Crumpled Notebook

…is good for the soul. I’ve been listening to it off and on during the past week and it just makes the world go by a little slower.

So, this past Sunday in church Major Tedd had a really good sermon about grace. My favorite part though was that he used one of my favorite quotes of all time from the author Henery David Thoreau who wrote the book Walden (which you can read online here), as well as a famous essay titled “On the Duty of Civil Disobedience” (which you can also read online here). The quote I’m talking about is from Walden in which he says, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…”.

Now, I know what you are thinking. When did Melissa learn so much about literature? Well, let me just tell you that I almost majored in English in college. I took a 400-level American Lit class as an elective! Trust me, a Sociology degree doesn’t require any extra English courses. Now, I’m no literary genius, but until you take a college level American Lit class that isn’t required, I’ll have no comments from the peanut gallery.

Anyway, I’ve pretty much forgotten my point, except to wow you with my literary knowledge. I just like the quote. It’s a quote that reminds me to take control of how I live my life and not do things just because there is nothing better to do. I should probably give you the rest of that sentence, which kind of sums up what I’m trying to say (and of course what Thoreau was saying). “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

I feel like livin’ today.

So, I’m toying with a new layout/theme that I really like. I will most likely change to it soon, but in the mean time, if you see something weird, it’s because I’m trying to make necessary changes to the new one and see how they look before I leave it up for good.

Got a lot to say (maybe) and not a lot of time
(definitely)–you know, that whole “going to work thing.” So, today
is Valentine’s Day. Nathan is still sick, so we’re doing something
on Saturday. I’m kinda relieved just because I am just exhausted. I
need at least one more night at home with nothing to do. This week
has been rough. Yeah, I know, it’s only Wednesday morning. Go
figure. Actually, the past couple weeks and the next couple weeks
have and will be rough. I’ve stressed more over work the past week
or so than I’ve ever stressed over any job. Last night was my first
non-work related nightmare in about a week. Still was a nightmare,
just about something else, which was a welcome distraction. The
weekend was good though. I went to a Homeless National Conference
in Oakland on Thursday and Friday last week. Got some interesting
ideas there. I also spent the night with my friends P.J. and Soeun,
who told me they have bought a condo (which won’t be done until
June). Friday afternoon, I stopped in Palo Alto on my way home and
visited with Ross and a couple of his friends from Seattle, Matt
and Divya, who are part of the Jamglue team. I’d met Matt one time
before, but it was cool seeing him and meeting Divya too. We had
burritos, and we all know burritos are the way to my heart. I also
got a cool new Jamglue shirt from them, cause you know, I’m a rock
star :-) Saturday was the Crystal Ball (John XXIII fundraiser).
Sunday was church and then I met Ross up in Gilroy for lunch at
Johnny Carinos and went shoe shopping. Pretty much spent Sunday and
Monday hanging out with him. Downtown Monterey had a fire last
week, burned a decent size section of downtown. Ross took some pics
Monday. I’ll be anxious to see them (I forgot my camera). Um, there
is probably more, but that is my life update. However, here is one
added bonus for you. My Valentine to you all, my faithful readers
(all 2 of you).

Valentine Choir recorded by Cupid

Jamglue Rhapsody by mfelkins