Pressing Into Racial Tensions

I've blogged about race in America before when I saw Dear White People, and I briefly mentioned this new outlook change at the beginning of the year.  I openly admit to being a human capable of and hoping for change, and now that I've said that, here we go.

In November, my church hosted an panel and discussion on Ferguson, racism, and what the Church's response should be to the racial turmoil in America.  On the panel was a black woman from our church named Pamela Stringfield, one of our white pastors Ethan Seifried, 35-year old black Christian rapper LeCrae, and our black pastor Leonce Crump.  All four have children, and all four care deeply about the topics they discussed.  These four were asked for their thoughts and heart on questions posed by the community, and then there was a time at the end for audience members to ask questions of the panel, as well.

I went into this event not considering myself racist.  I had this stuff in the bag.  Besides preferring Korean kids over nearly all others (my students are my forever favorite), I try to treat people equally, regardless of their skin tone.  I know there are plenty of racists in the South, but having traveled abroad, I know how uncomfortable it can be to look different from everyone else, and there wasn't any way I would want to behave differently around someone because they were a different race.  Besides, I like and love people in general, so it's not like this really applied to me anyway.

I got schooled.

photo by Todd Quackenbush via Unsplash

Skincare Rescue Plan: Sunscreen

Sorry for running a little slow this week.  I was getting up to speed at my new job yesterday!!

Now, as scheduled, the next installment to our skin rescue plan!

 What's So Bad About Sunlight?
Get this straight: sunlight isn't the enemy, the dangerous UV light that comes with the sunlight is the enemy.  The sun actually emits 3 different kinds of bad UV waves.  Twenty minutes of un-screened sunlight a day gives you plenty of Vitamin D (another thing emitted by the sun), but further exposure allows more UV light onto your skin than you want.  As you can see in this light graph, Ultraviolet light is not visible to the human eye.  Because we can't see it, we aren't always aware of its presencs.  We also assumme that because it's cloudy outside, then there must not be much risk for sun damage.  This is a myth.  Keep in mind that you can't see the UV light that damages your skin, and its presence is not indicated by how sunny it is outside.  This is why you need to wear sunscreen every day., even in the snow.  In fact, snow reflects UV light up to your face!  Take precautions no matter the weather.

Big Changes!

Guys, this is my last week at my current job.  I start working as a campus operations manager at an awesome code school for adults next Monday!  I hardly know what to write about, because I really want to tell you everything!  I'm so excited!

picture by André Freitas via Unsplash

The company I'm finishing up at has been a wonderful learning and growing experience.  Some of the girls and I have become especially fond of each other, and I truly hope the relationships I formed there don't end on Friday.  When an opportunity came for even more growth, though, and for a new environment and a new role where I could be more involved in helping people of the community, I dove head first.

I felt like I couldn't revise my resume fast enough!  I edited in my new position, jazzed it up to look a bit more modern, then sent it off to the generic "I want a job" company email address accompanied by an exorbitantly overconfident email.  Apparently, my confidence worked, because on the following Monday, I got an email back from the founder!  He asked me to come into the office that day!  When I read that, my heart went into all kinds of flutters and my pits started sweating more than I think they ever have.  I was nervous, but excited, and I plowed ahead.

If you couldn't guess, this company moves fast.  Providence would have it that I loved them, and they loved me, and by Wednesday, I'd accepted an offer.  I was so dang stoked!

So, in the next few weeks, I'll be learning the ropes of a new job at a company that moves super fast.  Woohoo!  I'm known as a quick study where I've worked for the last year and a half, but I'm thinking this new place will take some getting used to.  I'll be working with some excellent people, though, and they've all told me they're more than willing to help me when I need it.  With a work environment like that, how can you not succeed?

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers February 23rd!  It's going to be an interesting ride!

Skincare Rescue Plan: Moisturizing

Moisturizing!  I think this one is the easiest figure-it-out step of a skincare rescue plan.  Everyone needs a moisturizer, even those with oily skin.  Read on for some tips!

Recommended with Amélie

Perfect for Valentine's, Galentine's, or a stay at home night with the dog, here is Amélie, a quirky and charming film from France.  An ordinary but winsome girl decides to make things start happening in her life, and therein lies the stories of the movie.  This is one of my very favorites.  Amélie always makes me happy, and it's on Netlfix, which is extra happy!  It's definitely a better choice than lots of others available this week.

Recommended with Amélie...

Skincare Rescue Plan: Serums and Spot Treatments

Today we'll be learning about the special creams and serums that help your face get rid of acne or scarring,  reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and just help your skin look its best.

Recommended with Steak Salad

Caleb and I read an article this week that pushed us to cut out even more refined sugars and refined carbohydrates than before, and we were already doing pretty well, by regular standards.  Well I'm glad for the new challenge, because it brought about this new delicious meal!  Steak salad!

I don't have a recipe for you, but it's pretty simple to figure out.  Wash, dry, and chop your veggies and plate.  I used tomatoes, mushrooms, and avocados over romaine lettuce.  Caleb had cucumbers, tomatoes, and grated cheddar cheese.  Caleb seared a New York strip steak in butter on a cast iron skillet until it was rare/medium rare, then sliced it thin to top our salads.  I used salt to top mine off, and Caleb used ranch.  Delicious perfection, folks.  We're already looking forward to the next time we have this dish!

Three Totally Legitimate Struggles in Creating a Minimalist Wardrobe

I've mentioned it once before, but now I can say that I've actually started taking action toward creating a minimalist wardrobe.  Toward building a closet of certain clothing that fits me well and flatters me.  Toward collecting specific pieces that suit my style and that mix and match well.  And toward purging what doesn't belong.

Guys.

Getting rid of clothes.

Is hard.

Let me start off by saying I tend to be a very well organized, planned out person.  I hate clutter, and I throw away and give away and sell more than the average clothes wearer.  There's just something about this, though, about paring down my wearable possessions, that's difficult, and there are actually real reasons why.

Photo by Chelsea Francis via Unsplash

#1 Less is More Doesn't Always Make Sense.

If we're honest, it's a counterintuitive idea that getting rid of clothes gives you more freedom in what you wear.  It's true that I would 100% rather have a small closet of pieces that I love than a walk in closet of things I don't love.  However, getting rid of this one wishy washy blouse I might want to wear one day but very much dislike now makes me feel like I'm removing options rather than gaining them.  And in a way, it's true.  More pieces does mean more options, but especially when using a purge to define your style, you gotta separate yourself from what doesn't better yourself.

#2 Sentimental Value is Real.

The blue suede heels I wore at my wedding.  My first college t-shirt.  The blouse my BFF traded with me years ago.  My krump shoes!  If I get rid of these things, I will never get them back again.  Finding something that fits better doesn't really matter when the value of these special pieces doesn't come from their fit, shape, color, or condition.  This struggle is an especially hard one, because we know deep down that memories are special.  What harm does it do to keep these ratty shoes, anyway?  I still haven't gotten rid of them, and I really don't think I will for a very, very long time.

#3 Does This Mean I Wasted My Money?

I spent my modest paycheck on these things, and now I'm supposed to get rid of them?  My answer to this struggle is connected to my answer to #1, but more so to the idea that money is our most valuable resource.  It's not.  Possessions aren't, either.  And while I do believe we all need to be spending our money wisely for a multitude of reasons, the end all be all of something's value is not how much money was spent on it.  The value of something comes down to how far someone is willing to go for it, not how much money it costs.  So for some, a minimalist wardrobe is more valuable than the money spent on x, y, and z.  For me, seeing that shining beacon of a clean closet holding only clothes I feel comfortable and happy in is worth getting rid of the dead weight.

For more on these real struggles and others, I recommend checking out this post from The Wardrobe Architect, especially the section on overcoming these hurdles.

P.s.  Korean couple clothing (which I would totally wear but Caleb wouldn't be caught dead in)

Skincare Rescue Plan: Exfoliating

This is another fun one that totally changed my perspective on skincare.  I think it has the most wow factor, too.  Chemicals?  Good for my skin?  Yes!