Awake, Holding Keys.

New Moon.

2010-02-25T12:38:00.001-08:00

I don't know what I think about this.

Eh O.K.

2009-12-17T23:27:00.000-08:00

This is a real sculpture. I don't know who made it and I don't know what it's made out of. I just found it on google images.

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.

2009-12-09T01:04:00.000-08:00

It really is.

Summer Sounds.

2009-06-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

I kind of like waking up in the morning and not really knowing what I'm going to do that day. I've taken naps, caught a lizard, found a rooster, and been in some thunderstorms.

I'm sure the 6 year old girl who lives next door would say the same thing.

It's nice.

I love love love this song...

Seriously?

2009-06-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

Why can't it just be like the old days? You know, when there were streamers in the gym.

Lately I've been recalling some pretty obscure memories of the past decade, and after thinking about circumstances surrounding these memories, a lot of them have left me with the lingering question, "What the crap?"

Today's remembrance was one of the best that I've had in a while.

Today I was on the phone with Andrea, and somehow we ended up talking about gym class during junior high.

The first day of P.E. in 7th grade was really terrifying because we all thought that we were going to have to take showers after class. And we did. Our teacher promised us that we would only have to do it once, so everybody better participate.

I got in the shower partially clothed.

Turns out I was allergic to the laundry detergent the school used to wash all the towels.

Next, I remembered what rainy days were like during gym class. One day in particular, was very special. Miss Henry herded all the girls into the locker room and told us that we would not be running the mile that day due to the rain. Instead, she handed us a box full of tennis balls and told us to teach ourselves how to juggle.

So we did. For an hour. In the locker room.

Another little nostalgic gem was Andrea mentioning how she had taken a "circus skills" class in the 8th grade for P.E. credit. She also learned how to juggle, in addition to gaining some valuable experience on mini-stilts.

We owe a lot to the public school system.

Filling In The Blank.

2009-06-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

______________, I call your spirit to attention in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Listen with your spirit to God's promises in his word. 'For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.' (eph 2.10). Your Father has a purpose for you. I bless you with knowing your purpose as God has seen it in his heart. I bless you with being everything that God has designed you to be, because as you experience the joy of fulfilling your purpose, you will benefit, others will benefit, and the world will be blessed.' Amen.

(blessing your spirit: arthur burk)

Float.

2009-06-06T23:41:00.002-07:00

Interesting.

2009-06-04T21:27:00.001-07:00

I was at a friends house last night, and met this guy who does Gregorian chant every Sunday at church. Not a really common activity for 20 somethings....or anyone for that matter. In fact, I'm pretty sure the last time I even heard the word Gregorian was in a 7th grade World History class.

Gregorian chant is performed in Latin, and it sounds all soft and monastic, but I guess it's kind of ironic because the translation of the two pieces he performed were about the manifestation of the Spirit of God upon the Earth, and the impending destruction of the enemies of God.

The moral of this story is...

When you sing about people going to Hell in Latin; no one gets offended.

Because Latin is dead.

Biffiversary.

2009-06-02T18:49:00.000-07:00

Before we parted our separate ways for the summer, Andrea and I decided to celebrate our four years of biffship (or best friendery) by indulging in a delicious fondue feast.

A friendship such as ours is worth celebrating.

I don't have any siblings, so I've only observed familial dynamics between sisters, but I'm pretty sure the only thing standing in the way of the genuine sisterhood between Andrea and I, is our DNA. Despite my absurd behavioral tendencies, she continues to tolerate my antics and just lets me do whatever I want. I'm really blessed-

It's fun having someone to do everything with, and to do nothing at all with.

Fun Facts About Our Biffship

We met on a white-water rafting excursion where Andrea almost lost her life (no joke).
Andrea has saved me from a huge sweaty dude falling on top of me.
We are international travel partners.
Andrea usually carries my luggage up/down flights of stairs because I can't do it myself (I pack way more than she does).
We went hot air ballooning our senior year of high school.
Hiked the narrows of Zion, where Andrea managed to through our roll of toilet paper down a crevasse.
I can imitate any of Andrea's 8 different laughs as well as her 3 coughs/sneezes.
At age 16, we had originally decided to retire to Montana where we would open our own ladies gym or start a school bus company called, Sit Down, Shut Up, I'm Hungry, thus beginning our wardrobe conversion to strictly polyester button-ups and those pants with the elastic waistband.
We have since then forfeited the dream, and have set our sights on bigger and better things.

Dr. Andrea, I could dink around with you till kingdom come.

I'm Baaaaack.

2009-06-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's Over!!!

2009-05-21T01:02:00.000-07:00

This semester is finally over, and now I don't know what to do with myself. But that's ok! Tomorrow I'm gonna clean my room! Cool huh?

Yes!

Lessons in the Foolish Wisdom of our God: Whose Blood?

2009-05-12T01:17:00.000-07:00

Being found with another's blood on your hands will make you a criminal.

The image is a metaphor of blame, grief, and guilt.

How much more then will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:14

When we are found, being covered by the blood of Christ, we have been pardoned. It is not the blood that is significant, but to whom it belongs.

After our blood is spilled, it will dry up and leave only stains.

After Jesus' blood was spilled, it will wash His people and leave them redemption.

NoNoNoNoNoNoNo.

2009-05-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

I don't want to be responsible anymore.

Can we please just blow off the rest of the semester?

That would be good for me.

2009-04-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

Maybe my favorite commercial of all time.

I've watched it about 20 times.

Love Wins.

2009-04-11T00:19:00.001-07:00

Play Him Off, Keyboard Cat.

2009-04-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

This is gold.

Stuff.

2009-04-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

I finished this piece last year, so it isn't new, but the photos are.

Courtesy of Katie Reed.

Diet Coke, Ranch Dressing, Sweet Tea, God's Blessing

J a d e d .

2009-03-31T00:13:00.000-07:00

My Lord, how long to sing this song?

And my Lord, how much more of this pretending to be strong?

When she stands before your throne

dressed in beauty

not her own;

all soft and small, you'll hear her call,

"You brought me here, now take me home".

Some days, I just want to get out of here.

Stuff on Andrea's Head: A Photo Series.

2009-03-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

it's simple. when andrea goes to sleep, i put something on her head and take a picture.

Yes.

2009-03-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

i can't wait for this.

m y f a t h e r ' s h o u s e.

2009-03-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

I've been dreaming/thinking/making art about houses lately.

I had a dream my Father purchased a house for me. It looks similar to the one above, but after searching through a few hundred pictures, this is as close as I could get.

I loved my house a lot. It was small and safe, and warm; and I could live inside of it because my Father had paid for me to be there.

Two weeks later I had a dream about being in God's house.

I loved His house a lot. It was small and safe, and warm; and I could live inside of it because my Father had paid for me to be there.

I couldn't find any pictures of God's house.

I kinda like this song...it's not really about a house.

W a l k.

2009-03-19T13:34:00.001-07:00

Andrea works for the Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic. A couple weeks ago they hosted a Walk for Life...

The Good Life (?).

2009-03-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

Boca from Matt Wolf on Vimeo.

Valley.

2009-03-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

This week I remembered that sorrow is a spiritual discipline. My least favorite one.

There are people in my life who have been hurting me unintentionally. I want to speak with them about how I'm feeling, but I'm afraid of saying things that will offend them, because I want to speak honestly. I've spent the past couple weeks thinking so much about what I initially thought wasn't such a big deal, and have come to realize that I am actually hurting over this. Feeling like you've been replaced isn't very comforting.

One afternoon last week, I was sulking in my car while I was thinking about all of this, and God impressed really deeply upon my heart that there is something different I can be doing than just feeling sad; I can be radiant with sorrow, instead.

I can completely acknowledge that I've been hurt, and that my friendships aren't perfect, but I can also be the one who eagerly utters the memory of God's abundant goodness, despite feeling like I'm lacking something. He grants me peace and rest when I dwell on the countless testimonies of his provision and faithfulness.

I need to be continually reminded that God isn't like us. We are the bride of Christ; and the fidelity of the bridegroom will never hang in the balance.

Share the Love.

2009-03-05T23:44:00.001-08:00

This is a vodka ad. But it's really cute. Just watch it.
Responsibly, of course.

And in keeping with an affectionate theme, I realize this is pretty belated, but these were my favorite valentines from this year...

Amanda made this one.

Twice The Junior, Twice The Fun.

2009-03-02T22:28:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of a Carl's Jr. Jr. on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood. It's not a mistake...it's just smaller than a normal Carl's Jr. and you can't actually go inside. Too bad.

Day Hike.

2009-02-27T15:02:00.000-08:00

A couple weekends ago I went on a day hike by myself. I was hardly alone though. It was nice.

Interstate Therapy.

2009-02-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

When I was in high school, there were a few times when I would get really upset or angry, so one of my friends would drive me to the freeway so I could lean out the window and yell as loud as I wanted to.
Today I needed some interstate therapy, so Andrea and I hopped on the 5 so I could forget about my failures and frustrations of the day I had just lived, have some wind blow up in my face, and not feel embarrassed about how much I still enjoy listening to Hollaback Girl.
Seriously, this day was bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Wheat Paste Wonderland.

2009-02-19T19:59:00.000-08:00

Super gorgeous street art by Swoon

Ahhhhh...

Unemployment: Settling Has Never Been So Simple.

2009-02-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

It's really lame. I have spent hours searching job listings and calling employers to inquire about positions that I'm underqualified for, and this process has just not been that successful.
A while ago I had an interview with this woman who called herself "Sister Beatrice". She needed an "assistant". When we spoke over the phone to schedule the interview she didn't tell me that she was blind...
I decided to decline her job offer. Not because she's blind, but because she asked me to do a lot of peculiar things for her, and I was rather confused and pretty weirded out. I would also like to add that Sister Beatrice was not a nun, nor was she an elder in the Mormon church.

After so many failed job hunts, I've realized that I'm at this place when my list of "things that I'd like in a job" got hurled out the window a long time ago. This conclusion was confirmed in me today when I began seriously considering becoming a "pet bather". I can see it now... "Hi, my name is Veronica Burris, and I bathe pets".
The thing is though, in the job description it says that experience is preferred. I don't know if there's some kind of special tecnique for animal washing, but perhaps the occasional bath for two ungrateful felines counts as experience.

I don't even know what to do with myself anymore.

I am being robbed.

2009-02-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

Someone is trying to take things from me that do not belong to them. Sometimes they steal from me quietly, and other times they don't care about going unoticed. The things that they steal from me are very costly, and difficult to get back.
However, as I'm thinking about it right now, perhaps I am not giving enough credit to the theif, because in actuality he doesn't just take things so much as he makes exchanges.
He replaces things like freedom and exchanges it for fear. Confidence for self-doubt, truth for falsehood, and restlesness for peace. He is breaking my back with his ruthless schemes, and I hate him.

I've said it once today, and I'll say it ten thousand times over, "I need thee every hour".

It's Not A Secret.

2009-02-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

It's true. I love cats more than most people. I didn't say that I was obsessed with them...I just like them a lot.
Sometimes when people find out that I like cats, they'll say something about me eventually becoming the "creepy cat lady". I hate this.
I don't know why people think they're being funny or original by mentioning this to me. It is neither of the two. And just for the record, cats are cute, but they can also be annoying, bite you, shed all over your clothing, and pee on your mattress. For these reasons, I will never own more than two of them at one time. Thank you, and enjoy the following lolcatz.

Imago Dei.

2009-01-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

Italy was pretty incredible. I learned a lot about many things, and it was a really wonderful experience- I'll post a photo entry soon enough.

I loved people watching there. Have you ever looked at someone you don't know and you're just immediately drawn to stare at them because you've just never seen someone who looked like that before? That happened to me a few times while we were in Florence. I hope they didn't see me gazing at them...they were just really interesting to look at.

People are so special. Despite overwhelming diversity of culture, language, features, interests, and convictions; we have all been created in the very same image of the Almighty- that's pretty significant. I thought about this a lot during the time we spent in Italy.

We walked through countless cathedrals and museums stocked with some of the most famous and profound religious artwork of the Renaissance. They are awe-inspiring and breathtaking in scale, content, and execution, but at the same time I can't wrap my head around the idea that so many have tried to capture the image of the invisible God with paint or pen or whatever, when in fact it's just all in vain because we are the very image of God. I'm still trying to hash through all of this and figure out how this shift my perspective of humanity and religious art or whatever. Just a thought.

We are the breath of God

Good to Share the Home Fire.

2009-01-02T20:01:00.000-08:00

It's good to be reminded of how much I love being home.

Glory to God in the Lowest.

2008-12-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

The greatest rescuer and lover of humanity decided that it would be best to enter into the world as a baby- born in the dust of a small desert town, and in the presence of some barnyard witnesses.
I'm learning some interesting lessons in the foolish wisdom of our God.

A little while ago, I realized for the first time that Christ wasn't just God in human flesh, but he was also love, incarnate. I understand that this is simple logic, but I just never really thought about it this way before. It's sort of beautiful to think about- Love walked around, and he had a laugh, and a beating heart.

Last week, Lauren described Jesus as "the richest of Kings". We hold this to be true, and yet it is humbling and inspiring to know that when he came, he didn't boss people around, or make us feel bad about all the awful things we do. He came to love and heal us; we don't have to be afraid anymore.

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

What does this even mean?

Have Yourself a Meowy Little Christmas...and a Couple of Asprin.

2008-12-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

Choosing to move in the middle of finals week was probably not the wisest of decisions, but it's over now, and so is my complaining. We like our new room- you should stop by and visit.

I'm excited about having free time again. Two whole weeks of taking naps, reading things I want to read, and doing laundry for free.

It's time to go home. Nashville tomorrow!!!

Dry.

2008-12-08T00:08:00.000-08:00

For the past week or so I feel like I've run out of things to say, or probably more accurately the desire to say things. So, this wisdom is not my own, but I read this for the first time when I was sixteen and I've kept it since then because fragments of it are still resonating in my heart, so I thought I would share it with you.

"It is a peculiar stupidity that allows me to become so easily discouraged. my usual order of things: (1) pray for God's guidance and wisdom (2) ignore or betray the convictions He gives me (3) charge or doubt Him because of the disorder and confusion in my life. is there peace in our hearts? are we not lying to ourselves and others, professing a faith we scarcely believe in? may God forbid we become comfortable here! but rather than seeking happiness we should value this restlessness. if we didn't first feel the pain of a cut, what would prompt us to clean and wrap the wound, preventing infection or worse? this emotional pain of ours (if I may assume I'm not alone in my sadness), as with physical pain, is often a sign that something is wrong. rather than dress the wound, or even question the cause, don't we choose spiritual numbness (entertainment, socializing, education or career ambitions...) and so decide not to feel the infection of our entire lives? this sickness or infection is disobedience and self-absorbtion, a lack of love for God and other people. I am sick with myself, and too much with this world. but there are certain moments, radiant with sorrow and pity, where my soul is set on fire by the love of Jesus! he does not avoid or deny the suffering of the world, but takes it upon himself in its most extreme. far from our mediocrity and compromise, his crucifixion challenges us to suffer wildly, dares us to love recklessly, even foolishly. my friends, when will we grow tired of mediocrity and compromise? God, forgive our selfishness. please soften our hearts and open our ears to your truth. let us die to oursleves, and give us a new and wonderful life. help us see You in those around us and show them the patience and gentleness You've shown us. let us love the unlovable as You have loved us. You are beautiful, just beautiful, my Lord!"
-ajw

Thanksgiving Review.

2008-11-29T19:36:00.000-08:00

I'm kinda glad I didn't go home for the holiday- it was really great having my family here. I kinda forgot how much fun they are :) My grandparents didn't make it into the picture this year....oops.

I'm glad my mom got to hang around Biola for a little while. She came to class with me and was helping out with the people project for a little while. I saw her taking pictures during class, and afterwards when I was looking through them, there were like 8 or 9 of Maggie with a pair of legs on her head...

Here's Andrea right after I finished wrapping her head.

So, in other news...
I had no idea that Mexican jumping beans were real. I thought it was something that an old person probably made up. However, I stand corrected, and I now know that they are real. My mom bought some today. Weirdest things ever. I don't know if I'm alone in my ignorance of bean knowledge, but just in case someone else is in the same boat with me, they jump because there's a little worm that lives in each seed, and they move around inside the bean whenever they react to light and heat. Whoa. And one day they will make a hole in the seed and burrow out of it and become a pupa or something. Ehhhhh.

Dear Nature,
I marvel at your beauty and majesty all the time, but to be quite honest, although you are wonderful and stunning, you are also weird and gross simultaneously (i.e. little worm beans). I hope you are not offended by this letter- this is merely an observation.

Your admirer,
Veronica Burris

"I'm feeling like this, if you can live with that."

2008-11-26T11:09:00.000-08:00

I really like being myself. I don't know how that sounds to you, but what I mean is that I think it's wonderful when we find ourselves in a place where we're not entirely concerned with how others perceive us, and we just start assuming that people will like us because we're being exactly who we are.

I embarrass myself daily with things that I say and do, but I'm starting to come to the conclusion that my absurdity is just part of who I actually am, and I guess I'm ok with that. Maybe I just value honesty a lot more now than I have in the past. I don't even know if honesty is the right word. Maybe genuine- but I don't really like that word either. Comfortable. There is something beautiful that happens when we become comfortable with who we are. It makes our shame and self-doubt disappear. I could always make a lot less room for those things in my life.

Go, Mordecai.

2008-11-24T00:21:00.000-08:00

I love watching those movies that you haven't seen in forever, but you still remember the title and that one part that was funny, and you think you laughed pretty hard, so you figure that it'd be a good idea to watch it again just because. The Royal Tenenbaums is worth remembering. Pagoda, himself, is worth remembering.

We also watched Love Actually this weekend...it's a good almost-Christmas movie. See it if you haven't already; it's like getting a hug, but you're not actually getting a hug. Because it's just a movie. But it's still good. I think one of my favorite parts is in the opening credits...

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world,
I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport.
General opinion makes out that we live in a world of hatred and greed-
I don't see that.
Seems to me that love is everywhere.
Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy but it's always there."

Kinda nice, huh?

In other news, my parents are coming into town tomorrow. I'm really excited to see my mom- I've needed a hug from that woman for a number of weeks now...

Modest Beginnings

2008-11-22T01:25:00.000-08:00

Andrea and I started blogging again. This is like the third attempt for us. We're pretty hopeful this time around, though. Wish us luck...

Andrea's been goofin around with that foam claw for about a week now.