Talk Thursday // Back Where I Come From

I feel like I haven't blogged in a really long time. And that is no bueno (look at me...bein' all bi-lingual =) ).

As you may or may not have heard (for those of you who AREN'T creepy Facebook stalkers...), I just accepted a permanent-full-time job as a patient care representative for GroupHealth's Behavioral Health Access department. You may remember this same department as the one that produced such art as this or this. I've been at this job for a while, but will be stepping into a new role. And I'm pretty stoked (not least stoked for the coming health coverage! Woot woot!).

Part of my job training for this new position requires me to travel to our downtown Seattle office to work in one of the Behavioral Health clinics. I have been training for the last 3 days and through the grapevine, I think I have another week or so to go.

Being down in the Seattle office has opened my eyes to a whole new world: public transit (ooooh!). I catch the train from Auburn to Seattle, then jog over a couple blocks to the Light Link and at its last stop, hop out and walk the remaining 8 blocks or so to my office. I've never ridden public transit, so it was a frightful experience that first day.

However, over the last several days, I have become more confident as I walk the city streets of Seattle. It is definitely a different vibe than walking around the 'burbs of Auburn, Maple Valley or Federal Way. iPod in, music blaring, looking straight ahead - NO EYE CONTACT! This I do not care for. I am a social entity. I need to wave hey to people, to smile and say "good morning"....this no contact thing is not a happy time for me.

Over the last few days, I've pined for the quiet 'burg of Bolivar, where you walk to the square, greeting everyone you pass. Or as you drive down the road, you wave to the cars passing. It's a homey feeling. And I like that.

But I do get along in Seattle. The metropolis is booming and busy and energetic. Quite honestly, I could go either way.

In the spirit of Talk Thursday (which has now become Talk Sunday), which do you prefer? Are you a metropolite or a down-home kind of person? City or country?

Talk Thursday // Cereal Killers

It's no secret to anyone that I love cereal. Between cereal and Easy Mac (and my parents) I am able to survive. Cheerios and Rice Chex are my faves, but I don't discriminate. Except for Raisin Bran - that stuff sucks.

So I want to know, if you could be any type of cereal, which would you be? (Your reasoning can be based on anything from flavor to creepiness factor of the cereal's mascot.) I think I would be Fruit Loops. Fruit Loops are tasty, colorful, and they always make the milk taste good at the end. Plus Toucan Sam has a huge schnose - just like me. =)

What about you?

Partial/Nuclear Family Photos

When you have big moments to capture, it's inevitable that you take pictures. Luckily, we Lewis' got lucky with Karen Wang - photographer extraordinaire! Rachael graduated this last Saturday so we took advantage of the time to do some partial/nuclear family* photos.

Some family photos are awkward.

Some are dumb.

Our's were just straight up awesomeness. =)

Check out Karen's blog to view some Lewis' in the sun.
And check out Karen's blog if you need someone to do great photos in the Seattle metro. (She did Rachael's senior pix and I approve.)

Yay for awesome pictures! =)



*referenced as partial/nuclear family photos because we were missing Stephen Cowden - our BIL. He needs to know that the pictures (and good times had during) would have been greatly improved due to his presence. As a consolation, I'll send his wife back to him temporarily. ;)

Random Thoughts w/ Sarah Lewie

I was reading through some Proverbs last night and stumbled across a verse that I've probably read a bajillionty times before, but it struck a nerve last night.

"The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." (Prov. 16:21, NASB)

Wisdom has always been something that I've desired - making wise choices with my time, financially, my relationships, food, future plans, etc. And I constantly feel the struggle to make wise, godly choices. HOW do I make those wise, godly choices everytime when it is just so ding-dang hard to do?

In reading this verse, I wonder if what Solomon is saying is that those who are wise [in heart] are those who are understanding. Understanding of what? People? Situations? Maybe those who are empathic? If this is the case, maybe then the struggle needn't be me against myself and my own inability to understand my situation, but that I become capable of understanding others.

And this is love. Out of that love comes sweetness of speech. Then if I'm desiring that others perceive me as wise (or at least capable of making wise choices) my method becomes sweetness of speech, caused by love for the people I'm around because I am choosing to understand them and their situations. This gives me God's wisdom at heart because everything boils down to showing love to others, which is how we also show our love to God. Wisdom caused by the ability to love others as we have been loved???

God just blew my mind.

Granted, I could be totally off my rocker here. Solomon could have been completely talking about something else entirely. But if God's never-ending intention is that we love Him and we love others, seeking His wisdom can't be that far off base. =)

Ok, random thought over. Happy Wednesday. =)

"HEY YOU GUUUUUUUUYYYYYYYYSSSSSSS!"

This weekend I will be headed down to Astoria, OR to engage in a cultural phenomenon:

The Goonies 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Some people from my church are HUGE Goonies fans; I don't even think I've ever even heard one of them say the word "die." So we're headed that way to enjoy reliving the dream of the Goonies madness.

To be honest, I'm headed that way cause I just like roadtrips and eating junk food with my friends, but whatevs. =) It will be an interesting weekend - chock full of people watching. Although, if I got to meet Sean Astin, I would wet myself (SAMWISE GAMGEE!!!).

Are any of you big Goonies? If so, would you be willing to post a picture of you doing the Truffle Shuffle? ;)

(Interesting point to note: the Goonies movie and I are the same age. Fancy that. =) )

Have a great weekend, ya'll! Pictures to come!

Talk Thursday // Gleek

My sister had oft spoken of her deep desire to be in a Broadway musical, despite her current hiatus from public singing. And she could do it; she would rock the Casbah. True story.

I, on the other hand, while loving the spotlight and belting out a rockin' karaoke jam, am not made for the stage. Put me working the lights or sound or props and I'll be fine.


That's why GLEE works for people like Heather. And for people like me. It's chock full of power ballads done by relatively decent vocalists with a story-line that have to matter because everyone knows we're all just watching it for the music.

If you love Journey (and who doesn't?!), you should watch GLEE.

If you want to watch Idina Menzel absolutely DESTROY a Lady GaGa song, you should watch GLEE.

If you were ever in or desirous of being in a vocal group, you should watch GLEE.

If you ever felt like a loser/outcast in high school, especially when pitted against the cheerleaders and jocks, you should watch GLEE.

If you want to find a plethora of songs to belt out to in the car so that as you're driving down the road people look at you a little funny because though it's quite obvious you're not black, you are certainly attempting to sound like Whitney Houston, you should watch GLEE. (Wow...that one got personal...)

And if you are able to find expression to who you are through music, you should watch GLEE.





So, have I convinced you? Are you a GLEE(k)? And where do you belt out your power ballads? =)