Friends make me smile

So I gave both my roomies a hard time for being out of town on my birthday. I mean, I can't believe they didn't have that day marked on their calendars with a bold Sharpie, highlighted, and outlined in sequins. Well, lucky for them, I ended up having a great birthday thanks to a Ms. Casey. Dinner with the Lipscombs at Maudie's and then to the movies, it was just the relaxing kind of birthday I wanted. I can't say enough how truly blessed I am at the people God has brought into my life since moving here. Thanks mucho, Friend!!

Well, Roomie Jamie came back from Cali bearing gifts from friends and pretty-much-family there and I just wanted to share with you guys what they were:


These gifts, my friends, are so completely and utterly ME. Do my loved ones know me or what???

Top left: Target gift cards - these pretty much have the same significance to me as diamonds. My future hubby could just as well put a Target gift card on that platinum band and I would be a happy camper.
Top right: TOMS shoes - For every pair you buy, they give a pair to a child who needs it. Besides having an awesome purpose, they are uber comfy too. These will be my second pair...ya just can't have too many TOMS.
Bottom right: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith - I heart Jane Austen novels. Throw in Zombies and it could only make it more rad. =) Thank you, Kevin and Elaine, for knowing me and my humor SO well!
Bottom left: Dewey by Vicki Myron - Love books. Love cats. Combine the two and it will equal a sobbing Mariko.
Underneath it all: "I Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Me" t-shirt - Africa has a special place in my heart. Mocha Club put out this shirt as another way to raise awareness and funds to help bring aid to the orphaned, starving, uneducated, and disease inflicted of Africa. I love sporting things with a purpose!
Not pictured: I also got some cash and since we all know what that looks like, I decided it need not be in the picture. I have a love/hate relationship with cash. When I have it, I feel the need to spend it right away and never for anything I really need. Go fig... Jamie's also ordering me one of her prints that she did awhile ago and I've always loved it. And since I am her protege it only makes sense that I have one of her prints put up somewhere. =) Can't wait to get it!

It wasn't so much the gifts themselves that made this birthday special, but what they represented. My friends know me sometimes better than I do! It just meant a lot to see that reflected in what they gave.

Thank you so much, Austin-friends and Cali-friends!!! You all made ringing in year 27 special!!

Lovin the Lobby

One thing that Cali is missing out on that could re-define the entire state as a whole is Hobby Lobby. This store is one of the greatest stores of all time. No joke. And what makes it uber rad is that everything is always on SALE. When have you walked into a Hobby Lobby and not seen those beautiful such-and-such percentage off papers everywhere??? ...Never, exactly.

I made the bad mistake the other day of venturing into the Lobby while they had the mother of all sales. 50% off of EVERYTHING. That's pretty darn close to free in my book. So, I give props to myself for only walking out with just 2 super awesome relics instead of 23,893 super awesome relics.

Cost: $1.99

Story behind this: I am absolutely in love/obsessed with skeleton keys. My eyes have radar for these puppies. I have a small collection of keys that were gifts or I've purchased. I love venturing into antique stores to go on my own search and rescue for these awesome pieces of history. 2 main reasons for this love: first, they just look really cool, and second, it's like holding a piece of someone else's history from generations ago. Where did this key lead to? What did it unlock? Who owned it? And for that, I treasure these little pieces of radness.

Cost: $2.60

And this was just an awesome frame and with that price, you just can't go wrong.

A video, of course...

I know, I know...he's gone, he's been mourned, and he's buried, but this post should be part 2 of my last post regarding the MJ sing-a-long. I mean, what event/adventure do we have that is not accompanied with a video/slideshow???

Sha-mon!

It's 7:45 pm on Saturday evening and I am fighting the eye-lid gods in keeping them open. Exhaustion has hit...HARD. Why, you may ask. Well, last night, or I should say way, way, way early this morning, my friends and I partook in one of the greatest tributes to the Legend we lost last week. The Alamo Drafthouse had put on a Michael Jackson Tribute Sing-A-Long last weekend and this weekend. Needless to say it was the best way we could've celebrated the life of one of the most talented people to walk this earth.

The festivities began at 12:30 AM (yes, folks, AM as in "Mariko is usually in REM at this time" AM). We sang hard. We danced hard. We dressed hard...core (fedora hats and all). We did it all for MJ.

The signature Michael pose:

Girls just wanna have fun

My e-Harmony profile pic...what do ya think???

Lovin' on: church, leaders, and albums

I've mentioned several times on here that I love my church so much. I've never been more encouraged, challenged, and blessed by a group of people in my life. The leaders at the Stone shepherd with passionate love for Jesus and His people. They motivate the church to action through scripture and leading by example. They chase and grasp for God's heart and He has blown me away at how He works in and through a people who offer real, honest, willing hearts.

Aaron Ivey is one of the worship leaders at The Stone. What I appreciate about him is his sincerity and ability to be so real when on stage. I think Ivey's one of the most amazing musician/song writers out there...and I'm not just saying that because it's my church. =) What I've come to love is his raw-ness of lyrics and how they are so genuine of the heart. The words are simple, alive, and true. There a few songs on his new album that we sing in church and I truly feel that the lyrics were Spirit-weaved (...woven??? weaved???....) God's favor and annointing is on Ivey and I am grateful that he has recognized his gifting and is using it for God's glory.

With that to say I think YOU should download his new album, Between the Beauty & Chaos, on iTunes by clicking the banner above. Let God rock your world through the words.

Another super rad thing about Ivey (and his crew) is his heart for justice. As I've been reading through Psalms lately, I've been convicted of how highly God desires justice; hand-in-hand with righteousness.

"The Lord loves righteousness and justice..." Ps. 33:5
"He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Ps. 37:6
"For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones." Ps. 37:28

The list goes on. We are called to be righteous, holy, and to do what is right. Be the voice for the voice-less. To embrace the broken and the hurting with compassion. To let Jesus shine through our actions of love. To "distribute what we have that all may taste and see." The lyrics to one of his songs has been resonating in my heart and prayers and that is what I'll leave you with...

LET YOUR KINGDOM COME
Aaron Ivey, Matt Carter. ©2009 IVEYMUSIC. (ASCAP)

Give us a love for peace
Move us to brokenness
Our generosity
release from poverty
Your Kingdom here and now
To the least of these
Distribute what we have
That all may taste and see

Let Your Kingdom come
Let Your will be done
And all the Earth will say
And echo angels’ praise
That You are God

So, let the sick run free
The orphan find her home
The captured man will know
Release from slavery
Your Kingdom here and now
To the least of these
Distribute what we have
That all may taste and see

Let Your Kingdom come
Let Your will be done
And all the Earth will say
And echo angels’ praise
That You are God

We pray and ask for hope
We pray and ask for peace
We pray and ask for justice
We pray and ask for You

Be rad and buy the album!!!

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I want to wish a very Happy Father's Day to the man who has loved me so much that he raised me by instilling the most valuable truths in my life from the beginning. My dad has one of the most solid faiths of anyone I know. After knowing my dad for one week, there would be no doubt in your mind Who he lives for, and I just pray that someday I'll have a faith that shines so brightly as that. He has put God first, his family next, and everything else following.

My dad has told me that since the day I was an infant, he would pray over me in my crib every night. In every decision I've had to make and every path I had to choose, he would always re-affirm that he would stand by me 100% if he knew I was seeking God's will and guidance. I know that I wouldn't be who I am today or where I'm at if it wasn't for him giving me to the Lord from day one.

Dad, you are a greater father than I could have ever asked for! I love you and thank you for everything!!

Happy Birthday, Li'l Bro!!!

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 5 (one month away from turning 6) when I woke up one morning at my babysitter/nanny/neighbors house. She took me to the kitchen and asked which did I want, a brother or a sister. I had never really thought about it. "Mmm...a brother?" To which she replied, "Well, you got your wish then!" That was 21 years ago today.

Being an only child for 6 years of my life got kind of lonely after awhile so when I was getting a sibling I just remember being beyond elated! I had someone to do whatever I wanted all the time! I remember loving that baby brother of mine so much. I thought he was the cutest baby ever (I mean look at the above picture!). I couldn't wait till he grew up and could actually play with me.

Through the years, I did the typical older sister stuff: dressed him up in my dress-up clothes (all girl clothes), always telling him he was too young to put together his Lego sets because I really wanted to do it, tried to convince him that he was found in a cow pasture, embarrassed him in front of his friends. It was great.

I loved watching him grow: taking his first steps, teaching him to swim, going to all his little league games, going to all his high school football games, and then watching him go off to boot camp and join the coast guard. He went from annoying little brother to someone I can laugh the hardest with.

I love you much, Andrew! Happy 21st Birthday!!! (be good!!!!)

What's new???

Exactly a week ago today I almost died. Jesus had His hands of protection on me as I drove in our Lightning/Tornado/Down-Pourage fest last Thursday. I was in the St. Johns area having a girls Bible Study when one of the leaders, who lived at the house we were at, came in and told us that we should probably leave now because there is a pretty bad storm coming; like REALLY bad. Didn't think too much of it.

Go downstairs, one of the girls says that a tornado hit down on 183. Awesome, the highway I need to take to go home. I walk out and lightning is lighting up the sky in a horrifically beautiful show of purple and magenta. I've never seen lightning and thunder just go non-stop like that. No rain so I'm thinking I can drive home no problem if it's just the light show.

Hit the road and 30 seconds later, Noah's flood gates open. No joke, it is raining HARD and SIDEWAYS. I call Roomie Em and she's at the gym in like a "lock down" as they wait out what this storm is going to do. As I'm driving I see cars parked in the under pass of the highway and realize that I have absolutely no idea of what to do in a tornado or drastic weather.

So I keep going. I can't explain the fear and panic that arose in me as I kept driving home in the largest storm I have ever seen. Lights and stores are completely dark as the power goes out everywhere. I'm being blinded by the lightning it was so close. I can't even see 3 feet in front of me because the rain is just pouring down. Tears were verging and I was praying the entire time. It was horrendous.

I finally pull up to our complex. No street lights on, obviously with no power, but that also meant our gates are closed. Rad. I have to park in front and run to the back of the complex to our place in the downpour of '09. After a little bit of running, my jeans were so soaked that I couldn't run anymore because of the weight.

I get to our apartment building. They've shut the storm doors. !!!! I scavenge my purse for my phone to use as light. Open storm doors. Get into apartment. Flip light switch and quickly realize how dependent I am on electricity. I find my laptop on the couch and open it to use as a greater source of light. Brilliant, I know. Run around apartment with laptop open looking for flashlights. Found them. Called mom to debrief my almost death experience. Let Roomie Em know I'm home. Roomie Em gets home, drenched. We scour our place for candles. After we find 5 candles, we sat down, watched the lightning show, and discussed how we need to really put an emergency kit together...and buy more candles.

After a couple tornadoes hitting our area, storm sirens going off all over Austin, many friends spending a good hour or so in their bathrooms, all is now well in Tejas! Why did I leave Cali again???

In preparation for the 6th movie of the Harry Potter series coming out in July, I've dedicated myself to re-reading the whole series again. Loser, yes I know I am. So, most evenings (and weekends) you will find me with my face in one of the books and I WILL finish by the time the movie opens.

New at work: We now have to keep our office doors closed at all times, even during the day when working. It kind of stinks, but it would suck even more if you didn't have an office with a window...oh wait, I don't. So, the fire marshals believe that it is safer for me to be in my office, in the middle of the building with no windows, with the door shut so if there is a fire, I'm barricaded in my little room with me and the copier to fend for ourselves. Swell. So stoked.

No worries, I am not slacking on my rowing skills. This last Monday our instructor included some fun circuit exercises into our sliding routine. Second time in my life when I felt like spewing after a workout. Means it was good, right???

That was my last week in a nutshell. Have a great Thursday, Folks!!

the small things

I absolutely LOVE wildflowers. Now this is just an example of how rampant the sunflowers and other beautiful wild flowers grow here in Austin. I'm just so enamored by them. I think my Texan friends think I'm loco, but you just don't see wild flowers growing on the sides of the road in SoCal, or at least not in Orange County.

Austin is filled with amazing things from being the live music capitol of the world to small things like wild flowers.

Row, row, row your boat

Me and this contraption met last night for the first time and will continue to meet every Monday night at the Rowing Dock on Town Lake. My good friend Linda told us about this rowing workout that's held down there...for FREE; the magic word. What's so awesome about this is that your exercising on the dock with the beautiful lake all around you. It was so refreshing as well as butt-kicking. I'm so excited about this!!

After conquering one rowing workout, the obvious next step is to start our own rowing team. So, folks, next time you're out on the lake, don't be intimidated when I zoom by you at lightening speed in one of these suckers:

Pee your pants HILARIOUS

Don't watch unless you have sound. It makes that much more of a difference with sound. =)