Realities

I always get the crud around this time of year. I fight it as hard as I can, but to no avail... the past few days I have been coughing and sneezing up a storm and I blow my nose every five minutes. I have found that rest, tea, and prayer are great remedies, along with believing you'll beat it. It's never fun when you can't breathe during dance class and your movement is restricted because you don't want to fling your snot and germs all over the people next to you. And although those people happen to be my friends, I would never wish to share a sickness with them. Hopefully by the end of the weekend I will be fully recovered.

Last Sunday I thoroughly enjoyed a day in Hyde Park with Emily. We walked in natural beauty and talked about how we felt being three weeks in to our journey. We drank tea and ate caramel waffle cookies while basking in God's sun, reading, doing homework, watching boys play some ultimate frisbee, and listening to soothing music. The pace at which time goes by here allows me to soak up every moment and be still, in awe. I am managing to retain the life I am living and for the first time I can say that that is my reality. I'm learning to be in the moment instead of always looking towards the future or at the past (I am embracing instead of escaping my true feelings).

There are two other realities I would like to share with you that have been put in to motion and are in the midst of happening. First of all, my home girl, Riquel Olander, made history this past week. Her all female dance crew won America's Best Dance Crew a few days ago and had the privilege of dancing on the Ellen show (which has been one of Riqi's dreams). And now this weekend, one of my dearest friends, Jordan Stanley, stars in New York University's show of Kiss of the Spider Woman, taking on the lead role. I read that opening night, last night, was phenomenal. I'm disappointed that I can't be there to watch him literally rise to fame, but knowing that dreams are coming true for people I care about, love, and know is enough for any spirit to be lifted. There is no jealousy here, only pride and support for my friends' successes.

Other experiences this past week included celebrating Ali's birthday by eating a huge, and I mean huge, chocolate cake at lunch, eating dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant, and just making Ali feel special. I participated in a Hillsong connect group and met some interesting, older people, and learned about some of the issues that this particular body of Christ is dealing with. I was stalked by a guy in the underground, but easily lost him by hiding in the sea of people. Don't worry, I'm a pro at dealing with this situation by now. And today I had my first London skype chat with my friend Leanne. It was good to see a familiar face, even if it was on a computer screen.

This weekend, I am looking forward to a new adventure with my girls and some salsa dancing on Sunday night. God is rockin' my world right now, by managing to show me how to live my dream, work hard for what is to come, and still have fun at the same time. That is my present reality, that is my life as of now, and I am loving it. I choose life!