The Town Scribe

I just loved today. This week I got quite sick and was couped up in my house for the last 3 days, only leaving my house to buy myself medicine, soup and tissues. I like to rest, but not that much. You can imagine how refreshing it was to get out of the house today and just go do some of my favorite things around Vancouver. Firstly, Tanya and I hit up Albina Press, then headed to Vintage Books where I always buy books based on their covers. Then we went on a walk at the waterfront, grabbed some dinner at Warehouse 23 and watched the sunset at Columbia. It's simple- but its enough to make me happy. 

Guysss, Australia was a dream! I know that this was already my third trip there, but the views just never get old and I can easily say that this was one of the best trips I've ever taken. Obviously, the best thing ever was getting to meet my chicken nugget niece Laylah for the first time. She is such a fierce little daredevil who never sits still but has the funniest facial expressions and word pronunciations- love her with all my heart. Hanging out with sweet Dedric was a treat as well, as soon as he woke up I would hear him yell "Daddy! Mommy! Auttieeeee!" from his room. Shortly after we arrived, Sabir and I left up north to stay at a pretty sweet AirBNB located in North Beach, just one block from the beach. I truly just wanna describe every beach as "the most incredible beach" but don't wanna lose credibility with my readers, but really, every beach we went to was the most incredible beach. While at North Beach, we took a day trip to crazy beautiful...

Well, its fall and life is finally calming down. Somehow, completely unplanned, I ended up with a fairly busy summer that seems to just have flown straight past me. I remember wishing summer would be over fast while I was in the midst of it, but looking back now I can't figure out where it's gone. I spent the majority of my summer reading, listening to podcasts, getting comfortable at my new job and settling into my new home. On top of that I ended up joining my brother in his coffee catering endeavors and really enjoyed getting to work with Lucid Coffee Catering at various weddings in the area. I've really been enjoying my job and am grateful daily for the opportunity to be in an environment I love, doing work that I care about and having management that cares about my success. I still can't believe that God granted me such a gift; after hearing from many people about their experiences, I'm realizing how special what I have is and that's it's n...

Most people with autoimmune disease (or other types of chronic illness) don't have insanely visible symptoms like someone with a broken leg- most of the suffering goes on quietly with little attention from others because its often internal. Having invisible and silent pain can be so hard to go through and many people from the outside don't understand what it's like and can often miss opportunities to be a good friend. Here is a guide on what to do and what not to do since most people get it wrong. These tips come straight from my experience of how my amazing friends treated me, especially those who were having a very similar experience to mine. 1. Pray for your friend. Also, make sure you tell your friend you are praying for them. Dealing with invisible illness can be fatiguing, hopeless and dark. What better way to be a friend than to lift them up in prayer to the Ultimate Healer? 2. Don't say that you know how they feel. Comparing some minor thing or pain you...

And just like that, my loyal friend of 25 years has gotten married. It was such an honor to have Kat by my side my whole life and a huge blessing to be by her side on the day of her wedding. Kat was such a stunning bride and it was so exciting to be part of her day. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were having ugly dress contests, getting in trouble during Sunday School and even having many edifying crying sessions together. Wishing the love birds every blessing as they begin their new journey not just as husband and wife, but also Kat moving to the other side of the country- I hope you guys love each other more with each passing day. Also, just for memories and for those who weren't in attendance- I tripped on the stage, tripped over my own dress about 3598 times and had people just casually standing on my dress as I was talking to them, what on earth was I thinking not wanting to hem my dress? Good times to be had for sure. 

My bestie came home from grad school for the weekend to surprise her mom for Mother's Day and I got to spend the morning with her- such a gem soul. 

Being patient was hard, and I prayed for a new job for over a year- it's so crazy but God gave me a new job at the perfect moment. I had interviewed for a Quality Coordinator position that I really wanted and got the offer call half an hour before I left on my vacation. Yesterday I put in my two week notice to my current employer and it's hard to believe that something I prayed so long for is finally happening. I think the most important thing that God taught me throughout the last year was to not have my joy attached to these life events that I pray for. I'm sure that sometime soon I'm going to think of some new life venture that I want that I will start praying for- learning contentment guarantees joy no matter the outcome. God could have made me wait five more years before giving me the job I want, and He would have been just as good and just- grace abounds.

Resolution: Take more vacations. The Dominican Republic is insanely beautiful. Laying under a palm tree on a turquoise water and white sand beach with hot wind blowing I couldn't even believe the crazy opportunities that God gives me- completely undeserved. They say that it's always in the valley that you learn the most and I agree, but I think that in giving me this awesome experience, God really shifted my focus towards gratitude. It was far from perfect but I'm so thankful that I was given such a privileged life to be able to do stuff like this. Here is some visual documentation of the experience. Also, it was Sabir's birthday while we were there, love that goon so much.  Someone yelled "its raining at the beach" and we yelled back "that's why we are going!" Lets just say there was enough brother sister bonding time

Hey, if you're bored and interested in some new beats, check out a few of my playlists on Spotify VeePerek