I was plagued by a sense of awkwardness today.

After my taking my run through the arb in the 85 degree weather, I entered the CCRB, my usual overly-sweaty-for-a-girl self, to lift some weights. I lifted some, and then went to the "stretching" room with all the windows. There, I was plagued with a situation.

The mirrors.

As there was only one other person in the room (who just happened to be a guy), how is it possible to NOT look at the other person in the mirror? I was so self-conscious... and I think he was too, so I tried to look up, look down, look to the right, as I stretched, but with a big gigantic mirror in front of you, how can you NOT stare at the other person?? It's impossible. Utterly impossible.

Yet, we all do it. We pass a shiny glass, and we check ourselves out. What drives us to do this? Secretly, we hope that no one is watching, but I bet everyone else is doing the same thing, checking themselves out in the window... it's a strange strange society that we live in.

Since this summer has begun, I've realized that I have my little "faves" of Ann Arbor. I'm not quite sure why it took 4 years to figure this out.. but here goes:

Favorite.....

- Ice Cream Spot: Washtenaw Dairy. Not only is it cheap, but for $2.50, you can get a gigantic waffle cone, underneath the term "kiddie" size.
- Lunch spot: Jerusalem Garden. Everything that I've had there is GREAT.
- Breakfast: Flim Flam. Mmm. or Cafe Felix.
- Club: Live at PJ's. I didn't like it at first, but after going with so many pharm ppl, over and over again, I've begun to really like it.
- Happy Hour: Gandy Dancer. 5 dollar wines? That's so cheap!
- Running trail: The arb. Hands down.
- Refreshing drink: Strawberry Lemonade freeze at Sweetwaters. I discovered this last summer while Vicki and I were exploring Ann Arbor, and love this refreshing freeze.
- Thing to do: Top of the Park. If only I had a bf, it would be so romantic... haha. or the farmer's market on Wed/Sat.
- Grocery Store:Meijer on Carpenter. Better produce, by far.
- Asian Grocery Store: Hua Xing , off of Washtenaw. This is such a LARGE Chinese store, and there's even fresh fish, along with so many vegetables, seasonings, etcera.
- Organic Grocery Store: Trader Joe's. By far the cheapest, and it's GOOD.
- Chinese restaurant: Great Lakes. Only for dinner though. Dim sum is horrible in Ann Arbor.
- Boutique: AdornMe on top of Bead Gallery. Cute cute clothes.
- Reading spot: On the diag. I've always loved sitting out there.
- Italian Restaurant: Mediterraneos. Went there for my birthday this year with my bro, and it was SO good.
- Computing Lab: The 24 hour computing lab underneath Taubman Medical library. Not only can I hide out there, but everyone there is studying LONGER than me (and I stay a minimum of 4-5 hours).
- Place to study: Grad reference room. Admist a search all over campus, I find my best grades are produced from studying here.
- Cheapest Gas: Gas station next to Kroger's on Carpenter. Always the cheapest, by far.



I'm sure there's more to this list.. I'm just getting tired.

Let me know if you're in the areas from June 18-25 (aka, Leigha and Rachael's fabulous summer adventure):
June 18-19: New York
June 20-21: Boston
June 22-23: Philly
June 24-25: DC


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I don't know, but I just thought my devo (by Greg Laurie) was really good today.... see below:

"Monday, May 12, 2008 Giving Cheerfully "Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully." — 2 Corinthians 9:7 I don't know about you, but when Christmas rolls around, it seems as if there is always someone for whom I feel obligated to buy a gift. Although I don't really enjoy the process, I do it out of duty. On the other hand, it is exciting to buy a gift for someone you really love, isn't it? You look forward to it. This is how God wants us to give to Him—not out of duty that says, "Oh, I had better give to God and help Him out." Or, "I guess I should help in the Sunday School. After all, God needs my help with those kids." Or, "I ought to go tell someone about Jesus, because God needs my help in getting the gospel out." If this is how we feel, then we should keep our money, our time, and our service, because God doesn't want them. Our hearts and our attitudes matter more to Him than our "gifts." If you give your money, time, or anything out of duty, constraint, or an expectation of receiving something in return, then your motive is wrong and it won't count for anything before God. Your heart needs to be right first. Giving is a voluntary action. You don't have to do it if you don't want to. Maybe you feel as though you don't have much to offer. God can do a lot with a little. Just take what you have, present it to Him, and say, "Lord, it isn't much, but here it is. It's yours." Then watch what God can do and how He can bless the life that has been dedicated to Him with a willing heart."