Pirates of the Colorado Springs!

Ahoy there, Mateys! Can I just tell you that Pirates bring me great joy!?! I don't' know why, but I love em. Could it be that they have their own fashion sense, or because I, too, had to wear patches over both my eyes as a result of injury at one time in my life, or maybe it's their sense of adventure, or because secretly I would love to pirate all my music if I could without being stoned by my friends, or could it be their dark tans and manly accents and vernacular speech??? What can I say... really... Julie Penuel + Pirates makes perfect sense. I dream of one day abandoning the ship of singleness and saying ahoy to that one special buccaneer. Can you blame me for holding out all this time for my pirate? I didn't think so. Well, anyways... here are some fun Pirate pictures to amuse you this evening...

Here is what looks like maybe a Greek Pirate, teaching his son the trade.

I don't know these guys either but doesn't it look like they're having a ship-full of fun!

"Pirate attire" was all the rage on the Paris and London runways this spring.

Just a fun Pirate Comic Strip I found online when surfing the web for Pirate "Booty." Finding this felt like finding buried treasure... ARRRRRRRR!

Don't you think that this REI model would have a more rewarding career as a pirate?

Back to Reality.

As some of you know, I am now back from Colorado. And it was the most wonderful semester of all! I still cannot believe how much fun we packed into those three months. I really would like to let ya'll in on everything I learned during my journey there, but it seems a little overwelming to do in a blog. If you really do want to hear a "play by play," just call! I love talking about all the books I read, the friends I made, the things I was taught in class, the boys I dated, and the fun/crazy things we did. I actually can't stop talking about it. Anyways, I just thought I would highlight some of the events of this semester below... PS If you want information about attending the Focus On the Family Institute, let me know. I'm a "campus rep."

I Wore Crazy Outfits...

I Went Sledding...

I Learned How to Be "Domestic!"

I Danced a Whole Lot...

I Tried to Find Narnia!

I Got Proposed To...

I Joined the Worship Team... (But not playing piano... I shook the egg!)

I Climbed Indoors and Outdoors...

I Belayed a Whole Stinkin' Lot!

Focus on the Fun!

I know, I know... I've dropped the ball on blogging. Life's been crazy as usual! Lots has happened in the last month. Let's see... I packed up and moved from Texas to Colorado, made 88 new friends, started hiking as a hobby, ski/snowboard on the weekends, and have become a part of my first worship team. It was only a matter of time before my egg-shaking talent was out of the bag! Below are a few pictures to kind of catch you up on my life. ENJOY!

Above are the lovely ladies of 1021 (Patti, Amber, Me, and Becky). Can you believe that we got four sets of those teeth for 88 cents total!?!?! Unbelievable! Quite possibly the best buy of my life.

Here we are on our way to Base Camp (our "get to know you" retreat) at Horn Creek. It was a blast. We tubed down a huge snow-covered hill (David Hilde, I thought I was going to die), rockclimbed in the rec center, did "team-building" challenges, ate really good food, read "Chronicles of Narnia" aloud in a flashlight-lit tent (nice roar, Daniel), laughed a ton playing scattegories, and worshipped the Lord in the most beautiful surroundings.

Here I am in class attire with my very official name placard. We have decided that those pictures really exaggerate your most favorite features... jk... not at all.

Here is what I spend almost all of my spare time doing... READING. Every night we read about 150 pages and write about a paper a week. Goodtimes, goodtimes. I am excited that I have about 22 new books to add to my library!

Cassie and I thought it would be smart to stretch before our first hike of the spring at Glen Erie. What a beautiful hike. The waterfall and punch bowls were totally frozen over!

We tried on all of our ski clothes the night before our first ski trip just to make sure we would be warm enough on the slopes. The result: I was sweating and unrecognizable! That's me on the left!

Oh my goodness! I am so glad that I didn't sleep in and miss out on this incredible hike through the Garden of the Gods. We had so much fun climbing these huge rock formations!

Picture Re-Cap of Recent Occurrences

Crazy Reasons. What a fun group! I am gonna miss you guys while I'm in CO. Thanks for all your prayers and support!

The Fruits of the Spirit Partaaay! The Reasons throw a heck of a party. I couldn't pull myself away from the table with the chocolate fountain. That's me in the front left. I am pretty sure I didn't turn around and smile for the picture because my mouth was full and my chin was covered in heavenly chocolate.

At Christophers in good old College Station to celebrate Page's graduation.

Anne, Me, Natalie, and Tory in McDade, TX (pop 350) at the annual elementary Christmas Pageant. About 300 members of the community showed up and greeted us with stares and whispers. Goodtimes... But really they were sooo friendly and the kids were so cute!

Us in front of the huge construction paper Christmas tree. Unfortunately you can't see the star atop the tree that Tory made.

Who has the cutest grandparents ever??? Oh wait... That's me! These were my favorite gifts to give. They are 1/2 coffee mugs that I found in NYC. My g'rents always order "half a cup of coffee."

This was (NO LIE) how many vitamins my grandparents tried to get all of their house guests to swallow every morning with their 5 course breakfast spreads.

Britney, Me, and Kimberly at Matt's El Rancho. Oh what a night... Dinner, then we went out with some random guys we didn't really know (I don't recommend it... ha), and then poor LeeBoy the Lancer got towed and held for a $140 ransom.

My last day working at BR. Below is my work BFF, Catherine (on the left) and one of my managers, sweet LaSara. What a fun place to work... AND SHOP!

Jill (Jill Drop), Me (J Strike), and Meredith (M Hottie) at my "BR Going-Away Bowling Bash." Not pictured are Philip (my bowling coach), Sidro (with the inappropriate bowling alias), Jonathon (who gave up doing push-ups to come), Nic (a member of the bowling league), and Jason (long-time friend on the facebook).

Singing at the top of my lungs!

So tonight was one of those nights where everyone I was with let loose. After Community Group, a bunch of Reasons walked the streets of Austin scoping out the light displays in our best holiday apparel (even though I wore a really cool shirt from 3rd grade, I still didn't win the pumpkin log and it sounded so darn appetizing... ha). As we walked we sang Christmas carols at the top of our lungs even though we didn't exactly know all of the words. Tomorrow night is going to be interesting carolling with those folks at the hospital. Goodtimes are sure to be had! Above is a picture of me and Natalie in front of the house with the most creative light display. Sorry, my phone kinda takes blurry pictures... but no fear some strange middle-aged man took two pictures with his camera that I am sure will turn out great. I should really track that guy down. Ha! For my fellow Austinites, you really must check out the lights on 38th street off Guadalupe. These people go all out!

Jersey Girls!

So last week I got to be flown up to Newark, NJ to nanny for the cutest little girlie, named Siena (pictured above). Siena loves animals, wears a hat at all times, and is determined to conquer new skills everyday. We played all week and made the most of our time together. We got to see a Broadway play, iceskate at Rockefeller Center, shop on the streets of NYC, ride the huge ferris wheel at the 5-story Toys R Us, play lots of arcade games, and of course take full advantage of the hotel pool EVERY night! My time was full of giggling and a sense of wonderment at the snow and cold weather. It was fun to experience things next to a 10-year old. Their eyes just light up with such excitement at everything new. Below are some pics from the week. I'm sorry they aren't better. I forgot my digital camera.

Me, Siena, and her mom at Rockefeller Center all bundled up!

Every nanny has to have a cute little "nanny hat!"

Me and Sisi taking our nightly dip in the pool!

New Artist I like...

Gotta love artists who emerge from Fullerton! Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/tyronewells or http://www.tyronewells.com/ I really like his song "Wondering Where You Are."

Crazy Weekend

This is my brother's extremely fun and adorable wife, Alli! On Thanksgiving morning, David, Alli, my aunt and I all went kayaking on Lake Austin. We had a fun time paddling, watching turtles jump off logs, and splashing each other. Later that day we stuffed ourselves and watched like 5 episodes of Lost. Totally addicted!

My first roommate to get married got hitched Saturday afternoon. It's official... Amy Z is no longer here... it's now gonna have to be "Amy Dubs here!" The wedding was beautiful, especially this one h-o-t-t bridesmaid named Natalie Gallmore. And the reception met every expectation. Amy, Amy, Amy... I love that girl!

Tonight, after dinner with the 'rents at Joe's Crab Shack, Brit and Kimbo took me to Halcyon for the best chocolate cake ever and lots of flaming S'mores. It's just the coolest place. It's a coffee house slash pub with S'more trays that you take to you table to roast your own marshmallows. Goodtimes, goodtimes!

Awwwwww SICK 'EM BEARS!

So today I felt like the luckiest girl in the world because I got to see one of my favorite people on earth... Rachel Lundeen. Our friendship is one of those that never seems to skip a beat no matter how long it's been since we've been in the same city, or the same state for that matter.

The two of us met at summer camp when we were 17 years old. Rachel was singing Britney Spears and Mmm Bop, while I was dreaming of becoming a back-up dancer. That was a summer of laughing, playing, and plotting to "make the playbook" by doing something outrageous! Well, we've both grown up a bit since then. These past 5 1/2 years we've watched each other learn and mature. And we've been there along the way to encourage one another and to add a dash of fun to the other's life. That girl never ceases to amaze me with her wisdom and understanding.

Today we just hung out and talked. We went to Starbucks, ate her mom's home-cooked dinner, and went to a Baylor basketball game... but mainly we talked. My favorite thing about Rachel is that we can talk for hours and never feel like we've exhausted all topics. She always makes me think. She's the kind of friend who challenges me to have an opinion and if I don't have one, to find one. After talking to her, I feel as though I know myself a little better. Strange I know, but true. I think everyone should have a friend like her. I just can't wait until we are living in the same state next semester. I'm gonna be tearing up that road to Vail. Love ya, Rach! Thanks for being you!

Best Friends Forever!

I was going through pictures tonight for my scrapbook and stumbled onto this one. How precious are we!?!?! For those of you who came into my life post-Bartlesville, this is Lindsay Burness... my childhood Best Friend. She is pretty much a part of every memory I have from age 5 to 13... every birthday, every sledding trip, every Miss America-watching party, every Halloween, every sleepover, every Field Day at Wayside, every athletic practice, every Glamour Shots photoshoot, every summer day at Hillcrest pool, every recess, every everything! I love this girl and never get to see her anymore. It's sad... so very sad, but life's like that. You build friendships and then life pulls you apart and puts half the country between you. I am anticipating that very phenomena in January and it's so frustrating. I've experienced it many times (moving to California, going to college in Texas, leaving friends behind at camp every summer, and finally peacing out after college) so you'd think I'd get used to it and no longer be bothered by it. It's just that this time I feel so odd because when I moved to A-town I knew that I would be making friends that I would only hang out with for like 5 months. It's like "interim friends," but the thing is... they're amazing and have huge hearts. I wish we had the time to develop even better friendships. But even so, they are going to make every visit to my parents' home during my adulthood a delight because I will have friends here! For the past four years I have experienced going home to a home where I knew no one my age, but now that's no more! These girls and guys (whom Kimberly and I so fondly refer to as "The Reasons") are going to be my Reasons to be excited about holiday visits to A-town. "Tarrytowners," if you're reading this, I love ya'll and I'm so glad to have you in my life! I hope we overcome all the space life will throw between us when I'm up in the mountains of Colorado! And Lindsay Burness, if you're reading this, call me so we can catch up. I love you so dearly, BFF!

Guzzle it Page!

I love Page Price and apparently she loves Rudy's BBQ Sauce!

PS Thanks for giving me your banana runts... you're the best. Can't wait until your next visit and our trip to Amy's wedding. I'll wrestle you for the bouquet!

The Bigger the Better

The best part about this picture is that I was shopping alone and a girl in line at the check out watched me snap this pic of myself. She seemed to think I was very conceited.

Be Blessed!

Last summer (2004) while working at K-Klassic I was in a Bible study led by Missy White in which we studied the beatitudes. I had read that passage in Matthew many times in my life, heard tons of sermons on it in my years of church growing up, and had even tried unsuccessfully to memorize the chapter a couple months before heading to Klassic but I had never REALLY gotten deep into what the scripture truly was saying. There was one beatitude that really struck a cord with me one hot summer day and I am reminded of it again this evening as God has put it on my heart to share about it. In Matthew 5:4 Jesus said "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Some of you might be thinking... "What happened, Julie? Did someone pass away? Did you get sent to the ER... Again?" I feel like people (including me) forget about this verse and put it on the back burner, until we attend a funeral or until we comfort a sad friend who is going through a tough break-up... But that's not the heart of what Jesus is getting at in this verse. He is calling us to mourn sin everyday. We are to mourn our own sin and the sin that surrounds us in our depraved world.

We are sinful by nature. Ever since Adam and Eve messed up in the Garden of Eden we were born into it. Just like an alcoholic inherits the genes of an addictive personality, so we inherit the addiction to self... sin. It is hard for us to come to terms with the fact that we are all sinners because we love ourselves so stinkin' much! We have the audacity to think this world and God owes us something because we are the center of the universe. I think if you are anything like me (and I think you are) you have probably at one time in your life pondered the disgusting thought that maybe... just maybe everyone else was just a character in the play that was your life. Gross huh? And it's this selfishness that blocks us from seeing our sin... sin blocking the view of sin. It blocks my view a lot of the time. I have fooled myself into thinking that I am a pretty darn good person. And sadly, my eyes are rarely completely opened to how disgustingly sinful I am, as they are tonight. And it's when they are open that I pray God will allow me to stay aware and stay on my knees mourning my sin. And it's only when God allows us to breakdown that wall of sin and realize how sinful we really are, that we are able to mourn that sin. And His kindness leads us to repentance. It's hard to admit to wrongs when you know the judge is going to throw the book at you... but God's not like that. He loves us. He wants us to acknowledge and mourn our sins so He can comfort us! Those who deny their sins can't be comforted, and their sins become like unattended malignant tumors that grow under the surface. Only those who admit they are sick can be healed by the one true Healer.

We are also called to mourn the sins of others. I am not implying that we should go around saying, "Billy, I feel so bad for you cause you are a SINNER." But I've learned that we should love the sinner, mourn the sin. It's so easy to not like someone who gossips about you, hurts one of your friends intentionally, or is living in a life of habitual sin. But we are called to love them by separating our love for them from our disdain for their sin. We have to hate their sin and mourn that it so easily entangles them and us. God calls us to pray for our enemies. It's hard to hate someone you pray for every morning, noon, and night. We must love in an unusual way... loving the unloveable. May people find us wonderfully weird in our acceptance of people and our rejection of sin!

PS If you are randomly reading my blog even though you don't personally know me (as some are in the habit of doing), I'd love to hear your comments.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of those holidays that I just associate with my sweet friend Page. Most of my adult memories from October 31st include her... Freshman year of college driving around wishing anyone and everyone a "HAPPY Halloweeeeeeen!"... She pretty much slept through the entire fall semester sophomore year so I remember sneaking quietly out of our room at the Theta house to go down stairs and hand out candy to the little trick-o-treaters... And then there was the time we thought up those Black Eyed Pea outfits (so cool)... Let's just say, Monday night I was missing me some Page, even though I still had fun. A bunch of our girls from Hot Ladies of Austin Dinner Club (HLADC) got together for a festive dinner in our costumes at Shady Grove on Barton Springs. We had great times eating, laughing, taking pictures and chatting it up with our waiter, Jay Jay. During one conversation a newly engaged couple came up, so Allison dove into her purse for her LIST. Yes, Allison Nelson carries a list in her purse of all the people she knows that are engaged or newly married. I find this quite amusing. It's like a game... minus the fun and the competition. On this list (of mostly Aggies, may I add) are approximately 45 couples (90 stinkin' individuals) who are newly engaged or wed. CrAzInEsS! I mean really... Anyways... After dinner I headed over to the Fall Festival at my church to check in on my friends from "The Reasons" and also to see lots of cute kids. (P.S. Halloween costumes make kids so huggable... It's torture because you know it freaks moms out when strangers dressed up as crazy things are huggin their kids, so you have to refrain.) After making a couple rounds and visiting with everyone I decided that my face painting talents needed to be employed, so I joined my friend Natalie at her station. I warmed up by drawing a sweet dainty ladybug on a little girl named Laura's cheek, and then I moved onto my masterpiece pictured above. The joy of satisfaction overwhelmed my soul. It was as if she was born to look that way. Anyways, after painting her face I had an awkward conversation with Zorro who insisted I take his contact information, and then I petted many different soft animals in the petting zoo. All in all... Okay Halloween.