"Coffee is the medium by which all things good are cultivated."

Ok. Maybe that's not the exact quote. But it got your attention, right?

But let's be honest. Coffee is like sweet elixer to my mind, body, and soul. I love everything about it... the smell, the taste, the warmth, sometimes the coldness... ahh... (As I thought about what to say in this next sentence, I was going to place my rankings of priorities in life, but I think that a number of people would be appalled by how high up coffee ranks. So, I'll keep that to myself.)

Yes, I admit I have a problem... blah, blah, blah. Whatever. People don't realize that one of the most important things about doing something about a problem you have is that you have to care that you have a problem. I have a problem (chemical dependency) and I don't care. In my opinion, things could be worse. Everyone has a vice. Some people are addicted to crack cocaine (similar "peppy" effects). I've just chosen an addiction that is common and in high demand EVERYWHERE.

I could talk about coffee for days (I'm at a coffee shop right now)... but I'll close with this: Morning people wake up ready to start the day with a good breakfast, Ke$ha wakes up in the morning feelin' like P. Diddy, and I wake up in the morning only craving a Venti Starbucks Double Shot on ice. It's all relatively the same.

Anyway, since this is my personal blog, I should talk about my life. In short: it's awesome and I can't complain. I'm sure I have related this before, but I am so thankful to God for this summer. It has been absolutely incredible and I am blessed beyond belief. It's come with it's fair share of struggles (mainly bouts with loneliness and a ton of intellectual/philosophical mind-debates), but I feel that every moment of my life up to this point has been preparing me for everything I am encountering this summer (specifically in St. Louis).

Last weekend I was a groomsman in the wedding of two of my oldest and closest friends. It was incredible. I cannot explain how much I was blessed by that weekend. You could just feel the Holy Spirit moving as two Godly families came together with loving friends and other loved ones to get Tim & Katie hitched :) Also, if you're wondering: Yes, I cried. Tears typically don't come out of my face like that because I lack a proper outlet for emotions (different day, different blog), but I was just overtaken by the emphasis of the covenant of marriage. It's just too beautiful for words. It also meant even more to me because I've known these people for 6+ years. I have literally been able to witness God work in their lives in the past to bring to them to the present. So yes, I cried. I cried tears of joy.

But, I will admit. I am not a good crier. My nose runs, the tears get in my mouth, which makes my mouth water from the salt content, which makes me self-conscious, etc. It's bad. Let's revisit a moment from after the ceremony, shall we?

Jess: Oh Hope, I heard you crying during the ceremony! :)
Hope: Um no, that was Rashad.
Katherine: Yeah I kept nudging him to SHUT UP!
Rashad: LEAVE ME ALONE I'M JUST REALLY HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!

This is my life ^

Ok this is the last thing I'm going to say about the wedding: it was also a blessing because I was able to get to know a guy I admire and have a ton of respect for. It's weird. We were friends before, but now I feel like we're "legit" friends (if that makes sense), and that's always a blessing.


IN OTHER NEWS... I have exactly one month left until I head back to Covenant for RA training. This means I have even less time in St. Louis :( and that I will be going to Europe with Felton quite soon :). AND next weekend I'm going to another wedding in Florida (flying this time). Wahoooo!!! I'd be even more excited if it wasn't for the bloody oil spill.

Going back to being RA. . . I am SO excited. I miss Sutherland. I can't wait to get back on the hall and live in a community of guys again. There's something about it that's so spiritually unique and fulfilling to my soul.

Speaking of soul, Lauryn Hill is recording new music and everyone should be excited.

I can't wait to get back into taking voice lessons and singing again. And playing piano. I miss making music so much. I need it.

Well, time to leave Coffee Cartel. Ciao.