungs expanding (almost sideways) and your abdomen area filling up with the air like a balloon. When you're all filled up release the air through your mouth as if your blowing out something. While blowing the air out, you want to suck your abs in. Both the breath and the sucking in of the stomach act as proper support for the voice.
Now, after you have done that exercise do the same thing, only breathe through your mouth, and then blow the air out through your mouth as well.

By now, or after doing the exercise for a while, you should be breathing the correct way. Also, even if you're not singing breathing the correct way all the time is good practice because it creates a habit of proper breathing. But, I let's try one more exercise. Now, I want you to, in your proper stance, take in your breath through both your mouth and nose. I know, I know, that sounds silly and impossible. But, as you learn how to sing you'll find that the silly things is what helps the most. The point, however, with breathing through both nose and mouth is to allow more air to enter the body, therefore releasing more air as you sing. And the more air, the better the support, the better overall. Try it, you will feel as though you took in more air (which you will).

Breathing is a foundation of singing, but there is much more too. Maybe in another blog I'll just go over all the basics of singing. But, never be afraid to learn new things. And just because you aren't a soloist, that doesn't mean you can't learn how to sing and enjoy just as much as a soloist does. If you can hold a not, you can sing. =)

Presidential Debate

2008-10-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

I'm really not big on politics. But, it is interesting to hear what the presidential candidates have to say about their future plans for America. I thought it was funny how both candidates would go around the questions most of the time. Then, with each chance the candidates got, they would make sure they added some kind of negative information about each other. I was trying to pay attention, but I mostly heard them talking about each other. They talked about what man voted for what in previous years. But no one could just answer the questions. All the answers led to other arguments, and then maybe if the mediator would reiterate the question then someone answered.
When both were asked, "Are you willing to say face-to-face what your campaigns have said about your opponent?"
They just went at it. McCain hurt Obama and Obama hurt McCain thorugh their campaigns. It was interesting.

Today

2008-10-12T16:56:00.001-07:00

Thirty minutes early. That's right I was thirty minutes early to (church) service on accident. There I was getting ready, constantly looking at the clock. And then it read 8:02 a.m. But the clock in my room is slightly advanced because of previous tardiness. So I walk on over to Sandals, and there were only so many cars in the parking lot. Looked at my cellphone, 8:02 a.m. It was weird being so early, seeing since I've been late half of my life. But, I seriously stood there for a second (before calling Phylicia) and wondered why I was early this morning. I thought it would've been cool to randomly meet someone like prince charming (lol). I thought God must have something/someone special planned out for me today. Cause I mean thirty minutes, a lot can happen in thirty minutes. But nothing really did. It was actually quite cool this morning and a little breezy. I liked it. Then I watched as parents dropped their children off to Sunday school. Little kids are so adorable. So, I don't know why I happened to be that early, but I what we sometimes think is early or late is just on time with God.

Thoughts

2008-10-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting in my sister's apartment looking at a tree on her living room wall. Her idea, behind the tree, was to make it into a gratitude tree. Her and her roommates are planning on putting paper cherry blossoms with thoughts of thankfulness and gratitude on them. I think it's a cool idea, somewhat of a sweet reminder of God's grace and mercy through good and bad. But looking at the tree, or just thinking about trees in general, I recall an analogy my friend Leonard Ray (woot woot) told me. He used a tree in relation to friends. Just like leaves of a tree fall during different seasons, some friends are only in our lives for certain seasons. And as some branches break off of trees, friends break up too. But friend relationships that represent branches hurt more because they snap. Then there are the trees' roots. Roots are strong and they help a tree grow; they're strong. And once in while people become those kind of friends. They become those roots to a tree. Just something I thought of sitting here, looking at that tree on the wall.

2008-09-24T14:46:00.000-07:00

"Just to be close to You is my desire."
"You're all I need, You're all I need. Jesus, You're all I need."
"You're all I want, You're all I've ever needed. You're all I want, Help me know You are near."

Desire, Passion, Satisfaction, Crazy Love, Word of God (speak), Prayer

I wish I could say it has been my complete and utter desire to run after God; to pursue Him with such a passion, to have such a crazy love for Him. Random thoughts, words, scrambling around my mind. And they are all pointing in the same direction. A direction towards God.

I want to find all satisfaction in my God, and I want to be in love with Him.
Funny. Funny how it's easy to do other things, to make more time for hanging out, chilling, homework, or just reading.
But when it comes to God, it's as though time ran out. There's just no more time, but hey God will understand.
This is such a random blog, but these are my random thoughts. I think about this constantly.
I want to make time for God, and find joy in spending more time with Him. I want to keep reading His Word until I'm satisfied. I want to talk to Him for hours and not become restless.
I want my God. I just want my God.