No Heat

The time has come here in Chicago for the weather to change from pleasant to COLD.
This is my first time going through this transition of seasons.
I, of course, was comforted by the invention of a heater.

Well, last night, the heater started making some weird noises.
Then, without anyone telling it to, it just turned off.
That's right. It's 40 degrees outside, and our heater doesn't work.

Having lived in Florida, where people turn on their heaters when it hits 60 degrees, I naturally started freaking out.

How could this happen? How could the heat break now? For us?
Don't worry. We didn't freeze. Ruben temporarily fixed it.
We do have to replace some stuff , but we'll be ok.

This morning I started to think about those people who don't have heat.
Those people who don't even have homes.
I sat here complaining about freezing in my home with blankets and clothes while there are people in the world  with neither blankets, clothes, nor home.

I wonder if it's ok to be so comfortable.
I feel like it's so unfair.
I'm not sure I have a conclusion to all my thoughts,
but I am sure that these thoughts make me feel incredibly sad.

I can't wait until the day when things are as they should be.
When loving your neighbor is more than something kids learn in Sunday School and grow up to never practice in their daily lives. When all people feel safe, secure, and warm. When sickness and death are no more.

I anxiously wait for Jesus to come back so things can be right and just.

Until then, I'll do my best to love and serve like He did last time he was here.

I encourage you to help someone feel warm today.
Temperature wise, or emotionally.
Either will make someone's day.
If you do, please share how you did. I would love to hear it :)

No-Bake Cheesecake

This post is dedicated to my best friend, Stacy, who LOVES cheesecake more than normal people.
Hope this gives you a simple way to enjoy it more often :)

So, I have recently fallen in love with Gina's Skinny Recipes.

As I was browsing through the deliciousness of this blog, I stumbled upon Gina's no-bake cheesecake.

I immediately went to the grocery store, bought every ingredient I didn't have (which wasn't much because this recipe requires so little!), and put it all together as soon as I got in the door.

The result?
A delicious, low-fat cheesecake!
You wouldn't believe how delicious the left overs in the bowl were.
I can't wait for Ruben to get home to share some with him.

I wish I would have taken a picture of each step, but I was too excited and forgot :(

Although Gina's photos are way better (thanks to her amazing camera/lens), I will share the photos I took:

8 oz Cool Whip Free

8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia Cream Cheese

9 inch reduced fat Graham Cracker Crust

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp lemon juice

In a large bowl, whip cream cheese, lemon and sugar for a few minutes until fluffy.Add Cool Whip and whip until smooth. Spoon mixture into pie crust and chill for a few hours, until firm. 

I totally used a mixer instead of whipping.
Hopefully I didn't ruin it.
I'll let you know.

You can also make this with regular Cool Whip and Cream Cheese if you want an alternative to the low-fat option.

In the near future, I hope to also make these super simple, delicious treats courtesy of Gina's Skinny Recipes blog:

Delightfully Baked Apples

Low-fat Strawberry No-Bake Cheesecake

Pumpkin Spice No- Bake Cheesecake

Banana Cream Pie

Beauty of Fall

Of the four seasons, I have to say that I love Fall most.

Fall is a season I have not had
the pleasure of experiencing often in my life.

To be honest, before moving here to Chicago,
I think I experienced fall once.
That's right. Just once. Sad, but true.

Now that I live here, I can't help but be in awe of
the trees and bushes as I drive to and from school.

Since my school is in the suburbs,
there is a lot of open space full of all the colors of fall.
The mix of bright green, red, and yellow is truly breathtaking.

When I would hear people tell me that the trees outside
 were red and yellow, I obviously didn't believe it.

Having lived in South Florida (a season-less world) my whole life, I couldn't comprehend it.

Being exposed to it every day here is refreshing.
One day, when I own an slr camera (preferably Canon),
I hope to capture this beauty in creative ways.

Until then, I have my not-so-great camera phone on me at all times.

I wanted to share with you some of the awesome creation I saw on my campus today:

I think the golden looking trees are my favorite.

This is the side of the library.

I had to take a leaf with me as a souvenir.

I couldn't believe how bright it was!

There were bushes full of these!

I'm off to work on a project for school.

Hope your Monday was a fun day!

Great

Today was great.

It was a great day in every way.

It was one of those days where every thing goes right for no reason.

It was a day where you can't help but be thankful for every single little thing.

It was a day you wish to have the same type of every day for the rest of your life.

It was a day full of productivity, incredible amounts of love and serving.

I really believe that it is days like these that we will experience in Heaven.

Since today was so great, I decided to bake a cake.

Here it is:

Funfetti is pretty much my most favorite box cake, ever.

Hope you have a fantastic evening!

Mine will consist of putting together a presentation for class on Monday.

Please try to contain your jealousy.

How to

I have to admit, often when I research things online, I resort to asking Google how to do whatever it is that my mind wanders to that day.

Ironically, upon moving here, I never took the time to ask Google how to adjust to life in a big city. Instead, I named my blog that and hoped that I could explain how I did it.

While I have gotten unbelievably comfortable and familiar with this big city of Chicago, I couldn't help but ask Google what it thought I should have done in my journey of adjusting.

So, like any normal person, I asked.

Here's what I got:

That's my big city ^ :)

How to Adjust to Life in a Big City
By kellyzilar, eHow Member

Adjust to Life in a Big City
User-Submitted Article
Did you just move to a big city from a small town?

Confused on how to adjust? Not sure where to start?
Keep reading and find out!

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:
Map of the city
Book of things to do
Walking Shoes
Camera
A positive attitude and a big smile!

1. When moving from a small town to a big city, it can be a bit of a shock. You may not be used to the amount of people, the diversity of a big city, the smells, the crime, or the melting pot. All of which makes it a great place to live. So go get a map and a book of things to do in your new city.
2. Start out small. Visit the spot that the city is known for. Take picutres. It will make you look for things that you normally wouldn't. Smile at people and don't let your self be intimidated.
3. After you have explored some, look in your local paper for events that you would like to attend. Book signings, yoga, salsa lessons. Things that will force you to get out and meet people. The more people you interact with, the more you will get in tune with the city. Every person that you meet will show/tell you something new to check out. Follow through on this. Don't be afraid to be forward and explore!
4. My #1 piece of advice is to open yourself up to things that you wouldn't normally do. Be creative in what you do. It will not only teach you things about yourself, but will let you fall in love with your first big city!

Read more: How to Adjust to Life in a Big City | eHow.com

Well friends, I don't think I could have given much better advice than eHow Member, kellyzilar.

Tomorrow Ruben and I are attending an annual benefit dinner for Breakthrough Urban Ministries. I am considering volunteering for this organization. Check it out here.