Things I Learned In Lincoln: A List

1. I LOVE snow. And I even love cold weather. How did this happen?
2. Being a musician really is a lot of fun. 
   
3. “Once we get a lot of money, then happiness will come.”
4. Not everything that is awesome is always new. But some things definitely are.

It might be a short list, but just you wait until I elaborate… It’s a little something special I like to call the “Lincoln Logs of Life: Things I learned while on the road.” 

Wait for it….

Reflections On Being In Texas: A List

1. I used to think that Dallas was so spread out that it just takes forever to get anywhere. Since being back here, I’ve come to the realization that WHERE I LIVE is just really far from everywhere. Shoot…
2. All I’m saying, is that I have driven next to more semi trailers in the last two weeks than in the last four years combined. And I didn’t miss them.
3. Remember how I used to use this blog as an outlet for my Alaskan Weather Woes? Don’t think for a minute that just because I no longer live in Alaska I’m not still going to point out that it’s still cold there. It’s still cold. As in negative 10. And I think I moved to Texas at the perfect time of year.
4. The journey of this year? The changes I’ve been anticipating and experiencing? All of the unknowns? In case you were wondering? None of that has changed…
5. I love living in a place where everything is so new and yet so familiar. I am in such uncharted territory, and yet I feel so at home. 

The Eagle Has Landed (And Other Assorted TidBits)

Ya’ll (I can officially start using that more often now), I have arrived in Texas. Here are some things you should know:

1. It is hotter than I remember. Which kind of doesn’t seem possible because, obviously, who forgets that it’s hot here? But I guess I wasn’t expecting it to be QUITE so balmy in November. I mean, it’s on par with the summer we had this year in Anchorage – at least during the day. Who am I to complain, however? I believe they’re experiencing single digit temperatures back in AK.
2. No. I did not finish my audio book – which is, I suppose, the disadvantage of buying an audio book you know will last at least your entire trip. I have 9 chapters left, and I’m trying to imagine a scenario in which I would be sitting around my living room, listening to an audio book contentedly (as though it were a completely normal thing to do). I mean, isn’t it like a requirement that audio books be listened to only while driving? When the whole point is that your eyes aren’t free to read? In any case, all I’m saying is that I may or may not be finished with the story before I head back to visit family over Thanksgiving. But I’ll keep you posted on this, you can be sure.
3. I joined Twitter today. It happened. I was sitting at dinner saying I was thinking about joining, and the next thing I know Christina is downloading the application on my iphone. Though I didn’t protest, I’m not really sure I’m ready for this kind of internet-y commitment. The WWW is such a time taker as it is, and I am marginally opposed to letting the tweets of this world rule my life. But I suppose it will have its rewards. For now, let me just say that I feel like a foreigner in a foreign, unfamiliar, totally un-native land. Because I don’t know how to work the thing.
4. I live in Texas now.

The Next Two Weeks: A List

• Eight more days of work
• Four winter tires to sell
• Two grooming appointments to attend (dentist, haircut…)
• A Thousand CDs to receive in the mail
• Thirteen posters to hang around town
• One website to finish
• Two Sundays to play at Cornerstone and Changepoint
• One MJ and the Groaters reunion
• Three (or more) rehearsals with the full band
• One CD Release Concert to perform
• Countless people to say goodbye to
• One going away party to be blessed by
• A million new adventures to begin

Just Call Me Marjorie Goats

I have been called a lot of things in my life. With a name like “Marijke” it isn’t hard to see why.  A silent J? Who comes up with this stuff? Here are just a smattering few, phonetically spelled for [ahem] clarity:

Veronica

Mareeka

Mary Kaye

Maridgekee

Mary Jika

Jikes

Rika

Marjorie

Mejracky

Marishnakoff – My little albino billy goat

Marika-lecka-hi-mecka-hiney-ho

Marijuana (actually pronounced Mari-ju-wanna)

GROAT!! (that one went around high school like wildfire)

And, you know? I’m used to it. I’m comfortable with it. I like being the only me I know.

At one point around the age of 9 or 10 I thought I wanted to go by the name “Marie,” which now seems incredibly boring. (Sorry to any of you Maries out there, I’m sure it’s a wonderful name..  It’s just not mine.)

Also, if you google my full name you can find a MAP to my DESK at my OFFICE where I WORK. So I’m very stalkable.

Anyway, it occurred to me the other day that you may be reading this blog and have absolutely no idea how to say my name. Which, really, is entirely understandable. So let me introduce myself.

My name is Marijke. I tell people that it’s “Maraca” with an “I.” Or “Mariah” with a “K.”

Confused? I hope not.

You can also call me MJ.

It’s nice to meet you.

I’m the kind of person who…

• says exactly what I’m thinking, sometimes to a fault
• struggles to have a generous heart
• promises to have a genuine heart
• likes to be alone with people
• is indecisive
• is addicted to coffee
• questions everything, even 8th grade algebra
• loves my family more and more as I grow older
• is starting to think that true life might begin after 30
• clings tightly to meaningful relationships
• longs for companionship
• thrives within structure and guidelines
• is embarking on a journey with neither structure nor guidelines
• aches to be known
• tries too hard
• doesn’t try hard enough
• is unequivocally in love with Jesus Christ
• is often unfaithful to that love
• hopes that a contrite heart is enough
• is still learning how to better reflect the character of God
• grows more thankful every day
• looks forward to Oct 9th with the passion of 1,000 suns

This Post Serves No Purpose

FIRST
It rained quite a bit today, and I took a solid two hour nap. It was glorious. You know that napping on a rainy day, Sunday afternoon? Best ever.

SECOND
I’ve started watching FRIENDS on dvd, and I have to say – it’s a funny show. I’m pretty sure I may have seen season one back in 1994 – and of course I’ve seen many many episodes in reruns over the years – but that was FIFTEEN YEARS ago. I’m a bit into the idea of watching them all from beginning to end. (okay, do I have time for that? NO. but still….)

THIRD
I’ll bet you didn’t know that it’s a proven fact… if you want to go for ice cream in this town, the first place you go will not be serving what you want. Or they will only be taking cash.

Weekend Pre-Cap

OMG. I’ve been officially blogging [mostly] every day for like, a month. How does it feel????

I’m really looking forward to this weekend. I’ve got a few plans here and there: pilates with Davita and a bookend trip to Snow City Cafe (which I love), and singing at Cornerstone church on Sunday……

Yep, that’s all I have planned!! Can you believe it??? Life has been so crazy these past few weeks that I feel like I’ve barely had time to breathe. But I’m looking forward to a weekend of rest, and a chance to take a “state of the world” inventory.

How am I on packing? What emails do I need to send? What needs doing for practice next week and our gig at the state fair? How are my finances? Does my bathroom need cleaning?

Okay, so I don’t need to do a full inventory to tell you the answers to those questions. Poor; LOTS; emails/keys; decent!; and obviously. But it will be nice to just get caught up on some stuff.

And I’m brainstorming ways to get my music out there this fall. Trying to find venues, network with friends, set up some events. If you have any great ideas, hit me up! I’ll be in CO, TX, and CA before the end of the year. You know I’m just dying to play my music for you.

Happy Movie Friday everyone!

Tonight

Tonight, I’m waiting for my laundry to finish…  trying to go to bed by 11 (even though it’s the weekend) because I have to get up early tomorrow morning. I am home after celebrating a dear friend’s birthday.

And tonight, I’m wondering what it will mean for me to really follow my heart. I’m wondering how to set my mind on what is really important – not the outcome but the journey, not the expectation but what I learn along the way.

Tonight, I’m also wishing I could go to sleep without having to use earplugs. 

And tonight, I’m having to put into practice what I preach.

A Musician’s Pep Talk

1. If you want to be supremely happy, first and foremost you must take time for yourself finish the album. 

2. Your efforts are in vain if you complete the project but don’t manage to maintain your sanity pull off your CD Release.

3. Remember that when it’s all said and done, you’ll be glad you didn’t stress to the point of tears, lose your cool, or question yourself at every turn ”lived the dream.”