Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Checking it twice

All of this talk of Christmas and Santa, it helped me decide to document a few of my own lists...ones I've been making in my head for months.

Things I could live without, but would rather not.
grapefruit spoons
IMDb
iPhone
mission scriptures
Netflix/HuLu
seasonal drinking straws
Visiting Teaching
chocolate/mint ANYTHING.
NPR
LUSH products [especially the karma komba shampoo bar] 
competitive cooking shows
Hoodies
'Baron Von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident'



Things that didn't exist before my mission that exist now that intimidate me.
Justin Bieber
hashtags (what is that?)
"The Dougie"
Grown-up callings
The iPad
Lady GaGa
Pressure to be married
3D Televisions

Saturday, October 29, 2011

The telephones, well they work in both ways

I live in Pennsylvania now,

it is SNOWING! lots.

Trying to pick a new phone case...



My cute niece practices writing her name as my laptop computer and I search for the ideal case.
I borrowed some of her materials to pontificate. I found my current mantra:





Sometimes, life is hard. But not today.

.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Just let the disc play

The last two weeks have been filled with lots of efforts to delve into the last 18 months, politically, musically, televisionally, cinematically, and friendshiply.

I have learned much, loved more.

First things first, it's time for a new playlist.
[remember when I used to have a new one every month?]

DISCLAIMER:::no need to judge for the lack of new tracks. I'm still exploring, rediscovering myself musically [currently accepting donations consisting of artist/track recommendations] I did, however, find myself going back to many of these within hours of my re-entry.

So, here we go:
1. Big Sur by Mason Jennings | a song to give you hope. my favorite line: future is as future does.
2. This is a Song by The Magic Numbers | I don't like to be told sad things either.
3. Commodore by Joshua James | so glad to be back, to hear.
4. The Mess I Made by Parachute | don't you wish he was singing to you?
5. Brutal Hearts by Bedouin Soundclash | a prevalent theme in this our world.
6. She Moves in Her Own Way by The Kooks | have you ever felt a better beat?
7. Good Man by Josh Ritter | honesty. has always reminded me of Fanny's Dream. And, my dream.
8. In our Talons by The Bowerbirds | I haven't found my passion yet, but I love listening to others who have found theirs.
9. Green and Gray by Nickelcreek | I get it. So much, I get it.
10. Knife by Grizzly Bear | don't you wish you could document your heartache like this?
11. Kicking the Heart Out by Rogue Wave | If music is my lover, you are just a tease.
12. Woods by Bon Iver | once upon a time, this album changed me.
13. Imitosis by Andrew Bird | introduced to me by the beloved SVL, a track that will always be in my top 40.

...have a listen!

Future is as future does. Mine is coming, and I can't resist sprinting toward it.

optimistically,
chaela

Friday, September 09, 2011

A dazzling place I never knew

Well, hello! [preparing for re-entry]

I'm back. I can't believe it.

I will write more reflectively another day. It sufficeth me to say that I loved my mission. It was so hard. It was so incredible. I am grateful. I am also ready, now, to move on.

So, here I go. Next phase.

What did I do my first hours as a civillian?

1. step off the plane, put one foot in front of the other.
2. exit my gate, enter my past.
3. feel joy as I am welcomed by an army of airport greeters, a balloon, and my favorite smoothie from a local smoothie shop.
4. head straight to the stake center to be released.
5. arrive in my childhood home. beautiful feeling.
6. slip back into my holey Vans.
7. open my [undeserved] birthday gifts.
8. enjoy my parents.
9. enjoy technology.
10. videochat with the family in Penn.
10. go with the Jewels to pick up an LC's 5DH&R (part of my requested first meal). Can you believe she's never been?
11. enjoy a delicious meal with my family, including Bob. [Like I said, family].
12. walk the dog with the LarBear.
13. watch Jeopardy with my Mom.
14. work to restore my itunes.
15. call Sydney in Botswana.
16. clean out my e-mail account, while listening to Joshua James.
17. Hit the [incredibly tall] sack.

A beautiful, simple day.

Monday, April 11, 2011

It's the end.

It's too stressful to worry about blogging on my mission. And when I say stressful I mean I never have enough time. So bye bye until early September! Don't worry, I'm still living life, in stereo.

Peace and Love,
Sister McDonald

PS if you're curious about what's going on with me (don't forget, I'm pretty boring) write my mom at jewels.mcdonald@gmail.com and she'll gladly forward you my weekly e-mail!
Peace!