art. parks and subways

Today was a early start day sort of, got up was really tired did not sleep well. woke up to rain and made me not want to go out but i did. had to buy an umbrella and i headed for Central Park it was beautiful even if it was raining and I only got lost on the Subway once!

I decided no iPod today. just God and I and that was a good feeling, I had all day to myself and was able to really think things through and figure some stuff out and of course over analyze stuff but everyone does that :) buttttt it was a really good day and I can't wait till tomorrow!

I had a chance to go to the American Museum of Natural History where I saw so many things! fossils, human remains, country history, religion history, all kinds of history. my element for sure. i loved it! Definitely the best museum I have ever been in.

Later on I went into Central Park! huge! i only got half way and I had to leave! the lake was frozen over and there was snow along the pathways. I saw strawberry fields and where John Lennon was killed. pretty crazy to see in person. I also got to walk by the famous boathouse that is in so many films. It was nice to just walk around and take pictures. I left for a bit to go to lunch at Nicks Pizza! really good pizza :) 3rd time having pizza. haha and it was great then I went to a two story Apple store to charge my phone because it sucks but thats ok I had a lot of fun in there. West Central Park is super amazing.

Got to walk around a lot and then went back into the park watched the sunset and then met up with Lauren where we went to an Italian restaurant and then we went to Junior's which was NY Cheesecake which was delicious! and was in Times Square and did the typical tourist photos haha it was fun

Here are some pictures from today. Enjoy!

with much love,
Ashley

a little taste of NY

I have now been in New York for 2 full days and I LOVE it. I have been taking pictures and exploring the city and eating delicious food of course. The first night I got to walk to union square and walk around a bit and then saw a movie with my cousin, then on Saturday I went to George Washington square where NYU students preformed Julius Caeser, got to walk around some shops, bought some awesome gloves :) and then got to see Lauren's Studio and get to meet her friends and walk around a bit that was really cool to see all their art work and what they are doing! and then after that we went to a Bar that was just a fun environment and got to see that night life of NY and it was nice not being forced to drink. Today (sunday) I walked from Chelsea to the Brooklyn bridge and back which is about 7.5 miles in between I could see the statue of liberty, walked down wall street, saw the twin tower memorial, and many other things it was really cool. I just had a nice camera, and my headphones in the whole time it was nice to just be in this peaceful environment of my own songs and embracing the city on my own. I had a lot of time to pray and just think and really enjoy what I was doing it was great!

Tonight I was able to go to Hillsong NYC which is their newest church and it was either their 3rd or 4th night of worship and that was just an awesome experience. The pastor was talking about walking in the valley. He based it on Psalm 23 Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

It was a really good sermon and I really liked it. He gave us some tips of how to use the Bible to get through these valley's of life. 1 to stay active. 2 to connect and 3 to stay focused. I feel like hear this all the time but it was something I needed to hear tonight and I really enjoyed it.

He also said "there is no longer a reason to hide your weakness because your limp could save a life." he wanted us to be open and to stop hiding our faults and what hurts us. I found it really encouraging and I am excited for this church and where it is going.

as for tomorrow: American museum of natural history, central park, broadway's lion king (hopefully) and some time square! stoked!!

Below are some of my pictures I have taken and some that Lauren has taken of me :) Enjoy!!

Library Motivation

I am currently sitting in the library at CUI. writing a paper on John Winthrop, why his crazy claims are wrong. :) got to love being a history major. I am currently stuck at almost 4 pages completed and I have no motivation.

so I have been wondering when my next big trip is going to be and I am going to be going to New York for a week! wooohooo. I was going to go and just sort of "rough" it and not have a plan and just kind of see where I end up, then I realized I can't really do that. I feel since I will be there for only a week I have to have some kind of plan! which I do. I bought the Lonely Planet New York and I have been going through it like crazy trying to find ideas to keep me busy the whole time I am there and I think I have succeeded! So I now have a plan but not down to the minute and I am ok with that. I figure I can open up my lonely planet book every morning and find a section of New York I want to explore and go from there :)

Made a new playlist. You should all check these cds out.

The Script: Science and Faith
City and Colour: Bring me your love
Tyler Barham EP
Neon Trees: Habits
Colbie Cailat: I Do

nothing of the same genre but definitely an awesome playlist.

I should stop procrastinating and get back to this paper. busy week! 2 tests. 2 papers. and plenty of chapters to read.

82 days till graduation...but whose counting? ;)

new year..new decisions..

I have not blogged since my trip in India and I realized that I miss this, so I want to try and blog regularly about what adventures are going on in my life now.

India was such an awesome experience, brought me closer to my friends and most importantly God. I really feel like I was able to find myself and let go of things I did not think were possible. I miss the people there more than I can ever express and can't wait till the day God brings me back to them even if its only for a week! I really did fall in love with that country.

The news of what is happening now!

CHINA! I have this chance through school again to spend 6 weeks in China! and I have definitely been praying about it and trying to figure it out and see if that is where God is calling me and I am feeling really good about it. I am still learning more on the trip and will keep you all posted but I am excited for this new trip and the ways God is going to use me there!

As of now I am on track to graduate in May! I will have my Bachelors in History and Political Science :) I am excited to finish up my college education, but this is not it, I will most likely start my masters in about a year, I can't stay out of school that long :P I am absolutely terrified of what will happen after May, I need to figure out my life and figure out what I am going to do. Time to be a grown up I guess.. ;)

OOOh! big news I no longer live on campus and I am a commuter with the best roommates in the entire world. I love them and don't know what I would do without them

I turned 22 on friday...yes 22 I am getting older oh no! but the roommates threw me a surprise birthday party and really surprised me with their kindness and love they have for me. I have never had something that nice happen to me and it was a nice change in my life. Realizing people care about you and its genuine. Something I will never forget. ever.

That is all that is going on right now!


with love,

Ashley

here are some of my senior pictures!