The random joys of summer abound...

Who knew that a hamburger at a trusty old bar in Dearborn and pleasant conversation with sweet and quirky relatives could do so much to lift the spirits?

There's nothing like helping a friend study for her Spanish exam to remind you just how much vocab you memorized for a day and never really learned. Tengo verguenza! But it did teach me how to say tanktop en espanol... playera. Now that's improvement.

All caffeine should definitely be consumed before 3:00pm to avoid utilizing embarassing outlets for the energy it so readily provides. Tim Horton's Iced Cappucinos are NOT an exception to this rule.

When singing "Cell Block Tango" from the Chicago soundtrack, one must always remember to bleep out unwanted and unnecessary foul language... especially when serenading family members unawares. HE HAD IT COMING!

My fetish for cooking/art/travel shows is really starting to worry me. I find that if I do not change the channel within forty-five seconds of that initial sighting, I'm hooked until at least the next commercial break... if not the end of the show. That's down from my old at-risk-margin of one minute. At this rate, I'll be viewing way too many Emeril cooking specials and learning far too much about underwater basketweaving for my own good.

The cat has lost weight. Not enough, of course, but I remain thankful for small miracles. Now I just need to learn her secret...

Discovering (and re-discovering, as the case may be) the theological wisdom, deep insight, and thoughtful musings of people like Elisabeth Elliot, A.W. Tozer, Joseph Stowell, and Cory Ten Boom is refreshing. Trumped perhaps only -- of course -- by the inspired Word of the Father, Himself. What a blessing to have the time and energy to give these wonderful books the attention, consideration (and the Bible, reverence) that they deserve.

I have not yet made good on my intention to get a tan this summer. This is partially due to my dilated pupil's intolerance of the sun's brightness and due in part also to the unseasonable chill that has left the Detroit metro area afternoon temperatures hovering somewhere around the 65 degree mark, despite optimistic weather forcasts to the contrary. *shock and dismay* But I am resolved. Tan I will be. Soon.

Pride overwhelms me and I cannot resist the temptation to brag that I did NOT give into the American Idol craze that has swept the nation. I found out via my morning newspaper that a young woman named Fantasia (isn't that a movie?) has most recently attained the idol-ness status. Obviously, I was overcome with interest and couldn't avoid the two-inch tall bold letters proclaiming her victory. Right.

Let's NOT consider the talent of bodhran-playing as part of my musical repetoire, k? Perhaps I shall give up. Or be really dramatic and burn it as I dance around, whooping and hollering. Maybe I'll even bust out the poodle socks, Irish dance dress, and tiara for the occassion. Or not.

Dinnertime. General Tsao's Chicken rocks my socks. Except I'm not wearing any... sooo, it rocks my flip flops...?

Later, kids!