origins coffee and tea.

So, I found one of the coolest things. Origins Coffee and Tea! Basically, it is a coffee shop that is run completely by volunteers. They have about 90 different volunteers that work about 4 hours a week and because of this it works. ALL of the proceeds then go towards the fight against human trafficking. The money goes to the International Justice Mission or IJM. IJM plays a huge part in fighting this because they raid brothels, and rescue different girls and boys and then they provide a place for them to recover from some of the physical, emotional and physiological hurt that they have suffered.

Here is a video to see what it is all about!

This coffee shop is one of the greatest things I have heard about in awhile. It is located in Rocklin CA and opened only a few months ago. If you aren't from around there to make it your regular coffee spot, you can order coffee beans from them online as well. They use fair trade coffee and are doing something to actually fight some of the awful that is being caused around the world.

Here is the website!

I encourage you to take a look. See how YOU can get involved.

these moments.

Do you ever have those days where you hurt so badly on the inside?

Not those times where you should be hurting, but the times when you don't understand it at all.

Yesterday was one of those days. Everything in my life is so great and there is not anything more that I could ask for, but I felt so messed up inside. I had the feeling as though I didn't understand anything.

All I wanted to do was call someone who really knows me so I could let them know how I felt. At the same time though, I would have had no idea what to say, so I didn't. Sometimes I wonder if those moments are only my own. If I am the only one who has those days that seem to have a shade of gray.

However, I know that it is only temporary. I know the sunshine will come out again and I know after, I will be so thankful for the things that I should have been thankful for all along but for some reason I couldn't see.

so thankful.

My staff from this past year.

I am so thankful for these 7 individuals. This year has been so great with each of them in my life and it really wouldn't have been the same without them. They have encouraged me, made me laugh, challenged me, and have been there for any need. I really do appreciate each and every one of them and every time I see them I get filled with so much joy. I know God brought us all together for a purpose for these past two semesters and even when things change as this year comes to an end, they will always have a place in my heart.

goals.

Here are a few of the goals that I would love to achieve for this year.

-Get a A- average or above on the rest of your classes
-Read a chapter a day in the Bible
-Finish reading 15+ books
-Find a job
-Ask someone out
-Have a weekly event for the rest of the Spring semester
-Go above and beyond at your internship
-Proof read all your papers
-Buy a camera and learn how to use photoshop
-Invest in the friends/residents you already have, don't look for more
-Start a legit online blog
-Write 12 short stories from your own life
-Find an apartment/house
-Take the GRE test
-Look into 5 new grad schools
-Paint a picture
-Go out of the country
-Find an extra company and be an extra in something
-Write down everyone's birthday in a calender so you can transfer them year to year
-Apply to 25+ jobs you would actually want
-Crazy Road-trip
-Design dream house
-Go to open houses
-Create a business plan
-Figure out how much you would have to make to afford your dream home
-Open up a credit card
-Close a bank account
-Outline a novel
-Say yes, more than no
-Be more outgoing
-Don't worry about what people think
-Call friends on the phone to say Happy Birthday
-Be vulnerable
-Find a charity and regularly volunteer
-Find a church and attend weekly
-Pull an all nighter, like a real college student
-Use the 10 free counseling sessions.
-Learn to type 70+ words per minute with all ten fingers
-Have an adventurous next New Years
-Start a monthly emailing list

i want.

This video is something that really made me think.

What are we here for? Pause for a second and thing about it.

Are we supposed to chase after the American dream and be successful in the world's eyes?

We all have a purpose, a reason why we are here.

I'm starting to realize that for me, it is not about having the American dream. I think it is time for me to start thinking about what I can do to make others lives better. I get so wrapped up in myself, in what I want. I couldn't tell you a day where my main focus wasn't on me. We have a God that loves us so much. He gave up His own son for us. This is something I can't even fathom. The older I get, the harder it hits me. I don't deserve anything that He has given, his grace, mercy, and love. I don't deserve any of it. Yet He still loves us. In the midst of myself being so selfish, He still loves me. He deserves so much praise. From this day forward, I want to live my whole life as a form of worship. Where I constantly serve others and show the love that He has shown me, to others. Where the money that he has blessed me with, is given to others. I think it is time for me as well as all of us to live our lives in a way where what we are doing is truly loving others

Career Paths?

What do you want to do when you grow up?

I just found one of the coolest tools! It is something that helps you plan out how to achieve your dream career. It is a tool that has so many different careers on it. First, you pick either a starting point, or what you would like your ultimate goal to be. Then, it shows you where people typically go from there, or what are the most common steps taken to get to that dream career. It basically maps out different ways that you can get to your ultimate goal. It is super simple, only takes a few seconds to figure it out, and it is one of the most nifty things I have ever seen. If you are unsure how to get to your ultimate goal, or just want to browse, I definitely recommend looking at it!!

Here is the link:

http://my.monster.com/Career-Planning/Pathing.aspx#path=&tabIndex=0&eview=H

I highly encourage you to take a look!