life and times of Candie

back on the Weight Watchers Bandwagon

2012-02-09T15:20:00.000-06:00

I know I've talked about it before, but weight has always been a constant battle in my life. Ever since I can remember, I've been overweight and trying to lose weight. I remember my grandma putting me on a diet when I was in 3rd grade. I used to sneak food, and clearly remember when I hit 100 lbs. weighing myself in her kitchen before breakfast each morning.

I've been on many diets over the years, and if you name it, I've probably tried it. The that i've stuck to continuously is WEIGHT WATCHERS!! I've been on and off WW since 2000. I remember joining way back then with my good friends, Mary Kay and Shannon. I rocked it and lost 50 lbs. Of course, I gained it back and back to WW I went. I've repeated this cycle several times, which leads me to my current state. I found myself once again uncomfortable and un-happy.

This past month, I crawled back to WW with my tail between my legs, admitted defeat, and joined once again.

This time it's different (I know I've probably said that before) but truly it is. THis time my fabulous, adorable, and hunky boyfriend is doing it with me!!!!!!! We've agreed to be eachothers food support, not food police, and really support eachother. He has also struggled with weight for awhile and felt it was time that he took control and did something about it. My sister is also on at the same time and we check-in with eachother on Sunday mornings after we each have gone to our meetings. I love checking in with her and being a support.

We've been at it a month and so far so good!!!! I've lost 7 and some change and David has lost 13 (that stinker). We are really there for eachother and I am so glad that he's doing this with me. I know that I can go to a restraunt and he won't laugh at me when I pick apart my food and harass the wait staff.

We've even worked out together and he didn't laugh when I could only bench-press 10 lbs. I recently got a pedometer which I feel that I'm going to become obsessed with steps. I even put it on my pj's last night before I was ready to go to bed, just in case I would miss crucial steps.

This is no means an add for WW, but I highly recommend the program if you too struggle with weight. They really teach you how to eat for life, not just for right now. There's no special food to buy, only a life-style to adopt.

low-fat hoisin sauce

2012-01-31T13:37:00.002-06:00

The other night I volunteered to make dinner for my house. We were interviewing a new candidate for the house and I wanted a good and hearty meal. I am currently on Weight Watchers and find that when I am in control of the food situation, then I do better.

I am doing the "simply-filling" method in which I eat from a list of food until I am satisfied. As long as I eat from this list of food, then I don't have to count the points. So far, so good.

I knew that I could buy hoisin sauce already put together in a bottle, but I knew that I could probably make something better, and not have to use pre-packaged products. It saves on waste, packaging, sodium, preservatives, and probably other things that i don't want to feed my house. I searched on the internet and found this yummy recipe. It turns out only to be 1 WW point per serving. My house raved about the sauce, and our new potential roommate loved it too!!

I also added brown-rice to use as a base layer

Recipe inspired by: this yummy web-site

New Years :)

2012-01-03T08:52:00.001-06:00

I know everybody does new years resolutions, and some even stick with them. I am happy to say that I actually stuck with a resolution for a change. Last year I resolved to be vegan. I did it (mostly)!!!!!

I say mostly because of a couple of reasons. I've been vegetarian for almost 20 years and I'm to the point that if accidentally get a little meat or meat product, then I'm physically I'll. My body simply can't process it anymore. I call it a "24 hour experience". I don't want to get that way with milk and dairy, so I've intentionally eaten a little once in a while. I've had a slice of pizza (which I really didn't enjoy) couple of bites of this really yummy caramel sea-salt gelato that I love, couple of pieces of chocolate at Christmas, and a couple of other things. I'm continuing to be intentional about my eating and very conscious of where things come from and how they are mad, but giving myself a little indulgence now and then.

Being vegan wasn't as hard as I thought it would be actually. Once I got over the initial hump of wanting cheese all the time, it definitely got easier. I learned how to bake, make really yummy almond milk, and many other tricks. I've even got David to eat mostly began when I cook with him. I always make sure that there's cheese or something as an option, but for the lost part he eats what I make. Such a good guy, huh. :)

But for the most part, I've survived. Who knows how long I'll remain in the vegan life-style, but for now, it's here for the duration. I am enjoying learning new ways to make things, finding alternatives that aren't soy (don't get me started on that topic).

Recipe: vegan pumpkin cheesecake

2011-12-10T18:25:00.001-06:00

THis past week the boyfriend and I celebrated 6 months together. Still can't believe that its been 6 months since this wonderful specimen and wonderful guy walked into my life. When we'd been dating for a couple of months, I told him that for our 6 month anniversary that I'd make him a cheesecake. Originally I thought I would make him a non-vegan one, but when I started looking at the recipes, they all looked so good that I knew I had to make it vegan so I could have it too. I searched and searched recipes until I found one that I liked. I will admit that I borrowed it from my new favorite site, Fat-free vegan. Her recipes are amazing and fit into my vegan lifestyle and also help me to lose weight at the same time.

I learned how to actually use a spring-form pan and make a graham cracker crust from stratch. There were some difficult things that I'm glad to say that I can do now.

8 ounces Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (look for the non-hydrogenated versionin the yellow container)
12 ounces light firm silken tofu (or extra-firm)
1/2 cup agave nectar (or sugar)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned, not pumpkin pie mix)
2 teaspoons rum (optional)
3 tablespoons brown sugar or natural sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated fresh nutmeg (please!)

1 pre-made 8-inch graham cracker crust (or oatmeal cookie crust)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F.
Put the first set of ingredients (toffuti through vanilla) in a food processor and puree until completely smooth. It should be silky smooth–not chalky or lumpy.
Remove a heaping cup of this mixture from the processor and spread it in the bottom of the crust.
Add the next set of ingredients (pumpkin through nutmeg) to the ingredients remaining in the food processor and process until well blended. Smooth it carefully over the white layer in the crust, heaping it slightly in the middle. Bake until the center is almost set, about 50-60 minutes. (Insert a toothpick. If it comes out liquidy and cold, give it more time, until the center is firm.) Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 3 hours. Serve to delighted guests. (Don’t tell them it’s vegan, and they won’t know!)

Preparation time: 10 minute(s) | Cooking time: 50 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 8

He didn't die and said it was good, so I call it success!!! The evening was perfect, which we got to spend together and celebrate this milestone in our relationship.

a little update

2011-12-03T16:30:00.001-06:00

I know that I promised to keep this thing up, but what can I say, I such. Life has kinda taken over. I don't even remember the last time that I updated so I don't even know where to start, but I'll start with the best thing. I have the most fabulous, supportive, hot, and best boyfriend ever!!

not that I'm biased. We met at work last year. He started working at the Links in September and we gradually started talking more during breaks and eventually (ok it was forever ) he asked for my number. He came over to my house for what I call our pseudo-date. We were having a pot-luck and it was natural for him to come to that. We had a fabulous time (well except he ran away and didn't even give me a hug, love you honey). And now we've been together ever since. We are basically inseparable and I physically miss him when we're not together. It's hard to believe that it'll be 6 months next week. It's hard to remember a time that he wasn't in my life, but at the same time there are 27 years of his life that I wasn't present for.

redrinking the morning coffee

Oh his name is David. He's originally from Tennessee (well really he was born in IL and has also lived in FL) He has a touch of southern accent (and a little more when he's tired, but not much ) I always tell him "i'm dating a southern guy and I didn't even get the accent, what's up with that " He wants to go into computers and has a couple of semesters left to finish his IT degree. His parents live in Milwaukee and his sister (with the adorable nephew) lives in TN.

His is extremely supportive and always tell to stop paying attention to him and to do my homework. He's patient, kind, has the best smile, and makes my heart go pitter-pat.

Ok, I could go on and on about much I love him, but there other things that are going on at the moment

I mentioned homework. Yes I went back to school!! I'm getting a Masters of Science in Non-profit management. I know, I know, I said I wouldn't go back to school after the last masters, but God had other plans. I had so much passion about causes, but really lacked the practical skills to put them into practice. The degree is at Spertus which is a Jewish institution, but the degree isn't faith-based. I'm already learning so much and can't believe how much of the theory I'm applying back to the church. It seems like almost every example is from the Church. My class-mates haven't made me stop talking about God yet and I plan on continuing until they make me stop or get sick of the topic. There are so many parallels that it's mind boggling.

I have a dream to open-up a faith-based non-profit coffee-shop and use coffee as a medium to talk to people about God. Many people have either been burned by the Church and won't ever set foot in one again, but still have a faith life and I want to be able to nurture that in them. Many people that I know (especially the LGBTQ community) have been either kicked-out of their church for their sexual-orientation or have been disillusioned by the patriarchy and the many other ills of the contemporary church. I think this is a beautiful way to live out my calling as a permanent deacon in the United Methodist Church and link the Church and the World. I can reach-out to people where they are at in life. True, I will probably invite them to church when they are ready because at the root of everything is out mission "create disciples FOR the transformation of the world"

Thanks for hanging in there with me, my dear readers and I hope to update more often.

Vegan Thai Peanut-butter sauce

2011-08-08T13:40:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday I was struggling with what to make for dinner. I knew I was going over to my boyfriends house for dinner and would cook there so I grabbed some rice, a tomato, and an avocado from home, but had no idea what I was actually going to do with it.

While at work a co-worker brought some rice at home and managed to make a yummy peanut-butter sauce from what was available in our meager office kitchen. I thought to my self "voila, that's what I'll make". I off to the store I went and grabbed some supplemental veggies to go along with what I had on hand and peanut-butter sauce is what was for dinner.

I'm vegan and always have coconut-milk on hand and I made due with what meager spices the boyfriend pocesses (he has improved since I've come into his life)

As always, I don't really measure, just a dash here and there, and pray that it comes out.

Sauce:
peanut-butter
coconut-milk
minced-garlic
salt
pepper
hoisin sauce
soy-sauce
red-pepper flakes
tofu (preferably breaded a little with flour.

put it all in the frying-pan until it all melts and is yummy. If its too thick add more milk or soy. To thin, add more peanut-butter. Fry up the tofu in a separate pan and add to sauce

Brown Rice

measure twice as much as the rice and put in pot to boil and its done when water is gone. Had to teach the boyfriend this one. First time I saw him make rice on his own he put a whole bunch of rice in the pot, and didn't measure the water, and let it boil until he thought it was done, and we ended-up with crunchy rice.

With veggies I usually cut-up what I have on hand and add it to a starch. (david likes to say that all my cooking is the same cuz it usually will involve most of the same things, just re-configured, and he's right )

This is what I put in this particular day:

zuchinni cut on the diagnol
mushrooms
onions
carrots
tomatoes
broccolli (well really I bought some and forgot to put it in )

Serve up the rice and top with veggies and sauce. I added a little avocado on top with a little more salt. David said it was really good and hasn't died yet, so I think it was a success.

Sorry no pictures this time.

Vegan meatloaf

2011-07-07T01:04:00.001-05:00

Soooo me and the new boyfriend are about a month in and I've enjoyed trying out new vegan recipes on him. He's actually a pretty good sport and is willing to try most anything that I cook.

I made him go with me the other day to Chicago Diner which is a vegetarian diner in town and he even ate seitan (which he has nick-named SATAN because of some other things). I asked him while there what are some if his favorite meals and I would see if I could veganize it and one he said was meatloaf. I thought it sounded easy enough and so I set out to make a good one that would satisfy his need and my taste-buds

Here's what I came up with. Its a combination of a couple of recipes with a few additions.

Vegan Meatloaf

1 onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional to oil pan
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups cracker crumbs (whiz in food processor) or 2 1/2 cups corn flakes
3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped (optional, but good!)
1 cup oatmeal (uncooked)
1 cup carrots, grated (optional, but good!)
1/4 cup parsley (freshly chopped)
1 teaspoon sage, dried (or more fresh)
1/2 teaspoon rosemary (crushed, more if fresh)
2 cups mushrooms, whizzed until chunky in food processor (2 cups after processing)
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
1 cup soymilk
3 tablespoons flax seeds
1 cup tofu, any variety

1. Mix together all ingredients except soymilk, flax and tofu. Put milk, flax and tofu in food processor and blend well. Pour over other ingredients and mix thoroughly. It should be moist and mooshy but not "soupy". Too dry, add more soymilk, if it's too wet, add more breadcrumbs.

2. Spread into oiled 8 X 11 pan and bake at 350 about 1 hours 15 min - until browned on top, and fairly firm. (Sometimes it sets up more than others, depending on the moisture in the mushrooms, onions, etc -- ).

3. This is better the next day, but who can wait? Serve with gravy, BBQ sauce or ketchup. Leftovers (sorta) slice for GREAT sandwiches.

Sorry theres no pictures. I was so excited by it that I forgot to take some.

The verdict was that it was fantastic and he even asked that I make it again!!

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Yummy salsa

2011-05-28T11:50:00.001-05:00

The other day I had a hankering for chips and salsa so I grabbed my favorite chips and then wandered down to the salsa aisle.

I sat and stared at the assortment of salsas and almost grabbed my favorite black bean and corn which is what I always pick. Its what I've always picked, but I found myself looking at the jar and thinking "I can make this myself, this isn't hard."

So I pulled my trusty iPhone out of my pocket and googled a couple of recipes so could make sure that I had the ingredients and headed home to play domestic housewife.

I combined a couple of recipes and this is what I came up with.

2 cans dices tomatoes
A couple cloves of garlic
1/2 onion
Splash of lime juice
1/2 bunch of cilantro (yuck, but necessary)
Salt to taste

1. Place everything in blender except one of the cans of tomatoes and blend for couple of seconds.

2. Pull top off blender and and dump in the other can of tomatoes and just blend slightly so it's still chunky.

3. Put in fridge for about 30 minutes for the flavors to blend "and get to know eachother and become friends"

And enjoy with the chips that got all this started in the first place!!

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almond-milk recipe

2011-05-02T22:34:00.000-05:00

I recently tried my first batch of almond-milk in my effort to not drink soy and to reduce packing. This following recipe is adapted from one I found at mckmamma. I adjusted it by adding a touch of vanilla extract and a little honey. I also re-used the pulp a 2nd time to make them go further.

My roommate suggested that the almonds be soaked for 8-10 hours to remove the coating on the outside of the nut which allows our body to digest it properly and absorb all the nutrients we can from the nut.

Almond Milk

1/2 cup raw almonds
4 dried dates
3 cups distilled water

Put all ingredients in a food processor and blend until it looks like milk! Strain out the pulp (using a strainer with small holes first and cheesecloth second [and third, if you want]). Refrigerate milk. Drink or pour over cereal. It will keep for about 3 days.

home-made laundry soap

2011-05-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

so i've a bit of a hippy lately and really exploring options to not only save money, but save packaging and produce less waste.

I live in community and we each have a house project that are leading that goes along with one of our house values. I really have invested in the idea of sustainability and how we can eat, but use less.

one idea is laundry-soap which can easily be made at home using a few simple ingredients. This way you are saving money and also the packaging.

This is the recipe that I found which was given to me by my roommate which was taken from cheapskatemonthly

Homemade Laundry Soap

What you need: (1) Fels Naptha Laundry Soap Bar ($.99/bar); (2) Arm & Hammer Super

Wash Baking Soda ($2.59/box); (3) 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster ($3.39/box)

QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU FIND ALL THAT? HY-VEE EAST & WEST in Mason City!

(You may want to talk to the manager of your local Hy-Vee if they don’t stock these items.)

For a 5 Gallon Batch

STEP 1: Grate one bar of Fels Naptha Soap
STEP 2: Put grated soap in 2 quarts of water on a burner set on LOW/MEDIUM, stirring
occasionally until dissolved.
STEP 3: After the soap has completely dissolved, stir in 1 heaping cup of Super Wash
Baking Soda and 1 heaping cup of Borax laundry booster. Stir until the
mixture thickens and remove from heat.
STEP 4: Put two quarts of hot water in a 5 gallon bucket. Add the soap mixture and
mix well.
STEP 5: Fill the bucket with more hot water until it’s about one inch from the top of the
bucket. Suggestion: Skim the scum off the top.
STEP 6: Leave the mixture to set for 24 hours while it thickens.
STEP 7: The next morning, mix with a drill-powered paint stirrer. Stir again 24 hours
after that.
STEP 8: Pour into laundry detergent jugs or other containers and you’re ready to go!

For a 4 Gallon Batch

STEP 1: 2/3 bar of Fels Naptha Soap
STEP 2: 2 quarts of hot water
STEP 3: 1 cup of Super Wash Baking Soda and 1 cup of Borax laundry booster.
STEP 4: Two quarts of hot water in a 2 gallon bucket. Fill to 2 inches from top.
CONTINUE AS IN 5 GALLON BATCH.

For a 2 Gallon Batch

STEP 1: 1/3 bar of Fels Naptha Soap
STEP 2: 3 pints of hot water
STEP 3: 1/2 cup of Super Wash Baking Soda and 1/2 cup of Borax laundry booster.
STEP 4: One quart of hot water in a 2 gallon bucket. Fill to 2 inches from top.
CONTINUE AS IN 5 GALLON BATCH.

For Powdered Laundry Detergent:

ü 1 cup grated Fels Naptha Laundry Bar Soap
ü ½ cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
ü ½ cup 20 Mule Team Borax Laundry Booster
Mix and store in an airtight container. Use 2 tablespoons for light loads, 3 for heavy.
For large batch, grate 6 bars of soap, use 3 cups of Super Wash Baking Soda and 3
cups of 20 Mule Team Borax.

Rogers Park Co-op seeks new Roommates

2011-04-18T14:27:00.000-05:00

Rogers Park Christian housing cooperative seeks additional roommates

We are a Christian housing cooperative, founded in August 2010, committed to social justice, community, environmental sustainability, and faith. We are looking for people who share these passions and are interested in living in a diverse, engaged neighborhood where local community action is a part of daily life.

A housing cooperative is a living environment where people join with each other on a democratic basis to control the housing and/or related community facilities in which they live.

As a community we live together, share meals, and work on various outreach projects including children’s programming at a local church, a weekly food distribution, environmental projects, and spiritual formation. The house is a Christian community, though not all of us are Christian. We are inclusive and welcome those of all religions, genders, sexual orientations, races, cultures, and classes to apply.

We are looking for roommates who are excited to take action in building a better world.

Private rooms available now. We live in a multi-bedroom house with 2.5 bathrooms and a shared kitchen. The ground floor has adequate living space including a long room with two sitting areas and a separate dining room.

Current roommates include a mix of students, young professionals, and full-time activists. Many of us spend our time studying, cooking, eating, engaging in community activism, or generally finding other ways to have fun.

Home is located within walking distance of the CTA Red Line, Metra, and several bus routes including the 147. Local, independent grocery store and several restaurants located nearby.

Cost ranges from $300-$500 a month depending on occupancy, which includes housing, utilities (including Internet), and some furnishings. We also contribute $50 a month for house groceries.

email: goandfish@gmail.com to inquire or to seek application

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2011-03-19T21:07:00.001-05:00

Old gift-card project

Totally going on my wall at home

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Lenten weight loss sponsorship

2011-03-07T00:17:00.001-06:00

Last year for Lent i had a group of blessed sponsors that each sponsored me for a 5 lb. increment. I was hugely successful at losing weight with the support system of my friends and family. I was blessed to know that there was a community of people around me that believed in me and held me accountable. I truly know that I need that kind of encouragement in my life to lose the weight that I've been battling all my adult life.

Weight has always been an issue in my life and I realized that I'm getting older (i found a couple of gray hairs that suddenly appeared when I turned 30) and I long to be at a weight that is comfortable and allows me to lead an active life-style. I long to not huff-and-puff everytime I go up stairs, to be able to run, and not have to shop in the fat-lady section of the store. I'm not looking to be stick-thin, but much healthier than I am now.

Admittedly I gained a few pounds of the initial 40 that I lost last year, but was able to keep most of it off. I would like to continue the success that I had last year with Lent this year.

Sponsorship doesn't have to include any money, just encouragement in some way. I love music and iTunes is my friend, so a gift of a song would be great. Come and cook with me (I'm vegan), share a new recipe, work-out with me, send encouraging texts, prayers, or reward me in a way that you see fit. I was gifted an awesome pedicure by my friend Megan last year that lasted several months and every time that I looked at it, I was reminded of the journey that I had been on.

I have set-up a Google doc that allows you sign-up for a 5 lb. increment. You can go to the web-site here. Right now I have it set-up to go up to 50 lbs. and if all those spots are taken, I'm not one to turn-down support, so I will gladly take more if the need arises.

Right now I have support for 15-20 lbs., but looking for that first 5 lbs. which begins with Ash Wednesday (on you guessed it, Wednesday).

I will gift each of my sponsors with a thank you gift a news of my progress.

Thanks in advance to everyone who supports me, even if you're not an official sponsor

Again, sign-up Here to be a sponsor

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2011-01-09T23:37:00.001-06:00

Since I don't have a car anymore these are where the bumper-stickers end up.

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One week of being vegan

2011-01-08T22:41:00.001-06:00

Well I made it one week of being vegan and I'm still alive. I admit that I had several cravings. I really, really wanted this yummy pizza from down the street from work. It's not good for me at al, not at all weight watchers friendly, but it's all I thought about while at work. It's hot and greasy and soooooooooo good. Through tons of will-power and posting on Twitter I was able to overcome my craving. Many thanks to those who offered support.

I'm continuing to be a label reader, and have become quite obsessed with it actually. I'm constantly googleing is this vegan? And asking my roommate who used to be vegan. It's going to be a learning process for sure. I do have a goal to eventually cut down on soy because too much of that isn't good for you either, but it's a marathon not a sprint.

Right now I'm off to subway to have a well researched salad. And technically it's a franchise so it fits into my no national chain commitment.

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2011-01-04T18:54:00.001-06:00

My yard on Christmas morning!!

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Epiphany epistle

2011-01-03T23:13:00.000-06:00

Well I know its been forever since I've updated and I failed to get out a Christmas letter so here's my epiphany epistle as my mother suggested.

The year started out with my very last semester of seminary. I returned to school anxious for graduation, but very unsure about the future. Since I am on the Deacon track in the ordination process I knew that there would be no job waiting for me upon graduation so I needed to secure employment before then. I applies for numerous internships, fellow-ships, and full-time jobs, but frustratingly i didn't get any of them.

I burried myself in my studies as I was taking 16.5 units to graduate on time. I ended up having one on the best semesters ever and excellent grades too. I sadly had to say good-bye to a number of good friends as they were returning home to their home conferences.

Graduation quickly came and also meant packing. Several weeks before graduation i still hadn't decided whether i would go home to CA or stay on the mostly frigid Chicago. I ended up taking a good friend up on an offer to house-sit her house for the summer in exchange of rent.

The most exciting part about graduation was that it brought many family members to see me and who I could show off my apartment and the fabulous city of Chicago to. I had participated in my schools worship band for the past 3 years and was able to sing with them for senior worship and also by assisting in communion. My mom even made my scapula for me to wear.

Me and my mom with scapula she made for me including a button from my great-grandma

whole family at graduation

After graduation with help from very good friends I moved to my friends condo for the summer. The condo was on the market and it was my job to make sure that it was clean and presentable for showings and water the plants. It was also while here that I got my present job. I quickly realized that I needed a job and a dear friend at church was able to recommend me to her company. It is essentially a national golf tee-time desk where I make and cancel tee-times for over 600 courses. I am also involved in training agents when they start and come up through the tiers. Though the job isn't in ministry, the funny thing is that I'm actually good at it.

June brought a trip home for Annual Conference of the California-Pacific Annual Conference. It's a regional meeting for all the United Methodists in Southern CA, Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan, for all you non-Methodist people. At this meeting I humbly was awarded the Burt All award for the work that I have done in Reconciling for the past couple of years. I was truly shocked because I believe that I am still starting out in ministry and there are many other people that also deserved the recognition, but I accepted all the same.

August brought a trip back home for my really good friends Eva and Phils wedding. I was a bridesmaid. Eva and I met back when I was a sophmore in highschool and she was my youth-director. We ended up at CSULB together when I was finishing my bachelor's and she was getting a 2nd bachelor's in religious studies. She convinced me that I should come to Garrett (I even visited in a blizzard and still came) and we have remained good friends ever since.

whole wedding party at Eva's wedding

September brought another move as I moved into an intentional community ( think co-op). This community is sponsored by the United Church of Rogers Park (Methodist Church in Rogers Park), but we aren't all Methodist. There are 6 of us total (well technically 5 now cuz one moved out on Saturday). We are founded on the ideas of spirituality, sustainability, social-justice, and community. This move has been one of the best that I've made in a long time. I'd lived by myself for 3 years and didn't think that I would like living with people again, but I LOVE IT!! I love having people to go home to and people to share meals with. We have a shared grocery budget and most weeks take turns cooking.

all the roommates at Thanksgiving

Ordination process wise I passed my recommendation interview in September (which if you may remember I didn't pass last year), but because of an oversight on my part didn't get a crucial portion of my preliminary paper-work in on time and so won't be eligible to be commissioned this year. I am continuing to preach when I have the opportunity (January 16th at the early service at Holy Covenant) and volunteer when I can.

Huge news that happened right at the new year, I have gone VEGAN!! This decision was done with a huge amount of prayer and a hard-look at my life. I participated in a food-justice group this fall and really how my food choices affected the environment and the people around me. I am also trying as hard as I can to shop/eat in national chains. This way I am buying and eating local.

wow that was a huge update and I hope all are well.

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Post graduation

2010-06-13T16:17:00.005-05:00

Well once again it's been forever since I've updated everybody on my life. Until I am employed I am vowing to blog more. I realize that it's an outlet that I have and is far more productive than sitting around and watching TV all day.

It's been over a month since graduation and sometimes I can't believe that I have a masters degree!! I have mastered the divine (or at least G-ETS thinks so). Graduation and moving was absolutely sureal. I had a whole bunch of family fly in for the life-changing event. My mom, sister, dad, step-mom, uncle, friend Shannon, my step grandparents (retired UM clergy) all were there to witness me walk across that stage and participate in senior chapel. My mom even made me a scapula for me to wear during Senior Chapel.

It is tradition of our school for the graduating women to wear red shoes in honor of Georgia Harkness who was the first woman theology professor in the country. We wear red to honor her legacy and the hardships that she endured so that we could gain an education. It is rumored on campus that she used to escape to the 3rd floor womens bathroom to cry because of the ridicule that she received from the male faculty. Anyways back to my shoes. I have feet problems and can't wear just any shoes so I went on a shoe quest, but couldn't find anything in my price range that was comfortable and that I could wear all-day. And let's face it, I am not a heel-girl and never will be. I think I'll wear my red Vans to my commissioning and ordination also. My sister to the rescue in CA because she sent me red Vans. I had really wanted to wear red chucks, but sadly her store didn't have them in my size. They killed my feet the next day, but I didn't care. I was comfortable and I was me. Boy it's going to be hard to find a place to work where I don't have to wear dressy shoes that don't fit my personality.

I spent the weekend with my sister and mom in the city and my mom even bought me an interview suit!! Now i'll look snazzy for my interviews and hopefully I'll get a job soon (more on that later). They helped me pack and I moved on Monday. I am housesitting for a good friend in the city and currently live in their basement. My cell-phone doesn't work down there so if you call I'll probably be late in answering it because I have to run upstairs to get it. Don't fret though, I love to hear from people so call freely.

I have been interviewing like crazy for jobs. I have had several that I think are good, but like always have to wait. I tentatively have a "pay the bills" job with a friends company in call center which I am excited about because a "girls gotta eat"

I am still interviewing for that job that reflects all the hard work and money I put into my two degrees which I know is out there. I know that I am called to make a difference in this world and make big money recognize that they can't walk over people and not recognize their human dignity and that all people are created in Gods image.

So until that job comes I fill my days with looking for a job, watching tons of tv, and I'm beginning to work on those questions for the Board of Ordained Ministry so I'll be ready when they are due in December. This is my year for commissioning!!

I think I'll enjoy blogging more often. Get my voice out there and allow me to flesh out my thoughts and feelings.

My Plans

2010-04-27T17:37:00.002-05:00

So it is with great excitement that I announce my plans!!!!!! I am going to stay in Chicago for at least the summer housesitting a very dear friends condo. They are moving to Oregon and the condo is on the market so i will stay there to keep it occupied and to water the plants. If it sells during the summer then I will have 30 days to find a new place. It it's still on the market at the end of August then I will have the option of either finding some roomates to help pay the rent or find some place else to live. The only thing that I will have to pay is the gas bill (long, long, story) and my own personal expenses such as food, cell-phone, transportation, and such. It is such a good-deal and a win-win for the both of us. I am so blessed to have such good friends in my life. I truly don't know what I would with out them.

My goal is to some time move into an intentional community in the city, but who knows, if I need ot find rommates, I maybe can make an intentional community of my own!!

I am still looking for a job though. I have had several interviews for places that I thought I was perfect for, but sadly didn't get the position. I have applied for several AmeriCorps positions in the city and I'm awaiting interviews and such. I am also looking at jobs to make money, be this retail or nannying. I would like to find something that is full-time and is deemed appointable by the Bishop when I'm commissioned next year, but only God knows that plan. Until then I will live in faith and on grace!! I know there's a job out there for me and it's just waiting for me to apply.

Thanks for everybody's thoughts and prayers throughout the last several months. Sometimes I get homesick since I'm 2000 miles from home and when I hear people are praying for me, it lifts my spirits.

I still can't believe that I am 17 days from graduation and 17 from having a masters degree. It seems only yesterday when I started this adventure, but it some ways, light years ago. I have grown so much in my faith in this time that sometimes I can't believe the person that I started seminary as, but know that I was once there and thought those thoughts. I have learned things such as liberation theology, process theology, different lenses to read the Bible through, and how to walk in another shoes.

I can't wait to see what the future brings!!

Living Simply (So others can simply live)

2010-03-01T23:03:00.003-06:00

Tonight at small group we talked about simplicity and what that really means. Does it mean cutting things out of your life or adding to your life in ways that make it simpler. I like to think that in some ways I do live simple, but I know in some ways that I don't. We came up with that a simple answer that all that you do needs to reflect God, but the question is how do we live that out. We also talked about worrying a lot, not to worry because that impedes on relationships and living in the present. When we worry about tomorrow we can't be focused on today and living in the moment. A theme of mine lately has been (and if you've been around me lately, it's all I talk about) is worrying about life after graduation. I am constantly scanning web-sites for jobs, asking friends about jobs, picturing where I' going to live, am I staying in Chicago or moving back to LA (or DC, New York, or San Francisco), what am I going to be doing, which passion am I following, (the list could go on and on and on....) But if I'm constantly worried about these things then I can't concentrate on the present such as assignments, cultivating friendships that I have so that we will remain close friends after graduation, seeing this amazing city that I live in that I haven't really explored, and nurturing my soul ( not neglecting my new-found spiritual practices and my "still small-voice" )

During a time of silence I really was listening to what God was saying and constantly heard "live in faith, live in grace, don't worry, you have a home in me"

But one thing we talked about has been nagging me and that's clutter in our lives and I am thinking about my stuff in my apartment. When I moved here I moved in 2 suitcases and some boxes that were shipped, but only made it here (that's another story all together). I soon realized that besides some extremely sentimental things in the boxes that I got along without most of the stuff. Well not without the winter clothes, definitely had to buy some more of those because I don't really think that flip-flops would really cut it in freezing Chicago. My apartment was furnished so I didn't need any furniture, but bought things like a tv, microwave, dishes, kitchen stuff, and have somehow accumulated a whole lotta books. My dilemma is what do I do with this stuff when I move. The selfish one in me is to somehow move it all. I have no idea where the money would come from, but I just down-sized my life and don't wan to do it again. I am really planning on moving into a co-op or intentional community so I won't need things like dishes and kitchen stuff.

The other part of me wants to just free-cycle it all and start over. Give to those who don't have and give back to those who have gotten me through this seminary journey. I could really help people in this community in seminary and beyond. The in-between thing would to list some of it on craigslist and use the money to buy replacements (and at thrift stores) wherever I move. Then I wouldn't have to pay to move it.

What do you guys think?

moving forward- stream of consciousness style

2010-02-25T14:17:00.002-06:00

wow I haven't updated in forever.

I still can't believe that it's the last semester of my last semester of seminary. It seems like yesterday that I started this crazy ride and then at sometimes it seems like forever. I came in with such expectations and dreams and now is the time where they are starting to come into fruition. We had our graduation meeting yesterday and suddenly graduation is becoming a fast reality. I have now 78 days to find a job and a place to live. Can I really move anywhere is the country or do I need to be at home. How do I follow all my passions and remain true to my call as a Deacon. I am called to be a bridge between the Church and the world (the official line) I am specifically called to work with the LGBTQ community or a campus community or as a community organizer. I also have interests in hunger, poverty, housing, the environment, and how they connect to my faith and my Church. It's always my ultimate goal to influence the Church in the end. This is where my faith is grounded and needs to be my focus, but also focus on the larger kingdom of God.

I am in spiritual direction where I am learning to truly pray for the first time in m life. I always prayed throughout the day, saying quick prayers here and there when the need ariases, but have always had a hard time with focused prayer (really quiet in general). I still have a really difficult time with it, but have been able to pray several times a week. I am looking forward to walking the labyrinth several times during Lent at school where it's set-up. I am also in a spiritual discipline small-group at church where last week the focus was meditation which helped my personal meditation a little.

I am praying for direction and a job. Where and who is God calling me to be. In all of this I remember that I am a beloved child of God. Even if the job that I take right now is not my ultimate dream-job, it will definitely be serving God in some way. I will gain some valuable skills that I don't think I have at the moment and in the future will get that dream job. The job that will bring joy to my heart and also change as many people lives as possible.

Well it's back to that homework that must be done so that I can graduate and get the job that will determine where I live and how I begin my grown-up life.

Books needed for Fall

2010-01-23T19:56:00.002-06:00

Friends-

As the final semester comes and in the interest of the environment and fiances, I wanted to see if my friends had any of these books. I would be willing to buy/borrow.

-------------------------

Blount, Brian K. Cultural Interpretation: Reorienting NT Criticism. Minneapolis, MN:

Fortress Press, 1995 (ISBN 0-8006-2859-4).

Martin, Dale B. Sex and the Single Savior. Gender and Sexuality in Biblical

Interpretation. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2006.

Segovia, Fernando and Tolbert, Mary Ann (eds.). Reading from this Place. Social

Location and Biblical Interpretation, Vols. 1 & 2. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress,

1995 (ISBN I: 0-8006-2812-8 & II: 0-8006-2949-3).

Sugirtharajah, R.S. (ed.). Voices from the margin. Interpreting the Bible in the Third

World, New edition. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis/London: SPCK, 1995 (ISBN 1-

57075-046-7).

______________ (ed.). The Postcolonial Bible. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic

Press, 1998 (ISBN 1-85075-898-0).

RECOMMENDED

Felder, Cain Hope. Stony the Road we Trod. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991

(ISBN 0-8006-2501-3).

Foskett, Mary and Kuan, Jeffrey Kah-Jin, eds., Ways of Being, Ways of Reading: Asian

American Biblical Interpretation. St. Louis: Chalice, 2006.

Gonzalez, Justo. Santa Biblia:The Bible Through Hispanic Eyes. Nashville: Abingdon,

1996 (ISBN 0-687-01452-2).

Patte, Daniel (general editor). Gobal Bible Commentary. Nashville: Abingdon Press,

2004.

Schottroff, Luise. Let the oppressed go free: feminist perspectives on the New Testament.

Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993 (ISBN 0-66425-426-8).

Sugirtharajah, R.S. (edit.) Asian Faces of Jesus. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1993

(ISBN 0-88344-833-5).

John B. Cobb, Jr. Grace and Responsibility: A Wesleyan Theology for Today. Nashville:

Abingdon Press 1995.

Karen Baker-Fletcher. Dancing with God: The Trinity from a Womanist Perspective.

Atlanta: Chalice Press 2007*

Burton Z. Cooper. Why God? Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press 1988.*

Ivone Gebara. Longing for Running Water. Minneapolis: Augsburg/Fortress Press 1999.

Bradley C. Hanson. Introduction to Christian Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress Press

1997.

Douglass John Hall. Professing the Faith: Christian Theology in a North American

Context. Minneapolis: Fortress Press 1996.*

Sallie McFague. Models of God: Theology for an Ecological and Nuclear Age.

Minneapolis: Fortress Press 1987.

Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, God, Christ, church: A Practical Guide to Process Theology.

New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company 1992.*

Paul Tillich Systematic Theology Vol. I. Chicago: University of Chicago Press any

edition.

Elie Weisel. Night. any edition*

social liberalism-source unknown

2009-08-20T18:17:00.000-05:00

This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy.

I then took a shower in the clean water provided by a municipal water utility.

After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC-regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration determined the weather was going to be like, using satellites designed, built, and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

I watched this while eating my breakfast of U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

At the appropriate time, as regulated by the U.S. Congress and kept accurate by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. Naval Observatory, I get into my National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-approved automobile and set out to work on the roads build by the local, state, and federal Departments of Transportation, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, using legal tender issued by the Federal Reserve Bank.

On the way out the door I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the U.S. Postal Service and drop the kids off at the public school.

After spending another day not being maimed or killed at work thanks to the workplace regulations imposed by the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health administration, enjoying another two meals which again do not kill me because of the USDA, I drive my NHTSA car back home on the DOT roads, to my house which has not burned down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and Fire Marshal's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all its valuables thanks to the local police department.

And then I log on to the internet -- which was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration -- and post on Freerepublic.com and Fox News forums about how SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the government can't do anything right.

finances and seminary

2009-07-29T16:52:00.002-05:00

I am about to begin my 3rd year of seminary and I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that I was sitting in my tiny apartment in Signal Hill, CA trying to pack. I had a system going on my bed.

1. box to stay in closet

2. box to yard-sale

3. box to throw-away

4. box to pack in suitcase

5. box to ship by UPS (bad, bad, idea)

6. box for carry-on luggage

that was how I had catergorized my life. How was I supossed to fit the last 27 years of my life into 6 boxes? As hard as it was I did it. And I learned the hard way that I really didn't need the 10 boxes of UPS stuff (though in the end I did end up getting one box back)

I said my tearful good-byes ( and believe me they were hard ) and made my way to the airport to begin my new life. On my flight I thought about a number of things, including how was I going to finance my new education. I had received a pretty generous financial-aid package from the school, but the majority of it was loans that I would have to pay back when I finished my education.

My first year I relied on my loans/scholarships and the little amount that I could earn nannying. I had been a full-time nanny before entering seminary and it was something that I enjoyed immensely. Most of the time I had children who napped so i could sneak in a little "study time" and most of the time nanny jobs payed more than I could earn by working on campus or ministry jobs.

My 2nd year I continued to nanny 10-15 hours a week and also took an internship with a national grassroots organization Reconciling Ministries Network that ensured that ALL persons were welcomed into the United Methodist Church. This was a life-giving internship where I really learned the heart of the church and felt so much love. It is where I developed my call into an outreach position. I need to be with people, but feel that I also need to be in a policy making position. I worked about 30-35 hours a week between the internship and nanny jobs and was completley exhausted. I didn't depend as much on my financial-aid, but ended the semester spent and had nothing left to give. I was snappy, drank a large amount of cofee, and was generally not a pleasant person to be around. I also couldn't spend time with my friends in school because I was always either working or studying. Part of what I wanted to get out of seminary is make life-long friends and form a community

My 3rd year I have vowed that I will find more scholarship and aid so that I don't have to work and can concentrate on my 15 units, commissioning papers, and graduation. I stumbled upon seminary scholarship.com which offers some seminary scholarships. This is one of many sources that I am seeking and exploring in aiding my future and education. I don't want to be working or studying all the time and enjoy this last year.

blog hop- 3 things you didn't know about me

2009-07-13T20:51:00.006-05:00

1. I have an un-natural obsession with peanut-butter... This includes peanut-butter bars, straight out of the jar on the spoon, spread on toast, ice-cream, coffee drinks, or anything else that can possibily be made with peanut-butter...and can be frequently found at the below image enjoying a "funky monkey"

2. When I was born I walked with my toes pointed out and the doctors wanted to break my legs and see "if they healed differently"...my parents thankfully said "mmmmm...no thank you". I still walk with them pointed out, but not as bad

3. Since moving to Chicago I haven't done some things that I want to such as

- visit Sears tower

- ride all the "L" lines...to just say that I did

- seen Oprah

- swim in the lake