why hello there.

Wow, I haven't blogged in approximately two weeks. Something tells me I may be finally getting past my technology addiction. Well, in the past two weeks much has happened. The Lord has been more gracious towards me than ever, and I am overwhelmed by the love that I've been experiencing from Him. This semester has been rough so far, but it's good at the same time. I'm being challenged in new, different ways and I'm getting stressed out which is also a good thing I might add. I went from having quite the easy first semester to having a difficult one now, which I could see coming all along. I finally have homework again, and I'm working hard for my Lord; it's a good feeling. This new semester has definitely had it's disadvantages too. I haven't had much time to sit down and talk to God or read my Bible as much as I want. About a week ago I made a new year's resolution list which included reading 3-5 chapters a day from a book in the Bible. I read every day this week except on Wednesday, which is pretty good for me. I'm actually sticking to my goals, and wanting to do better. I highlight "wanting" for a reason; this goal I have [to read my Bible every day] isn't something I feel forced to do. For once, I want to. When I didn't read on Wednesday, the next day (yesterday) I felt completely empty. Yesterday might have been one of the worst days of my life actually. And it wasn't because some tragic thing happened to me or anything, but rather because I realized I didn't have much one-on-one time with God the previous day. This really got to me, and last night I was talking to my friend Amanda about how it's so crazy that we don't have the desire to want to live our lives for Christ as much as we should. I find myself feeling this utter guilt built up inside of me when I don't, and this little voice in my head is always saying "How could you not?" I feel terrible when I realize I haven't been taking up my cross and not having that passion inside of me to live for my Savior. It makes me feel completely worthless and selfish as well. I need more realization like last night that makes me think this isn't about me. It's about the One that has Saved me from my old life full of sinful nature and iniquities. I need to put all else behind me, and persevere for what lies ahead with God. I need to be more consistent and know that God always comes first. Always.  

I coincidentally just flipped to this passage in my Bible :)  

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want...Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." 

-Galatians 5:16-25

beefy, bulky, baby banessa

          Yesterday I was pondering about babies; yes random, but I love them... I mean who doesn't? Sooo.. I decided to take out some old photo albums. A couple weeks ago I was at my friends' house and we looked through a bunch of their old baby pictures and I just could not stop smiling. I did the same with my brother's, sister's and my own yesterday. Nothing but pure joy. It brought me to tears how fast we grow up, and how much I've transformed through the Lord all these years. It's quite exquisite I must say.  

          Moving onnn; basically I was 10 pounds when I was born. Nothing but pure fat, joyousness, and God's beautiful creation. I'd say I was a pretty solid baby.. maybe not the cutest, but definitely one of the largest and buoyant. I was very cheerful and playful as my mom would say, and I used to do some pretty inordinate stuff. I would eat gum from underneath the tables at restaurants and throw down sand at the beach like there's no tomorrow. I pretended to be asian for about two years of my childhood and entering kindergarten, I achieved a new-found obsession for red ants with one of my close friends, Joseph. In fact, we loved them so much we decided to put them in our pants. Good story, huh? Well, I thought so.

           I'm going to have to admit that my childhood memories were def. the best. I was such an odd child--still am actually, but whatevs. I'm just glad I have fascinating stories to share as I grow older & older. God is good, and He's made me exactly the way He wants me to be.

                                   Here are some pictures to drool/salivate over:

(Note: in this picture you can see the sand on my lips. Mmm yummy, my favorite snack.)

kids helping kids' benefit concert.

           Tomorrow, right here in Santa Barbara at the Granada Theater, I have the privilege of seeing Tyrone Wells and Mat Kearney (both of whom I am very fond of). I tweedled my thumbs about my attendance to this event for awhile since I have seen Tyrone Wells four previous times as well as Mat Kearney about two months ago. But I figured since I will be playing a role in Kids Helping Kids next year that I should probably go. I also do admit that I am a huge fan of both artists, and think that $30 is totally worth it to see them again; especially since all profit goes towards the Unity Shoppe. I've actually partaken in this fundraiser for three months now. I was chosen to be a Penny Drive captain at Santa Barbara Community Academy as well as Monroe Elementary to collect money for the Unity Shoppe. I know I sound pathetic, but it was one of the hardest fundraisers I have ever had to deal with; I had to drive to each elementary school twice a week and collect money from all 20 classrooms let alone weigh and count every single coin/dollar/check. It was hard work, but I think it was worth it because it will only prepare me for next year and what Kids Helping Kids has in store for me. I am very psyched for the benefit concert and also just to observe and see what I can do to help improve KHK for next year. Should be fun! Check out the tracks, All I'm Thinking Of by Tyrone Wells, or On and On by Mat Kearney. If you like, then buy their albums--Metal & Wood (Tyrone Wells)/City of Black & White (Mat Kearney). Oh, and you can still buy tickets if you are interested at granadasb.org!

a little playlist to start the new year off

1. Wasted Hours- Arcade Fire

2. The Suburbs-Arcade Fire

3. Knife- Grizzly Bear

4. Sticky Thread- Local Natives

5. Boy- Ra Ra Riot

6. Around My Head- Cage the Elephant

7. I Can See The Pines Are Dancing- Aa Bondy

8. Mardy Bum- Arctic Monkeys

9. I Can Talk- Two Door Cinema Club

10. Transatlantique- Beirut

11. Tighten Up- The Black Keys

12. Keep Your Eyes Ahead- The Helio Sequence

13. John Wayne Gacy Jr.- Sufjan Stevens

14. Floating Vibes- Surfer Blood

15. Pearls- The Union Line
16. Silver Lining- Rilo Kiley
17. All Day Day Light- The Morning Benders
18. Four Winds- Bright Eyes
19. Ghosting- Freelance Whales
20. Evil- Interpol

Happy New Year everyone!

fröhlich geburtstag jesus oh-gott!

Usually every year we have our big fancy dinner, and open all of our gifts on Christmas Eve (German tradition). This year we spiced it up a bit and played Minute to Win It mini-games. We had about five different ones set up, and I happened to win 2 of the 5 and won 20 dollars! My family is a tad bit on the competitive side, so this was quite exciting for me.

 

One of the games we played was called "Face the Gingerbread Man" where basically you just try and get the cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands. Let's just say this wasn't my strongest area of competition..

 Another game we played was called "Johnny Applestack". Pretty self explanatory-- we just had to stack five apples on top of each other in under a minute. It seems a lot easier than it actually is... My immediate family struggled a bit with this one, but I ended up winning anyways so it's all good ;)

 Toooo typical.

So yes, indeed, it was a good Christmas. Praise the Lord :)

Bright smiles on a cloudy day

Christmas pixxxx.

you're welcome relatives.

 Fil made me.

let's just say my mother is clueless..

       

cool Asians.

Teenie Weenie Gets Tipsy

       Today my dearest sister, Justine, turned 21. She wasn't actually tipsy, but happened to make the greatest entrance to her birthday dinner tonight at Shalhoob's Steakhouse. My family and some other friends were awaiting her appearance at approximately 7pm. She had gone to "Happy Hour" with some friends at 5, and finally around 7:10pm decided to show up. The first thing she does is wave and then completely just slips and falls on the floor. (I was unaware that she had slipped on water; I just thought she was tipsy from Happy Hour, haha.) I pretty much couldn't ask for a greater sister. I love her to death and for all of eternity (Praise God). 

 Birthday Boi.

 Birthday Guurl.

 A toy car with a key...hmm?

.

 The excitement builds..

 Justine's new ride.