I really think music is the language that all the world can speak. It tells the stories that otherwise could not be understood, it speaks of love in a deeper way than words alone can say, it moves the spirit of all people in all places in ways that only music can. I think music is magic, it can leave an imprint on you in ways other things can't. Almost all of my most distinct memories are hand in hand with a song tied to the experience. So, I was shifting through my itunes the other day, and came across some songs that bring back some of the most life altering moments I've had. I thought I might share a few...

1. Honey and the Moon - Joseph Arthur: When I first fell in love with Jared, I was terrified and wanted to run away from it all so bad. I had no idea what was happening to me, and I thought it was all wrong. This song seemed to translate my heart at the time.

2. Boy With a Coin - Iron and Wine: There is something to magical about this song to me. It is like all the places I want to go, all the things I want to see, the roads I want to drive, and the desire to really know people who seem to be inconsequential are all wrapped up in this song. It makes me want to drive away and see where I end up. And make friends along the way. This song saved me last year when I felt like everything was happening at once and I needed to get away.

3. Everything Has Changed - William Fitzsimmons: This song is a dream. It is a vision into my future and my past all at once. My heart breaks in hearing these lyrics, because it resonates with all my conflicting feelings about my dad. It is a small story in just a few short minutes that seems to tell the heart of feeling lost in your own life. Last year when my relationship with my dad went up in flames...this song was theraputic.

4. Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams: There isn't much to say for this song other than, fall freshman year and freedom. That is what I feel. It is soul resonating.

5. Professional Daydreamer - Over the Rine: The first song I learned to sing and play to at the same time. It's lyrics tell part of my story with Jared, and I adore it for reminding me of him. I learned to play it in my free time while I lived in Ireland, so whenever I hear it, I feel the lonliness and curiosity of that summer.

6. For the Widows in Paradise, For the Fearless in Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens: Also an Irish memory. A recolection of the things I learned about the love of God and the power of prayer that summer. I hear all the things God is to me in this song.

7. The District Sleeps Along Tonight - The Postal Service: Thank you Mark Lukey. My first introduction to this was my first trip to Cincinnati Christian University. Anne, Lukey, Andy Heck and myself made a day trip to the place I would eventually call home for 4 years. This was my first glimpse of the city that would shape my life, and become absolutely beautiful to me.

8. The Longer I Run - Peter Bradley Adams: Thank you early-20's crisis. After all my life change, my introspective nature kicked in. This song helped me express my desire to just escape for a while. To drive and not look back. To rediscover my purpose...and to describe in words that I could not find how confused, lost and hopeful I was feeling. It literally speaks my hearts contentment to constantly be learning about myself, how to love, and the joy I find in wandering through life slowly, finding its beauty in all the wrong places. This song is peace to me.

9. Work - Jimmy Eat World: O freshman year. If I had an ode to you, this would be it. Falling in love was the hardest thing I have ever done, and in attempts to make sense of it I did a lot of driving around, park visiting, and yes, unbelieveably, running. This song assisted in all of those times that I had to get away and think. To pray and sort through all the things that were moving in my heart.

10. Stop this Train- John Mayer: All I need to say about this song is "so scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young." Thank you Mr. Mayer.

Well there is ten for now..go have a listen.

Always #2

Always #2. Facebook will always turn the most innocent souls into creepers.

Lets face it (ha, I'm just so clever), Facebook is currently ruling the world. Oh, we like to believe we are in control, but really, sit down and take a moment to think about the last piece of news you received today. Was it from the morning news? Perhaps a noble looking newspaper, or even a reputable news magazine? Perhaps it was even from a less honorable US Weekly.

Nope. The last tidbit of information that my mind received about the world around me came from none other than, yes, Facebook.

Think about it, someone breaks up. But not really until it is Facebook official, I mean lets be serious. Someone gets engaged, no longer is the topic of discussion your next hair cut, but instead your determination to give them a heartfelt congratulations, and its not heart felt unless it is Facebook.

But more honestly yet, we all know that everyone has at least two friends who are specifically what I like to call "Stalkees". By definition, Stalkees are the friends you have specifically to up your creepiness. They are the friends you don't actually know, but, somehow you feel entitled to their life via pictures and status updates. Their online lives suck you in, and you find yourself hours later, still looking through their 7th photo album about a trip they took to Washington with other people you don't know to do some cool things you don't actually care about.

Why so interested? Well, you're not really, Facebook has just done its job on you. The drug that is facebook has wrecked its havoc on your life, and you are now experiencing the side effects. You have the symptoms of a creeper. Congratulations.

Finish that sentence. . .

1. I’ve come to realize that my body. . . is just another great part of who I am

2. I’ve come to realize that my job. . . does not define who I am as a person

3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving. . . I should pay attention to roadsigns...and lines...and lights hahaha.

4. I’ve come to realize that I need. . .to accept not knowing what the future holds and embrace the beauty of that

5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost. . .my tendency to think my opinion doesn't matter.

6. I’ve come to realize that I hate it when. . . people think they have it all together.

7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk. . . I will lose my filter.

8. I’ve come to realize that money. . . stupidly rules the world.

9. I’ve come to realize that certain people. . . are beautiful in many unexpected ways

10. I’ve come to realize that I’ll always. ... love the underdog, talk when I shouldn't, and be loyal even when I am wrong.

11. I’ve come to realize that my sibling(s). . . will always be a friend I can count on.

12. I’ve come to realize that my mom. . . loves me beyond what she can show me.

13. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone. . . makes me always reachable...which i hate.

14. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning. . . that i get another chance.

15. I’ve come to realize that last night before I went to sleep. . . i have an unhealthy identification with fictional characters.

16. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking. . . I wonder how my life will look when I look back 60 years from now, will I want to change anything?

17. I’ve come to realize that my dad. . . loved me in the only way he knew how.

18. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook. . . I am a creeper.

19. I’ve come to realize that today. . . I can't make a decision if my life depended on it.

20. I’ve come to realize that tonight. . . I am an introspective person, which probably makes me selfish...but at least it inspires me to write.

21. I’ve come to realize that tomorrow. . . Will come just the same. Only I can make my time matter.

22. I’ve come to realize that I really want to. . . write something that helps other people feel like they are understood, they are not alone, and they are not hopeless.

23. I’ve come to realize that the person mostly likely to repost this is. . . I am a little upset that Anne said me because...well here it is. I would say Anne...too late.

24. I’ve come to realize that life. . . Is full of beautiful, wonderful experiences waiting for us to join them.

25. I’ve come to realize that this weekend. . . is more time with my best friend.

26. I’ve realized the best music to listen to when I am upset. . . Jimmy Eat World, Rosie Thomas, The Fray, Frou Frou, Iron and Wine, so so many more.

27. I’ve come to realize that my friends. . . make life all the more worth it, and make me a better person.

28. I’ve come to realize that this year. . . will be another chapter in my book about growing up...and down.

29. I’ve come to realize that my husband. . . loves me better than i deserve.

30. I’ve come to realize that maybe I should. . . be more disciplined

31. I’ve come to realize that I love. . . to sit and mull over lyrics. I am a sucker for them. I will put a good lyric song on repeat until I know all the words and apply them to my life.

32. I’ve come to realize that I don’t understand. . . anything. nope seriously.

33. I’ve come to realize my past. . . will always matter to who I am becoming.

34. I’ve come to realize that parties. . . make me so happy. I love having lots of people around

35. I’ve come to realize that I’m totally terrified. . . of not fulfilling my job on this earth.

36. I’ve come to realize that my life. . . is another way of God saying "I love you."

Seriously. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only confused 23 year old in the world. I just wish the rest of the mid-twenties population would let me in on the secret.

If there is one thing I have learned being an American, it is that what we are doing tends to define who we are.

If there is one thing I have learned being a Christian, it is who we love that tends to define who we are.

If there is one thing I have learned being a human, it is we don't understand how to figure out either of these things, even given a lifetime of opportunities.

Will someone tell me I am not the only one who is trying to love, failing miserably and hoping to just matter to the world.

"Oh how He loves us, Oh, how He loves us". If there were better words, I would say them, if only I could love like this.