it doesn't get any better than this...

so. i am a sucker for a good top 10 (or 13...or 100) list. find me on any given new years day, and i'll be glued to vh1 and the top songs of the past 5 decades for 48 hrs straight (that has never happened...wow, i wish that weren't a lie). this weekend pretty much sums up this term for me: stressful and somewhat overwhelming, but solid, beautiful, and truly it doesn't get any better than this. so, here is my list of "it doesn't get any better than this" moments since coming to seminary...

(minor aside...i thought this comic was real cute)

#1: going to razzy fresh frozen yogurt twice in one night: scrum-diddly-umptious

seriously, if you are (or are ever) in the pittsburgh area, please do yourself a favor and go here. you pay by the ounce for your yogurt...you can put delicious toppings (like fruit or cookie dough or m&m's or brownie chunks.....) into the delicious goodness of the frozen yogurt... i went twice in one night a couple of weeks ago, and it was worth every calorie both times (i may revise that statement after i put on my dress for easter...as i've been working out to fit in this dress for about a year). 

#2: the first sunny days of the year...in march :) 

in pittsburgh, we have far more cloudy days than sunny days. it's an old saying: in pittsburgh, there are two seasons: winter and construction. truer than true, my friends. i soak up every ounce of sun i can get. i've set up my futon by the window so that the light pours in on it and the breeze wafts in while i sit and do work or take a nap.

(haha, the word "waft" reminded me of farts. and the fragrance from outside only occasionally smells like fart (like if the bus is idling out front). no, most of the fart smells come from me.)

#3: sing-alongs: in the car, at charlie murdoch's, in tom's diner...

i love singing along to songs (even if i don't know the correct words), and this year we've had some classic memories singing along to bobFM, spending an evening at charlie murdoch's dueling piano bar, or bursting into song in some random place (like eat n park or tom's diner).

(one of our favorite songs to sing)

#4: bowling with the youth group i work with.

it may seem silly, but it was a break-through for me. i had so much fun, and i think the fun we had that night set the groundwork for a lot of spirit-led conversations. i work with some of the most fantastic seniors in the world...mostly bc they are mini-me's. 

#5: dr. allison's lecture

okay, i had dr. allison for an entire term, but there was one lecture when i literally teared up (i have really bad allergies, ok!!) bc he was just so raw and transparent. he said a lot of really great theological things in very faithful ways. here are a few highlights:

"there is a time to turn the other cheek, and there is a time to overturn tables in the temple."

"what we need is not detailed legislations or a list of do's and don't's, but images, ideas, inspiration, things with eternal significance."

"if you love your enemies, who don't you love?"

“I didn't like Mel Gibson's film. But at least it leaves you with the impression that crucifixion isn't a piece of jewelry.”

"I need a Jesus who can laugh loudly and wail miserably."

#6: wednesday night, modern family night

so last year, my friend katie and i watched modern family together every wednesday. if you haven't watched it, you're an idiot. you should probably try to win back some awesome points by getting on that immediately. anyway, when i first came here, it was hard for us to have time to hang out, so we reinstated modern family night. whether we're having a glass of red wine, eating cookies or chips, or just deflating after a really long day, i never can believe that it's 11:30 (or later) when i'm leaving. it's possibly my favorite night of the week.

ok...i think i'm going to continue the list in my next blog, this is just getting way too long. but please, comment what your "it doesn't get any better than this" moments are. and please refrain from quoting taylor swift fearless at me. it gets stuck in my head way too easily.