To a new life on a new shore line

i did something that, had you asked me three years ago, i would have sworn i'd never do.
while in st. louis this past weekend i got a tattoo. whoa. hehe! :) it says "esperanca," which in portuguese means "hope" or "wait."
it hurt, but i had my love by my side, holding my hand. we'll probably take the tattoo man's advice and get matching "bff" tattoos next time... just kidding.


i feel like hope and waiting have become central themes in my life, in the things i care about, in my work. two years ago i spent a very small amount of time in a place that made a very large impact on my life since then. it basically turned things around, as far as i was concerned and the "plans" i thought i had. since then there has been a deep and consistent need in me to go to where the hurting, poor, oppressed and suffering are and love them there. in working among those who are so broken, though, it's easy (for me) to become jaded, hopeless, overwhelmed. i continuously have to remind myself that our hope isn't here on earth, and that i am only being obedient to what's been placed on my heart and using what i've been blessed with in order to bless others. so, i thought that this might be a little visible reminder of that hope, and the place where it was so beautifully taught to me.
(plus it's fun:)

so, st. louis was wonderful, as always. i went with brian to see courtney for the weekend. i love being down there, and i love that courtney and i share such similar hopes and dreams for our lives, thus allowing me to not feel totally alone. talks this past weekend, too, refreshed my hope for future things, and even left me feeling slightly giddy. we shall see!

a few weeks ago i was eating at a restaurant and joked that i was going to order the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which cost as much as any of the other, actual, sandwiches. i didn't order the peanut butter and jelly, however, and the joke's on me. i have suddenly become hooked on pbj... i had one for dinner last night, and most likely will tonight. i really don't know the reasoning, but it's so good.

we are currently experiencing a bed bug epidemic in the neighborhood/building in which i work. it's awful, if you are fortunate enough not to have encountered the little creatures. they're so hard to kill, and to find, and they breed like crazy.... last week i saw one crawling on my work bag (which has since been discarded) and felt so compromised. i say all this in mostly sincerity and a slight bit of drama. but seriously, they're bad news.

welp, the week goes on. no more road trips for a while. tonight i'm just excited to stay home, enjoy some arrested development borrowed from a work friend, and have a delicious peanut butter and jelly.

ha esperanca pra voce. :)