goin to NC with my fiance

(photo by ccgd on flickr)

( photo by the darling life)

drivin through the thick white snow
heading down to North Carolina
gonna sing to some songs and fall asleep
while he drives
then arrive at my future family's home
for thanksgiving

... Get to spend it all with my fiance!

a fairy tale or reality?

Last night, in the middle of a beautiful snowstorm, Keith and I drove to The Char (the most up-scale restaurant in Beckley) where we had a lovely candlelight dinner. We drove around before getting there, as I had no idea where we were going.... As we arrived at The Char, Keith still had me fooled, saying he wasn't sure if we had to have reservations since he'd never been there. We walked into the dimly lit room and were seated at a table overlooking the pond and white snow-covered hillside. We could see the snow pouring down under the streetlights down the road. It was perfectly cozy and romantic. As I sat down, I noticed a bouquet of red roses, an envelope that said "To my Valentine", a Nora Jones CD, and my favorite Dove chocolates! I was completely surprised! There was only one other couple in the room, so the ambiance was quiet and personal. We just sat and talked, and I still was completely oblivious to that fact that he was planning on proposing! At the end of a wonderful dinner (it was around 9pm), Keith said "Before we leave, I want you to read this", and picked up the envelope on the table. He asked me to read the card out loud; inside were "50 reasons why I love you". He had written out 50 things from "the list" in his journal. The very last one said "I'd love to hear your answer to this question..." At that very moment, in one smooth motion, he slid his chair back, dropped to one knee, pulled out a beautiful wooden box and opening it, said "Elizabeth Valentine Hodge, I love you, and I can't promise you a big house or fancy cars or the best clothes, I cant even promise that we'll never fight or that you'll never get annoyed with me, but what I can promise is that I will strive to be a godly husband, provider, protector, spiritual leader, and that I will be faithful to you, and love you until my dying day. Will you marry me?" I was laughing/crying and he had tears in his eyes; it was the moment I'd dreamed about all my life! My first words were "Is this for real?!?" Then "YES! Of course!" He slipped the most beautiful engagement ring on my finger-- it's a white gold band with a perfectly sparkly conflict-free diamond what reminds me of a snowflake!
As we stood up to hug each other and share a kiss, the servers and the other couple in the room began clapping and congratulating us.
It still seems surreal... like a fairy tale or dream. I'm so thankful it's reality and that I will be married (yes, MARRIED!!) to my bestest friend in the whole world!
What a wonderful dream-come-true

goodnight moon

goodnight trees

goodnight stars

and watery seas

Borrowed Time by a Fine Frenzy

thick as thieves

the last of leaves

in the winter sun

holding fast

this freezing branch

is home to us

step, step right over the line

and onto borrowed time

when it’s life, not waiting to die

waiting to divide to divide

counting stars

and passing cars

on the interstate

the end is near

I feel it dear,

but I am not afraid

step, step right over the line

and onto borrowed time

when it’s life, not waiting to die

waiting to divide to divide

but you say you’re getting tired

you’re tired and so am I

when you fall I’ll fall behind

studying psych on saturday night...

Cognition: mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

blahh... no human interaction since 7:30pm.

it's now 10:30pm.

simple times.

when life was dramatically different.

we spent a winter afternoon exploring the creek bank with the cousins.

this was about 2 years ago.

i can remember laying in the grass taking pictures.

one of the first times i began taking pictures artistically.

11/15/08

good morning

it's saturday!

the window next to my bed

frames the bare brown trees, the ground covered with orange leaves, and the grey cloudy sky. i can hear raindrops pattering the ground below. it's most definitely a day to sleep in, be lazy, and just cuddle. i can imagine being in a little home of my own, spending the afternoon simmering a pot of spicy chili and baking some homemade cornbread, and then eating a bowl of it that evening with my husband as we curl up on the couch to watch one of our favorite movies.

*sigh*

i guess i just have to let dreams be dreams.

so i'm sitting the library at 8:15 on a thursday night, and *gasp* i'm NOT doing homework!
today was a good day.
not all of it.
but enough to call it a good day.
i awoke at 7:20am, tuesdays and thursdays are my "sleep in" mornings.... i rolled out of bed and in my small dorm room lit by the grey morning light, pulled on a hoodie and jeans, grabbed some tea bags, and headed to the dining hall for breakfast with my marvelous boyfriend.
after some hot tangerine tea and yogurt and a lazy morning chat with Keith, i hurried back to my room to put together my outfit for the day.
9am class
10am class
11am class was cancelled!
at lunch i made a mini pizza from cheese and peperoni from the salad bar on a soft tortilla. keith and i ate with my roommie heather and her boyfriend brandon, and some other people, including my RA and her boyfriend; a professor; and 2 other students.
before my 12:40 class, i checked the mail-- and found a package from mom and a can of chocolates from the most sensational boyfriend on earth :)
in my 12:40 class, we were discussing "to drink or not to drink, that is the question" concerning cross-cultural relationships. when Dr.K asked for any examples, my hand shot up. i explained about how when i was in France this summer and how my family was offered champagne at someone's home and that rejecting it would have been a cultural slap-in-the-face, so our family drank the champagne. of course, there were people who didn't agree with me, but who cares. every where you go, people are gonna have different views, even at Bible college-- especially at Bible college.
after classes, i spent a few hours in (surprise!) the library, where i furiously typed away at a 12 page psychology research paper. almost done with it-- 2 pages to go! just gotta find more sources to cite (12 more, to be exact)
leaving the library, my head was throbbing... too much eye strain, i suppose.
i then met keith in the student lounge where i smoked him in a game of foosball :)
dinner was special tonight, as it was the Staff-Served Dinner. they served us thick steak, mushroom chicken, buttery potatoes, and steamed veggies. there were dozens of prizes.
but we didn't win anything.
i then had a meeting with my team-teaching group for PBT class. after that, i went back to my room and straightened up some while listening to the afters.
now im in the library. getting ready to knit. waiting for keith to get off work.

i really don't get too excited about the weekend.
keith leaves on friday.
doesn't get back till sunday night.
i miss him.

lots.

it can get lonely.



i don't like lonely.

unpolluted

been browsing photo sites... and am finding myself longing for the beauty and mystery that accompanies the settings of the photos...
These photos were found here http://wrecklessphotography.blogspot.com

So Sorry by Feist

photo by the Darling Life [http://thedarlinglife.com/]

I'm sorry
Two words I always think
After you've gone
When I realize I was acting all wrong

So selfish
Two words that could describe
Oh actions of mine
When patience is in short supply

just for the sake of my own sanity...

Leicester Square (in London) is pronounced "Lester".
The first foundations of the Tower of London were laid in 1078, and is the oldest palace, fortress, and prison in Europe.
Jan van Eyck's painting The Arnolfini Portrait has the inscription on the wall "Jan van Eyck was here. 1434"

history

it's not a good thing to give me a taste of some historical events. i usually then get addicted and want more and more, causing me to reject my other studies... i found a website about the history of medieval London; now I want to forget about other pressing assignments and just delve into history books.
if i had lots of money and plenty of time, i would get a degree in history... not sure how specific of a subject, but it would probably be European history. It's all so romantic and mysterious.
Oh, but i also love American history and learning about how our nation came to being. there are so many little details i've learned but have forgotten and now want to learn more about.

all that to say this: if i could choose, i would have been born into each century in a different location so i could experience all of those cultures, events, and life in a totally different setting.

breath of life

these beautiful photos were taken by Joy Newell, I love her photography, Breath of Life

http://rippleview.com/joy/

how much longer until...

Christmas break!?

things to do over the break:

• read the Da Vinci Code again... love that book
• finish a knitting project
• make as much $$ as possible
• watch some good classic movies
• relearn some Christmas songs on the piano
  

soft yarn

so... i just started a knitting project, not sure what it's gonna be yet.
maybe a small purse? or a cell phone cozy? hmm, better decide soon before it
decides what it's gonna be :)

hello. i am home.

climbed lighthouses.
ate crystal rock candy.
sang songs.
dipped my toes in the icy ocean.
laughed with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
met new people.
made new friends.
ate tons of food.
saw a wedding on the beach.
was asked if we were engaged or married.
learned about Keswick Theology.
got a new recipe.
road trip.

had a wonderful week!

God knew just what I need to hear from Him today

From Psalm 62 verse 5,

Let

all

that I am

wait

quietly

before GOD

for my

h o p e

is in

Him.

rainy

wet
grey
windy day

cars
trees
blowing leaves

headlights on
midafternoon

chilly
misty
drizzle

trudging
forward
squinting

stepping inside
the doorway
aroma of pumpin bread
wrapping you
with comfort

cozy fireplace
scarlet couch

soft blanket
warm voices
hot coffee

this is what
home
should fee like

road trip

i am leaving for another state tomorrow... just a 5 day trip
but i am excited! to get away from mundane classes and preview a
seminary with my godly leader of a boyfriend.
pictures will come.
prepare yourself for fun

love
me

Mountain Lullaby

When the Moon peeks through the apple tree

and the Stars hide in the leaves

when the mist rolls down the Valley on kitten's feet

when the Sun is slowly swept away from the Lavender sky

Then the Mountains fill the night with a sweet lullaby

When the air is full of Lilac blooms

like the water in the Stream

and the Blackbirds on the branches begin to Dream

when the angels pour the Milky Way from the Heavens on high

Then the Mountains fill the night with a sweet lullaby

moonlight

starlight

soft

as

snow

in the meadow

fireflies

Glow

When the Morning is a mile away

down the hill and 'cross the creek

with the Owl and whipporwill playing hide and seek

when you're Cozy underneath your quilts

and you're closing your Eyes

Then the mountains fill the Night with a

Sweet Lullaby