Words to Live By

I found this on Pinterest.

via

Pretty much sums up how I want to be in my life. In all areas of my life. 

White hot and passionate. 

Let it sink in. 

Then go be it.

While We're Wishing For Stuff

The roommate and I have been playing a game recently.

It's called "While we're wishin' for stuff..."

It basically let's us wish for stuff we wouldn't otherwise wish for. It perfect for good days and bad days, and it's been an ongoing game for a few weeks now.

So I thought it would be fun if I shared some of it with you.

While we're wishing for stuff, I'd get a really awesome new job that's full time and has benefits...AKA Big Girl Job.

While we're wishing for stuff, I'd love it if people didn't act shady. Let's all just tell the truth. It's much less nasty. And it get your point across better than any other way.

While we're wishing for stuff, I'd love to run in the rain real soon.

While we're wishing for stuff, I'd move to the beach and live there forever.

I know I've been absent from blogging and social media and that whole thing. But I've been trying to work some stuff out.

While we're wishing for stuff, I'd love for all of us not to have to make choices between the ages of 18-20 that affect the way our lives works.

Some of us made good choices, and I'm not saying I didn't make good choices. I just made choices that are more challenging than other people. I chose loving my area of study over an area of study that guarantees jobs. I was thinking short term fixes verses long term solutions.

Now I am blessed. And I am very thankful. The Good Lord and my parents have provided for me in every way possible. So please don't think I'm whining. Life is just throwing me a lot of lemons, and I'm struggling with making all this lemonade.

I just don't want to settle for anything less than what I know I love.

I don't think that's a bad thing. It does make things more challenging.  But I think that's how I like it.

Lentil Qunioa Sweet Potato Soup

And so continues the sweet potato obsession I started yesterday.

I don't know what it is about that orange potato, but I be lovin' it right now.

The other night I was scouring my cabinets for something to eat. Times are tough here at the Adamson house, but I managed to pull off a delicious recipe I think you will enjoy.

It's meatless if you are into that. And it was vegan...until I stirred in some sour cream when I put it in my bowl. So basically it is vegan...just don't do that. Or do do that. It was delicious. Sour cream makes everything delicious. But that's neither here nor there. Whatever. I'm rambling.

Lentil Qunioa Sweet Potato Soup

What you need:
1 T. olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 large sweet potato, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 C. lentils
1/2 C. quinoa, uncooked
8 C. vegetable broth (2 boxes)
Cumin, salt, pepper, onion powder, cayenne and smoked paprika to taste

In a large pot, heat the oil and cook the diced onion, pepper and garlic until soft. Add in the sweet potato. Add in the vegetable broth, lentils and quinoa. Spice to your liking.

Bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 45-50 minutes, or until the sweet potato pieces are soft and the lentils are cooked completely. If the broth cooks out and the soup gets too thick, add in a cup of water to thin it out.

Before serving, use an immersion blender to blend the soup a bit. This will make it thick and creamy. If you don't have an immersion blender, just blend a cup in a regular blender and add it back into the pot.

Put in a bowl and top with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. If you're going for the vegan way, just eat as is.

Super tasty. Super easy. You could even throw everything into the crock pot and forget about it.

Hope you guys are having a fantastic weekend. I've been watching the Olympics like it's going outta style. I mean it is not going to come on again for the next four years. The upside to that is I will forget how un-athletic I am until 2016. #priorities

Obsessions

I love iced soy chia tea lattes from Starbucks.

I thought I had kicked my Starbucks addiction, or least had it in a more managable state. But then my friend Casondra came to visit, and she introduced me to soy chia tea lattes on ice. They taste like fall. It's cool, creamy and perfectly spiced. Oy, I want one right now. Anyone have a Starbucks gift card they aren't using?? I will gladly take it off your hands.

Another recent obession, well it's really not an obsession since I already loved them so much, is the ole sweet potato. I have two sweet potato recipes you must try. I'll share one today and the other tomorrow.

Breakfast Sweet Potato Hash

What you need:
1 onion
1 bell pepper, color of your choice
2 garlic cloves
1 medium sweet potato
2 T. coconut oil, or whatever oil you want to use
1-2 eggs
Salt and pepper

Dice up the onion, garlic, bell pepper and sweet potato into small pieces. This will help it all cook fast and at the same time. Heat the coconut oil on medium high heat in a saute pan. Toss in the veggies. Season with salt and pepper. Cover for 5-7 minutes so veggies steam. Remove the lid and cook on medium high heat until veggies begin to brown up. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add a little more oil to the pan. Crack an egg. Cook the egg to your liking. I let the yolk stay runny, which I would recommend because it gives the hash a nice yolky deliciousness.

I know what you're probably thinking...I don't want sweet potato as a hash brown. But it is so good with the onion and peppers and eggs.

This recipe would serve two people modestly, or one hungry person. So if you have more people than that just make more. This hash could also be served as a side dish. It is so yummy.

****Running Update****

I have been running. Hills. Speedwork. Long runs. The whole nine. Getting ready for official St. Jude training.

BTW, I have raised $715 for the St. Jude Heros Program. You can donate online or send a check to support me and my quest to help the children at St. Jude's Hospital. Please help me reach my $1,000 goal.

Doing a long run tomorrow morning. If you wanna run with me, let me know.

Job Hunting Whoas

Ever since I found out my graduate assistanceship was ending, I have been job hunting. I've applied for umpteen jobs; Eight of which I would actually like to do. Four out of the eight I would really, really love to do.

Here's what I've learned/what I know.

• Job hunting, in any form, is frustrating.
• Crying solves zero problems, but it makes me feel better.
• I feel guilty for not working. Like something is very wrong. The college version of me would be disgusted with this guilty version of me.
• I love days off. But I hate this permanent days off thing I'm currently in.
• Money absolutely does not grow on trees. Trust me I check the trees outside every morning. No money.
• I go nowhere so I spend no money. It's a very sad existence.
• I'm qualified to do the jobs I apply for, but they always want MORE experience. Hello, you have to have a job to gain experience. Pretty soon all the people coming out of college won't be able to get jobs because they have zero experience.
• My baby face is a disadvantage. On paper, I'm a 24-year-old college graduate with a pending Master's degree upon the completion of a thesis. In really life, I look like a 15-year-old. Sigh.

But this is one thing I do know.

If I could just get in a room with a potential employer, I have the confidence and the drive to win them over. I want to work. I want to have a career in the field I love. I want to help as many people as I can. I feel called to do those things.

With all this drive, it's hard to stay in such a stagnant period for so long. I mean YOLO. (I sort of hate myself for saying YOLO just then, but it felt appropriate.)

For the past month or so, I've prayed that God would put me on the path He created for me. To put me in a job where I can do great things. To move forward in a way that is pleasing to Him.

And I'm ashamed to admit that I am frustrated, upset and little bit depressed about my current situation. I fully trust in Him to provide me with all the things I need to be the person He wants me to be. So I feel even more frustrated and upset that I would be having any of these thoughts in the first place.

Please pray for me as I go through this MAJOR transition period in my life. Pray that I am on the path God has created for me. Pray that I do not get frustrated with myself for things that are completely out of my control.

I need your help. I can't do this alone.

A Closing Door

Two years ago, I took a job as a graduate assistant for a local non-profit where I began my journey into Public Relations. I learned a lot about PR, marketing, communication and management. I got to write and create brochures, newsletters, Web content and success stories.

My journey with this non-profit is coming to an end today. And it's been an awesome ride. And while I can't say I'll miss all aspects of the job, I can say with gusto that I will miss every single person that works there.

Melody, Stephanie, Kristin, Paula, Stacy, Tiffany, Rhonda, Benson, Brian, Jenny, Susannah, Vakeyia, Debbie, Brian, Shawn and Andrew.

You have all played a part in helping me become the person I am today. Working with you has been an honor. And I can say I love you all to death and would do anything for you. I've had so many good times with each of you. Valuable conversations. Good and bad experiences. Ups and downs. And just plain ole fun.

Who would have thought God would place us on the same team? I am lucky to work with a team of incredibly talented people who care about the greater good of others. Non-profit work makes for a difficult job, and each of you are so driven and work so hard all. the. time.

Thank you for letting me become a part of your work world and real life world. Thank you for letting me stick my nose in your programs to get an assignment done. Thank you for letting me take your pictures even though you hate it. But most of all thank you for becoming my friend and a part of my life. I'm lucky to know such great people.

So please don't look at today as an ending for me. Look at it as a new beginning. I'm going places...and I'm taking parts of each of you with me.

Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand new. It's bursting out. Don't you see it? Isaiah 43: 19 The Message Bible


I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.  Jeremiah 29:11 The Message Bible

Don't worry about me. I'm God's child. He will take care of me.

God: The Great Road Map

One week ago today, my life shifted. I found out Asher was going to be put in the hospital for three day (which turned into 5 days) to start her chemo treatments.

That very same day, I made a decision to choose one of two ways my life could go. Since this blog is a reflection of myself and this exact point in my life, I'm about to get real honest.

I had been contemplating making a decision over a difficult dilemma, but when I found out Asher had cancer, the decision became clear.

I had been praying about what to do about my dilemma for a few weeks. All the signs didn't seem clear until I heard the words Ewing's Sarcoma and chemo treatments.

Life is too short to not be doing what God wants you to do. Period. End of story.

Relationships are hard. Long distance relationships are even harder. While I hate that my decision hurt someone deeply, my love for my family and this little girl runs so much deeper. She is my family. Family is home.

I knew I wanted to help Asher, Justin and Susan, but I had no idea I would take on a role like the one I've taken on. And that just goes to show how great our God is. He has the power to put us in the place we need to be, regardless the "decisions" we make to get there.

I am not perfect. I hate that my life journey hurt someone. But I'm not choosing this path. God is choosing my path. I am just a follower. A follower of Christ. So I am at peace with my decision. I realize other people may not understand it, but they are not on my path. And that's ok. God has a path just for them.

I have no idea where my path will take me, and I love that. So for now, I just move forward.  #letgoandletGod

"It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." Colossians 1:11-12 The Message Bible

Life in Segments

I've really been loving cuties lately...you know the little Mandarin oranges.

 This morning, as I was peeling and segmenting my cuties, I started to think about how my life is segmented.

Grad school. Work. Job hunting. Friends. Family. Boyfriend. Writing. Running. Yoga. Enjoyable activities. (I'm sure there are more I'm forgetting.)

It's interesting to me how some segments look good, and then others look like not so good. But that's life I guess. It's full of ebbs and flows. Ups and downs. Good and bad. And we as people just take it like it comes.

But I started to wonder how many people are forced to segment their lives. How many people pick their work, which may just be a mediocre job, over something they actually love, like spending time with their families or traveling or whatever.

Let me tell you a secret: I've figured myself out. What I like. What I don't like. Who I want to spend my time with. Where I like to eat. What I stand for. What I'll defend. What I'll let fall by the way side. I don't have everything about everything figured out, but I've got me figured out.

I am who I am. I am someone I like. I am happy in my own skin. I march to my own beat, and I like it best that way.

Lately, I've been defending myself a whole lot. So much in fact, that certain sides of my personality that don't get showcased very often are out in full display all the time. And I don't like being that way...But I feel forced to defend myself and the things that are important to me.

Let me give you some examples of how far I've come in all this:

Three-years-ago-me would have been told by her then-boyfriend what we were doing on the weekends. If it interfered with something I'd already planned, I would bail and do whatever then-boyfriend wanted because I didn't want him to be upset with me.

The-now-version-of-me catches flack from now-boyfriend about running interfering with his idea of our weekend plans. The moment the complaint about running finishes coming out of his mouth, I shut it down. I defend why running is important and why it's important for him to support me, even though it's something he's not interested in or understands. Definitely not something I use to do.

We have to stand for something, or we will fall for anything. And I will not fall back into those weak ways I once knew very well. I will not let myself be walked all over. I am stronger and braver now than I ever was. And I will not let that be compromised.

Like I said, I am who I am. I am proud of who I am. I will always defend who I am and what I stand for.

"I am woman, hear me roar." - Helen Reddy

Number 200: Documentaries and Cookies

Today's a big day, and it's not because it's Valentine's Day, although that is important to some people. This day is blessed with being the day I wrote my 200th blog post. And brace yourselves. I have a lot to tell you.

So let's start with the obvious: Valentine's Day.

Not trying to toot my own horn, but one of the perks of dating me is the fact that I can bake. My Valentine was pretty excited because I baked him some cookies. And let me just say I got up at 6 A.M. to set out butter to soften, and I was baking cookies at 9 A.M. on Friday morning. Yep, I'm that girl. But it's definitely a perk that I can bake.

These are white chocolate pistachio cookies, and they are absolutely delicious. I found the recipe on Julie's blog when Ali submitted it for a holiday cookie link-up. At Christmas this year, I made a variation of these beauties by adding some dried cranberries. Nothing says Christmas better than red and green speckled cookies. So good. Make them today. As in right now. You won't be sorry.

Moving on. I watched two amazing documentaries on Netflix yesterday. "Forks Over Knives" and "Food, Inc." are absolute must-sees. I can't even begin to tell you how captivated I was, and still am, over these two movies.

We are what we eat. And it's even more true now that I've seen how food is made and what it can do to the body. Both documentaries had a huge impact on me and how I want to continue living my life. But "Forks Over Knives" really hit home for me, and it's sort of put me in a soul-searching place. Let me tell you why.

"Forks Over Knives" makes a grand claim that a whole foods, plant-based diet will prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, diabetes and many, many types of cancers. And with this grand claim, the documentary provides evidence of said diet working on patients with lots of health issues. There's a lot more to it than just that and I could talk about it all day because it's fascinating, but I won't do that to you.

Now I've said it before, I could easily be a vegetarian, but giving up the occasional cheeseburger, bacon and fried catfish filets would be pretty painful for me. And living the "Forks Over Knives" diet would mean I would have to become vegan, which means giving up not only all meats but also all dairy products.

Y'all I love cheese. Giving up cheese would be like a death. And not being able to put half and half in my coffee would make me very sad. And I don't really want to have to explain my choice of becoming vegan to everyone who isn't of like mind.

But if that means I could ward off Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and Alzheimer's, cheese and half and half seem like miniscule issues. I love all fruits and vegetables. I love rice and pasta. I love bread. I already limit the amount of meats I eat, so the only major jump I would make would be nixing the dairy.

I'm not saying it's something I'm going to do, but it's something I am considering. I'd love to talk with a nutritionist and a doctor before I make any significant changes. It's a big change. A lifestyle change. A HUGE lifestyle change. But it's something to think about.

Watch the documentaries, and tell me that they didn't plant some seeds.

What did you make your Valentine this year?

Do you think you could ever go vegetarian or vegan? Why or why not?

Waiting is for the Birds

What's your thoughts on waiting? In the doctor's office? Before class starts? While class is in session? At work?

We are in a world full of waiting. Waiting to do something. Waiting for someone. Waiting to be ready for something. Always waiting.

Some people wait patiently, and others not so much. I am in the latter group where waiting is a chore. My patience is something I work on every day, and it is a time consuming battle.

I feel like I've been doing a lot of waiting here lately. Waiting for school to be out for summer. Waiting to get off work. Waiting for something fun to do. Waiting for that oh-so-special someone.

Waiting is for the birds.

But what if we all became proactive, instead of reactive? What if we made change, instead of reacted to change? How would we be different? How would the world be different?

We wait for something to happen; we expect it. We get blind-sided when we don't expect it.

Here's where I'm going with this. I want to be blind-sided by life (but in a good way). Waiting makes me feel ever-expectant. I feel like I'm always waiting.

But what if I stopped waiting? Just completely stopped. Life would just happen spontaneously, and it would be wonderful (or terrible). But let's go with wonderful.

The best things in life come when you least expect it. I got my job because I was recommended by a faculty member; I didn't apply for it. I feel like more things could be like that if we would just let it be. Expecting is how some people get hurt.

Here is my goal for the summer: To become less expectant of myself and other people. To let life happen. To live in the moment, good or not-so-good. To minimize disappointment because of the high expectations I hold for myself and others.

It sounds kind of negative to say "I'm becoming less expectant of myself and other people." I am not giving up my morals and values. I'm just not going to wait around and expect something to happen. It either will or it won't. Me toiling and boiling over it will have no effect on the outcome.

This will be a huge challenge for me. Probably more challenging than the running goal. But I feel like it will help me out in  the long run. I'm just going to give my self a "break", along with everyone else.

No more waiting, now it's doing. Let's make the magic of life happen, people. Let's get inspired and do something without waiting.

We could stand on the edge of this cliff our entire lives...but let's just not. Isn't jumping half the fun? It's time to scare ourselves ALIVE!

Just make it work for you. Until next time...(or I should say don't wait til next time....)

Limbo

Recently I've been getting the feeling that I am in my life's version of limbo. It just seems like I'm hanging around waiting for my adult life to start and my college life to end.

Now I realize that I am still in school and only working part-time, but grad school is like college on steroids and my job will hopefully turn into my "big girl" job when school is over.

We go through various limbos in life. But this one seems like a pretty significant one. People are starting to wonder...What's gonna happen to her? The thing is that I've passed some of the times in life where "society" thinks should have happened by now.

Case in point: I'm 23 years old. And I currently do not have a boyfriend. Society says "You should have meet that someone in college, and now you should be on the track of engagement, marriage, a two-story house with a white-picket fence and a dog. What's wrong with you?"

Well, (A) nothing is wrong with me, and (B) my guess is that I'm still in limbo. And I feel like I've been in this particular limbo for about 3 years. The first two years not as much (just a recovery period from the Dark Days), but this past year, it feels like I have really jumped head first into my life's limbo. It's strange.

Do I want to meet that special someone? Yes, of course. But do I want to feel forced to conform to what society says a 23-year-old girl should be doing? Not really. I don't want to be feel rushed into something. And the house with the white-picket fence is not ideal for me. My style is much more modern and chic with a lot less of the country house, stay-at-home mom feel.

I am happy right now, but I will be happier once school is no longer putting a damper on my social life and good humor. I'm excited about graduating and starting a career. I'm excited about making it all work on my own.

But the thing about limbo is not knowing. And while it's half the fun, the other half is scary. So this is where I am on this beautiful Tuesday morning. Taking stock of my life in limbo. I'm completely over being in this limbo, but I still think it is necessary for me to really get ahold of myself before I'm released for good into the big wide world. So I'll just keep plodding along in limbo.

If you feel the same way I do, we should talk about it. Nothing is better than getting it out of your head. I would love to talk to you about it. But if you are more of the suffer-in-silence type, then here is my grand adivce:

Limbo doesn't last forever. We all have funks in life where we don't feel like ourselves. But it's just the physical and mental battle of your new self kicking your old self in the butt. It's a reality check. What comes out of limbo is a new person. You may look the same, talk the same, walk the same, but your insides are different and you think different. It's cool. Just go with it. And then rock whatever self come out after limbo. Because you were meant to be that way for a reason.

Hope you guys have a wonderful week. Pray that it doesn't rain Saturday since I will moving to the big city.
Happy Tuesday. Love you. :)

Until next time...