hope will constantly arouse the passion of the possible (jurgen moltmann)

CAPES [something empowering] Let the record show that this is not my company, but oh-so-awesome: Power Capes.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Cold brew continues to be awesome. Way-to-go stumptown. 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Summer project: visit all the breweries in the state of washington.  

shadows are just as important as light

CAPES [something empowering] In looking at a masterpiece of art, you'll find that the contrast is key; the shadows are just as important as the light. Think of your life as a piece of art: without the shadows, you wouldn't appreciate the light.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Lately, my daily treat has been TJ's dark chocolate almonds. Sprinkled with a touch of sea salt and turbinado sugar = delicious.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] This week, I put my puffy down jackets away. About time.

new uses for powder and lipstick

CAPES [something empowering] Don't show up late to a meeting with Starbucks in your hand. It only reinforces the reason why you were late and decreases the effect of your "cape" persona.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Two make-up items I'm constantly running low on: eyeshadow base color and blush. Two items that work well in the meantime: powder and lipstick. Most eyeshadow base colors are close to powder colors, anyway (and it's probably made of the same substance), and lipstick (when used in moderation) smudged on your cheeks gives a fun pop and glow that I think works better than powdery blush.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] Happy Easter weekend, everyone...and in regards to the fun-filled, pastel-colored eggs...you've been warned.

It takes longer to put yourself back together than it does to fall apart.

CAPES [something empowering] For some reason I find a lot of hope in the fact that it takes more time and attention to put yourself together than it does to fly off the handle. Today, I will assemble a few pieces instead of reinforcing the brokenness.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] I can't get enough of Arizona's Arnold Palmer Lite. And don't let the "lite" fool you...it doesn't have the gross fake sugars (with the nasty after-taste), the wonderful liquid simply has less sugar.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] 10 weeks of class and 73 days until graduation. Go.

"Justice is what love looks like in public." -Cornel West

CAPES [something empowering] Love means nothing if there's no follow through. Show it, don't just say it.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] The evolution of smooth - the best lip balm ever.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] I just got my bike back from a much-needed tune-up. Now I'm ready to be put behind bars. Commuting, Hwy2, and RedSpoke, here I come!

how to avoid chat-chattering

CAPES [something empowering] Faith and doubt aren't opposites, but partners. Having faith in someone/something means that, despite a few doubts here and there, you choose to place your trust in them/it. Faith void of doubt isn't faith at all, but certainty.*

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] On the verge of breaking into your spring wardrobe? Here's a trick that I used the other night so I could don a cute dress and not freeze: I wore legwarmers on my arms. How did I pull this off? I wore a cute dress with a lightweight jacket. Underneath my jacket were my unseen hot pink legwarmers. All night long, they helped me avoid chattering through my chatting.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] This past week, I went on my first ride-along with 860. One of my favorite moments was witnessing the following conversation between an arrested individual (AI) and 860:

AI: "Hey, umm...I apologize for my impaired stupidity."

860: "It's alright...and you do realize that's a double-negative, right?"

AI: "Uhhh, yea...never mind. Sorry."

*Andrew Root, "Doubt and Confirmation: The Mentor as Co-Doubter"

good until the last drop

CAPES [something empowering] Sometimes we want to go back to something that we were before. But the past is history. Let go, and focus on your present and future.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] Jillian Michaels' Ripped in 30 workout video is awesome. I've done it so many times now that I can put Jillian on mute and get ripped while watching the Today Show or Ellen (which makes it that much more awesome).

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] Am I the only one that cuts open my expensive shampoos and conditioners in order to get the last ounce worth? Probably.