you're invited . . .

If you read this, you'll probably hear about this again. Or get an actual invitation.After church at our house in Salem, June 17th --the day after graduation. My mom will not let you go away hungry, trust me.
---

Two interviews in the past two business days. One was disheartening (they were somehow under the misapprehension that I only wanted a summer job) and the other one (today's) went very well. So I should be able to work in Portland . . .
I also got a call from a firm in Seattle last week --a cool firm, that I thought was a long shot. Threw me for a bit of a loop, actually, since I wasn't expecting to hear from them at all.

Why am I always surprised by His providence?

{insert little victory dance here}

Graduation is one month from today!

No, still no job. But Amanda and I went househunting on Saturday, which really just turned into neighborhood hunting and wishful thinking.
We wandered around southeast Portland looking at places we wished were for rent -in our modest price range, of course. But that got me energized to be living in Portland. I wikipedia-ed it for you (is that a verb yet? Like facebooked and texted? It's a little more awkward for spelling, I guess). Note the description of southeast as home to "hippies and hipsters." I guess I have to wean myself out of the Eugene culture bit by bit.
Quirky neighborhoods and public transportation and . . . Portland is also home for some good music --the Shins, the Decemberists, Elliot Smith, even a guy from Death Cab and one from Modest Mouse.
And the inventor of wiki.

a ruf weekend

Actually, it was really good. I spent the weekend at an RUF retreat at Mt. Hood with other students from UO and UW.
It was just what I needed, especially after an intense week preparing for yet another midterm presentation in Portland. Still no job, but I've added some business cards to my collection. The conference came at a really good time, since there's always a bit of a productivity slump after the midterm before we being really piecing everything together for the final. Only one more studio crunchtime left. (Where did the time go?)
And then I could show up tired and in need of refreshment at the retreat.

Isaiah 55 | bits and pieces
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat!
Come buy wine and milk
without money and without cost . . .
listen, listen to me, and eat what is good
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
. . .
"as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
. . .
"so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
it will not return to me empty
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

"you will go out in joy,
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands"

--

If I am alive this time next year
Will I have arrived in time to share?
Mine is about as good this far
I'm still applied to what you are
And I'm joinging all my thoughts to you
And I'm preparing every part for you

I heard from the trees a great parade
And I heard from the trees a band was made
Will I be invited to the sound?
Will I be a part of what you've made?
And I'm throwing all my thoughts away
And I'm destroying every bet I've made
And I'm joining all my thoughts to you
And I'm preparing every part for you

sufjan stevens | all the trees of the field

--

Still digesting a much-needed feast. "And His banner over me is love."