Singin, cookin, and discipline

Dear Life, 

       Thanks for getting the most INAPPLICABLE song stuck in my head this week. Yes, Jack, I really do want to sleep in and make banana pancakes (especially with you (even though you are happily married (is this too many parenthesis?))) But unfortch, I can't do that because of things like class and leading Young Life, and worrying. Bananas are a great segue into a fun treat/dinner I made this week. 

Okay so this was super simple. I had bananas. I happened to have crushed pecans (from an intended pecan-crusted chicken that never came to fruition). I sautéed the bananas, toasted the nuts in the oven, sprinkled some sugar here and there- voilá! I had a cute little meal (should be a side meal but wasn't too hungry). Still could use more taste though, so I might consider candied nuts or my aunt suggested a little brown sugar.

Heeehanyway, thanks Life for letting me teach 2 more periods today! But big fat bummer for fifth-grader-Fabian who had to sit in the hallway for a couple minutes. You don't sass Ms. Bishop and get away with it.

ready for spring or some heavy snow fall, 

Kelly

p.s.- Thank you Amelie Miltenberger for loving me despite my 4-year-old staining tendency and gifting me with a tide-to-go pen. U r da kewlest.

Cheer up sleepy jean

Dear Life, 

       First off, a special thanks to my friends, The Monkees. 
Sometimes I get really angry and frustrated about situations so I drive and honk my horn and yell. It's cathartic and I'm told I need to stop bottling up emotions. Thankful that I have a God who is listening? You betchya. For decades now (<--insert large exaggeration here) my camera has been dead but I recently charged it and on a whim carried it with me today. Thank goodness or I would never have taken this stupendous picture of one of my 8th grader's fun, family tree.

As you can see, this kid is ingenious. He's got Borat as the father of George Bush who naturally married Mariah Carey. They had a son and his name is Shaq. George's sister is Jessica Simpson (obvi) and she had 2 kids: Barack Obama and Taylor Swift. This kid is light years ahead of the rest.

Also Life, I am angry that Valentines Day exists, and I know you are responsible for it. Even if I had an adoring husband, I am confident I would still despise the holiday. 

enervatingly yours, 

Kelly 

P.s. Thank you Claudette, mi amor, for introducing me to plantains and their delish tastiness. Get it yall.

Change Up

I have decided to change my blog postings into more of a consistent format each time. I will be addressing Life in letter form. 

[Note: So I might be slightly obsessed with a certain blog written by a random, (awesome) young married couple called today's letters. My idea is not copying them, but I am sure they helped to inspire it. :) ]

here goes:

Dear Life, 

Thanks for sending yet another possum to Graffiti.  Although I believe possums (or opossums) come from the bowels of hell, I am, in a deranged way, grateful for the excitement, drama and hilarity it stirs up for my housemates and me. Also, Life has forced my hand and I conceded to purchasing 'teacher pants'. I mean, if I am going to be a practicum student twice a week (and soon a real life teacher- yikes!) then I need dressy slacks. Look out real world!

Unconcerned with the super bowl, 

Kelly

P.s.- congratulations to one of my best friends Margaret Murphy for officially being accepted to Young Life staff!!!! Whoa Life, things just got real.

Reminder

Reminder-- this is where I get my blog name from.  It was my very first blog post. 

Written by e. e. cummings

love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places

yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skilfully curled)
all worlds

Photo overload

Okay so I just figured out how to upload photos so I went a bit crazy. But I also wanted to reflect for a moment on how blessed I am by the people in my life. And, as I continued thinking, more and more people easily came to mind. Hence the numerous photos. There are more and I will feature them later. Oh well, these people are great and I should be (and am) so grateful for their place in mi vida.

Joelila

Joel Michael Bishop (youngest)

--> Joelila, Joelboles, Boles

There is nothing like seeing someone grow and change into an even cooler, more passionate, caring person. It is amazing. And I have gotten to do just that as my younger brother (only by a year) has taken huge leaps in his faith and pursues hard after Christ and hard after loving others. My relationship with Joel is a praisesong to the Lord, because it is truly Jesus in our lives that has brought us closer, and helped us overcome the obstacles from our past. I'm not jabbering in spiritual talk neither. This is real, there has been a significant change in how we treat one another. It is awesome. 

Joel has lived in Australia. He has gone to Papua (yes I double checked that) New Guinea to tell those people the good news that had become so real to him. Joel is involved with YWAM, an international volunteer movement that demonstrates Jesus' love around the world. He wanted to grow closer to God and serve Him and turned that desire into reality. And it's a reality that he lives in every day as I see him still climbing, growing, and pressing in to JC. Just like all of my brosephs, Joel speaks truth to me. I trust him and still can't believe the wisdom he has.

Joelboles is so charming and likeable it's a struggle of envy for us other Bishops. But we still love to brag about him. Joel is SO funny. It's a weird humor but after people are confused for a second they end up laughing a ton and quoting him. Joelila is really wise in relationship advice. He knows how guys and girls work. I go to him for boy advice...seriously.

Joelboles is one of the most all-around skillful and talented athletes I know. He can play any sport and immediately be proficient in it. He has the mind for playing sports. I don't know what it is but I truly consider it a gift. He can hang tough in most games, he is rarely ever average at a sport.

Boles loves Lord of the Rings. I'm sorry did you hear me well enough? Joel loves The Lord of the Rings.  Not the way that you love your favorite movie, but in like an obsessive-memorizing-the-script kind of way. It's ridiculous and ridiculously great. Joel loves Redeeming Love. That's right, the book that has Christian girls everywhere entranced. Joel loves Hillsong United. Again, Boles loves Hillsong United. He pretty much loves to worship the Lord in song and so a lot of praise bands are his fav. Joel considers ping pong his best sport. He used to be obsessed with Gollum. Hahah sorry I'm laughing as I type because I remember that strange phase. Joelila loves to follow sports just like the rest of the Bishops. And again, he knows more about sports than anyone you know and I am willing to bet on that (unless you know Trevor Bishop then I am torn). A lot of chicas fall for Joel but you gotta be pretty special to catch his eye.

Matty Matt Man

GAH! It's been a while. But that doesn't mean I love Matt any less! 

Matthew Joseph Bishop

--> Matty Matt Man, Matchubear, Matt (middle child)

Matt is my most overprotective brother. But it's alright because he also happens to be the most intentional and loving with me. Matt and I clash a lot but we always end up alright in the end. I have developed a real friendship with Matty. You know when you might be having a horrible day or you're really upset about something and several people pop in your head whom you would most like to talk to? Well Matt is one of those people for me. I know he will listen and genuinely care and want to help me. And He will never give me the Jesus response. I hate the half-hearted Jesus-y answer that doesn't leave you feeling any better or with any better insight on the situation. 

I like to think of myself as a pretty real person, as in I don't like to be fake. Matt has a very honest and real relationship with the Lord. I think he has always been a form of encouragement for me because I know he struggles, I know he gets frustrated, I know he has been dealt similar crappy hands in life like I have, but he has always loved Christ. I don't think he knows how much that has meant to me. To know that he won't belittle my doubts, or patronize me for my struggles, but he will empathize and still push me towards the Lord. Just as he has pressed into the Lord through his trials. 

Mattchubear and I also have really similar humor. Especially because Matt has always thought I was funny. And like I said, I crave the affirmation of my brothers. Matt and I have A LOT of inside jokes and a lot of stuff in common. (Well, I actually have a lot in common with all my bros, but still) We both love Scrubs, we both love the movie Hitch, we both like to curl up & moan and groan about how life is so lifelike.

Matty loves sports, especially San Diego State sports. Matt is a die hard Aztec basketball fan- that team is literally lucky to have him. Matt likes to play ultimate frisbee, basketball, volleyball and wiffle ball. Matt is so friendly and social, he is really easy to be around and makes friends easily (like all my brothers). Matt likes to be active, appreciates a good adventure, and a good Mexican burrito as well. He sticks to his convictions but is still teachable. If he had his wish, he would go barefoot everywhere. :)