Text

Messages don't stop when you travel abroad, they only become more entertaining.

(Disclaimer: gracing you with the humor of the sandbox wasn't an original idea, but rather the product of a genius teammate-ette who already does likewise.)

I must warn you before i give a sample of the thought and care that friends show each other here through modern technology. seems that the limits on cross-gender relationships have resulted in a rather unparalleled intimacy among same-gender relationships. thus it is no longer a mystery why i am able to stroll through public markets holding hands with "relationship fingers" with my guy friends, and to feel no shame when doing so. how much less should i expect to receive daily tm's such as:

A lucky star dropped on earth one night. it asked me what did i want, a million dollars or a true friend? i had to choose a million dollars because i already have you.

In a rainy day please stand under the rain and open your hand...the drops you can catch is how much you miss me; the drops you can't catch is how much i miss you!

Our friendship means a lot 2 me...u cry i cry, u laugh i laugh, you jump out of a window i look down and laugh again!

I know you're jealous. but don't worry, i'll try to forward them via blogger from now on.

Present needs:
A little extra "umph!" in all things.

Present certainties and thanks:
There is a fountain,
And it keeps me singing even on the driest days.

Peace be.

Global warming is causing

Rain in the desert. i live in a place that averages maybe three inches in a good year. this past month, we've probably averaged three inches every other day. the soccer field outside my residence is a pool, and the streets look like venice.

Everything else i want to say about life, and the adventure i'm watching unfold before me, will usually come in the form of an email (becauseitissaferthatway). so i figured i'd let you in, rather, on how the pneuma sustains me most days aside from the story and reyarp:

Glosoli
The transfiguration
Majesty, snowbird
O come, o come emmanuel
Fire fall down
Revolution
Kingdom come
It's gonna be alright
Unto the king eternal
Be near
He is exalted
Vagabond
Should i tell them
I will run
Make us one
Hurry
Needle & thread
Dreamlife
Trees (hallway of leaves)

Present needs:
Good health and renewed energy for language learning.

Present certainties and thanks:
There is a fountain,
And the fountain never runs dry and never loses its cleansing power.

Peace be

I

Met a guy named sergio from l.a. at the train station of a small city, and was inspired by his four month journey through our continent to shave my head again. this is actually to be expected (by me at least), as it tends to be the normal reaction after i reflect on the selfishness in my life. the "train" of thought went as follows: i am still very selfish with my schedule and my things, sergio is traveling across two continents in eight months and has a shaved head, i tend to be less concerned with myself whenever my head is shaved, i should shave my head.

Present needs:
To decrease and give freely as i have freely received so he may increase.

Present certainties and thanks:
There is a fountain,
And the fountain gave us a place to rest our heads, gave us our daily bread, and returned us safely to where we began.

Peace be.

Still

Alive.

Present needs:
Love and compassion.

Present certainties and thanks:
"There is a fountain...,
And (those of us) plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains."

Peace be.

This is a small

...nevermind.

Again i attempted to upload pictures from my little flat in paradise. but to wait any longer would be futile. i am also opposed to visiting foreigner-cafe right now. nonetheless, there is much to rejoice over, as one says, "i am he who liveth, who liveth and was dead. behold i am alive forevermore."

Present needs:
Time management and energy and wisdom and humility.

Present certainties and thanks:
There is a fountain,
And the fountain gave someone a drink.

Peace be.