TREESTAR

Directions to Wedding Site

2008-07-16T16:33:00.000-07:00

barefeet on warm sidewalks

2006-09-27T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

I just came back from standing outside, talking with all my neighbors in the midst of firetruck light and summertime air:) beautiful, I say! The smoke alarms all went off, so everyone went down in their jammies, with their little dogs... our apartment manager's wife was teary eyed saying "This never happened before! There's no fire! I am SO sorry!!!" All of us tried to comfort her saying, "This is acutally a perfect night for this! What a great way to meet/see your neighbors!! No worries"... as we rubbed her back. I didn't take Isaac (Rachel's cat) because I figured it was just a drill and it'd freak him out more... and really, that's the only reason I wanted the firetruck to go away quick, so Rachel wouldn't worry when she drove up. Our neighbor has a baby girl, and sometimes her mom stops by to stay with her. I was talking with her mom one time outside by the mailboxes and she mentioned how she and her husband were working on building a house in "a little town called TL, in Washington..." She's even working in the same hospital system as I am, and held hands during a prayer with my mom at church a few Sundays ago... "God!...You are way too great!" This lady is so precious and wise and I know her and my mom will be really good friends.

The last apartment I lived in, next door to me was one of my current co-workers... literally like three feet away from me. Ever since we've had this special/fun bond that we can't really explain. I guess that we've been over eachother's houses, I've met her son, and seen her family pictures that go way back to almost CivilWar time-looking:)

Working during the daytime is so amazing. I feel like I'm meeting my good friend, Tiff, again. Ahhh... this is how it feels to not drink caffeine.... Ahhh... this is how it is to not be swollen and oily all the time:)

I hug my night shift crew members whenever I see them. We never really hugged until I left. I see people go home after they've been sick for a long time... you don't get to see much of that after 7pm. I eat lunch around 1pm! There's fresh food in the cafeteria if we'd like! I meet doctors and they tell me about their plan for people and how it's their wives that pick out their sharp outfits. I feed people meals! I help them take baths and make beds! I help comb hair! I talk face-to-face with OT, PT, SLPs, ACM, PAs, RTs, MDs, family members, little babies in to visit... I find that I'm addicted to meeting new people. Eie! It's way too exciting! I love the hospital more than ever. I'm glad God's given me a peace about sticking around here.

I'm moving in about a week and I'm not sure when I'll have internet started back up...maybe I'll go on a fast:)... maybe I'll do the library thing again. Rachel's staying over on this side of Portland since she works only a few blocks from here... moving into some townhouses with a friend... I'll miss her. I'm not sure if I'll have a roommate, but it's alrightie... I can handlie itie.

I love you guys, see you around. Call me sometime...?:)

allegre

2006-09-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

2006-09-11T20:41:00.000-07:00

my summertime heart

2006-09-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

#19 today
waiting for his moto
Shannon's friend Tim with little craby guy
the left side is THE side to start on
shining baby
Inessa passed her boards & moved to California

Kelly&Meela could go into modeling
clotheslinesAreBeautiful

HUGE moon to the right, and straight on till morning

2006-09-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

First of all, have any of you seen that crazy big moon out?

Second of all...this has been the beginning of a beautiful daytime adventure... my friends...

Time to wake up with the birds:)

This week, I've started day shift... It's cool how God shows us things even by waking up at different times and feeling the coolness of morning.

On our unit, I already know so many of the other nurses, doctors, etc... but it's like living in a small town... you can live so close... but don't really feel like you can joke around or talk about deep things right away... it's when you spend good, quality, get-to-know-you and experience the same things as you time, that you really can love on people a lot... make sense? "Hmmm... yeah...sure, Tiff."

It's all cool...

I dig it.

just thought I'd write it here while I'm here...sitting...

yeah, that's all:)

goodnight sweetiepies:)

Oh SweetSweetMattCosta

2006-09-02T21:28:00.000-07:00

neuvo photos... check me.... uhh... 'em out!

2006-08-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

Love uniting community with pedals

2006-08-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday at church, there are greeters who hand you a bulletin, say goodmorning, smile, and chat a little. I felt like a greeter yesterday... or maybe more of a cheerleader...

Every year, Providence puts on the BridgePedal... a biking event over all the beautiful bridges of downtown Portland. All kinds of people wheel along... from olympic-looking tan men, to toddlers being pulled in buggies behind. Some decorate their helmets with balloons and flowers and fish and little plastic babies... some play music strapped onto the bar...

Our group started out meeting by the RedCross in a parking lot... got our tshirts and assignments and scattered across the city... waiting for the people to come.

I didn't really have any idea of what our group's goal was... all I knew is that I was going to be on a hill by Emmanuel's ER enterance, and would stand there... monitoring the course of something...just in case someone fell or something.

A little while later, an AndyGriffith-type nice cop came and parked in the middle of the street where I was hanging out and started to direct traffic...which was much needed, I found out. I felt like I was his little sidekick... moving the little yellow barriers to the side every now and then... trying to listen as he would perfectly talk with frustrated drivers, and have theme leave with a calmness and directions. He's been patrolling around that area for seventeen years... I was talking with him and said "You probably really have experienced a new depth to life after working around here son long...huh?" "Tiffany..." he replied..."there are a lot of different kinds of people..."

About six bikers came shooting up the hill... and we didn't see any others until about twenty minutes later...

Then they came! Packs of fifty or so... a few hundred... thirty... non-stop for hours...

I then discovered what my goal was for that day... and started yelling "WooHOO!!", "GreatJob!!" "You got it!", saying "GoodMorning!", "I'm proud of you!", doing a few cheerleading arm moves... you know... showing we love them...

Mark and I'd chat with people... have them ring their little bike bells at us... and the time flew by. For a while there, I saw so many bikers coming up that hill...that when I looked at the hospital nearby... it would move too:)

I also saw a MD of "ours", Johhny!, with a bike shirt with OscarTheGrouch, and talked with him and a family he knows for a few minutes... but I missed seeing my friend Karen... man:)

All of us saw and felt a lot of love and hope yesterday... praise God:) It was so beautiful...

virtual reality

2006-08-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

Imagine it was last night... around this time... you know... time to be getting to bed. Sooo... Tiff lays there and almost falls asleep... when she feels like she's shaking. Sometimes she feels this on a normal day-to-day basis, but then she realized... "Man!... This is different!" The tremor stopped after a few seconds... then she felt a few other shakes... but Tiff just thought she was being extra-sensitive to her pulses on her knees (since she listens for pulses all over the place for a living)... but no... it was an earthquake!! She's seen too many movies with lightening-looking cracks up sides of buildings... and imagined the crack in her wall turn giant, as the roof falls off, and the trees topple down, and the water hydrants blow, and the MAX jumps the tracks. But then, she looks out and sees a little truck drive by... and all is well in Portland, Oregon. Pssshaw.

it's an Eichentopf!

2006-08-03T00:19:00.000-07:00

Where every child is taught His loving favor, and gives his heart to Christ, the crucified...

My friend Heidi had a baby boy this afternoon!...Tanner. And what a CUTIE!!! No squished up and swollen face for this little guy... he is SO perfect!! I held him for a good 1/2 hr in the hospital and was on cloud ten:) Heidi&Justin looked so beautiful and well, and their family and friends (at least 20 of them) kept flooding in with huge smiles and flashing cameras.

And it was Good...Amen.

...I haven't been in the hospital to see a newborn since my favorite Annika.

And...Abby came to visit me today!! It's so funny hearing her say "and Dusty was like....", and having a Dusty voice come out of her!! Why must my closest friends live the farthest away?!!!! OHhh... I remember. A spell was placed on me after I stole a raddish from the witch's garden!! ? (I know way too many fairytales)

I went into mi hospital today for some computer stuff and was in my normal clothes. It's SO funny to see the people you worked with for YEARS stare at you... or not even recognize you because you're out of the scrubs and ponytail:)

When I was driving home, the sun was almost setting and beat this powerful red... no wonder it's called the SunsetHwy. It was so strong... I don't think I'll ever forget it. It's like God's talking to me with it.

TheSmur is back from Gua... ahhh... Korea! (she bounces like a pinball in a machine around the globe). Two weeks away from your husband is a looonnnggg time, I've heard. Not-so-random thought: I don't know how people can wait years to get married when they know ...weird.

"My" blogs are sounding a lot like a gossip column... but it's all good stuff, people!! Hmm...

Love & Peace.

Out.

cabbage & meeting nurses' families

2006-07-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

These past couple months, I haven't taken squat for pictures. BUT... do not fret Tiff!... Others have taken pictures and they are beautiful. Check em out and enjoy love in color!

Hubbards have updated their pictures... Marie's hair is getting sooo loong! And there's another scary picture in the midst...beware. I can't wait to go play in that ocean!!

And Christy&Tob's pictures are up on their photographer's site. They turned out SO good. There's a ton of them. There's also a picture of me and Lis with Annika's hat... boy did she giggle up a storm about that:)

God talking with the 4th floor

2006-07-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight"

Where we live, you can hear so much life! The MAX goes by every 15 minutes with a whoosh of wind, little kids soak up every ounce of sunlight until 9:30 with squeals and screams and laughter and footsteps, fire trucks and ambulances and cops spin by 24/7, car alarms let us know they're working, mariachi and rap and r&b tones boomp, ice cream trucks sing, garbage trucks beep and pick up, fans in windows drown out the quiet things, my bad singing echos, and there are birds...:)

I met a little neighbor girl a few nights ago when I was picking blackberries again. She brought out her pink bike with white wheels and felt the first shock of thorns. It's a very cool thing to see people experience things for the first time:)

dresses & ties & bare feet & rings & bellies

2006-07-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here in our apartment... in my skimpies... eating strawberry yogurt and the blackberries Rach and I picked in our parking lot (yes!...people!!...blackberries even grow in my concrete neighborhood!!)... and am still on this love-high from this weekend.

A few days ago, I took the drive home... visited with mi familia, and stained the front porch. It's amazing what stain can do to you AND wood:) Then I drove the 1/2 contry mile & visited with Abby and her donkeys and chickens... she's so cute when she goes out in the field and throws that grain and all the chickens run around her! I have to admit... I was a little leary of those chickens... I haven't been around them for a long time. We used to have chickens... I don't know what's gotten into me...

But folks, the real reason for going home was to see my buddy Tob and his Christy get married! How exciting! They were full of God's love and hope... they're beautiful. And there were so many people I love there!... We all spent a good 1/2 day catching up and twirling with little kids and seeing all the pregnant bellies...weird:) Tobin and Christie flew away in a plane at the end... and all the little kids were all huddled together...jumping and waving their arms wide. It was like they were sort-of thinking "That's how it's going to be when I get married! People will sing songs about Jesus, and friends and family will be all around us!!"

I stayed until dark and got to visit with Tobin's family after all the business started winding down... they are so wonderful... I have to say I really miss them. But that's okay! Because someday... we'll get to spend a ton of time together and God's perfect in his plans, yeah? Can I hear an Amen?!!! Amen!! yey!!:)

I'm working the next couple of nights and then have more computer charting training! When's it's so hot like this... it's not too hard to go to work where's it's cool for awhile. I have a couple heads-up opps about roomies on west side... we'll see. And then on Aug 13th there's the BridgePedal...which I'm volunteering for... not sure what that implies... but it should be fun being out there in the early AM.

Yeah.......

Love, my friends!!

online roommating

2006-07-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

The search for another home has begun!

The West is calling me so loud...it's almost deafening!:)

I've learned a lot about Life, searching for roommates... Living in a city, I figured I'd meet millions of friends who have open rooms, or at least are willing to share one... but Folks... it's hard! It always seems to work out that my friends are married, or bursting at the seams with roommates, or don't wan't any more, or whatever. But you know...in a way I sort-of like that... because I get to meet people like my current roommate, Rachel (through Mult.BibleCollege)...and I couldn't imagine ever not being her friend. I've been hoping and searching for a girl to share handsoap with...:)

And in these searches, Tiff has found the realm of Craigslist and the roommates wanted. People put a little description of their place...who they are... who they'd like their roommate to be... it reminds me a lot of a type of online dating! It's so weird!!

Ei yei yei

10 hr luncheon and then... CPR

2006-07-13T00:04:00.000-07:00

Borsht is the tastiest little thing!!

and babies love it!

How many of you guys know CPR?

Imagine YOU... alone... and all of a sudden you see someone passed out on the ground and their little kid is crying and afraid of what's happening. This person is unresponsive and not breathing with no pulse... a teenager walks up... and becomes frozen... not knowing what to do.

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

What would you say?

What could you do?

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

There's been some recent changes this year to the "CPR Protocol"

And here's a website to look up when some classes are!

Go get em tigers:)

starlights & firefighters forever

2006-07-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

Every morning/afternoon/night... I wake up to the sound of Stars and Stripes Forever on my cell phone alarm. That tune's so full of power and joy that I can't help but pick it:) Tonight, for the first time, I shared this song with thousands of people... like...

-little kids in sundresses and mud
-grandfathers bending slowly down to grab pieces of watermellon

-firefighters lined up in navy and reflecting tape
-chubby jr highers
-Bible school students
-People of every color and accent
-my roommate and her frisbee and cookies
-Blues musicians
-Paddle boaters
-Babushka'd ladies with "Race for the cure" sweatshirts

I had this conversation with a little boy:
LB: You can have a piece of watermellon! Do you want it? It's ours. We brought it.
T: It looks like good watermellon! It doesn't even have those black seeds in it!
LB: No... but THOSE do (pointing to the cherries)
LB: Acutally... those aren't seeds... they're pits.
T: Yes... you are right:) Definately pits... not seeds:)

There's something beautiful about seeing the firework colors light up on your friends' faces.

is Tiff playing tricks with Tiff... AGAIN?!

2006-07-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

tonight I was driving West to East... and then... all of a sudden... there was traffic and 20 mph was present. We looked into the summer sky and saw a zigzag and bursts of lightening. It was like we were all at a drive-in saying "Ooooo!" and "Ahhhhh!!" together. Our heads bobbing...trying to get the best view we could:)

feeling like i could dance for a mile and a third

2006-06-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

Eliza and Mary arrived!:)...and then...they left:(

But it's all good, people!...it's cool...

We spent some time watching ArtT ride his Yamaha over steep dirt... it's sort-of like a x-country race... you run all over the track and cheer on whoever's racing. He's always one of the first three out of the gates... he's capital G good.

And we ate at CHARBURGER! for Father's Day, and walked around ThePearl and HoodRiver (nesting place of my past math buddy MarkDoyle) and the creeks & caves around home. Eliza's hair gets light in the front like mine does and she loves ham for breakfast and makes jello cake. My aunt and brother's jr. high pictures look SO much alike. We sat around the kitchen table and they told stories of growing up in Pennsylvania. We stopped in Husum and watched the whitewater guys jump on their boats and go down the rapids...as we stuck our feet in the water on that 90 degree day. Aunts and cousins are definately love. Speaking of love... (psst: click on the love video on the right).

My family always told stories of HurricaneAgnes and how my great grandpa's houses got swept away by it... and they'd look down the street and see coffins floating in the water. Hmmm. My grandma just got a new couch for her apartment.

I called TheMarie in Guam tonight and announced my energy and how I can't seem to control it.

M:"Tiff, if I was there, I'd take you for a walk and we could spell out the alphabet in shadows"...

T:"Hula?! the alphabet?!!...what?!!"

M: "I didn't say HULA!"

T:"Aloha- A... Alo-ha- B..."

M: haahhhahah

T: hahahahahaha

redeemed zombie

2006-06-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

the sun is on the horizon, my friends.

the Gross will turn into Fresh

the 3am tacos to 6 o'clock eggs & oj

"sweet dreams" will once again be "good morning, honey"

i will not be waking up doctors to chat

the assignment board will no longer read Tiffy

Visiting family, instead of living with them

And there's a sinking feeling in my back and chest

But these eyes will not be swollen anymore, guys

Nor the hands.

evol oidar

2006-06-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Last night...as I drove to work... I stopped at a 4 way light and listened to the radio. I've always had this idea that it would be SO COOL to be listening to a song... on the radio... or more preferrably, a CD... and see someone lip singing the SAME song! Like a little musical or something! And last night, at that 4 way stop, God blessed me with it, my friends. Amen.

familia acomin' around the country when they come

2006-06-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Coming up here soon, my aunt Mary (topright) and cousin Eliza (bottomcenter) and headed this way from Penn state! We're SO EXCITED to have them! The NW's supposed to have sunshine for most of it too...thank goodness! I'll have some pictures post-trip... because that's all I do?

new flickr px

2006-06-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling!!

2006-06-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

Come, Almighty to deliver,

Let us all Thy life receive;

Suddenly return and never,

Never more Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,

Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,

Glory in Thy perfect love.

Amen!

This weekend, I headed North to Seattle to spend time with our ShanBantheBoFan! It's the most laughing I've done for awhile. I met Shannon at Wazzzu my sophomore year when she came from Montana to do the speechpath thing amongst the wheat fields. I saw her and thought, "Man! She's so cool! I WILL become her friend... or I'll tear off my ear!!" or something like that. We both had to leave the safe college environment at the same time, and figured that we'd stick together to the death...or something like that. And we've stuck together even though we've been in seperate cities! I love this girl SO much!! And she has red hair!!

Here's some things we have in common:
1. Love singing sporadically about day to day things
2. On a volleyball team with a 6'3" and 6' 10" guy! (in the past)
3. VERY interested in barium swallows
4. Wear the same size shorts
5. Lived in the same houses for two years
6. JesusLove
7. Loving giving eachother piggieback rides
8. Used to be the "chosen ones" for being flipped while swing dancing

Thinking she's too good of a friend to be real?! Oh don't you worry... I'll prove it with some pictures... soon enough my dearies.

2006-05-28T02:33:00.000-07:00

Broom!! come hither, beast!!

2006-05-26T23:52:00.000-07:00

S.O.S.

this stuff is everyyywwwhhheerrreee

it's taking overrrr.....

(gurgle gurgle...)

and it's interesting, because it's growing where "the land"'s been recently burnt. Hmm. A good analogy could come from it:)

He's like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf doesn't wither

2006-05-24T00:14:00.000-07:00

Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?

Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?

I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin',

I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest,

Where the people are many and their hands are all empty,

Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters,

Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison,

Where the executioner's face is always well hidden,

Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten,

Where black is the color, where none is the number,

And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it,

And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it,

Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin',

But I'll know my song well before I start singin'

-BD

East+West=Marriage

2006-05-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

People, yet another friend has hitched the wagon!!

Announcing Dusty&Caitlin Lopez as of Saturday.

Seth took some amazing and precious photos of the wedding... I hope he doesn't mind me linking his site.

Man, I wish I could have made it... sigh.

And there's pictures of our Abby!!

hot hot hot

2006-05-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

I just scooted past this big guy.

Praying the firefighters are safe...

it looked really scary...

chit chatting

2006-05-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Today, is a day that should live in infamy!!!

well, not exactly... but it's so beautiful and hot with a little breeze... perfectaria.

"So why in the world are you now hiding inside?", you might ask.

"Because I am baking chicken! A whole bunch of it, " I'd respond.

"Chicken is something that should NOT be left alone... it's not to be trusted."

"And last night, Bereka read a chapter of her school book to me, and we played a lil bit o' basketball on the street with Christie and Will...and I'm content... no need to walk to Home Depot and find a bench to get sun tanned on anymore."

"But I do miss grass on my feet and a clothesline and my family and the mountain... that's why I've been going home so much... there was this huge new clear cut on the way to TL!..."

Hasta luego:)

drink the water drink it down

2006-05-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

dresses flowing, nurses, and detours

2006-05-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

Today I was wearing a dress and high sandles... running toward the door to go get some info to fax off to a place, and a dark haired little girl in a white dress ran up behind me... I swear she was yelling "Tiffany!!!" I never met her before, and listened to her like she was a prophet or someone. She was barefoot in a white sundress...spotted with fruit or popsicle or juice stains... and ran in front of the door I was about to open, blocking my way and talking very fast. "You know... duxofdis and daddy's over there but I have two daddies really and I like Juan and he's fixing the car and Matthew's sitting by the car and I like my other daddy better and I'm sitting on the wood steps and uninteligible words...fjaoud....." I saw her dad changing the oil to their red jeep in the back lot, with a baby in the carseat on the ground next to it... so part of her story made sense... I asked her where her mommy was and she said she was at work... and I explained how I needed to go up to our home so I could get a very important paper to send off in the mail. She didn't move away from the door, so I said something like "Honey, I think I should go up to our house...uh...apartment now... are you having a good time playing today?" she moved, I pushed down on the door handle and it was locked. "Oh, come here!..." she said as she ran to the nearby open door... "You can use my other one".

life

2006-05-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

DonateLife

"Stroke Awareness Month"

Stroke Tutorial

present blessed sunshine

2006-05-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

Greetings planet Earth. I have traveled amongst the cosmos and have returned to this thing you call The Blog. The following lists a few of the things which have changed over this course of time:

I purchased a Tab energy drink!... the same type a 70-year-old lady gave us a sample of in the grocery store, trying to convince us it didn't have any caffeine... she was SO cute! Oh how precious it is to be ignorant... sometimes:)
2 baby pigeons are growing on our porch!! I'm amazed at how quickly they've gotten feathers... Poor pigeons, they probably think we're a tree or something.
The Jeep's resting in peace in a field by two school buses.
Faces have become familiar on the Trimet lines.
I now have a seatbelt that actually works.
My grandma's now 12 shades darker and back in PennState.
I am only two shades darker.
We've had more code experience.
etc, etc...

2006-04-21T23:53:00.000-07:00

2006-04-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Rita

2006-04-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

I picked up one of those tshirts with the rubber in them...

I hate those!

...I can't remember what that rubber stuff's called...

"Spandex?"

Yeah! I hate that stuff!...it's like I'm wearing a big rubber suit!

I'm on a stretch of time at la hospital, then I'm headed down to the sun and my grandma who stated the above quote:) I love her so much! I'll bring back some pictures...

bubble bubble car kaddy and clean jeep

2006-03-31T09:44:00.000-08:00

this sunny morning, I had a free ride in an automated car wash... it was UNBELIEVABLE!!:)

Oooooo

So many suds and colors and wind that sounded like you were taking off in a jet!!

I wish it was longer, though...

three minutes is like 5 seconds when you're extatic:)

2006-03-30T08:55:00.000-08:00

war is complicated...

eclipse

2006-03-29T09:15:00.000-08:00

photo court. of syrialooks

nasainfo

2006-03-27T12:44:00.000-08:00

(psst again: I've added some more pictures to the flickr guy... ones with Shandrea, Shannon, Jaden, the sunshine, and more trees...)

more than just

2006-03-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

flickrbox addition

2006-03-23T17:44:00.000-08:00

psst: I added a flickr flash box in the sidebar...

I fell into the peer preeesssuuurreee.

2006-03-23T03:18:00.000-08:00

Since it’s not three yet, and I’ve already slept two hours and eaten the other half of my gyros… I figure this’d be a good time to name el topo teno reasons I love Portland!!
*
10. InternationalStores: Awhile ago, it poured like no other as I ran a block to the CelticCorner in the HollywoodDistrict…I came in soaking, and the cozy little shop welcomed me in with the owner, Nole, and a friend sitting there in on stools in the isle. We talked for a long time as I browsed around his little shop. He showed me his favorite Irish local band, and we each know the very short versions of our Portland story. It’s so nice to have so many friendly owners of these international stores/restaurants. The Anoush Deli on 122nd has to be one of my favorites…
*
9. Drew Carney: I know I’ve mentioned this guy once before here, but Portland can’t get enough of him! He’s an anchor with the Fox12 NewsTeam in the mornings, is from PennState, and is such a crack up and so friendly. He seems so excited about life!... hats off to you, Drew
*
8. Lloyd Center’s Doubletree: I learned to swim in this pool… I remember peeling skin off my brother’s burnt back from spending entire days playing dive for the key/pretend ArtTim’s a surfboard/etc. Our feet would get scorched by the tile, then refreshed with the chlorine. When I had my ears pierced for the first time, the piercing lady said it’d be okay for me to go back and swim. The summer before Marie got married, we swam here and giggled like we were five…drying off on chairs while I supposedly was learning Italian.
*
7. Parks: The first few months I was here, Marie came to visit and we scurried around Laurelhurst Park. It was weird because there was this guy with a drum, but we couldn’t see him… and not a lot of people were around… and flowers were massive and trees looked ancient. There were winding trails and tall staircases… ponds, basketball courts, and big picnic tables. I felt illegal being there… like it was too good to be true or something. But it’s real…mmm hmmm.
*
6. My Dentist’s Office: I know this is weird to put for #6, but I love these people! I picked my dentist’s name by going through a list of last names and picking the one I thought sounded the coolest. And even though he doesn’t look too much older than me, he’s great at what he does and was very encouraging as I was in near-despair over how many cavities I had. I am now cavity free and floored with fillings!!
*
5. “My” Hospital: Whenever I mention it to anyone, most say “Oh, that’s an EXCELLENT hospital!!” before I can finish the name. I have to agree. It’s crazy how when I first got out of school, I had my dreams set on peds and that whole realm, and now how I’m very glad I didn’t go there… at least for now. And all us nurses know each other, even if we work on different floors… it’s pretty cool to walk down a random hall and catch up with a friend or two. They say prayers over intercom in the mornings, and have an excellent mission statement… striving to be Jesus, and have pictures of the nuns that started it all here on horseback:)
*
4. Artsy-Smartsie Pudding Pie: Portland is so rich in art and beautiful ideas & places. The mountains are our wallpaper, the trees our ventilation system, the forest our backyard. There’s always a show of some sort or an exhibit or some protest or some eco-friendly thing getting started. People get together to discuss poetry and books as they sip on their grande espresso. It’s a big step from coming from a college where FarSide was invented.
*
3. Friends: There are so many people here!... and ones from teenie TL pop up everywhere! Friends of all ages… communion every Thursday… a roommate… college friends… dancing with their little kids… man, where do I even start…
*
2. Church: It’s hard to see when things change, sometimes… we just know it has… and God has made the change in us for His love and glory. Our church has Jesus’ vision for the city… and God’s words and wisdom flow out of it. Families are built here.
*
1. Family: Well… here it be, #1… and even though it includes basically all of these… it’s the overlying theme for Portland and Tiff. T.S. Eliot once wrote about a stranger asking “What is the meaning of this city? Do you all huddle together because you love each other?” What will you answer? “We all dwell together to make money from each other”? or “This is a community”? And the Stranger will depart and return to the desert. There are so many people to be loved… and we all seem to have neighbors. A city’s a big family. It’s nice to have my blood-related ones so close by, too:) Jesus loves us.

somewhere out there

2006-03-22T14:39:00.000-08:00

To tell you the truth, it's hard for me to go out there sometimes. There are so many people and there's this longggging to be connected with all of them on a friend level... and it's crazy/astonishing. But we still go out, don't we... and it's mostly beautiful & good, which is good...yep. Thank you God for people and fresh air and smoke and Your eternity.

rye springing

2006-03-21T08:55:00.000-08:00

*************************************

Tonight's the last shift for my buddy, Rye ...until she gets whisked away with her husband to Texas and starts working days. She is such a wonderful girl!!..we're all going to miss her. People would always get us mixed up because we both have blonde hair... I'll miss being called Rye. Just like I missed being called Kirsten... and Amy...

So last night, I told Rye my secret plan for nursing... and what I'd love to see happen...

This week, I made this type of diagram with what things I'm doing/am around now... and what we'd like to see done before I'm an old lady... while warming my heart to what JESUS wants to see done... very interesting I might say... The things on the right side of the page seemed either scary or "yeah right Tiff, you're mind will change tomorrow". I'd share it, but it has lots of holes and it's weird.

ANDDDddd... HAPPY SPRING YESTERDAY!! Life is in bloom and your eyes are happy to look upon it... perfecto:)

ResurrectionLife &...brie

2006-03-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary."

I am just flat out blown away by today. Sometimes, people say things... and you just know it's God infusing wisdom into them. Things make more sense than they ever did before. You don't say anything, but people still tell you things you would have asked about... God is glorified!

And, I met my friend's 15month-old little boy today... I fell in love with him the minute I saw him!!!... There's something very special about this kid... he'll cure all diseases or something:)

green cobweb hands

2006-03-19T00:02:00.000-08:00

Tonight, a group of us ate green popcorn balls and watched the movie InAmerica!! (it's about an Irish family coming to NewYork and living in a "sketchy" apartment building)... the cinematography was beautiful... and so was the company!

bring out yer ghillies!

2006-03-18T00:54:00.000-08:00

Today I experienced a Portland version of St.Patrick'sDay! There was dancing, live music, corned beef & cabbage, and lots of little kids running around with painted faces and curly wigs... it was majorly a family affair... and probably the safest version of the celebration in the city. My pal Victronica came to keep me company and stop me from making a fool of myself in front of the whole assembly of Irishfolk. I always have this urgent need to dance when there's music!!!...especially the live stuff!!... The kidoes know what's up, people!...they danced their little legs off. Maybe someday we'll have a big open place to reel in...

oatmeal mickey ears

2006-03-15T09:14:00.000-08:00

You know how it is when you spend so much time around someone that jokes seem to spurt out with every sentence?! And you laugh with every comment?! And friends play with your hair and you hug them all the time?! It's happening! I love the people at la hospital!...we're like a little colony that migrates together only when it's dark out... it's weird!:) I love Jesus' vision....man...

I also love my great friend Suz!!...she posted some beautiful tree pictures from Aotearoa... I'd check them out if I were you...

(but I'm not...don't worry:)

more to come... stay tuned.

goodnight.

grande jete

2006-03-11T01:34:00.000-08:00

Tonight, after I woke up, I entered the realm of the ballet workout!!! Ms.Schmidtty got me into it, and it's so addicting! I can almost feel the ballet studio's poise being nailed into our muscles when we mimic them... it's really fun... anyone care to join? and then instead of just walking... we can dance everywhere! together!?:)

it's beginning to look a lot like.... MaaAaarrcchh... everywhere we go...do dee dooo

2006-03-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

Your presence is to me...

Last night, I was down in a ward room at the end of the hall, talking with a really great lady, and all of a sudden I saw this whisp of white fluff streak by the verticle blinds. "K... it's snowing!" "It's what?!" she said. I pulled the wrong cord, then the right one, and felt like I was giving her a little type of present... The snow was so fluffy and swirling... I almost expected some type of JackFrost cartoon character to jump out of the darkness and say "Merry Christmas to all! and to all a good niiiiiggggghhhhhhhttttttt!!..." But instead I saw "8E Rocks" written in huge letters on top of the parking structure, later on. We thought of ways to turn the 8 into our number, but gave up.

This morning, I sat nestled behind the plastic flowers in the cafeteria with my Bob's hot cereal in styrofoam in my hands... and saw these beautiful pink-blooming dogwoods outside the big windows! It was like I was in a Japanese Haiku... the tree was basically growing out of the cement and the snow was again...swiriling around it. weird but beautiful. So I sat there, thinking about weird and beautiful things:)

Goodnight:)

Goodmorning!

2006-03-07T13:22:00.000-08:00

2006-03-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

fighting for what's true & good & right

2006-03-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

Oh Christ, the brightness of God's glory and express image of his person, whom death could not conquer, nor the tomb imprision; as you have shared our mortal frailty in the flesh, help us to share your immortal triumph in the spirit. Let no shadow of the grave affright us and no fear of darkness turn our hearts from you. Reveal yourself to us as the First and the Last, the Living One, our immortal Savior and Lord. Amen.

-Henry VanDyke

daydreaming like always

2006-03-03T10:25:00.000-08:00

a pretty tree and lamp in Portland

I stumbled across a blog in Pennsylvania... this lady captures the true colors and beauty of her hometown...with a really nice camera. I could do something like this for the rest of my life:)

2006-02-26T20:36:00.000-08:00

PearlT
FebRuary
This one duck at the park had SUCH weird fluff! He was my favorite:)
Rach @ Laurelhurst Park
Using Victoria For Symbolism

2006-02-26T20:10:00.000-08:00

i like the way metal reflects:) FamilyResemblance
Heart on the Rocks
Valentines
Downtown with Take-out
Saving A Spot on the Waterfront
Oh little chesnut...what do you see?!

I really love trees.

My friends... the Cheveron pumpmasters!

10 points if you know where this is

Hope

2006-02-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow's my mom's birthday!

What an amazing lady... it's weird to think about how if I were her, I'd be married, traveling by motorcycle across the states... leaving buses... 6 sisters... 2 brothers... the East coast... and headed to TL... with 4wheeldrives and rivers and forests... eating steak in a home built for earthquake-testing...

My mom loves walks... and I have so many great memories tagging along... then helping fold warm clothes from the dryer. It's fun to think of all aspects of her... and now, especially that I'm a little older, to look back, and see how brave and patient and loving she was and is. It takes a lot of guts to be a part of this family, that's for sure:) I'd love it if you guys prayed for her...

Happy Birthday, tomorrow, Mom!

tell me when

2006-02-22T08:51:00.000-08:00

Last night, I had the joy of being rolled around in a lift by a 6'4" 230lbs-ish nurse at 3 in the morning... I have to admit it was the most fun I had in a long time... it was like when my dad used to push ArtTim & me around in the wheelbarrow:)

baby muscles

2006-02-21T00:11:00.000-08:00

This day, being President's Day and all, we decided to celebrate by drinking some Tarragon Soda (BRIGHT green... with sort-of an anise taste) and some Coffee... brought to us by Inessa... cheers!

Inessa&her husband have the CUTEST little girls... six and 4 months. It's so wonderful to see how babies hang on to their parents like they are holding on to life... and how relationships change when babies come. I'm amazed at how couples can rest, let alone spend time with eachother... when there are babies that need to be held and jobs with paychecks. I seem to struggle with only working three shifts and sleeping. I guess that's part of what makes life beautiful... doing what you have to do.

jumbledwordsajfoubutuliyeah

2006-02-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

I have to admit the setup with my seatbelt is pretty sketchy.

I spent about two weeks without a Jeep, and have been bustling around the city on the MAX and bus and feet and friends (which I'm savoring!)... and it's amazing how much less money I spend!... and yet how desperate I am to go places... thinking of all the liquid goods I could buy (I always pick the heaviest food/drink items!)... and how nice it would be to have a trunk.... So... I improvised and discovered the beauty of a knot in a seatbelt. I can see nothing wrong with it... but it seems sketchy.

Anyways...

how are you guys?

having a good weekend, huh?

tell me about it if you have some time?

This has been a very interesting past couple of days at la hospit-al

It's weird because so many people are telling me what's going to happen to me...

"Tiffany...you'll have (this)... and (this), and do (this)"

or they mention how whatever they're going through has affected them... has affected their families, and how they see life now. To see someone an hour before hearing a bad diagnosis... and how their view changes. Or to see families cry...

I'm not really making sense...

But I do know that when people think about dying... things change.

And it either leads to a depression or a major growth in Hope or a weird depth with Life.

Each person, even you guys, have a certain look...

it's hard to hide what's going on inside.

bright colors & coats

2006-02-17T17:52:00.000-08:00

vows

2006-02-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

Words of our mouths

Meditations of our hearts

The LORD's Pleasure

Our Redeemer

Our Rock

***********

Hey guys:) Here's to throwing out week-info:

I am a tapioca lover... it seems ancient and is comforting and has ingredients I always have on hand. I slurp it when it's warm, and eat spoonfulls if I can wait long enough for it to cool. And it's used in pharmaceuticals! And it's made from cassava!

...yeah...

Today I received a chain sock letter! Imagine all the weird & beautiful socks that could be placed on Tiff's feet!!... I guess it's better than those underwear chain letters...

mmm hmm...

Yesterday, I supposedly met the Mr.PriceIsRight...Bob Barker's son, on the bus. Such a nice guy... I didn't see much resemblance though... I guess you never know.

My Marie from Guam called me yesterday, today, and tomorrow? (Guam's a day ahead minus 6 hours)... She is such a sweet friend! So considerate and high-pitched-voiced and habiscus-growing! I want her and Rob to live next door... we could both have clotheslines and peek over at eachother as we're hanging shirts and dresses and stuff... you know...

Today is my Grandma's 53rd Anniversary with my Grandpa... she always knows how many years they've been married, even though he passed away a long time ago.

light beams

2006-02-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

We have an obligation- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

-Romans

This has been a Beautiful weekend, my friends. Yesterday Ms.V and I went downtown and were partpaparatzi/partmodels, made googeley-eyes at little kids, and walked the waterfront. Today Ms.R & I went to the park and sat next to a pond full of ducks/geese/gulls, having the sun shine off the water...supposedly making ripples on my face, even though I'm convinced I always have had ripples. Little kids moved their bottoms & hands... quacking as loud as they could. Couples in black boots and skunk hats smoked and kissed, and Rachel and I sat on blankets and almost fell asleep. And today, God's desire was infused into us:)

I sort-of have this abstract dream...:)... of all of us being able to project God'sLove though our eyes. Imagine a guy, for example, walking up the sidewalk towards you, and out of his eyes... there's these lights and you see a picture/video of some sort playing in front of him. It's something like his baby, or a mountain, or a person speaking another language... and he passes you, smiling... saying, "Isn't God beautiful?! He IS Love!" Then you pass, and God projects a lovely thing through your eyes... and you say "You betcha He is!! Thanks for sharing the amazement!"

Now I know we don't all have light beams shooting out of our eyes, but there's other ways we can show it, yeah?

To add: the Jeep still doesn't seem to like the idea of a seatbelt...but when it does, I'll get some pictures out here:)

la da da Da da da & roses

2006-02-10T16:50:00.000-08:00

There's this primary-colored transit in Portland called MAX (meaning the Red, Yellow, & Blue Lines). He's so friendly and somewhat free, and reminds me of a big caterpillar with people squished in it. There are high school girls with puffy coats and boyfriends, business men with newspapers and shiny shoes, people who get off to and from the mission, and women who mumble unintelligible sentences as they eat their Hostess. There's all these stops in fun-sounding places like GooseHollow and Yamhill and Sunset that I never realized existed... with people more friendly than they let on....or guys who watch you pretending they aren't. We sit on seats and swing around like we're dancing sometimes... or hold on to little loops hanging from poles. There's this one spot through a tunnel where we seem to be going light-speed and my ears get blocked and I look around to see if anyone feels it too... but their NicolasSparks and IPods let them forget about the whoosh, it seems. I sat in the sun this morning going across the bridge and fell asleep for awhile and realized I love MAX... for the same reason I love the TubaChristmas and libraries and hospitals and parks.

My plants are totally a dark-rich-green today... we've all needed the sun. It's SO beautiful!!!!

I know I haven't updated for awhile, but I thought I'd redirect you guys to the SmuRobPage (beware of the kissing picture!!! ugh!) and the InternSethSite (there's an item that could start a major fire if it hits the sun just right).

I'm really excited for this weekend... and I'll get a seatbelt!:)

Tiff's moving on up in the world.

Things are a-changing friends... love your families! Don't forget about them... invest your love.

whatcha got cookin', good lookin'?

2006-02-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

ourstory

2006-01-30T08:55:00.000-08:00

I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. What are we holding on to? That there's some good in this world, ... and it's worth fighting for.

Where's Bob & the StormTrooper?

2006-01-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

erineyes

2006-01-25T18:11:00.000-08:00

birth2earth

2006-01-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I was in this cafe with a friend and saw a photo that reminded me a lot of this one. It's SO beautiful!! isn't it?! How this guy is arched in the circle...like he completes it.

Work is such an interesting topic. Especially when you're in your twenties and have no kids and not a lot of people depending on you, in a sense...

This picture symbolizes a lot...

This week, I've loved this job I'm in more than ever. Things seem to be "clicking" and have become 6thSense...it's strange:)

And people...Kelly&Alex are expecting a baby girl coming up here soon!... Mila (MEE-la)Anne!..can you see her? Praise the LORD for the love of baby showers & babies & families!

And speaking of births...

Happy 26th Birthday, yesterday, to my dear roommate

!!Rachel!!

kaleidoscope

2006-01-17T00:12:00.000-08:00

*
Clinton helps drop AIDSDrugCosts

2006-01-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

say goodbye to colorado and hi to jeep

2006-01-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

They were given rest

by the Spirit of the LORD.

It's weird being in a state of being afraid of change... even afraid of working during the day...but longing for it still... Hmmm. But...you know... the things that I've been afraid of have turned out so beautiful!!: nursing, not living at home, mad people, Victoria?:) finches?:)

My friends, last night...we communed!...finally!

The Lahash group showed us impactful pictures/video of the trip and friends they spent time with. They've been working so much on sorting out all the good stuff and implementing Lahash even more.

Check out the website to the right... it's amazing:)

And Erin so graciously gave me a beautiful/luscious/sparkling green tropical plant!! Thanks Erin!! I'm amazed when friends pick me up something that reminds them of me...wow. So far the list includes a very hot pink/orange/hibiscus wrap skirt, hot pink socks with orange and yellow cartoon smiling octopi on them, a blue bracelet, and now a green tropical plant. Very interesting.

LovieDovieFromMeToYou!:)

2006-01-12T17:38:00.000-08:00

waterfalls

2006-01-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of His splendor!

The LORD rises upon you &

His glory appears over you!

Yesterday at home, I went running...down that same road I've spent so much time on...

Memories FLY through my head!

BlessedMarie quizzing me with lab value flashcards for NCLEX, timing myself on how fast I could walk it with 45lbs on my back...in flipflops, my parents listening to my stories, jumping in the river with my Penny after work at KJ's...

I woke up early with my mom, ate oatmeal, and waited for the sunrise so I could get out there. It was so beautiful...I miss it.

We've been taught so much... what to do with it...what to doooo...

And tonight I realized, even more, what an amazing friend Victoria is... she's the friend I've been waiting for:)

AND Alex&Kelly are having a GIRL!!!

AND Kara has another tatoo:)

are you from around here?

2006-01-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

We live with people, and also spend some time alone. We move and think and talk with God, and can sit and talk with an old man and be talking with Jesus at the same time! Even our dreams are filled with familiar and unfamiliar places...oceans, mountains, asphalt, houses...

Everything is so intertwined... and it's mornings like these when I feel like "I actually get it"... whatever that means:) Maybe it's the profoundness of beauty... maybe it's this surreal feeling I get from the nightshift... maybe I'm dehydrated... But...you know... I'm so amazed at God's vision... how He does His stuff... how He loves that we're a part of it... that's good stuff going on here kidoes.

ten points to anyone who gets any of this...

I spent "quite some time" in traffic headed back this way, and saw these raindrops on the windshields...and my imagination went a little wild... I attempted to depict it in the above sloshPaint-marks:) ...Doesn't look too exciting does it...sorry about that.

MoralToTheStory: Love on someone for Jesus&me today!!:)

early rising at one

2006-01-07T05:27:00.000-08:00

...we will be called

Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings

What's a Stroke?: video

sixes are MUCH easier to write... phew.

2006-01-02T18:20:00.000-08:00

-boom sound-

tiffthought: I hope everyone's alright!!

I look up

and see HUGE beautiful fireworks explode into the air!

I look down at Mary

Happy New Year Mary!

"Is it really?!!...come here honey..."

We hug and kiss eachother on the cheek

Happy 2006!

So, Mary, do you usually have any traditions on NewYears?

"Not really, anymore, honey"

You didn't used to go around kissing all the boys?!

"OH noooo..."

Please excuse my tardiness.

I've been on a long journey of the mind and to TL and my fingers shrivel up when they come within a cm of the keyboard!!! true!!?

Everyone's writing about what's happened and some resolutions, but I am not the best at telling the truth... so I thought I'd make up a list of weird things that COULD happen this year of six.

1. Become the billboard girl for Ovaltine.

2. Discover a hidden button on people's elbows that makes them break into song whenever I'd like

3. Cure everyone of every disease by kissing them on the forehead

4. Make it a goal to eat only silver things

5. Visit all my friends in all their countries at the same time

6. Live in a place with a clothes line

So much has happend already!! I'm so excited for God's love and life and the things that are right there, ready to hold our hands.

Blesssssings!!

O'NightDivine

2005-12-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

Glory to God in the Highest!

and on Earth Peace to men!

on whom His favor rests...

Merry Christmas Loved Ones!!!

my love

2005-12-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Roll

2005-12-19T21:58:00.000-08:00

Hello, this is Tiff's friend Victoria. Tonight she invited me to her place to eat some of the pumpkin roll she made. As I have never had pumpkin roll before, I was excited. She made me hold one of the pumpkin rolls and it was so big and heavy, it felt like a baby. So I had to draw a picture of it so that everyone can know what it is like. I'm not as good at drawing as Tiffany, but I think you get the idea.

sunrise

2005-12-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

does nitrogen help make those lights orange?

2005-12-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to the store to get a slurpie to slurp on!

Mmm... PinkLemonade:)

Then I got this call from Rachel informing me of the change in weather...

I walked out to the Jeep and MILLIONS of little ice BB's were being flung at me at 60mph!

People scurried inside with squinched up faces...sheltering their babies.

The above is my interpretation of the trees outside our 4thFloorApt...

The extra-cool thing about this weird slurpiemassacre was that it helped Rachel & I stay inside... and encouraged me to bake my four fatlittlepumpkinrollbabies! (they weigh about as much as a newborn does...) Why don't you come over to munch on some, sometime?:)

there will be

2005-12-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

Have you guys heard of Andrew Bird?

I've been listening to him for about a month...

I'm not sure what to make of him...

but I do like how he whistles:)

promise to never grow up Tiff, okay? - Christie

2005-12-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

Christie!!!

Have you ever spent time around someone from high school, and had "flashback" after flashback?! Tonight, I spent time with Christie...and let me tell you... I felt like I was 17... it was very weird.

We went to a basketball game to watch her sister, Bereka, play... sat in the benches yelling & eating off pieces of our candy necklaces. I couldn't believe how much I was getting into that game! When was Tiff ever competitive?! I almost forgot about her. What is it about a GAME and a bouncing ball and a net-thing that gets me so riled up?!! (I don't even know how to spell riled!)

It was a beautiful time, though, and I'm glad I'm not 17:)

But, man!...I miss playing basketball!

But...you know, maybe it's a good thing I'm not on any sort-of team... I'd probably be too distracted and amazed that our fingers can feel wood and grooves on the rubber ball:)

Thanks God for Christie...

she talks me into doing things I'm too chicken to do...

good things:)

Hey!...would you like to know where a non-Starbucks coffee place is close to you?

There are 28 SB's in a 5 mile radius around me!!!

But I DO like their coffee...don't get me wrong...

OR see animations re: back surgeries?!!!

(I know you're excited...)

addresses!!!

2005-12-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ahhh... friends & family.... I love you guys!

AND IF you send me your address

sniffy11@yahoo.com

I'll send you a little ChristmasSomething!

all for now:)

Goodness&Life

2005-12-14T09:23:00.000-08:00

Today I got this message on my phone:

"Bonjor mon ami! This is you friend in

(pause)

Guam.

I have some coffee here... and some Maria cookies... and would love you to join me

(pause)

now..."

I want to visit GuameseMarie now! mannnn...

(Tiff has pouty lips)

This week I've been around a lot of sad things... and a lot of free cookies, which is also somewhat sad. Here I gorge on treats and have no satiety center...and at night, I'm spending time with people who haven't eaten anything in weeks...

What is up with this?

But you know... God has blessed me and us and we see things differently now... there's more of a depth to life and death...

2005-12-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

A song!

A song high above the trees...

With a voice as big as the sea!

TriMet goes BioDiesel

They're testing for the Hybrid/e- Bus!

Here's to more fresh air:)

Pict:RH

bomp bomp bomp & tiramisu

2005-12-11T00:36:00.000-08:00

Oh what a day!
Today, I thought I'd be going to watch the amazement of the tubas...alone...
BUT last night, my wonderful friend and roommate Rachel said she'd love to go!

us in the BRIGHT sunlight by that one Starbucks

our pupils are nonexistant
So this afternoon, we scooted on down town at PioneerSquare to watch hundreds of tubas play Christmas music!!! It was so beautiful... And there were so many people there!! Kids, grandparents, Nordstrom people, those living on the street... all there... singing Christmas carols about Jesus along with the tubas outside... it was SO beautiful.

TONS of people! It was hard to even see the tubas:)

There were so many cute people there...

especially this older guy with a fuzzy hat!

and of course, the city tree
AND THEN tonight, my friend Sarah invited me to a Mom'sChristmasParty... even though I'm not a mom! I feel very honored:) We got dressed up & went out to dessert, and ended up talking about how weird some animals are and what we've shot before... never thought the conversation would've gone in that direction:) And we went to a weird sci-fi movie... why do I always go to weird movies?!! But it was really fun hanging out with Sarah & her friend Jessica from Salem... & it's always nice when people want to stay up late-ish:)

People are so beautiful and complex and important.

Thanks for making&loving us, God:)

a special thanks to Rachel & her digital camera for these picts! When will Tiff just give in to the digital?

reorienting

2005-12-09T08:48:00.000-08:00

This morning was so fun... as I drove home from laHospital, that sun was shining SO bright... there was no wind, the river was almost like glass...and it was so chilly out!... the vents from the buildings built in the sky reminded me of that one part in MaryPoppins where they walked up the smoke:)

And THEN as I drove South, I saw all these little white lines painted in that clear sky sky and realized they were jets!! Crazy!! These huge metal things flying!...weird.

I'm feeling very gooey today... I could lose a leg all of a sudden and not care:)

The point to this post?...

Tiff's losing it?

sit & listen with me...

2005-12-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

Our Redeemer- the LORD Almighty is his name- is the Holy One of Israel.

A beautiful lady died this week.

Thank you LORD for Pat...Patrick's mom, Ralph's wife... and for redeeming her.

SOMETHING'S COMING

2005-12-06T00:58:00.000-08:00

I tried to remember the lyrics to this song and sing it for Victoria tonight, but I failed miserably... so Victoria...this one's for you...about what I was trying to talk about:)

Could be! Who knows? There's something due any day; I will know right away, Soon as it shows. It may come cannonballing down through the sky, Gleam in its eye, Bright as a rose! Who knows? It's only just out of reach, Down the block, on a beach, Under a tree. I got a feeling there's a miracle due, Gonna come true, Coming to me! Could it be? Yes, it could. Something's coming, something good, If I can wait! Something's coming, I don't know what it is, But it is Gonna be great! With a click, with a shock, Phone'll jingle, door'll knock, Open the latch! Something's coming, don't know when, but it's soon; Catch the moon, One-handed catch! Around the corner, Or whistling down the river, Come on, deliver To me! Will it be? Yes, it will. Maybe just by holding still, It'll be there! Come on, something, come on in, don't be shy, Meet a guy, Pull up a chair! The air is humming, And something great is coming! Who knows? It's only just out of reach, Down the block, on a beach, Maybe tonight . . .

alright... that's all I needed to say:)

goodnight

the mysterious bruises & scrapes

2005-12-05T22:32:00.000-08:00

A Work Shoe Eulogy:

O work shoes… the black ones…yes, you over there
You’ve served me well
Survived all the wear

Up and down… and
Across those long halls
Holding up people so they wouldn’t fall

That inch and a half, helped me reach those high things
Matched with the scrubs
Brushed by those jeans

But then came the day I took you out of the closet
Found the buckle piece severed,
Your poor, lifeless form, on the carpet

I denied this occurrence and put the groove on the metal
You lasted 12 more hours
Then
Died.

I taped you with tape
People asked if I wasn’t paid enough
Then
You really died.

*******

And...today laVictoria & I ate some mighty tasty curry at a random Thai place we drove by... I recommend it:)

***********

I woke up extra excited today:) We are SO LOVED, my friends.

...

2005-12-04T23:55:00.000-08:00

And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out His love

into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit,

whom He has given us.

Emmanuel! God Is With Us!!

2005-12-03T09:13:00.000-08:00

You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD have created it.

*******

BrainStentArticle

...........

2005-12-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

AIDS and the World

2005-12-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

it's the official AIDS awareness day

(an info site linked)

N/T...& snowflakes & ribbon & Rachel!

2005-11-30T18:36:00.000-08:00

"Do you have any numbness or tingling?"

Every night I'm at the hospital, I try my best to put myself in the people's "shoes"... I try to imagine how nasty medicine tastes, how pain feels, how it is to know what to say...but have the words come out as jibberish...and knowing it sounds crazy..., AND how it feels to have one side of you numb...or flaccid.

Today, I had yet another trip to go see DentistMike... watch the busy shoppers downtown from the 3rd floor office... & get 2/3 of my mouth numb. I'm such a lightweight when it comes to medicine & novacaine & it's hit the 4hr. mark & I'm starting to feel the "tingling" instead of the tastless tongue.

I'm very greatful that Jesus came here to walk around with us, teach us, and show us even more how he Loves and suffered for us. He knows what's going on...and He tells us what' s up, too. Life's so complex, beautiful, important, & weird...

change subject:

Rachel&I decorated la apartmenta tonight!!! She has this cute tree, tons of lights & ornaments (she always seems to come well-prepared... as Tiff comes needing-to-buy-because-she-does-not-have)!!! I did contribute all those snowflakes & paperchains & a "tin"foil star, though. We're LOVING IT!!! I'll have to post a picture when I get around to it...hopefully before Christmas:)

*peace&love to all, & to all a goodnight*

i love ArtTim

2005-11-29T09:12:00.000-08:00

My brother, Art Tim, came to visit today!!! Quote of the day from him re: his van leaking...

"Tiff... and there was so much water pouring down in the back from the rain... it was like a waterfall... all you need are some crystal ball things or some light catchers."

Ms. Molly...Daughter of the McK's... Sister of Ben... has a livejournal!

She is a beautiful one from TL... & is a freshman in college going through some of her first finals... I love this girl!

as an fyi: that's Tiff&TheSmur dancing in the photo:)