Water.

"We give up something for Lent to align ourselves with the heart, will, and experience of Jesus. Fasting teaches us that we are not utterly subject to our bodily desires. And in sated and overfed America, fasting reminds us, sharply, of the poor." - Lauren Winner

Water is essential for human life, and it is something that I take for granted. So, today I ordered my (fair trade) large nonfat sugar-free vanilla latte and relished every drop.

I also drank a few cups of hot tea, hoping maybe if I had enough, I wouldn't want anymore. Wrong. For the season of Lent, I've decided to drink only water.

I am so fortunate to have access to clean drinking water, something 20% of the world's population does not have, merely because of an accident of geography (Bono's term, not mine, unfortunately..). Many researchers believe that the majority of the unrest and violence in Africa over the next 25 years will be "Water Wars" among countries vying for the depleting amounts of water throughout the continent . That's something I just can't stomach.

According to World Water Day, "The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. Nearly 1.1 billion people (roughly 20% of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day. In fact, out of the 2.2 million unsafe drinking water deaths in 2004, 90% were children under the age of five. Water is essential to the treatment of diseases, something especially critical for children."

So, I want to get in touch with water. It's the resource that everyone I know takes for granted, but that so many are dying for every day. I hope that as I moan and groan about not having coffee, tea, juice, etc. I might not only be thankful that I am able to drink this clean water, but also think of that large population in the world that is going without the very thing I'm complaining about.

One more thought: "We fast during Lent because when we willingly give up something we delight in but do not, strictly speaking, need, we come closer to participating in, understanding, and reverencing the self-emptying act that is Christ on the Cross." -Lauren Winner, again.

So I'm also hoping that for the next 40 days, I might discover the many many things that I do not need and rediscover those things that I truly need, namely Jesus.

Oh my, Taco Bell. Seriously?

This is the strangest marketing scheme I've seen in a while...

8 things.

Amy tagged me...My first tag, fun times. I had nothing to blog, so thanks!

8 things I am passionate about:
1. Jesus
2. Social Justice
3. Family
4. Making a difference...
5. Friends.
6. Expanding my horizons.
7. Good conversation.
8. Travel.

8 things I want to do before I die:
1. Finish my Master's degree.
2. Go on lots of Operation Smile trips.
3. Change the world. Seriously.
4. Live abroad (again). Hopefully in Africa.
5. Marriage and family (eventually).
6. Successfully knit something.
7. Go to every continent - except Antarctica (3 down).
8. Restore a historic home.

8 things I say often (I think I'm a Valley Girl):
1. "Really?"
2. "That's crazy."
3. "Good times."
4. "Seriously?"
5. "Whatev."
6. "Where is that?" (I'm still learning my way..)
7. "I love that!"
8. "Hmm...I don't know."

8 TV shows I recently watched (go ahead and judge):
1. Bones
2. Gossip Girl
3. One Tree Hill - my guilty pleasure...as if the others aren't.
4. With the writers' strike and no cable, that's about it. I want Pushing Daisies back!

8 Artists I never tire of listening to (I've edited this several times):
1. Elvis Costello
2. Spoon
3. Derek Webb
4. Lori McKenna
5. Damien Rice
6. The Darkness
7. Sandra McCracken
8. Patty Griffin

8 things that attract me to my friends:
1. Authenticity.
2. Sense of humor.
3. They get me.
4. Intellect.
5. Honesty (kinda goes with #1).
6. Care/concern for global issues.
7. Loving hearts.
8. A touch of snarkiness.

8 things I learned in 2007:
1. I can live alone!
2. I can live alone in a new state!
3. I re-discovered my love of books.
4. Blogging is fun! And therapeutic.
5. I need to floss more.
6. My needs are much smaller than I thought (and shrinking).
7. I can care a huge amount about a place I've never been (Africa).
8. My friends are the best (more of a reminder than a discovery).

I think I will just tag Blair. Everyone everywhere is getting tagged, so that's it!

Meet the parents!

I am loving January, probably the only month this year that I will have something fun to do every weekend! This weekend, mom and dad came to visit! They came "for my birthday" even though it's 3 weeks away, this was the time that worked for everyone! On Saturday we went to the OKC Bombing Memorial and the museum, which I had never been in before. It was powerful, especially since I don't remember a whole lot about the bombing.

Since I wasn't sure what else to do with mom and dad, my brother and sister-in-law suggested a hockey game, which turned out to be a great idea. Michael and Sarah drove down from Stillwater to hang out and see the game. The Blazers were awful, but we had fun! My parents at the game:
And me with my sister-in-law, Sarah:
And what's a hockey game without some fighting?
Mom and dad haven't been out here since I moved in August, so it was nice to have them around when I have a better handle of the city (and my apartment finally came together!). They are heading up to Stillwater tonight to stay with my brother, but I so enjoyed the time with them. Mom and I even made dad see 27 Dresses with us, much to his dismay.
(However there was no pre-birthday cake...I might be baking my own this year :-)

Blog Obsession

I just realized I read a lot of blogs. I didn't really think I did, until I went to vote for the 2008 Bloggies, and I read a blog in almost every category (although some are in more than one..) Eeek. I need a life.

Please tell me I'm not the only one?!?