They're Nuts in California

You know those days?

Yes. You do. Those days are the days when you should be so proud of yourself because you actually did so much... six hours of work, tons of errands, and an episode of Gilmore Girls to boot.

But instead, you're just annoyed. Maybe it's the 95 degree heat. Maybe it's the fact that you still haven't had time to go to the grocery store and had to eat pre-packaged cookie dough for dinner. Or maybe you just don't have a good reason and all and are just looking for a reason to justify your completely unjustify-able irritation. This irritation seems all the more irrational because of course you got a lot done, and you've got nothing but good things going for you in life.

And maybe, if you were me, you dealt with it by changing into a comfy t-shirt and re-read (for maybe the eightieth time) the fourth Harry Potter, because nothing is more comforting than imagining Voldemort rising from the dead and unleashing havoc on the innocents of the world.

And maybe, after that, and after eating another meal of cookie dough, you just let it go, just grateful that you can answer before the contestants on Jeopardy.

Finding Your Inner Huck Finn

Today I did some serious embark-ation. It involved my lovely blonde roommate. It involved my bike. It involved a long distance on said bike. It involved recklessly climbing up a waterfall without shoes on. It involved trying to find a way down again... without shoes on.

We felt very adventurous and daring. Real women do real things. We're as awesome as Tom Sawyer, or that really cute looking guy from Robinson Crusoe who falls in love with that girl who pretends to be a boy. Was that a digression?

Anyway. I have compiled a list of tips for you, since my roommate and I expert-ized the spontaneous and unplanned adventure we experiences today.

To be a true adventurer (adventure is out there, even if you don't have a house held up by a zillion balloons) you may begin with our singularly invaluable list.

1. Do not think too much about what you might wear on said adventure. Spontaneous adventures rarely consult a wardrobe, and so as an experiencer of adventure, neither should you. Be careful to allow your hair to look as untidy as possible-- this gives the impression of a seasoned thicket-conqueror.

2. Do take a mode of transportation. Rafts, go-karts, wagons, boats, bikes, or boards. Steer away from "boring" transportation that brings ease to the journey. Automobiles and airplanes are for those who fear the adventurous life. Fear is not an option in the trial of the adventurous setting. This transportation should be suited to your adventure area. For example, one should not use a bicycle to navigate a river.

3. Do not give too much thought toward the essential basics of life. Water and food, while necessary to live, are not for pandering the adventurer or making his journey lighter. The true explorer understands that food and drink are but secondary to the expedition at hand, and trusts the earth to provide. A parched throat and a growling stomach are but a small price to pay for the thrill of new pretensions and discoveries.

4. Do respect other adventurers. Nothing kills an adventurous spirit like a sour-faced, never-saw-Neverland-once-in-my-life, nature-hating bum. The aspiring and enduring Peter Pans, regardless of age, will understand the importance of the adventure in everyone's heart, and will seek not to disturb the delicate balance between civility and hostility. Shouting, reprimanding, one-upping, proud assumptions, and selfishness are strong discouraged.

5. Do not hesitate to follow the flighty thoughts of your adventurous mind. When viewing a mountain, of your feet move forward involuntarily as your mind thinks, "Climb!", do not ignore it. Indulge yourself. Do not think about the petty and logical things like: how shall I ever get down from here? Might I cut my feet if I don't wear shoes? What if I get lost? What is the best and most well-travelled route? An adventurer is a whimsical person, and his instincts are what allow him to nurture his inner explorer: he uses his head when solving problems, but nature is not to be tamed, but to be experienced.

There you have it. Do all five one day. We did.

By Popular Demand (Part 3)

Okay... okay. So I know that is really like Lion Kind 1 1/2,because it belongs smack-dab in the middle of number one and two. But we were engaged before the ring. And this story, like I said, is very special to me, mostly because Clark is special to me, and I love him for every moment of decision and thought he dedicated to my happiness.

We had been talking about marriage for a couple weeks-- so much so that we thought it would be best if we told our parents what we were up to. However, shortly after that email home, a period of trial ensued where came the timeless questions that all fall under the larger question of: "Is this really the right thing to do?"

Fortunately, after a period of time, prayer, and counsel, that trial moved on and left us both sure of our own feelings. Meanwhile, I had told my mom to stop plans for the wedding, because we didn't want to power ahead without the definite "Okay." Finally, on a Monday evening, I was able to send an email saying that yes, we were finally ready to move forward again, and that a proposal would follow shortly. My mom emailed back, asking, "Can I finally tell people? One can only keep this under her hat for so long."

I looked at Clark, with a silly grin on my face. "I dunno, Clark," I said, "Can she?"
And he looked at me and said, "Just give me like... a week and a half..."
And I said, "A week and a half!?" (I know, patience has never been a strongly developed attribute in my life).
And then I said, "Well, I have to answer the email, so either it is yes, or no. I don't mind either way."
And he said, "Julie, when people get engaged, and find out, they're gonna say, "Tell me the story!" and we need a good story. Not... no story."
I said I didn't care.
He retreated to the back hallway of his apartment.
He came out.
He flopped on the sofa beside me like fish and looked into my face and said, with all the delicacy  and tact of say... a fish out of water, "Wanna get married?"
To which I said, "That is not how you ask!"
And he said, "What do you want me to do?"
"Get down on your knee!"
He sighed. A huge, heavy (somewhat martyred) sigh, and knelt down in front. He said my full name. And he asked me to marry him.

And I burst out laughing. He just looked so put upon and cute sitting down there. I composed myself and answered yes, of course I would.

He then told me that the real story would be much better, and very romantic, and if people wanted to know the story, that is the one I would tell.

I like this one too.
And I love Clark, regardless of the story.

By Popular Demand (Part 2)

This last week I took a trip to Iowa. My dearest fellow, Clark, grew up there. It was long (but very beautiful) train ride there. After some naps, some unpacking, eating a few real meals, and finally meeting his family, Clark and I (at the suggestion of his mom) went out to a small, rural lake about five minutes drive from their home. Clark was planning on renting a boat, but the boat place was closed, so we decided to walk through this gorgeous nature trail that eventually goes to a bench overlooking the lake and the setting sun. It was a clear day, the setting sun was reflected in the water, and there were birds and ducks and little ripples of water. We chatted and teased, but eventually I was just quiet. Clark knows that I love being outside and that I love beautiful things. This was such a beautiful and peaceful place, and I felt so happy just sitting there next to him, watching the world that God had made. Clark leaned over to whisper in my ear, "So, are you sure about this?" 

"Yes," I said.

And so he knelt down and took out a small green box. The ring belonged to his grandmother, and either she, or her husband, had excellent taste, because it is beautiful. Elegant. Elaborate and simple at the same time. It was lovely, and that was what I said first. "It's so pretty!" I couldn't stop looking at it. And so he put it on, and I said yes, and it was the best story ever, and perfect for me. Clark knows me so well. 

That is his story. Part three will be the other story, the one slightly less romantic, but just as important to me as this moment was.