selah...

"But I know that I'm your favorite
And I said "Amen"
Neko Case - Favorite

There’s been a lot floating around my noggin lately, so I felt like sharing.

First, the election. I just know that deep, deep down, I really believe in all that Barack Obama is about. He doesn’t lie, he’s held to his positions, and most importantly, we think pretty darn similarly about things. I do believe that people should vote for who they believe in, so it’s taking a lot of tongue-biting (as Ms. Lamott does far more eloquently) to understand why people are supporting McCain/Palin when there’s been so much lying as of late. I won’t snark about it, because lord knows enough commentators are doing that, but this sh*t isn’t bending the truth as politicians often do. It’s out and out lying, and Sir, Madam – I am offended that you think we’re too stupid to remember what you’ve said 2 days ago.

Regardless of whether you’ll vote for a man I think could revolutionize equality in this country through health care, economic stimulus and the general willingness to dialogue, I encourage EVERYONE to register to vote this year. Do it today. There's an easy to use tool on the Obama site that lets you check your status. I thought I was registered, and it turns out I wasn't. That would have sucked on Nov. 4.

Moving a bit closer to home, I’ve been tending my garden and life’s starting to yield some exciting fruit. My peeps already know this, but I just got a new job and I’m really excited! I’ll be staying in marketing and event coordination, but the pace will be easier to manage throughout the year than what I'm doing. My last day at the Zoo will be Sept. 26 and then I'm taking some much needed R&R with Mr. Man on a little road trip to Nashville by way of St. Louis and Memphis. Any travel suggestions are welcomed :)

The job gift is another example of how incomparably cool God is to Ms. Ally. We spent a medium amount of time talking on my front porch about this, but ultimately, I think we crossed an important threshold of conversation. The process worked like this: I know that He’s God and loves me. I roll forward excitedly in the new plan. The new plan doesn’t happen as quickly as I like. Freak and panic ensues. God provides and we move on. The threshold crossed: the old Ally would have freaked and panicked around 3 more times. Good show.

But wait, there’s more! Part of this job move and my front porch prayer time is an exciting new opportunity to return to school as soon as January. I’ve been swimming around in the idea of teaching high school English and there’s a program here that would let me pursue a master’s while simultaneously completing any undergrad requirements I would’ve needed. I’m just starting on this path, but after visiting my first classroom a week ago, I’m anxious to see where a little instruction could send my heart. It’d be about 3 years from now, but I get sort of giddy about the idea of reading Pablo Neruda with a 16 year old who just had her heart broken (Tonight I can Write the Saddest Lines).

So that's me. It's been a crazy summer and from what I can see, the fun doesn't slow down anytime soon. I'm trying to learn how to be still and find quality ways to rest in all that life brings. Things have changed a lot since I started writing this, and I hear that this is the way life goes.

The ride continues, dear readers. I hope you are all well and if you're around in KC, let's sit and have a Fall themed ale soon, shall we? You can find a way into my heart by sending congratulatory gifts of this. I'll even share.