Silly.Conversations

The where Sam turns one!

2012-02-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

It's party time people.
Sam I am is turning one.
Sam I am is tons of fun!
This Dr. Suess themed party is just about the cutest thing I've ever experianced. Sam has such creative parents.

See more at: Sam Turns One

The one with my postitrons becoming negatized.

2012-02-06T13:12:00.000-07:00

I'm always trying to stay positive. As I'm sure you all are too. Because the easy thing for everyone to do is complain, because there is ALWAYS something to complain about. In everything you do, it's easy to pick out the flaws. Even if you absolutely love your job, or your school, or whatever it is you do on a daily basis there is STILL going to be something to dwell on and complain about.
Where is this going Elisa?
Well, I will tell you where this is going, inner thoughts.
I've been trying to figure out a way to combat that negativity. But in doing so, I end up finding that fighting negativity ends with more negativity. And therefore, I become a super annoying neagtive person, leading me to be the complete opposite of what I wanted to be.
Try to keep up please.
So instead of fighting against the negativity I try to just replace being negative with being positive. Every time I think of something negative, I replace that thought with a Bible verse, or a quote from an awesome motivational pastor or author, or listen to some worship songs. Now, let me be clear, this DOES work. I found my attitude turning around almost instantly about 99% of the time.
But here was my dilema: I find myself being....fake? I'm not sure if that's the right word, but I felt that I was "lying" to myself?
I'm putting question marks there on purpose.
I shouldn't have to lie to myself. Right? If I'm in a bad mood, maybe I need to just admit it and be in a bad mood.
If I wanna complain about something, should I just do it?
How do I stay postitve and keep it real at the same time?
How can I "keep it real" and not become jaded?
Is there a happy medium between the heartless cynic and the deliriously optimistic?

I guess the main thing I'm scared of is not being what I was made to be. Who God intended me to be. Just when I had the "who I am" thing down, I go and think about stuff and screw it all up.....again.

Didn't I ever tell you? I suck at growing up.

The one with the shout outs.

2011-11-23T01:49:00.000-07:00

*Disclaimer: I really don't know what brought this on. You really don't have to read this. It's not one of my nicer writings. I mean it's not like explicit or anything. It's just slightly on the PG area. So yeah....

Shout out to all the boys in high school who didn't notice me/rejected me/laughed at me/dumped me/ ignored me/and was a complete douche to me:

Yup, you're all cool. So cool! Too cool for me apparently. What? I didn't dress sleazy enough for you? I didn't dumb myself down for you? I didn't let you cheat off my tests for you? I didn't compromise my morals and integrity for you? Nope! Sure didn't! So cool guys, tell me, did you ever find what you were looking for?

I'm not saying we would have been dating forever, or even at all! But what I'm saying is, you missed out.

I would have been the coolest chick to hang out with.

I would have put cute little notes in your backpack.

I would have brought you pudding cups randomly.

I would have given you things to think about.

I would have called you out when you were being a douche.

I would have started a prank war with you.

I would have been there for you and maybe influenced you in a way that could have changed you.

But no. You were all way too concerned about the girls that did not give you a second thought.

So here's to you! I hope one day you come across my facebook page and see just how good looking I have become. That you see my gorgeous musican boyfriend, and get extremely jealous of his awesomeness. That you look at my twitter page and see just how hilarious and witty I am. That you find this blog and read these following words: You missed out on an awesome experience. Sorry bro, (I'm assuming you go by bro now).

Shout out to every girl in high school that talked crap about me/made fun of me/said mean things to me/was a douche to me:

No. I was never jealous of YOU. Sure, maybe I wanted to have straight hair or straight teeth or less bushy eyebrows or not be so awkward or grow bigger......parts, but I never wanted to be YOU.

I had morals and integrity. You played by your own stupid rules.

I never dumbed myself down. You wanted to be someone else to get boys.

I embraced difference. You remained intolerant to people despite it not being the 1950's.

I was looking out for others. You cared about yourself.

I was perfectly content watching Muppet Treasure Island on a Friday night. You were ruining your liver and reputation at a party that you talked about in front of me and not invited me to.

So, here's to you as well. I hope that you also come across my various social networking sites and look through my pictures and see just how good looking I became. Yeah my curly and thick hair? I love it and embrace every second of it. And my awkwardness? My super hot boyfriend who's in a band thinks I'm adorkable! Oh and guess what! Those body parts? They grew.....and with a vengence. So again, I hope you look at this and read these following words: I have a theory that girls who make fun of me in high school get fat, so.....good luck with that.

Shout out to current high schoolers everywhere!

Seriously? Do NOT care about what people say to you now! Honestly, it won't matter in five years! I promise! Love who you are! If your awkward, chubby, hairy, dorky, weird or whatever it's only for a while. Take it from someone who loves who she is and where shes at and who she is with, it only gets better. I have the best friends, boyfriend, family, personality all thanks to an amazing Creator who never gives up on this dork.

And to all you who think it makes YOU feel better by making someone feel bad, stop! It doesn't make you feel better, it makes you look like a douche! And in the real world, being a douche is a bad thing. So stop. Because you'll probably end up fat. Oh! That just happened.

*drops the mic*

The one with thanks.

2011-11-18T10:49:00.002-07:00

Tis the season for final assignments.

Fa la la la laa la la la laa

It's beginning to look a lot like finals! I'm sitting here trying to get work done for school, as I'm sure all my college going friends are, and I'm thinking of all things I need to get done. Research. Writing. Projects. Lesson plans (for us education majors). Practicum hours. And so on.

But the thing is, I'm thinking about this, and the only thing I can feel is thankful.

I'm thankful that I get this oppurtunity to go to a fantastic school and get a phenominal education.

I'm thankful I live with a family that supports me in everything I do.

I'm thankful for an AMAZING major that I'm in that allows me to get a taste of my future.

I'm thankful for some pretty amazing teachers this sememster that have been flexible when I needed it and challenged me to be a better student.

I'm thankful for classmates that totally understand me.

I'm thankful for organization skills that I've had to learn to get over my ADD.

And as we come upon this season of thanks, I challenge you to look at the hard things in life and find the ways to be thankful. It's easy to be thankful for things we consider blessings. A true test of character is to be thankful for those things that give you a hard time.

And of course I'm thankful for my WONDERFUL blog followers. Now, back to homework.

The one with careers.

2011-11-08T17:01:00.002-07:00

I blog a lot about dreams.
Not like, sleep dreams. Awake dreams.
I blog about my passions, my goals, my asperations and what I want in life. And most of you know that I am going to school for teaching.
If you didn't know that, you must be the one person who found my blog by mistake.
I want to be a teacher more than anything. Well. I say that. But what I really mean is, there has been no other career goals I have had.

However, lately I have considered some other career options. Please tell me what you think:
1. Stand up comedian
2. Actress
3. Traveling photographer
4. Author
5. Traveling "musician"
6. Model
7. Mime
8. Reality tv star
9. Traveling youth speaker
10. "Community" fan club president
11. Marketing agent for a band/famous person
12. Cheerleader
13. Dancer, but not in a gross way
14. A youtube star
15. Company owner
16. Inventor
17. Mad scientist
18. And a philospher

........or not.

I'll just stick with teaching. I really do love it. It's amazing. It's challenging. It makes want to be better. It's probably more difficult and more rewarding than any of those on the list.

Except maybe the mime. But I'm still perfecting my "stuck in a box" act.

The one with books.

2011-10-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Can I be honest with you?

Rhetorical question of course.

I wish I read more when I was younger. I feel like it would benefit me in several ways:

a. I would be a much better student.

b. I would have more self-disicpline.

c. I would be a stronger reader and could get through a decent sized book in less than 15 months.

d. I would be a better student.

e. I would feel like less of a hypocrite when advising my future students to read more.

f. I would be a better freaking student.

It's not like I disliked reading, I just never taught myself to sit still and read a book.

The A.D.D. probably has a lot to do with that. No lie, in the middle of writing that last sentence and just now in this sentence, I got distracted by The Big Bang Theory. It's a pretty funny show. Check it out.

So resolved: I WIIL be reading more. I know everybody always says that, but because I am going to be an English teacher I feel more than ever I must open a book.

Quick, name a good book! Go!

The one with the promises.

2011-07-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have made and broken a lot of promises. I wish I could say I've kept more promises than I've broken, but I really don't think I can. I have also have had several people make and brake promises to me.
I'm not alone here.
I believe this is one thing I can share with anybody, the fact that people let you down, and you let people down.
Duh doy.
It's not seceret that this blog is obviously about God and his unbreakable promises. When I was younger and I used to think of promises I would remember the horrible children's biblical story of Noah's Ark.
Yes, I said horrible. Not that the story itself was horrible. Not at all. It's just not a g-rated story. I mean, the entire WORLD, not just a city or country, but the entirety of mankind, nature and all living things wiped out from the earth except for two of every animal and Noah's family. I mean, I guess the animal part is kinda cute, but let's get real.
Any whooo- when I think of promises I think of Noah's Ark and how he made that promise and sealed it with the sign of a rainbow.
DOUBLE RAINBOW!! Sorry, my A.D.D is kicking over time right now.
Any whooo for the second time- I came across this awesome promise in Psalms 37:

Do not fret because of those who are evil

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD

and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret—it leads only to evil.

For those who are evil will be destroyed,

but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;

though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land

and enjoy peace and prosperity.

The wicked plot against the righteous

and gnash their teeth at them;

but the Lord laughs at the wicked,

for he knows their day is coming.

The wicked draw the sword

and bend the bow

to bring down the poor and needy,

to slay those whose ways are upright.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts,

and their bows will be broken.

Better the little that the righteous have

than the wealth of many wicked;

for the power of the wicked will be broken,

but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The blameless spend their days under the LORD’s care,

and their inheritance will endure forever.

In times of disaster they will not wither;

in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish:

Though the LORD’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,

they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

The wicked borrow and do not repay,

but the righteous give generously;

those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,

but those he curses will be destroyed.

The LORD makes firm the steps

of the one who delights in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall,

for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old,

yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken

or their children begging bread.

They are always generous and lend freely;

their children will be a blessing.^[b]

Turn from evil and do good;

then you will dwell in the land forever.

For the LORD loves the just

and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed^[c];

the offspring of the wicked will perish.

The righteous will inherit the land

and dwell in it forever.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,

and their tongues speak what is just.

The law of their God is in their hearts;

their feet do not slip.

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,

intent on putting them to death;

but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked

or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

Hope in the LORD

and keep his way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;

when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man

flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,

but he soon passed away and was no more;

though I looked for him, he could not be found.

Consider the blameless, observe the upright;

a future awaits those who seek peace.^[d]

But all sinners will be destroyed;

there will be no future^[e] for the wicked.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;

he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

The LORD helps them and delivers them;

he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

So hang in there. I hope this encourages you today.

The one with Pilar:

2011-05-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Shello! In case I haven't told you already, thanks for reading my blog. I definitely appreciate all the faithful followers I have. And thanks to even the not so faithful followers.

Anywhooooo....I have a couple new pictures to post. But I'm going to first post about the most recent shoot I did with Pilar. Pili is my boyfriends sister, so this was definitely a fun shoot!

Oh, and her sister Monse came too. :D

Let's take pictures!

The one with: Diederick + Monica 4.30.11

2011-05-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

How much do I love wedding photography?! How much do I love Monica and her new husband Diederick?! And how much do love all the people at this wedding?!
SO FREAKING MUCH!
This wedding at Falcon Dunes Golf Club, was awesome. Check it:

Love you two! Congrats on everything!

The one with M&D (Sneak peek)

2011-04-29T15:09:00.001-07:00

Monica and Diederick are seriously one of the cutest couples ever. EVER! They met in high and are tying the knot THIS SATURDAY! Diederick is in the air force so we opted for a mini shoot 3 days before the big day! You two were SO much fun to shoot, not a dull moment with you guys! Stay tuned for more pictures!

4/30/11 is going to be a great day!

The one with antiques road show

2011-04-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

You guys have seen this show right? People, taking their old crap and taking a chance on seein how much there worth. Who even decides this stuff? I guess these apraisers are trained in the ancient art of knowing how old something and exactly what makes it worth something. Meaning, they KNOW when they are looking at something expensive.
Do you ever do that? Do you ever look at something and take an estimate on how much it's worth? What about to people? What about to yourself? I know I absolutely do that.
I hate cliches, but let's be honest, we ARE our own worst critic. How many times do compare our worth to others?
Oh yeah her? Yeah, not that I'm comparing myself to her but she looks better. She gets better grades. She dress better. She's more athletic. She's nicer than me. She has a better body. People seem to like her more. She shares all my favorite hobbies....and does them better. But no, I'm not comparing myself to her.
Why don't I think I measure up?
I've told you many times I'm going to school to be a teacher.....and I am a terrible student. My self worth as a teacher, goes down about 10 notches whenever I recieve that "C." Oh that C average will haunt me for ever.

One of the episodes of antiques road show I saw, this woman brought an item in and she really didn't have a thought about how much it could be worth. The items worth surprised her, it was much more than she had ever expected.
God surprised me.
What am I worth to this world? Not much. Average student. Average girl. Average life.
But God said, "Your worth? You're worth dying for. That is how much you're worth Elisa."

I hope you're surprised about how much you are worth today.

The one with females.

2011-03-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

The annual Women's Luncheon at my church was this Saturday. Pretty dresses. Pretty tables. Pretty girls.

Females bro. Females.

Monse, Pili and I did a table. Thanks to Pili for pulling it all together.

Check out all of there right here!!!

Next year, Monse and I are going to rock the table next! Get ready Women's Luncheon 2012!

The one with the blue prints or something.

2011-03-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

Most of you know, education has kinda been my life lately. I love it. I've always wanted to be a teacher. There hasn't really been any other profession I've wanted to do or pursure.
Besides stand-up comedian.
Teaching has always been a passion of mine. But lesson plans suck. Actually no. The way I'm being taught to do lesson plans, suck. I don't know if I just don't get it, or if it really is as confusing as it's being made out to be. I mean, it's quite possible I don't understand it. I'm not that bright.
True story. This morning I just made the connection that the soy milk brand Silk, is SOY and MILK put together. Not the sharpest tool in the crayon box.
So, I really don't know why I'm not grasping the concept of planning lessons.
Does that mean I'm not going to be good teacher?
Maybe I'm just not a planner. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about having a plan. But I feel like maybe lesson plans are more like blue prints. You get the foundation and structure and then you make up the design as you go?
Wait. I'm not actually sure what the analogy I'm making here is.
I guess I just wanted to vent. If any teachers have any advice to help me with lesson planning and what not, please let me know!

Kayloveyoubuhbye.

The one with Dr. South

2011-03-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

My roommate and I do crazy things.

She's making a book for her fiance, very Dr. Seussy. Take a peek:

....in a box:

....with a fox:

....with a mouse:

.....in a house:

....in a boat:

....with a goat:

Just a little bit of this awesome book. I really like the goat picture. Like really like it. Doesn't it look like the goat is staring into your soul? So cute. Good Saturday.

The one with Paul Wright.

2011-03-10T22:40:00.001-07:00

I've been a huge fan of Paul Wright for a long time. But this song holds a place in my heart because it speaks to EXACTLY how I feel almost every day:

Forgive me for the words I spoke
before they even left my throat.
My heart would rather rebel than obey.
Forgive me for this life of sin I know
I need a new beginning Lord
I've gone astray.

Take this life make it yours. Do what's right oh Lord.
You got to take this take this life.
You got to make it make it right.

Take my flesh take my pride take the sins I try to hide, take my doubts take my fears all the pain and all the tears and I fall down on my knees Lord I'm beggin ya please Lord take the shame take the blame it's all the same.

I don't want to live a life that's compromising to the king
I'd rather live for you than live for me or anything
Take this life and all my hidden sins make it yours. Do what's right and everything within oh Lord. You got to take this take this life. You got to make it make it right.

I hate sin. Like seriously, I hate that usually my first instinct is to sin. And mostly I hate that sin seperates me from God. Think about it, Jesus conquered sin. He straight up dominated death! Everyday I need to CHOOSE to give me life to God.
I don't wanna run my life, I would suck it up big time. I'm not fit to run my own life. I fully trust that God can do a better job than I can.
Most of all I'm thankful for Jesus' death on the cross that FREES me from sin.

Didn't realized how transparent this was till I read it over. Eh, if you don't know me by now....

:D

The one where I say "passion" like 80 times.

2011-02-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

I've been dealing a lot lately with the idea of passions. And my recent lack of passion.
It's not that I don't have any passion. On the contrary, I have tons of passions that include:

Teaching. Since I was little I knew that education is power and being that person who shapes and impacts other people for the better, has always been something I've passionate about. There's just something about a classroom that just gets to me. It's something special and exciting that I can't wait to have one day.

Photography. I freaking love pictures. I love capturing a single moment, candid or posed. I know full well the extent that the photography industry has gone to today has made me self consicous when it somes to my photography skills and ablities. But, I guess that makes me work harder. But it never has felt like work, even when I get paid, it still doesn't feel like work.

Acting. If I could get back to these roots, oh man. As I stated in an earlier blog, I love theater. I love the idea of being on stage. I love the concept of creating another person and being that person. I miss it. And let's be honest, theater kids are pretty stinkin awesome.

Writing. I'm not pro AT ALL. But I like literature. And, call me a nerd, I like to study all different types of literature. That's why I wanna be an English teacher.

Traveling. I LOVE road trips! I love different places. I love getting away. I mentioned before, in earlier blogs, that when most people want an escape they use drugs, alcohol and other things. I actually want to literally escape, and leave. I get stir crazy. I can't stay in the same place doing the same thing for too long or I go insane. So I just get urges to get up and leave.

Ministry. Specifically youth ministry. Gosh I love the crazies. Something about that age group. I feel like I have NO wisdom to share. But somehow God is like "You're doing good. Keep going!" If you have never worked with youth, you are missing out! I mean, you get to be goofy and talk about Justin Bieber and play dodgeball! What could be better than that?!

God. I kept God and ministry seperate purposely. My relationship with God and my ministry absolutely go hand in hand. However, God is the ultimate foundation for my passions. All my other passions mean NOTHING if this isn't first. God comes first. Period.

This barely scratches the surfaces.

So I guess what it is, is that I'm not making time for my passions. As much as I like school and my classes, their not my passion. As much as I like making money, my job is not my passion. And all the other junk that fills up my day, not my passion.
So that's why I've been feeling passion-less lately.

All I wanna do is take pictures, teach, write, act, travel, love God and love people.
Is that too much to ask?

Debbie Downer strikes again.

The one with a new freakin' year.

2011-01-18T21:26:00.002-07:00

Happy new year friends!
I could write about stuff that I'm going to attempt to do this new year, but will probably fail at.
I could write about what a great year last year was.
I would write about my new found love for life and how a new year means a new attitude.

But I'm not.

Instead, I'm just gunna showcase some of my favorite recent and not so recent pictures I've taken.
ENJOY!

HERE'S TO A NEW YEAR OF TAKING YOUR PICTURE!

The one with my big ol elephant.

2010-12-30T22:17:00.000-07:00

Barf. Just letting you know this is about love and junk.

Sometimes, I'm taken back by how my life has turned thus far.
Sometimes, I stop and think about things and events in my life that are out of the ordinary.
Sometimes, I can't believe where I am, and who I am in my life.
Sometimes, I just think about people in my life.
And sometimes, I'm speechless.
Yes, believe it or not, words occasionally do not leave my mouth. Shocker.

I've been looking back on some old pictures and I can't belive how things change in a span of four years.

If you were to tell me four years ago that I was going to be in love...nope, can't even finish that sentence. I feel like "in love" doesn't cover it.
"In love" has no meaning anymore. "In love" is just a feeling.
Screw that feeling!
I'm talking about real love.
The kind that isn't just the sweet talks and the kisses and the hand holds.
The kind of love that sometimes sucks because it has to.
The kind of love that calls you out when your being a straight up jerk.
The kind of love that makes you want to be better person.
The kind of love that accepts flaws, and faults, and imperfections, and annoyances because that makes life beautiful.
The kind of love that cares and respects and protects selflessly even when it's the hard thing to do.
The kind of love that grows.
The kind of love that best friends usually have.
The kind of love that shares a common foundation.
The kind of love that fights when needed, and keeps the peace when needed.
The kind of love that never gets boring.

I never thought life with another person could be like this. I honestly don't know what's keeping us together. All odds are against us. We're totally different, yet exactly the same.
I don't know, must be Jesus or something. :)

Elias Hernandez: you have been my greatest adventure. It ain't over yet baby.

The one with Christmas

2010-12-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

I said it once and I'll say it again, Christmas is the BEST.
Even if there were no presents for me, just this feeling that I get this time of year is enough. I can't really describe it.
I could go on for hours about the commercialism that has become of this holiday...
believe me, I have before and I will do it again....
but, I wanna talk about something much deeper than that.

It's hard for me to grasp God. Who is God? What is the concept of God? What are the traits of God? As abstract as my mind is, it's still hard for me to understand the complexity that is God.
Lot's of people reach out to God in many ways. Good deeds, sacrifices, rituals, and whatever.
The miracle of Christmas is not the fuzzy feeling we get around December 25th. The miracle is that, we never had to reach out to God. God reached out to us by sending Jesus. Jesus came to us, to show us God and to ultimately save us from ourselves.

Christmas is so special to me, because throughout the year I battle. I battle with God, with myself, with my relationships, with everything in life and get to this point in the year and I just say to myself "I don't get who God is, who I am, who I'm supposed to be or whatever."
But before I can get to that point of giving up, God reminds me that, He's still reaching out to me today, just like He did that first Christmas. He's still showing me who He is, just like Jesus did. He's still making an effort to connect, just like He did over 2000 years ago in a Bethlehem.

I hope I never loose this excitement for Christmas.
I hope I never get cynical.
I hope I always get this happy and joyous around this time.
I hope I never loose sight of the real miracle of Christmas.

With that being said, wish all of you readers and followers a very merry Christmas! And please enjoy my new favorite Christmas carol: Dominick the Donkey

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The one with the Wonder of Christmas.

2010-12-14T20:12:00.000-07:00

I seriously love Christmas.
Seriously.

Is there a better holiday out there?
I submit that there is NOT!

This weekend I has the oppurtunity to enjoy, not one, not two but THREE performances of my church's musical The Wonder Of Christmas.
I took some pictures and what not. So peep this:

Can't beat choir robes!

There are more! And here they are: Christmas Musical Pictures! You are free to look and save if you would like. I would appreciate the comments!! <3

The one with thanks.

2010-11-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in APT 238.
Amy, Caitlin, Yolanda and I thought it we would have a little "family" thanksgiving get together. Which involved eating, spoons, laughing, being thankful and of course eating.
We made a "wall of thanks" and put post-its for what we're thankful for.

Something I'm thankful for......

What would you add to our wall?

See all of our evening at: APT 238 Thanksgiving dinner.

The one with my week.

2010-11-04T14:49:00.001-07:00

Wow! What a week it has been!
Crazy. Busy. Exhausting. Long. Emotional. Fun. Did I mention crazy?
And it's only Thursday! Agh!

On Monday, it was a good day. I got a new camera! A Canon 40D! For an awesome price! Awesome! Monday was also filled with school, work, driving to Goodyear, and the like. Just playing around with my new camera:

Tuesday..oh Tuesday, how I wish I could replay that day over and over. Kayla and I took a road trip. One day. San Diego. Truth of Fiction. Oh man. It was AWESOME! Seriously one day. We left at 10:30 that day, and came back 1am Wednesday morning.
Hence the "exhausting" part.
Kayla and I decided to make the most of every oppurtunity. Even if it meant stopping in Gila Bend to take some pictures. Take a look see:

"Yeah, Gila Bend is soooo cool."

The Show!:

Yeah. It was fun.

More at :http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz67/elisamariephotos_/Road%20to%20TOF%20in%20CA/

On Wednesday, yesterday, it was a rough day. I was exhausted, some stuff was going down that I didn't wanna deal with, I was still getting over the fact that I left one of my favorite places on earth. It was bleh. So, I went to the Confide show, to help me feel a little better.

Then after the concert I hung out with this kid:

And then I made this face at him:

And today is Thurday. And tomorrow is Friday. And I hope all of you have a great rest of the week!

The one with the trip.

2010-10-18T19:20:00.001-07:00

I told you a while back that I was reading a book about a road trip. Well I just got done reading that book.
Shut it. I've been busy.
I've always been a traveler at heart. A part of me wants to buy and old VW van, pack things that only fit in a backpack and just leave. That same part wants to save up all the money I have and just take off with no real destinantion. I always get urges to leave. I can't stay in the same place for too long. These urges get stronger when things in life get tougher. Is it my natural reaction to run away? Probably.
Some people use drugs, alcohol, sex, food, people, or sleep to escape real life. Not me. I want to literally escape, when I need an "escape." Ya know?
Why can't I just pack up and leave? Why can't I fill up my little corolla and get outta here? Why cant I stuff my packpack with some t shirts and jeans and just go?
Probably because I have school. And work. And people. And an apartment. And church. And responbilites. ALL of which give me joy and provide me with happiness and contentment.
I guess everything has it's time.
Maybe I will have the time to pack up and travel and not worry about school or a job.
Maybe there will be a time where I won't have any responsibilites.
But right now, the time is to be here. At the amazing GCU. The time is for me to study. To get the education I need and not take it for granted. The time is to enjoy THIS time in my life. And to enjoy who God is NOW.
Sure, I'll probably continue to daydream about seeing the Colorado mountians, or Mt. Rushmore. But, I want to live here and now, where God has put me.
Who am I to complain about where I am?! He's got it under control. I can experiance His beauty here at GCU.

But, a mini road trip would be nice. Who's in?!!

The one with the storm.

2010-10-08T11:09:00.001-07:00

I'm a desert rat.
Raised in Arizona, when it rains, it's a good day.
Here at Lope town, we've been having good weather.
Rain.
Thunder.
Lightining.
Wind.
Cool weather.

Totally the soup eating, latte sipping, slipper wearing, curl up with a good book type of weather.

So my obvious reaction is to take pictures. Duh:

And then the nice rain, turned to hail. And then the hail turned to bigger hail. And the bigger hail + the strong winds = broken window for our apt and all over chaos here at GCU. Thankfully no one was hurt, or injured.

It really made me think about storms and life.

Uh-oh, Elisa has a moral to the story....

Things might seem okay. Seem managable. Maybe even see beautiful. But can you still see beauty in things when you have broken window? Can you still see the beauty when your car looks like a golf ball with all the dents? There's a reason why the Bible has so many analogies between storms and hard times in life. Storms cause physical damage. They make things harder. They make you feel like you have no control over whats happening.

I know this isn't an exact parallel. But it makes me think about how God really has everything under control.

Which I'm grateful for.

The one with Word on the Street

2010-10-04T17:50:00.001-07:00

I know you're probably getting tired of me going on and on about the youth group.
WELL GET OVER IT!
I got the amazing privilege to watch all of the talented and brilliant youth perform a musical about faith, hope and love. I freaking love these amazing people.
I took some pictures. Not my best, but I was too busy enjoying the musical. It was way too good. :)

Here's just a little bit:

Good job youth! I love you all, and you thouched so many lives. :)

THERE'S MORE!

CHECK IT!

The one with my first audition in YEARS!

2010-09-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

I just got back from callbacks.

It was a series of comedic short plays.

It was nerve racking.

Literally years since I've been at an audition.

I felt like the newbie all over again.

It was a rush.

A thrill.

Something I haven't felt in a really long time.

I forgot....

Not my lines.

Not how to act.

Nope, I still got that.

I forgot how much I love it.

I'm falling in love with it all over again.

Hurl.

The result:

Not this time Gomez. :)
But rejection is totally a part of this whole acting thing.
Ask any actor. Any. They will tell you the success rate in this whole thing is NOT high.

So how do I feel?
Great!
It would have been awesome to be in a play. But this in no way makes me doubt my talents and abilites. I mean I made it to the callbacks, which means I have talent. Not making it to the play doesn't mean I can't act, it means there were a select few that matched the role perfectly.

So it's all good. Next play that comes around, I'll totally try out for that one. And the next, and the next and the next until I graduate.

So don't worry about me. No pity-party.

Advice to all acting students: NEVER get bummed over not getting in a play. Perserverance, and training make a good actor. Not how many lead roles you land. Take it from someone who once played a tree, that's right a tree, and ended up with a main stage role at thespian confrence, thespian honors, and the Eugrates award (the "lifetime achievement" equivelent for my high school), a little rejection never hurt. :)

The one we've all been waiting for.

2010-08-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

I'M OFFICIALLY MOVED IN!
Take a look at my apartment!

But, it looks better in person! Come by and see it!

The one with happy thoughts.

2010-08-23T12:58:00.001-07:00

I feel like my last couple of blogs have been pretty depressing. So I decided to write on the lighter side today. When going through crap I noticed that its easy to loose sight of the little things that make you happy. So I made a list. I'm not a big list maker, but I pushed through it and it was awesome.

So here's a little bit of that list:

Dove Deoderant. -If you live in the desert, you understand the NEED for a deoderant that will protect you all day and will stop you from sweating like a man. This deoderant smell AMAZING! It also reduces the visibility of hair.

WOO to the HOO!

Paul Mitchell products.- I'm not usually a snob for anything. But I love to go to the Paul Mitchell school to get my hair did. They do a good job, and have quality products.

SHOOOOOOEEESSSS!

Need I say more?

Picture/Card board.- This is in my room. I look at this, and remember the people and events that mean the most to me.

Freaking granola.- It's hard to describe my love for granola. It's delicious, sweet, crunchy, and pure amazing. Find me something to put granola on and I will love you forevever.

My journal and my planner.- Both of these things are essentials to my life. My journal contains all my A.D.D type thoughts, and my planner keeps my A.D.D contained. Both make me happy and sane.

Nobody wants an unhappy, insane Elisa.

My daily Bible.- I try my best to read everyday, but life gets in the way. I can tell you for sure that whenever I do read I feel ready to bring on whatever life has in store. Thanks God!

Mollie the MacBook.- I've had her for almost 3 years. And she's still going strong. I'm not one for fighting, but I will always take the side of an Apple.

Taking pictures with props, with this chick.- And being in California, while taking pictures, with props, with this chick. But mostly this chick. :)

Every single person in this picture.- The youth group of FSBCA makes my life 10 billion times greater! I love these crazy kids!

OOOOHHH NIIICE!

Eating Chick'n nuggets with Elias Elefante.-We were watching Community..

The greatest show on earth...

and they were eating chicken nuggets, and we both got the craving nuggets. I, of course, made "chick'n nuggets." And him with his regular nuggets. It seems dumb, but situations like these is kinda what I live for. Watching a good show, eating, relaxing...it's my favorite thing on the earth. Thanks Elias Elefante.

What's on your list?

The one where we Bust a Move.

2010-08-04T11:42:00.000-07:00

The infamous song by Young MC, Bust A Move, is playing on my pandora right now.

I'm reading a new Donald Miller book called Through The Painted Desert. I haven't gotten to far in it yet, but he brings up a good point. He says "Everyone needs change, or they expire." That got me thinking about my leaving home and going to GCU. I haven't really wanted to make it a big deal. But heres the thing, I've been living in the same house since I was 7. The longest I've been away from my family is 3 weeks. Yes, I AM going home on the weekends, which is probably why I didn't really want to make a big deal out of it, but it is.

Am I scared?
Is change too much for me?
Is it really that big of deal?

Probably.

I don't really want to make a big deal out of this. But it kinda is. I mean, I quit my job that I LOVED. I'm living with someone who isn't my family. I'm having my OWN place. I have new responsiblities. Trying new thing I've never done before.
Bust a move!
The only thing that is really keeping my head on straight is the fact that I know I have Someone that has it all under control. I think that's why God allows change, for our faith to be put into practice. Faith that, He's got this. Donald Miller goes on to say one word: "Leave." It keeps resonanting in my head, like some crazy 90's song. Leave. Leave. Leave.
Bust a move!
Leave. Leave. So that's what I'm doing. It's crazy, and nerve racking, and exciting, and kinda makes me want to vomit a little. But I have faith.

So what should I do?
Bust a move.

The one that I spewed.

2010-07-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes everything happens at once.

Like when you have the flu.

Vomitting, sneezing, coughing, diarrhea, sore throat, ear infections, stuffy nose.

All of it, at the same time.

It's never really fair to have all the sickness at once.

But then again would I rather have my symptoms spread out throughout a huge chunk of time?

Like an extended period of time just vommiting. Perfectly healthy, just vommiting. Then after that, allergies. And so on. Maybe I would rather have the flu and get it over with.

To answer your question, I'm perfectly healthy....ya know physically.

Things are just getting piled on me at one time. Circumstances that I have no control over.

BLEEEGGGGHHHH!

And I want to fix it and be done with it.

But I think I gotta ride this one out.

Sometimes, people let you down. Big time. More than you would ever except another person to let you down. Sometimes they hurt you, and do wrong to you. Completely unsolicted. And theres nothing you can do about it. Except just take it like a man.

HUUUUURRRRLLLL!!!

Debbie Downer strikes again.

The one with vacation.

2010-07-12T20:56:00.001-07:00

Sleeping.

Relaxing.

Shopping.

Laughing.

Chilling.

Jacket-wearing.
Eating.

Walking.

Driving.

Beaching.

Playing.

Awesome.

The one with the paradox.

2010-07-09T20:42:00.001-07:00

I was thinking about my blog.
And how I rarely have time for it. I got the whole gambit of things going on in my life, so I don't have time to write. But then I thought about the times in my life where I didn't have a lot going on in my life.....so I really didn't have things to write about.
So having a blog up to date is work.
This may be just an excuse to my not so updated blog. But whatev.
So I'm a little scared that now that I quit my job I might not have anything to write about.
Woah! Wanna run that by me again?!
Yes, today was my last day at work. I worked at this preschool since August when it opened. I've been with these people, these kids for almost a year. My main reason for quitting: school. I will be living on campus and I really won't be able to have that job and keep my schedule.

So yes.
I don't know what this will mean for my writing.
BUT! I do have something to write about.
I'm going going back back to Cali Cali.....
TOMORROW!
Me and Bad T Star are outta here first thing in the morning. Super siked! I love the beach. I love everything about this trip. Exciting.

The one with IKEA.

2010-07-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

As some of you know next semester I will be staying on campus, in an apartment at Grand Canyon University.
WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!
So me and my future roomate, Amy Moore, ventured to IKEA to get some furniture.
It was the first time I went to IKEA without my dad's swedish accent.
We we're excited. We we're really proud of our findings. One thing I was REALLY excited about was a dining room table and 4 chairs, get this, $70. Thank you IKEA! We got a RED coffee table for $14. We decided on a black and white with red living room and a blue kitchen.
We still need TONS more stuff.
So please feel free to donate to the cause.

While on our way to IKEA we we're both discussing how we've never really been involved in school activities. So we decided that we will be going to EVERY event, activity or thing that will be happening on campus. Yup, we're going to be those girls.

GO LOPES!

The one with Sign Language.

2010-05-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my last sign class.
I don't have many thoughts about it except sad ones. So I'm not gunna talk about it all that long.
Nobody likes Debbie Downer.
I just want to say that I hope to continue on in signing. I know that secondary education with an emphasis in English, won't really need any more sign language classes, but maybe one day I will be more involved in the Deaf community.
My boyfriend rocks by the way.
I just like to throw that out there on occasion.
But seriously, I told him yesterday that I was sad that I won't be in sign class anymore, and he asked if I can teach him sign over the summer so I don't loose it. Okay nice guy! :)

So hopefully I'll be as good as this:

The one you will NEVER see anything like again.

2010-05-07T21:55:00.001-07:00

I don't like politics.

People get too emotional. Too crazy. Too heated. Too confrontational.

I don't like it.

Even my very close friends, don't really know where I stand on issues. Even my PARENTS don't know where I stand on political issues.

You will never hear me talk about politics or anything of the sort.....

......until today.

And then you will NEVER hear from me again.

Let's make this clear, I WILL NOT argue with you. I WILL NOT stand for rude, or ignorant comments. If you would like to make an arguement, it's a free country, do it. But again, I will not be making an arguement.

The new SB 1070 that our state has recently passed, is NOT the cure for illegal immigration. It is NOT the solution to the border crossing problems. It will NOT stop the crime in Arizona.

I understand it's illegal. I understand that there are some people that come here and do bad things. But let's talk about those people that came when they we're children. Who we put through our school system. Gave them a High School diploma. Gave them college credits. Gave them a life that far exceeds anything they could have had before. And now we want to send them back?

This law, is profiling. My boyfriend, who is 100 perecnt US citizen, will be stopped, questioned and treated like a criminal, just because of the color of his skin and I am NOT okay with that. I am not okay with racism being a law. I am NOT okay with people of authority descriminating again ANYONE. I thought we we're done with this.

To me, it's not political.

Which is probably why I'm somewhat okay with writing this.

It's about people. I'm not okay with my hispanic family and friends getting treated like criminals. I can't help but look at the people. Some people think about the money that "illegal immigrants are taking," or whatever.

It's about people.

I think that's all I want to say.

Blegh.

I'm glad I'm done with my first and last political blog.

I can go back to being likable now.

The one where Elisa is a wack job.

2010-04-09T00:34:00.000-07:00

I know full well that I JUST wrote a blog, not even 4 hours ago. I'm not one to blog about every little feeling that comes their way.
No no. That's why I have FaceBook.
But I can't sleep. I've been going through a writing stage again. Blessing and a curse.
I've been thinking about how some people my age, (20-somethings) they just can't seem to find their own person. So they keep finding themselves in others. And they are different around every single group of people. And they never have just....them.
Which obviously let me to think: what have I been doing? Do I have my own person? Or am I just little pieces of people from my life put together?
Do I have any definite things in my life that will NOT change no matter who I'm around?

Yes, a few:
1. I know that I know that I KNOW! that my God, is the One True God. He sent His son Jesus into this earth to save this mess of a person, and I CANNOT spend one day without His infinite love. Number one on list forever, no matter who is around.

2. I will never compromise my morals: Sex can wait for marriage, and stay in marriage. Drugs, will not be in my body. I will NEVER get drunk and I will save alcohol until I'm 21. My speech will be clean and set an example. I will work hard and never take the easy way out.

3. I love. Yup. People, my family, Elias, my friends, you who are reading this, teachers, future students, ect. I love.

That's the basics.
I change, no not just daily, hourly...by the minute.
I'm a walking contridiction.
Isn't that the starburst commercial?
I'm peaceful and I fight.
I'm forgiving and I hold grudges.
I'm humble and proud.
I'm self-concious and self-absorbed.
I'm outgoing and introverted.
I'm shy and bubbily.
I'm a hard-worker and lazy.
I'm deep and surface level.
I'm tolertant and judgemental.
I'm cute and awkward.
I'm weird and normal.
I'm republican and democrat.
I'm Casting Crowns and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster.
I'm night owl and early bird.
I'm "tell it like it is" and "keep my mouth shut."
I'm hot and I'm cold. I'm yes and I'm no. I'm in and I'm out I'm up and I'm down. I'm wrong when I'm right. I'm back and I'm white. I fight I break up I kiss I make up. I don't really wanna stay no. I don't really wanna go-o.........

I'm being selfish for thinking I'm the only 20-something to EVER feel this way. To feel like "who am I....?" Usually it's because they don't know what they wanna be. I know what I wanna do career-wise. And for that matter, who I want to be in the future.
Refer to a couple blogs down.
I just don't know what's going down at this second in my brain and life in general.

Welcome to the mess that is, Elisa Marie Gomez.

The one where I dress like an adult.

2010-04-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe not an adult. Just my age.
No, not my age. Girls my age dress.....usually horrible.
I've always been pretty free when it come to clothes. Not rule. If I'm feeling it, I'm wearing.
Have we met? I'm a hippie.
So lately I've been setting rules. Setting boundries. And thinking before I buy. Don't get me wrong, it's not a self esteem thing. I'm totally comfortable with throwing on a pair of sweat pants and big shirt and going out in public. NOT A CHANCE I WOULD EVER DO THAT, I'm just saying I'm comfortable.

Here are some recent outfits:

I realize these are just shoes but I love them.

These are some outfits I want:

And pretty much anything from modcloth.com

I will be posting more pictures of my recent purchasings later. :)

The one with hair removal.

2010-04-03T11:53:00.001-07:00

Please add to the list of things that don't work on me: Sally's wax hair removal. Note that I am both Greek and Mexican. Uhhh, hello! These hair removal treatments don't make "me." Shaving: works for about 3 days. Nair: smells disgusting and misses about a third of my hair. "Smooth away": hurts and doesn't work. Professional waxing: expensive and a tad awkward. NOW, at home waxing: No need to explain, just look at my red, bumpy armpit that still has hair, and I think a little bit of wax.

On a slightly different note, I have pink eye. See what happens when you work with kids. It's not itchy, just congatious. Lame.

I never get any cool ailments. Pink eye, cold, allergies, asthma. What's next, irritable bowel syndrome?

On a way different note, I'm giving a lesson at 5Qr tonight! I'm going to be talking about freedom. As Christians, we are called to be total followers of Christ, giving up all of that junk we hold on to. Sometimes, I feel like I can't let go of this one thing, whatever it is, it's just one little thing that can mean nothing to anyone else, but everything to God. When everything is given over to God except one thing, it's incomplete, empty, unnatural. It's like my armpit. It's off, it's red and bumpy and pieces of hair.

That's so not right.

Let's pretend that didn't just happen.

The one with Disciple Now Weekend.

2010-03-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the awesome privalege to hang out with a bunch of youth. I love working with youth. They are so funny, and they get me to think. My youth group is awesome, and having a full weekend of them is always a pleasure. I was telling Monse, "It doesn't seem like that long since I've been out of youth group, but honestly A LOT has changed since I've been a youth, to when I started to work with youth."

Our first thing was a mixer game!

I SHOULD HAVE STUDIED MORE!

Monse and I had a bunch of girls at the rayners house. HOLY CRAP! This house was amazing. Megan (the girls at the end of this picture) just stared and said "I could fit my house in the garage!!" So Megan, Marissa, Angie and I got there first and settled on a mini shoot.

These two are really best friends.

Meet Jerome. He is the associate pastor of Wickenburg Baptist church. We met last year, our youth group, worked with his youth group to help a VBS. It was awesome. We were very excited to have him as our speaker. Also, he is follower....so ya know I gotta give a shout out. BOLOGNA!

Ninja anyone?

Some of my jr. high girls.

Andrea...waving.

Yeah, Cassi has NEVER been in front of a camera before.

Last day. "It feels like were leaving a sorority house!"

We had a great time and learned so much! I love these kids! Can't wait for our next event! :D

The one where I'm socially awkward.

2010-03-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

I never know how to act around people I just met. Or barley met. Or hardley know.
Most of my close friends couldn't stand me the first time they met me.
Yes, this includes the love of my life, a Mr. Elias Hernandez.
But I guess it goes back to high school......
Insert flashback noise from Waynes World.....no? Moving on.
I was a terrible person back in high school. I mean wow. Just awful. My mouth is what got the best of me. Either horrible rumors and gossip behind people back, or snarky sarcastic remarks in front if people I was MEAN! Whenever I met someone, I could not look past their faults. Anyone. If I saw someone I would automatically think of something I don't like about them. It was bad.
Eventually I let God take care of me. By the end of senior year I had done some damage control and cut some fat from my friends. I ended up with only 3 friends at my high school. Yup 3. That's it.
Love those three girls. You know who you are.
So, in letting God get a hold of my heart I learned some hard truths. One, I really didn't like myself. Anything about myself. I guess I shouldn't used past tense.....well....okay I mean.....I'm better. Like I don't want you to think....I don't know how to explain this....
To be fair the title did warn you about the awkwardness.
I like the person God is making me into. But every now and then, old Elisa creeps back in. And there go those negative thoughts.

So why am I socailly awkward?
When I get around a new group of people heres what I think:
1. Who do I want to be around these people? (Funny, smart, artsy, girly, ditsy, witty, independant, or a mixture of Elisa's)
2. How can I make it so when people won't talk about me behind my back? (This comes from years of damage of talking mad you-know-what behind my new peoples backs.)
3. How can I do all of this without being too obvious and awkward?

Hmmm. Someone has taken their daily ounce of crazy today.

There it is.
I don't know why I wrote this. :)
But there I am in a nutshell. All exposed and raw out there for the world to see.
Enjoy my friends, enjoy.

The one with my Ferna.....or is she Faner?

2010-03-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

This right here is my best friend.

We met about 3 years ago when I started my first job at an extended day program.

It was a God thing.

In a short amount of time, we were sharing our lives and opening up to each other. It was a match made in heaven.

No homo.

This Saturday she says "I Do" to this guy:

That's Dan. They've been dating for about 5 years.

I sure hope that's right.

There is not a blog big enough to describe just how happy I am for Tayler and Dan. I can't even begin to explain to you what this couple truely means to me.

But I will try to in my toast on Saturday.

This is a marriage that will constantly be on my heart. I know God is going to do great thing through these two.

This chick will have my heart.

She can stand under my umbrella, ella ella.....

The biggest thing I love about her is that she challenges me. When I'm going through crap, she doesn't just give me advice, she gives me a challenge. When she see that I'm holding something in, she approaches me. When I'm doing something wrong, she says "stop that!"

Well in so many words.

Final thoughts:

Doesn't matter how far apart we get. Doesn't matter how busy our life gets. Even if we didn't see eachother for 17 years, she is and always will be my best friend. God put us together, and He's gunna keep us together. I need her, and she needs me. That's how we do. No maleria here.

Okay I should stop before I get tears all over my keyboard.

I have to save all this crying for Saturday.

Faner+Ferna

The one where I go over the hippie edge.

2010-03-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

I recently decided to stop eating meat.
Why?
I've been getting a lot of "why." I haven't been answering people, mostly because people who don't agree are looking for a fight. I can tell the minute they ask: "Why would you want to do that?" "How did you come to that decision." "Yadda yadda, judgement judgement." I don't want a fight.
I don't care enough. Sorry.
So, anyway.
Stop eating meat has opened up a whole world of food. It sounds lame but this decision is forcing me to eat healthier.
I have a friend who's vegan and LOVES food.
I love it when people are creative. Especially with food.
Her super power is turning anything vegan. Here's her blog, check it out!
http://vegan4one.blogspot.com/

Anyway, I've been being more creative. For example for breakfast, I used to put in a poptart (which I know has no meat, but just go with me), now I get plain yougurt, add fresh fruit, add granola bam! Lunch, I used to grab a burger on the go, now I bring pasta, salad, make a soup...ect. Dinner, well, dinner is always different.
I know it's like "Okay whatever you put yogurt in a bowl and added stuff to it." Yeah, it really is no big deal. BUT! I have not been good with food, ever! I don't cook. I don't make things. I don't like the kitchen. I just don't. Becoming a vegetarian has forced me to like to cook. And has forced me to get creative.
So why have I done this?
In several years, who knows if I'll still be a vegetarian. But I know, that I will still have the passion for being creative with food. Which will impact me, my future, husband, my kids. Which would cross off number 4 on my list. :D

The one with the Verse Of The Day/Random Thought

2010-02-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”- 2 Timothy 1:7

This verse, brings a tear to my eye as I think about it.
2 years ago during the summer I took a trip down to a little town called Ajo.
Garlic Town.
My job: to build a childrens program at the baptist church and bring more kids in. Uh, sort of. So I down one week before the summer, just to see everything, check out the kids, yadda yadda. As I walked into church, I saw, well....
I see dead people....
It's easy to say that I was the youngest person there. It's easy to say my 40 year old roommate was the second youngest person there. The thrid youngest person there had been going to that church for oh, about 40 years.
I'm a little exaggerating. But I mean a VERY little.
There were no kids. I don't know why I would think there would be more kids. How can work on childrens ministry that doesn't exist?! Any takers?! No? I sat down as the preacher started preaching thinking to myself "How can I get out of this? What will I tell the pastor? What if I don't bring in any kids?"
And "Do I remember anything I learned in my CPR class? Ya know, just in case."
I was DONE. So, the preacher then said this verse. He had me at the word "timidity." Not that I've ever been "shy" or an "intorvert," very opposite in fact. I've just always been a "sheep." I do as I'm told, and it gets done. When something is too hard, I leave it up to the people that are good with being aggresive.
Here's my take away: Power doesn't mean being blunt, and outspoken and having a game plan. It means, something inside of you is bigger than you. It means you CAN accomplish anything.
Yes you can! Gross, I can't believe I just said that.
Power means, God through you makes impossible things.....happen. Power comes through faith.
Love doesn't mean love those in your comfort zone. Love means reaching out to those who NEED a church. Not just reaching out to them so you get numbers in your church, but that they KNOW someone loves them and cares for them.
Self-discipline doesn't mean shutting yourself off from the world and being sheltered. It means being and example to the world by showing them that you put God first.

Power. Love. Self-dicispline. Three things this world lacks. Three things I aspire to.

Now, on to my random thought: I see people "tell it like it is." Which is great, awesome, do what you want. However, there are PLENTY of people who tell it like it is. There are not enough people who tell it like it should be, and then live it. Like I said before, I've never been a super blunt person. I know when things will get me into trouble, so it's just and obvious reflex not to say it. However, I do know that I also don't tell it like it should be, and then live that. People are always "just sayin" about so many things. Well great, so what are you gunna do about it?!
Disclaimer, I am guilty of this so don't think I'm throwing stones...or whatever that analogy is.
It's funny because the main place I see this is in the church. Gossip, and words are contagious. And could kill a church. Words are constantly thrown around saying "well if I was in charge," or "if I had it my way..." Here's what I have to say to that "GET OVER IT!"
That's about as blunt as I get.
Bottom line I re-interate: There are PLENTY of people who tell it like it is. There are not enough people who tell it like it should be, and then live it.

BAM!

The one with stuff I wanna do.

2010-02-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Basic list of stuff I wanna do.
No I'm not trying to be like Buried Life. Except that I am.
1. Finish school. Yes it might seem like something that's "Eh," I have now concluded to the fact that school is not working for me. I am not a good student. At all. So there ya go.

2. Put a ring on it. Or have him put a ring on it. I could go on for days about my wedding, and more impotantly being married. But, everytime I talk about it go wayyyyy overboard. So movin on.

3. Learn to be good with babies. Yes I can work with kids. Pretty much any age after 2, I got this. Babies....ahhhhhh.

4. Learn to be Susie Homemaker. I wanna knit, sew, cook, and what have you. I was going to say have a clean house...
But who are we kidding.
I just know be a super creative and awesome wife and mom.

5. Be a teacher. I've been super discouarged lately about my teaching and educating abilities based on the mere fact that I am such a horrible student. My logic is, how on earth can I impart knowledge if I can't get myself movitivated to be a good student. It doesn't matter how many people think I'm going to be a good teacher and give me compliments, my insecurites get the best of me.
Don't let the haters stop you from doin your thaaang.

6. Try to avoid being on What Not To Wear. Need I say more?
You certainly do not.

7. "Be a servant of all." And by that I mean living as Jesus did. Loving God and loving other. Obviously it's more than just saying that I'm going to live that like, but legitimately living like that. When people remember me, THIS is the first thing I want them to remember me by. So even thought I wrote it last, it's the most important.

Pretty much it for. I'll let you know it I have more.

Thanks for reading.

The one with my craftiness.

2010-02-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

A lot has happened since my last post.
Liar.
Okay, more like a lot of time has passed since my last post.
Better.

I was thinking today about time.
Time is what makes do something, or not something. I am totally not one of those people who can have a full schedule and give 100 percent to everything in my schedule. I gotta learn to say no to things.

Anywhoooo.....
The last 2 years I had a mentor, her name is Debbie. Debbie is susie homemaker in my eyes.
When we started hanging out I really didn't need someone to get deep with...
even though we got real deep....
I didn't need someone with a lot to say....
even though I cherish her opinion so much....
what I needed was someone who will teach me how to cook, sew, bake, and be creative in totally different ways.

So we made a purse:

I am looking towards making a skirt with her. :)

The one with the Moore Family.

2009-11-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

Woah, this is way late.

I spent one amazing afternoon with my best friend Tayler and her soon to be in-laws. Tayler is a brilliant photographer. She asked me if I could be her second lens with her family. Words cannot explain how great it is to work with my Tayler face. Tayler did the portraits and I did mostly candid shots of family interacting. And the Moores are funny, and beautiful, and have awesome ideas.
Tayler fits in perfectly. :)

My bestie & her finance Dan the Man:

Emmy and mommy running and playing.

Emmy was not into this picture.

All the kids! :)

How tough are these dudes?!

Tayler & I loves us some jumping pictures.

She's a great aunt.

THANK YOU MOORES! You guys are awesome!!!!!!!!

The one with my trip to the art muesum.

2009-09-26T21:28:00.001-07:00

Today I went to the art museum.
They have a creative photography exhibit, for portraits.

If that's not an eye opener to the crap photography I've been doing, I don't know what is.

I love taking pictures. I love writing. I love art.

But I'm not good. Or at least not as good I want to be, or should be.

No, I'm not fishing for compliments.

I have so many people I know that are better than me. No contest. I know some people, that just do things differently than I do.

I say this, because I have been inspired to stop sulking over people who are better than me, and better myself at my work.

When I was in theater, it was the same thing. There was always someone who was better than me. I worked my tail off, to get on top.

That's what she said.

I audtioned for plays. I did tech. I didn't get discouarged when someone else was better than, or got a "better" role than me. And by the end of high school, I won Eugretes Award for high school theater achievement.

Or, something like that.

Point being: someone will ALWAYS be better than me. Someone will always have more recogination than me, even if I want it more. I don't take pictures to make money.

Obviously.

I take pictures, because it's mine. It's my thing. I can appreciate a good picture, because I've taken a couple good pictures. It's what I love to do.

I think I miss theater.

I need to go on an audtion.

Hmm.

The one where Elisa has to give a lesson all by herself. #3

2009-09-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

On the way home from Bible study last night I heard 3 songs that I love, but I looked at differently:

"Cross the Line"-Superchik

"Speaking Louder Than Before"-Jeremy Camp

"Motions"-Matthew West

The theme, or thing they all have in common that they all talk about doing something worth while to get you out of your comfort zone/your rut.

"I'm gunna run like I've got the cops on my tail. I'm gunna live my life like I'm out on bail."

"We are, we are in desperation we need to reach this generation."

"This might hurt it's not safe but I know I gotta make a change."

That's the point.

Making a change, making a difference in people around you. Being so crazy in love with Jesus, that love comes pouring out of you.

Suggestions:

I've had several people help me out. Thank you!

Job, is known as the book that people are like "You're life sucks, read this."

Rude.

But, I look at is, as a book of hope. A book of life. A book that shows more of God's personality. I see a God that want's to help. A God that wants to help you out of a rut. I remember how much I HATED not having a job, because I was stuck. I couldn't do anything. And even through that being stuck, I felt Gods peace. It's the only thing that would keep me sane.

Bottom line, the same old boring life is where destruction starts."It's hard to live everyday as a party, when you gotta pay the bills." I keep saying it, but Satan attacks you in the least obvious ways. When you're expecting a huge major tradegy, you get a slow transition to a boring life. And then you turn around and try to figure out out how you got so far from God.

Boring routine.

Boring life.

Not doing anything to impact your life.

Boom roasted.

The one where Elisa has to give a lesson all by herself. #2

2009-09-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

John 10:10

The anthem verse of my life.

I think the way to get outta a rut is to do something revolutionary. Something to change, not only your life, but the others around you.
Something huge.
Something........something.

I think people who hate school and think it's boring say that because they don't make they most of it. Same with work, with life in general.
Life. Is. Awesome.
YOU make the most of it.

That's all I have for right now.

Help a sista out.
Comment. Follow.

The one where Elisa has to give a lesson all by herself.

2009-09-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Eeek!
So, every Friday night at church we put on a little hang out for the youth.
I love youth.
It's been freaking fun. Games. Food. Word of God. More games. ECT...
Holly, our amazing leader, has been giving the little lesson. She asked me if I could give a lesson.
What's that? No big deal? You teach jr. high every Wednesday, it's no big deal.
Oh if only.

Last year Holly gave me a paper full of scripture and a basic guidline (I call it a blueprint lesson), and she said "Go teach the youngins."
In my mind, apperantly, Holly talks like a farmer.
So, there it was. I led a discussion, shared some verses, and we shared and talked and had a WHOLE buncha fun. Like a said, it's been a year now.

Switching gears again: Friday night. Me. 40-50 youth. 5-10 adults. A lesson that needs to be prepared by.....me.
I'm doing it all.
Akk!

I'm not totally starting from square 1. I've been thinking alot about my recent post and about being stuck in a rut. That's my titile, "Stuck in a rut." Buuuut that's all I got.
Double akk!

Here's what I need:

Prayer.

Bible study.

More prayer.

A blueprint lesson.

Even more study.

And pretty much all the prayer I can get.

That's where you come in.

I'm asking for prayer/anything that might help with the lesson (i.e.: scripture, analogy, metaphor, story...).

Thanks!

Side note: I like comments/followers. :)

The one with "My November"

2009-09-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

Kayla and Jeremy like music. Kayla asked me to take pictures of them.

UHH, yeah!

I have taken pictures with Kayla once before. She is a photographer, so needless to say I was nervous. After 5 minutes of talking to her, I realized that she is the only one that completely understands my awkward, random, ridiculous being that is Elisa. We did a double shoot.

More at http://www.myspace.com/kaylarenaedesigns

She's and AMAZING photographer. :)

More at http://www.myspace.com/elisamariephotos

She's an AMAZING model.

So back to My November, Kayla and Jeremy's band. She texted me and asked if I will shoot her.

Again: Uhh YEAH!

It was fun, as it always is. I love locations that tell a story. The "theme"(I guess) was desolate.

More at www.myspace.com/elisamariephotos

Please let me know what you think!

The one where I look through Mollie.

2009-09-19T00:07:00.000-07:00

I love to remember things.

(I was going to put the word "reminice" but CLEARLY I can't spell it.)

Raise your hand if you have ADD.

Mollie is my computer. I save thing's on her. Last summer, I got lonely and started talking to her via journaling. I was reading through some of my old writing and came across this creative little diddy:

The answer is: Growing up.

What is something I suck at?

I’m okay with that. I mean, I’m 18. And I act 18. You can take that however you want. But I’m making an honest attempt not to care what people think. I mean, I don’t think you realize how hard that is for me. Those people that honestly don’t care what they think (which is pretty much EVERYONE I know), I admire that. I’m not going to pretend like I don’t care what you think of me. Because....I do.

Shut-up, I know it’s not healthy, but it’s something I suck at.

I also suck at doing that same stupid things over and over and over and over again like some one with OCD. A good word that I learned was “besetting,” meaning something you do over and over. A stupid cycle of dumb decisions. And the suckiest part is, I am fully aware of what I’m doing, and making an attempt to stop rarely works.

Is that okay?

I’ll take “things that will send me into a spiraling tunnel of bitterness” for 500 please.

Where do I go from here? Because I’m lazy by nature (also something I suck at), I have to consciously focus myself on my relationship with God. And consciously take into consideration that, I’m NOT as strong as I think I am. I can fall with the drop of a hat. There’s an enemy that wants me out of the picture. And when I’m not feeling him attacking “I better get busy.”

It comes down to this: At this point in my life, I feel him attacking more and more each day. I guess God knows I can handle it. I’m glad He has faith in me.

The worst part?: I STILL feel the same way.

Over a year, nothing has changed in me. If that's not stuck in a rut, I don't know what it.

Raise your hand if you stuck in cycle of neverending monotamy.

This is not the only writing I have from that period of my life. But, I'll spare you the examples and just tell you that they ALL are the same feelings I'm having.

Have I not grown? Have I not learned from my mistakes? Am I stuck in the biggest, most hidden rut in my life?

Nothing tragic has ever happened in my life. Knock on wood. (Ew, I can't believe I just said that. I don't believe in luck, nor would it be logical to knock on a piece of wood to ensure my safety. Wood will not protect me from bad things.)

Raise your hand if you have ADD.

Raise your hand if you often experiance de ja vu.

Tradegy has not been a well established friend in my life.

But, I am now realizing, that the most tragic thing that could happen to a person, who has been given the greatest gift of all, is being complacent with that gift.

The most tragic thing that could happen to someone whos on fire for the One who created everything, to get room tempature.

The most tragic thing that could happen to a Follwer of Christ, is to blend in and become boring.

It comes down to this: a year ago, I was having the same thoughts. Mollie has taught me that my new tragedy, has been slowly eating away at me for a year. Thanks for the downer Mollie. My eyes have been open, my heart has been broken, and my God will help put back the pieces, (oh no, how cheesy was that?!). For now, this is where I stand, square 1. Here we are again.

The one where I join the blog world.

2009-09-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

I figure it's about time I started a blog. It's a writing/photography/comediac/art/important issues/look-what-kind-of-crazy-stuff-is-happening-in-Elisa's-life blog.

It's my everything blog. Awesome for blogging.

So welcome!

Enjoy!

Comment!

Feel the love.

This is my absolute favorite picture. Elias Hernandez. My model/musician/rock. How beautiful life is.....

Frreak.

More to come.