Don't Break the Chain

Heyo!

New Year. What naturally comes next in a DIY world? New Year's resolutions. The next question is...did you make any this year? The answer that follows is usually yes, I do them or no that is stupid.

I have not put much stock in them. If I want changes in my life. I want to start NOW. If I do not then nothing happens. Not when I schedule it. Not even late, simply never. But then I realized that while I do not need to start anything at New Years, it is helpful with one thing: consistency. A year is simply a measure of time. Thus when
 

Based off of this, I am going to try these calendars for a year, and see how it goes. Keeping in mind that I am horrible with lists and any new thing, if I can do it, so can you.


Here are somethings that help me with prioritizing.

1. Some things do not need to be

This may seem counter productive, but for me things like brushing teeth just happen. DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THESE THINGS. Like remember to eat, but don't freak out about it.

2. Prioritize the Priorities

This is totally not redundant. It is work. I printed five calendars, that is probably too many. I plan to REALLY SERIOUSLY use, like, two. Because two helping me, is better than five collecting dust. It is all about how realistic you are about you/life.

3. Be Accountable

Start by putting your goal somewhere that you see it. Like all the time. Second is telling another person and having them hound you about it. Or compete with you. However this is harder, because you have to find a motivated person. And that is hard to find (not even sure that I would be consider 'motivated') Anyway, ask lots, expect nothing and be grateful with what you get.

And there you go.

That is how you 'don't break the chain' and that is how I plan to use it to be productive. Have fun!

Side thought:

This blog was much more 'normal' blog and less stream of conscious...this might be yet another new thing that may or may not last. It all depends on where it is prioritized in my life. The past you know, but the future is fresh.

<3 Lissa

FOUND...An Epic Series

Heyo,

Today let's do a #reviewsdaytuesday

As we have previously noted on this blog I  LOVE reading. Since I have been on Christmas break I have had time to read, but haven't been hooked by any books. Until the Mickey Bolitar trilogy. (Which also has THIS really COOL website.) Anyway I thought this would be a perfect time to start reviewing some of my favorite books here.

The Mickey Bolitar Trilogy: Shelter, Seconds Away, and Found by Harlan Coban

Genre: Young Adult thriller

Rating: One 4/5, Two 4/5, Three 4/5 (and that ending was...woah.)

Family Friendly: Yes, it deals with mature themes, but keeps it classy as much as a teenager narrator could. The language is tame, however there is quite a bit of violence.

To be honest, I do not read many books from boy point of view, but when I do I like to read it from a male author. Mostly because I know what girls think boys think about, but I want to know straight from the source. And *sarcastic spoiler alert* it is not that much different than from a girl. Sure there are different social norms, but in this series it does not affect the heart of the character. Mickey is a hurting kid aching for a normal life. That 'normal life' is not treating him very well in fact nine times out of ten he gets the short end of the stick, but his inner strength and determination carry others along with himself to do the right thing in hard times come what may.

I started reading this series when I was about sixteen. I got through the two books that were out at that time. My first impression was probably how exciting it was. Also how sweet and slightly frustrating (as Ema- Mickey's friend- points out) that he is very protective of everyone. It is not a sexist thing, he does to any one he loves, and it is part of his development he learns when that is smothering and when it is life-saving.

 Recently the third book just came out and this is the first time I finished reading the whole thing. The voice seemed a little young at points for me now. For instance I wanted to shake Mickey into understanding the long reaching consequences he faced for pushing legal limits. On the other hand I loved how realistic school was. For instance no matter what beating he had just taken or what personal tragedy he was experiencing there was homework due in the morning. Because that is life.

One of my favorite themes is the importance of family. Friends abound, but family is still respected loved, and wanted. That is something I don't see much of in our current culture and was nice to read. It was not because Mickey had a perfect family, but he coped with his imperfect one. Like we have to do.

Of course the action and mystery of the story, kept me on my toes.  Although I love trying to figure things out, there were several surprises or links that I had not guessed. The answers to questions posed were satisfying and believable.

Overall if you are a teenager, find yourself this trilogy and then READ.

<3Lissa

P.S. Let me know what you think if you have read this or if you have a book I should read. And then review. Thanks!

Am I Too Hard on Myself?

Heyo,

Soo two weeks ago I made two lists, and then Christmas happened. Today is Monday so back to business as usual. Overall I both liked it and hated the list making thing. The bad thing is that I stressed myself out thinking I had to get everything done in one day. When really there was no deadline other than my own. I could flex if things came up, because sometimes (hint Thursday), things did come up and mess everything. On the upside, I got more done on a variety of things than I would have. In conclusion, I need to find a balance between being motivated and being a perfectionist. Lists are helpful, because I am a very goal oriented person, but everyday is a bit intense. So I am thinking that today we'll tweak things; I will try and make one for the whole week.

School

• Math for Medication Safety
• Organize school things for upcoming semester
• Read NCLEX review book (Christmas present!)
• Start on Med Surg 1 readings
• Look up OB book prices
• Listen to online lectures

Things

• Daily Bible study
• Exercise daily (found inspiration here: The Body Department)
• Keep a clean room
• Organize/purge clothes

Creativity

• Read three books
• Create an outline for WIP
• Create complex characters, maybe a cut a few and focus

Social Media

• Just try and keep up with it plus life.

A Hopeful Sunday

Heyo :)

"How did you find Hope?" My friend asks me and then laughs, "I never get tired of asking that question."

See this 'Hope' is an abbreviated version of my church's name. She was asking me how I found this church, but it is also a great question in general, not even connected with the church. How do I find hope?

Lets face it, life is not all puppies and rainbows. Unlike Hallmark leads us to believe, life is painful and hard. Many people struggle with depression, anxiety and feeling like there is no way out.

They are right. Here are some of the reasons why:

We can have no joy.

There are some small things most everyone can find happiness in, but true joy come from God. Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

 We can not create a different life for ourselves.

But God choose this way for a reason. We can not understand his plan, that is where faith directs our minds. And God may show us a way out, he may take the burden away

We can not  save ourselves.

God the father sent his son Jesus Christ to be born on earth, live a sinful life, die in payment for my sins, and then rise from the dead, conquering death. My Lord saved me. And I am so thankful.

Without God we can have no hope, because God is my hope.

I found hope through other sinners who had found God's hope. From there my parents discipled me in the Lord. Also God sent me trials spiritually and physically to strength my faith (the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen).

Today I am finding hope in the complexities of life. I am learning how to find hope in death, in abuse, and in all sorts of awful situations people have in this world. It's simple, it's just not easy. Thus, faith.


So tell me, how did you find hope?

<3 Lissa

Take a Walk

Heyo,

I keep myself very busy and I hope it follows that I am very productive. However lately I have been missing some fresh air.

So hold on a moment.


..........................................................................................................................................................................

I took a walk, not necessarily long, but not short either. And it was wonderful. Instead of overthinking life, I lived it. An estimated ninety percent of the time I need to DO things and stop talking (or writing/blogging about them).

This is similar to my problem with pictures. I love capturing the memories, but I hate when remembering things, becomes more important than doing things. For instance I took about a hundred (maybe more...) picture of the intrepid. This is awesome for now, but then, I should have been spending time with my Grandpa.

I end this post with go take a walk, whatever that means in your specific life. Right now, I am going to watch a movie with family.

Enjoy!

<3 Lissa

Clothes

Heyo,

The day after Christmas. This can be a bit of a let down from a holiday high. This year it has me reflecting on all I have materially. Spiritually too, but also I just have a lot of things, stuff, objects and 'memories'. And maybe all of them are too many. In our family Bible time today we read Luke chapter three verses one through twenty (because of time, we didn't get through the whole thing, like I would have wanted). In there John the Baptist teaches people about how we are to practically given different vocations and personal lives we are to live out the good news. This struck a  cord when he said if one of you has two tunics give one away, because if I just think clothes, I have soooo many more than two. I am not saying I am about to give away my whole wardrobe, but it is something to think about, especially around Christmas. How does the Lord wants me to share my blessings with others?

It is easy to share the books I love whether it is by reviewing here or my loaning them to my IRL friends, or easy to use a computer to listen to sermons online, but it is a challenge to know how to use other things like clothes for God's glory. Not saying that we shouldn't enjoy fun clothes, but I how to balance it is the question.

So why do we where clothes? Because we sinned; because we realized we are naked and now we have a need to be clothed. Every time we put on clothes we are (or should be) reminded that we are sinners and that we need a Savior.

And if we remember that, if we thank God for that, it brings him glory.

Post Christmas ramble=complete.


<3 Lissa

P.S. On a side note I recently read this blog post and thought it a wise reminder about social media....random yes, but cool all the same and very God-honoring.

A Very "Merry" Christmas

Heyo,

Merry Christmas!

How often do I exchange this phrase? Doubtless, it is countless times each year. 

Except maybe this one. This year I wasn't feeling very merry. Not jaded per se, I just was not getting into that Christmas spirit of which we hear. It simply did not feel like Christmas.

I don't know why. I read Christmas books, watch movies, bought gifts, did all the normal things. Still that feeling was not there. I was getting worried that would "miss" Christmas this year if I didn't get my act together soon. It scared my that oblivion would carry me through December and I might not ever wake up from it.

Then yesterday it hit me. Christmas spirit is a bit arbitrary; did I really know what I was looking for? Christmas is Christ's birth, my hero's birthday. And I am here worried about me. That I am going to "miss" somthing. With trite phrases I covered what I was missing, Christ. I didn't include him in my celebration (at least not inwardly) and I was spiritually feeling the consequences. As well as leaving the guest of honor, forgotten on His day.

Which reminded me of the cross, his victory over death and now his coming soon. How unworthy I am of all he has given me and how much I need him.

Last week in church we were talking about how failing to know God, to recognize him in every part of our lives all the time, is vital and easily overlooked. Worse than that something else other than my master is taking up that time. It is sinful to put other things in place of God. Harsh, but true.

This is my Christmas message. I unworthy, serve a great God, who is kind to sinners such as myself. 

So yes, Merry Christmas, but also Happy Birthday, Lord, and thank you.

<3 Lissa

Song lyrics by Michael W. Smith. Picture of a Christmas present for my little sister :)

Lists: Second Edition

Heyo,

Worked so well yesterday that I am going to try it again today.

School

• Math for Medication Safety Nope
• Read Fluid, etc. (what I didn't get done yesterday) Nope

Things

• Bible Study Yes.
• Run 2.2 miles Not by a long shot
• Clean something Okay sorta.
• Pick up 40 gallons of Egg Nog and 400 cookies Done and delivered
• CNA application Nothing
• Investment research Nope
• Plan Christmas gifts YES

Creativity

• Finish reading last Nanowrimo book Not quite...
• Read anther book Uh...not really..

Social Media

• Schedule a blog post FUN Yes. But it is not done yet
• Figure out Twitter Sure

Here it goes again. Make your list, check it twice and then use it!

<3 Lissa

P.S. TWITTER

Lists

Heyo :)
Eight days until Christmas, been on break for seven days and six days ago I was in Ohio. Woah. And now that I am home my productivity has been at an all time low and my workload has not diminished. This is due to things like all-nighters (and the following crash), trips, finals, families, and procrastination. It also ends today.

As the saying goes, if you want results you have never had, you need to try something you have never done.

Here come lists. For me it is two in one I get to have a blog project and I get to organize my activities and hopefully boost my time.

And it all starts today.

School

• Medication Safety Practice test
• Read Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid Base Chapter
• Watch Kathy's youtube lectures on it

 

Things

• Bible study
• Memorize three verses
• Take at least three walks today Yes I am so happy about the movement and fresh air I got out of it.
• Successfully babysit three kids So much fun (Ages: 6yrs, 4yrs, and 6 months)
• Clean something Kitchen floor
• See the Hobbit with Friends Postponed to another day, which was great, because I really did not have time for a three hour movie today. Hindsight, sigh.

 

Creativity

• Finish reading first draft of Forgottons
• Don't cry over it
• Read another book
• Watch the next Doctor Who season eight episode

 

Social Media

• Blog (if you are seeing this, it is done for today) Yup.
• Schedule a blog post that is FUN (ie not lists) Check
• Start a twitter (Do not let the fear ruin you) TWITTER GO HERE TO SEE

 

 

There it is and here it goes! Leaving right now to babysit...will update (hopefully) tonight with results ;)

 

Have a Merry Christmas season!

 

<3 Lissa

Innocence Lost

Heyo,

Finals are approaching and NaNoWriMo is in full swing, which is exciting and awesome. My motto most days is that 'someday' need to be today.

So this morning I was writing out note cards with meds for my patient  next week and I was listening to Crash Course Literature and it was making me very contemplative. There was a specific part in  Catcher in the Rye (part two) where they were discussing Holden's lost innocence. It made me think about my own innocence and how I trash it every opportunity I get, but how I protect innocence as long as I can in others. 'Others' mostly being my little sister. I don't want her to grow up too quickly, but I have this other standard for myself and I always feel like I am not growing callused fast enough.

I recently took care of a dying patient; it destroyed some of my romanticized ideas on death and how I though I would react to it. Instead of crying or really doing anything, all I felt was confused. Like I was upset, but there was no way to feel something, because as a health care worker, I only knew this person for days, not the sum of her ninety-four years. I was hurting, but there was no closure for me. I was supposed to get tough and keep moving. I lost innocence, that people would take care of me or that I would feel a certain way.

This Wenesday, I turned on the History channel and saw a program on the Third Reich that showed the horrible destruction not only of Jews, but also Germans. Nations of people left without the order, nations need to thrive. I saw how German's committed suicide en masse when the Russians invaded. I saw how they made the Germans living bury the dead of the holocaust. This was not the first time I have watched or read something about World War II, but I wonder if the topic will ever get old. I want to keep ripping the Band-Aid off my wounded soul and soak  it in the infected world.

Is that a bad thing? Is innocence something I want to keep? Because if it is, I am doing a very poor job of protecting it.

<3 Lissa

Intact Skin

Heyo!

Wait is there anybody actually here?

As you may have already predicted, this is me saying the nursing school keeps a girl busy. It also gives her a plethora of ideas for blogging/writing, but absolutely NO time. Tantalizing, am I right???

Life and death have happened at clinicals, but the most consistent (relatively, small) thing I have seen in long-term care residents is broken skin. Their skin condition is not the most pressing problem, but it is the one that gets to me. Making me want to take a shower and rub myself down in lotion as soon as I get home. I appreciate the largest organ in body a whole lot more. Simple as that. It is physically nice to have intact skin.

 Metaphorically, my mind goes a whole different place. I tend to think I keep up a pretty tough set of armor, but then why do things (emotionally) end up hurting me so much? Because my most basic level of protection is breached. My "skin" is compromised. When I forget to read my Bible or pray, the simplest (yes, it is simple, just not easy) spiritual protection is torn. Not good. It sets the stage for worse things like infection. Also if you do have that tough armor, it just rubs on you and then you develop pressure sores from trying to protect yourself. Seems like I am my worst enemy.

Why don't I just leave it in my Savior's hands?

Stupid me.

Ok, on that uplifting note, protect your skin, both physically and spiritually! Also do me an extra favor and give someone who says they are "fine" an extra hug today :)

<3 Lissa

Salted

Heyo peeps,

Ok, so I was planning to tell you all about my first lecture, but nothing much happened. Also I have something else to catch you up on in my life. Been thinking, I guess any peeps on the internet are non existent, but in real life I have a sort of circle of friends. Unlike you (if peeps, does not work, let me call you therapy, because if I am honest and there being no one to lie too, I am, therapy is what you are).

So today I am going to tell you a story of something that happened last Friday.

I was sitting in a orientation group of freshmen at my college, (no, I am (and am not) counted a freshman mostly, sorta, ok let's move on) and the first thing my teacher had us do was draw a triangle, a Z, a square or lastly a circle.

Long story short (again, mostly). I chose a circle.

Statically speaking then, I was a free spirit.

When the teacher asked if I thought that was right, I nodded and started thinking of irony. Because I used to consider myself a free spirit, but recently I sure had not felt super free.

Let us go back a bit.

Earlier this summer, I almost had to give up something precious God gave me, nursing. I, of course being smart Melissa was like, perfect God wants me to sacrifice my works, sucess, whatever you want to call it. Bottom line he wanted me to give it back to him.

And then when it looked like we were not going to move, even smarter Melissa said, yup- I see what you are doing. Temptation. You want to see if I will run away from doing hard things.

Either way God, just let me know, I am fine with both.

Laughing yet? Because you should be. Who can actually figure God out? 

Not me.

I wanted God to tell me which one.

And there was NOTHING.

I was like, okay I can wait and I could up to a certain point. Then I broke. God stepped into what I considered my timing.

That day, after talking with Mom awhile I tried to actually do something so I was, baking cookies, pulling out ingredients, mixing them together, 

Salting them with my tears.

<3 Lissa

p.s. I am not moving.

Recap of the First Two Days

Heyo all-

So school started yesterday :) Right now I am just enjoying the routine without stress. 

What I did in lab: We went over the syllabus yesterday and learned hand washing techniques. Today we did bed baths and changing sheets. Nothing to challenging yet, but all hard its own way. 

What I learned (that I didn't know): Everything. I am pretty much stupid about all of this works, so all I learned was new. If I had to pick one thing I would say...Steps or organization, being systematic, so I remember what to do and I do not forget things. 

What I messed upon: The hospital bed rails. No matter what skill I was trying to do. I was constantly forgetting to put them up or down as the case may be. I kept them however I found them, until I would realize my mistake. 

Funny story???: Um I stayed late and got some behind the scenes tips? No? That is not funny? Alright, how about, um, oh yeah, pizza. 

So our teacher walked into class today and told us that nursing students were getting free pizza today, starting when class started.

Happily most of us trek out for pizza. Long story short, the pizza was nor for us  and we walked back hungry. It was for second year nursing students. Not us newbies.

Supposedly we will get pizza another time. I hope, rather than believe it to be the case ;)

Hope you are having a marvelous life.

<3 Lissa

Life Narrowing

Heyo all-

So the start of school is coming up quickly. This fact makes me wonderfully excited and NERVOUS.

Do not get me wrong, i LOVE nursing.

Still it is slightly scary. Or alot. I mean I am taking care of precious, God-created, human lives, yet I am only human. THE NERVES.

And this is making me feel better. Because it reminds me that while it feels like I am narrowing my life to one thing, I don't have to. So much is placed on what job you have or are working towards, but as a person I want to be more that what I made money doing.

I want to be how I glorified God.

Yup, great thought, now how do I practically do that. I only have some shadow/echo idea of what that means, let alone how I am to apply it.

I think it means being in God's word enough that I am thinking of Him as much or more as I think of school. There are probably many other things too, but I really do want to start with that.

Thus I embrace my Christian identity and I want to remember to study Christ as much and hopefully more than (strictly speaking) school.

<3 Lissa

Words on a Previously Blank Page

Heyo,

Summer has been good. It has also been one of the toughest summers I have seen. But because of this moment  (which just ended up being the beginning of the storm), I also got my act together about half way through.

This summer I did something that I have NEVER done.

I finished a 50,000 word novel. More specifically I finished a super rough first draft. Titled Forgottons or No One to Blame. Even though it it a mess, I am still really excited though, because this is the longest book I have ever written, most of the time I get distracted by a new shiny idea about 20,000 words into something. This time I did Camp Nanowrimo to finish the last 30,000 words and it totally worked.

Bad picture quality, sorry! But just think about the happiness of this screen :D

Now I am leaving it to sit in its filth and hopefully it grows magic, like rotten fruit growing majic, I mean, penicillin.

I am itching to keep touching it and to write more, but school starts Monday and school take priority. So on to a new chapter in the life of Lissa.

NURSING.

But it adds to my sanity, when I can think in those dark, cold studying moments, "I wrote a (almost) whole book! And no matter what people say, or what grade I get, no one can take that from me."

It just helps me feel like a whole, complicated person. Not just one thing.

Listening to: "Starting Over" from If/Then sung by Idina Menzel

Bye...

<3 Lissa

Adventures

Heyo,

I know I haven't told you a whole lot about me personally, so here is one thing about me. I am an adrenaline junkie. Tell me I have self harm tendencies like a psychologist or just cut to the chase and call me crazy. I am going into the nursing profession and that means I know ALOT about illness/injury. That doesn't stop me from loving a big bonfire or risking my neck trying out a knew gymnastics trick with my jump rope. This is completely untrue, but on some level I think  that I am invincible.

However all my medical training has done made me more aware of one aspect of safety. Two words: OTHER PEOPLE. While I am not a hypochondriac, I am super paranoid about other people constantly checking to make sure they are ok, or advising them about some new habit they should try. I think my worst fear is something happens to someone I love, because I was not vigilant enough.

 Did I just cross a line there? Maybe a little too deep? Probably, but it is healthy for me to admit it. I shouldn't/can't take responsibility for everyone. That is God's job and I think I leave it at that.

Alright enough with the personally detail, huh? How is your Wednesday going?

<3 Lissa

School: A Stifling Necessity

Heyo Nursing students,

This one is mostly for you all, you see I want to know what you think about school. You see, last week I wrapped up a summer dosage class (if you need assistance with dosages I recommend HERE), hence the lack of posts here. Thus lately I have been thinking about school.

School. (Sorry, I love echos)

And how sometimes I don't much like it. It takes time, you are judged (graded) on everything and after awhile it really gets tiring.

Yet there was a time, I was completely resigned that I wasn't good enough at school to do nursing. I just wasn't that smart. I wasn't being delusional or looking for sympathy. I just knew my grades and my skill were not up to pare.

Then I decided to try.  Not try harder on my school work (I was already doing my best), but try harder to trust in God.

He obviously wants me to do this, so I don't know why I worry or stress so much, double guessing myself.

G'night guys! And Happy Monday!

<3 Lissa

Mark 9:24
"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

Right Rebel

Heyo :)

A couple of weeks ago I found this notebook (the picture below) at Target and I love it soo much. I didn't end up buying, because, I sort of hoard notebooks and I didn't want to spend the money. Taking a picture of it helped and today it kinda inspired me.  Simply looking at it pretty much says it all:

Ok it misses one thing (at least) it misses the complexity of rebellion. The noun "rebel" has a bad connotation, but the word isn't bad. We all love the American revolution rebels (circa 1776). However today, it usually means a teenager with an attitude not a visionary wih challenging counter-cultural questions.

A question I like to ask myself   is why am I a rebel?  My answer? I am a rebel against current culture and against the darkness of this world. Do I forget this? Yes, far to often. I wear my baseball cap backward just for my enjoyment. Not a worthy purpose I assure you. My aspiration is be a better Rebel. The right kind of Rebel. The kind like George Washington, Robert E. Lee and others.

So by all means be a Rebel. Just keep your chin up and remember your mission, your enemy and your King.

Have a excellent weekend.

<3 Lissa

Listening too: "The Broken Beautiful" by Ellie Holcomb 

I Can't Do This

Hey,

Breathe. One deep breath sucking air inside and let the air whoosh back. Repeat. Repeat. Be thankfully that most of the time you don't have to think about breathing.

Why this Public Service announcement about respiration? Because I am trying to calm down. I am trying to remember how it feels to be calm.

Tonight I made a mistake. Not life-altering awful, but still there all the same. And it came after weeks, months really of pushing myself. Faster, harder, stronger. Internally my goals were high.

I failed. Screwed up. Publiclly

Now I remember. I can not do this. I can not do anything. 

Philippians 4:13 

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." 

So take a breath. 

<3 Lissa

p.s. And people take some tissues, cause we just might need that.

Addicted

Heyo,

Long time no blog. Sorry! Hope you all have been doing awesome as always.

So recently I painted my bedroom, but to do that I had to move a bunch of stuff around. And while painting was the point of the job, I discovered something about myself while moving things.

Something has been taking up all my free time, since I was about nine.This started with my mom, who got me hooked, by doing it with me and then I taught it to my younger sister. Now it creeps into family time. Even when I do manage to escape from it internally, I am still constantly obsessing.

Hi, my name is Melissa and I am addicted to books.

You see most of the stuff I had to move was books, loads and loads of them off my bookshelf so that I could reach the wall behind it. It made be realize just how many books I've read/bought/want-to-read. (Let me just say it is ALOT.

Keep reading. Here's to all the addicts, like me. (jk)

<3 Lissa

Library cards and Hidden Tiles

Heyo all :)

I am super sorry for abandoning you all. But I have been doing some really cool things, like heading to the District and picking up a library card. A LOC (Library Of Congress) card....so PSYCHED to finally have one. It has been a dream of mine since I was little to have a library like Thomas Jefferson. Well, considering that many of President Jefferson's books were sold to LOC, LOC is like a second home. Or their website is. Ahhh, gotta love the digital age ;)

The journey to get the card was difficult and magical. Some of my best friends and I wandered around the the two basements for awhile, discovering out-dated card filing cabinets, rooms with pianos to play, and crates of tiles from the LOC preservation project. We also got the ground floor and first floor confused, overall, directions were troublesome, but the tunnels were awesome.

When we finally arrived, the process was relatively easy, all you need is a driver's license or passport and you are good-to-go! Although it should be noted that I got mine for research purposes, these are not issued as souvenirs. After getting the coveted card, it was another long and convoluted walk from the Madison building back to the Jefferson building (pictured above).

As I walked into the Reading Room I was a bit starstruck. Okay a lot. I walked to the nearest alcove and began reading titles and pulling books off the shelves, in between that I was staring around at the beautiful architecture. Overall it was an indescribable experience. I really appreciate the privilege of reading and public libraries. It excites me. And wow, that sounds nerdy.

Anyway I had a great weekend, and I hope you did too. It was a welcome break from school :)

<3 Lissa

Haper's Ferry Inspiration

Heyo fellow writers,

Last Sunday I went to Harper's Ferry to shoot a movie. I don't know if you have ever been there, but it is beautiful and amazing. Aside from filming movies there, I am also writing a book set there. Every time I visit it inspires me to do great things. After visiting many famous towns I have found that there are certain criteria that make cities important.

     1.Time-history, whether or not the place had major things happen in it, the simple survival of time is also entitles an area to something.

     2. Naturally talented- meaning a beautiful landscape or great weather never hurts anything.

     3. Living- towns that are growing and active that keep moving forward no matter what their past is.

     4. A good name- ok not necessary, but I sure helps :)

There you have four things that make a town great! Happy Saturday evening to you all!

<3 Lissa

P.S. I am watching National Treasure and someday I want to write a book as awesome as the script for this movie and someday I want to act as good as some of these actresses. The characters are fully developed and each word moves the plot forward. As a bonus there are funny lines and a knowledge of history rarely displayed in film productions. Just loving it so much right now!

Biochemical Unknown Lab

So this week in my IRL Microbiology class, we have to turn in our Biochemical unknown lab reports And lets just say that it seems straight forward through the graph, but when I went to actually perform the procedures it felt confusing. Some tips to help you through:

1. READ the directions, the flow chart, anything and everything. And then re-read. Double check yourself, but don't second guess your work.

2. Take notes. Seriously, I thought I could remember and keep everything straight. Fail.

3. Use sterile technique (flame the loop, sort of thing) and keep your hands (also your sneezes if like me you are getting over Strep)

4. Blame the Bacteria. This one is only okay if you have followed the previous steps.

Those are some good guiding principles. Now have fun with it!

<3 Lissa

Ready or Not

Heyo :)

Call me cocky, or call me courageous, but in general I am a confident person. I try new things, and give you my honest opinion. So why am I telling you this? Because I haven't blogged in two weeks, and I was wondering why fear of failure was crippling my creativity.

I came to the conclusion that sometimes I am not ready. Life is not conducive for keeping goals or relieving pressure, yet God is.

And ready or not time ticks onward. I want to make sure that I am redeeming the time best I can for Jesus.

So here's to summer, to blogging, to living and not just remembering. To being present with God.

<3 Lissa

Life in the Third Person

Heyo :)

NOTE: Homeschoolers or other who listen to AIO please, please, do not get mad at me for stealing today's title.

My feet are still planted fully on the floor even after Monday's awesome news. In fact I am currently procrastinating from writing a super long and boring paper...no need to finish that this moment, right? I mean it is only due on Friday.

Some things just aren't glamourous. Such as writing final papers or studying for final tests. There is just no cute, right, prety, or <insert movie-like pose here>. It just isn't.  I sure wish it was, because I love picturing my life in the third person. No matter what I do I see life like a movie or a book depending on whether I feel like narrating the scene or I love the lighting. It could be from dabbling in acting (The French Film) or just because I read too much.

So because of this recent thought process I have enjoying books that portray things realistically, basically the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want to try and do better about that in my fiction writing too, because I love to romanticize my characters lives, wishing all the while that it was mine

I think that after rambling through an entire blog like this, I should give you all book recommendation. So here it is: Jack and Jill by Lousia May Alcott. She writes a beautiful real, yet still role model material characters. Go check it out!

<3 Lissa

WOW

HEYO!

So sorry I missed Microbiology Mondays! I'll be posting it later this week...it just something super exciting happened yesterday that pretty much put everything else (including finals studying)

I have some BIG news. Like, I just DON'T use ALL CAPS this much. So without further ado...

I AM GOING TO BE A NURSE. yes a really NURSE. Thank you Jesus! I could NEVER gotten through all this successfully, without You.

AHHHHAHHHHHAHHHH. Oh, my, oh my. I am going to be a NURSE. It makes me so happy and so scared of the responsibility the comes with this. This  has been my dream for all long as I can remember and honest to goodness it is all really surreal. It is like my brain just hasn't processed it yet.Probably, because I still have to get through finals. What a downer, huh? Ah, well the rat race continues ;) Not really I am still over-the-moon. Speaking of, I have more things to study, write papers, and compose speeches about.

Normally scheduled events (read=posts) will resume tomorrow. Now I help myself to cake :)

Hope you are having a great day.

<3 Lissa

Mattering

Heyo, 

Things matter. Stuff sometimes happens that hurts me and when it does I want to pull away and pretend I don't care. But just maybe I do and I don't tell you. I numb myself and move onward. I know this isn't the best way to go about things, but it was how I dealt with purposeless was, "fear of oblivion" (John Green).That is until something else dawned on me. (Like, right now.)

Today was an AMAZING day. It. Was. Awesome. (Unlike some days) It mattered.

And you know what? Good or bad, tomorrow matters. And life matters. Why? Because Jesus made it matter, he took life seriously enough to sacrifice his own to save humanity, to save me. He put me here on earth for a reason and I do not want to miss it. 

I am given one shot at living for Christ, I don't want to waste it. But I do. All the time, I put trivial things in front of God. I don't want to do that anymore, because God matters. 

Thank you Lord for loving me.

Midnight thoughts...at 11:30 ;)

<3 Lissa

Looking down; Looking up

Heyo,

NOTE: Good morning! I have finally succeeded in posting something, somewhere near an ideal time. Yay :)

Happy Friday! This week has in one way been completely normal and in another way been kinda a big week. New things, old things, hard things.

One verse: 1 Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." has been in my head currently. It has always been a favorite verse of mine for a long time. However recently it occurred to me in a different way.

Always I had thought of the first part ("Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young) refers to others thinking of me as inferior, but now I think it also applies to myself. If I expect less from myself, then less is what I get. Paul isn't just reminding grown-ups, he is reminding me what my expectations should be.

Sometimes though I have high expectations, but I just keep falling short. That is when I look down upon myself. It is when i realize that by myself I simply can't be an example to other believers. I need Jesus without Him I am nothing, so I why do I expect that I do everything by my ugly self?

There is a reason another verses goes: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) Growing up/being-an-example is scary and I am not ready for responsibility, but God makes me ready.

Thanks for a wonderful week! I have really enjoyed the first week of blogging :) Have a great weekend!

<3 Lissa

Of reality and being "real"

Heyo!

While I compose this missile, I am watching The Desolation of Smaug and that my friends, is making me very happy. That and the weather was a few degrees warmer today. YAY. And I took a outing today to learn about volunteering at my local Pro-life pregnancy center (which, yanno, you all should consider), which was awesome. In between those two things, I studied. Yup, so proud of myself. Anyway all-in-all it was a pretty productive and happy day.

I was thinking the other day about how reality is the toughest part of life and usually the most boring.
(Don't get me wrong there are there are times when you pack up everything, sell your house, and live in an RV for about a month. Thankfully there are also moments like this. Moments that break up monotony. It is unfortunate then that right now there seems to be alot of monotony, but when there is not, there are decisions to be made.

Should I take this job? Yes until something better comes along.
Should I be studying right now? Probably, but I would prefer to apply "If in doubt, don't."
How do I spend my time? Blogging and watching the Hobbit apparently. (And usually alot of studying and exercising)

The point of all that was suppose to be that life is mostly boring, but I prefer to think of  it as interesting. It seems like when I think I'm being all "real" when I say somthing like this:

"I ran three miles today. It was bru-tal."

Think I'm being "real" and honest? While yes that statement is true, it only took maybe thirty minutes of my day, but it is the one thing I choose to highlight. Instead of the hours of mind-numbing studying that stole most of my time. That is reality. Unfortunately reality doesn't always carry a conversation too well.


"When did we left evil become stronger than us?" -The Desolation of Smaug  I LOVE THE HOBBIT, LOTR, TOLKIEN. *sigh of joy* This movie is obviously the right choice for tonight. However, now I think it is bed time...

G'night.

<3 Lissa

Looking at Things Upside Down

Heyo-

The weather turned cold again today. *Cue uninspired Lissa* Fortunately, it wasn't REALLY cold like it has been throughout the (forever and ever) winter, just cold. When the weather is cold, I feel my thoughts move slower and as the biting wind blows harder I feel mad at the world. Or at least the wind. Don't get me wrong I love a fresh breeze straight off the ocean; I simply don't appreciate a true winter wind. They are not the same thing. Enough of that; moving onward, let us start Wednesdays Words.

This is our family's go-to dictionary; at one point I was so in love I tried to read it cover-to-cover. :}

Written or read, I love words. In fact it has probably passed the point of friendship and turned into an obsession. I started writing novels when I was nine, but I can't remember a time when I couldn't read. It feels innate.

There are times however when I can't think of how to use the words. How I am supposed to string them into sentences that communicate something insightful and interesting. Today was almost one of those days. Once again I had started thinking about blog this morning and couldn't sit down and type until evening, yet I still hadn't thought of anything. I almost gave up, but then I started typing words, most of which I backspaced. It was the ones after that process or about that process that now make up this post.

Getting the words flowing can be painful, and then it turns your world upside down. You forget everything else and just write. That is why I write through the part where it feels like I am pulling teeth. It reminds me of running. The first mile is longest, the second mile is a easy, and the third I make it through because I am almost done.

While there are times I need to take a break when things are truly not working, I usually want to quit too soon. It seems like working through writer's block, it more effective than letting it block me. Thus it didn't block me today, it just dictated the topic.

Also I did a guest post on To Be Broken, Complete, and Beautiful about the power of words if you would like to read it :) Jessie Bear, whose blog it is, is awesome! I wrote that post when I was slightly more inspired.

Sorry for all the whining at the beginning of this post...hopefully everything will feel a bit warmer tomorrow. 

<3 Lissa

P.S. Spring is hopefully on its way!

Microbiology Philosophy

Heyo there :)

So just how much do you know about microbiology? Nothing? Great that is where I started too, which means we can learn together.

Today, as I sat at my desk in Micro class I pondered what the first Microbiology blog post should be. The possibilities were endless, gram staining, bacteria vs. viruses, but eventually I decided to do a big picture.
What kind of philosophy or working principles should we use.

You and I came to this class with nothing. Yet we began. The key thing is start.

Trying new things is awesome. It is what I am doing now, typing away at this blog post at 8:50 at night. With idealistic goals I started it late last night and typed away at parts throughout the day, but here I am still writing. Microbiology like most things is done in a day. I could argue it isn't even done in a semester. You are always building on past knowledge.

The second key thing is persistence. Cue Melissa breaking into a song like God Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. You have to keep going to get to the good stuff. And now I am thinking of While I'm Waiting by George Waller.

Pardon me, while I perform my sold out Carnegie hall concert.

Just kidding. But that does bring me to my next point.

Thirdly, finish it. Don't be a quitter no matter how hard it is.

There. This blog post ended being small word count wise, but heavy with thought. I really just needed to preach some of this to myself today, what with finals coming up in a couple of weeks. These ideas are not contained to Micro though. What else can you apply the Microbiology Philosophy too?

<3 Lissa

Beginings

Heyo!

I love beginnings, fresh starts. They are sunshine with rainbows, hope, a promise of betters things. Well now you are probably wondering is who I am. My name is Melissa, but you can call me Lissa. Welcome to my blog Substance of Things Hoped! The name is taken from the verse Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I want my whole life to be one of faith and love in Jesus Christ.

What can we do. What are we supposed to do. These are statements/questions that shape our live.  I believe there should be a purpose for all I do  Thus here are a few priorities for this blog:

1. To give glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.") 
2. To inform you all and myself about God, science, and writing
3. To have fun :)

Short and sweet. In keeping with that outlook my (tentative) weekly schedule is:

• Microbiology Monday- I am working through my last science pre-requisite for an RN program will be posting about what I am learning.
• Wednesday Words-This will be thoughts  about books and/or writing.
• Friday Fruits-Where I share things God has been teaching me. Hopefully it will spur discussion about what God has been teaching you.

That's it, three posts a week, three purposes. It doesn't seem like much typing it out here, but I am sure it will be plenty with everything else God has for me in life.    

<3 Lissa