memories – Page 2 – The Oaxacaborn Blog

this week was amazing. my lovely friend lauren–who was a bridesmaid in my wedding–came to visit! i haven’t seen her since 2008, so (obviously!) this was her first time meeting aveline.

they got along smashingly. lauren was so patient with the fact that aveline’s naplessness and teething took precedence over going out and about. so, we settled in on the couch and took turns holding aveline while drinking iced coffees, tweeting to each other, and watching back to back (to back) episodes of say yes to the dress. (ssshhh, don’t tell.)

we did have a few outings. it’s always fun to wander around ross, right? especially when you’re with a friend, and you get the giggles upon spotting the creepiest clearance rack ever. i mean, seriously! how can this get much worse? mr. chipped-ear-elephant gave me the willies. and why exactly is he giving the bottle of yeast the eye?

we also drove downtown and took a lovely walk around lake eola. in all the times i’ve been there, i’ve never noticed this monument to the confederate states. it kind of blew my mind. i should have taken a photo of the inscription on the base of the monument. a lot of people will argue that florida isn’t really the true south, but if that’s the case, why are they celebrating the confederacy every time i turn around? i’ve seen more confederate flags here than any other place i’ve ever lived. it’s bizarre.

but i digress…

while lauren was here, we also drove to the coast and spend the afternoon at cocoa beach. this beach as a special place in my heart, as my family came here on an amazing vacation when i was 16 years old, and it’s where josiah proposed in 2008. this time, we introduced little aveline to the ocean for the very first time.

she was dressed as lawrence of arabia for the majority of the time, but i think she enjoyed herself. it was a gorgeous, beautiful day. i just love the florida coast. as i was sitting on the beach looking out over the rolling crystal blue waves, i commented to josiah that as awesome as california is, i really do love florida and i wouldn’t mind living here for years. i see beauty everwhere here now. i know God has done a work in my heart, as i really am so content and happy here this time around — and it wasn’t like that at all before. thank you, Lord, for this wonderful peace.

doesn’t lauren look every part the doting auntie? we had an amazing time together.

Poetry & Words, Travel/Moving

POETRY & WORDS :: our love story: how long distance became i do

March 11, 2011September 13, 2013 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Some of you will recognize the following story — I penned it just months after 26PM and i were married in 2008, and published it on my old blog (Remember Xanga? That’s how we all rolled back in the day, ha ha!)

Anyway, I rediscovered these words again today, and realized that I never shared our love story on this blog.

So, here it is. The story of a love that spanned the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific. The story of two people who could not remain apart. The story of our lives.

once upon a time, he saw her. after church, playing football in the grass. she was barefoot. this is his first memory, but she did not notice.

she does not remember, except for the time he could not understand something she said and then she refused to speak.

[we were both sixteen. –yellowcard, ocean avenue]

well, seventeen, actually.

[they had lots of common friends. –dennison witmer, 24 turned 25]

the same church. the same ski slopes. the same junior college.

but they did not notice.

[you never even see me. you look right through me. –coldplay, shiver]

she remembers how he flew before he could drive, and how he drew color and life bursting from grey rubble. she told her mother he thought about things, deeply.

he did not know he was present in her mind.

she did not know she thought of him, even when she did.

Continue reading “POETRY & WORDS :: our love story: how long distance became i do” →

Handmade, Little Style

box of knitted baby goodies from a dear friend

December 30, 2010March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

if we’re connected on twitter, you’ve already had a sneak peek into the box of hand-knitted goodies my dear friend lauren sent for the baby. lauren has been my kindred spirit for years now, and she was one of my bridesmaids when i got married two years ago. we’ve never lived in the same state, ever, and often don’t even live in the same country — but that’s no matter. when we’re together it’s like no time has passed and we catch up right where we left off. everyone needs a friend like lauren.

Poetry & Words

and all the waves of the cobalt night

May 20, 2010October 13, 2011 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

by the firelight of wakened waves
and silent clouds of whistling stars
the universe shifted, thread by thread
and all the waves of the cobalt night
shifted in sleep and turned in bed.

when the sunlight breathed and woke the world
and verde leaves grew greener still
the dew sank low into the red clay earth
the oceans swayed and azul spilled
while creation sang of the Saviour’s worth.

here a mortal breathed and a mortal prayed
and welcomed dawn and the newest days
and folded sheets and whistled grace
and sought the horizon’s brightest face
knowing well the yonder shore
would bring promises spoken before
and the Light would shine without a veil
and all would kneel and all would hail
wounds made perfect, love made pure —
— prepared for us, beyond deep azure.
-07 july 2009