sincerely, shae

Apartment

2011-12-31T21:47:00.001-05:00

2011-10-17T19:08:00.004-04:00

Chicago to visit my brother

2011-07-27T09:43:00.002-04:00

Home for the weekend.

2011-06-15T18:39:00.000-04:00

Saturday Afternoon w/Dev

2011-04-09T20:12:00.001-04:00

Music by Bibio: Lovers' Carvings

My 22nd Birthday

2011-03-31T22:38:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

I awoke in a panic: overslept and late.
I walked around campus: thank yous and hugs.
I ate in the 'Rott: kissed cheek and smiles.
I sat in class: laments and sadness.
I sat in class: anger and violation.
I walked around campus: pissed and down.
I went on a bike ride: cool wind and cracked pavement.
I ate in a restaurant: pretty and giggling.
I went on a bike ride: brick roads and sudden stops.
I ate some cake: vegan and sweet.
I went to the library: paper and smiles.
I got groceries: cereal and bagels.
I watched The Office: laughter and smiles.
I fell asleep: spoon and smiles.

Sincerely,
Shae

Content Frustration

2011-03-16T11:43:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

I'm laying down and attempting to read
a book for class.
The apple I'm eating is cold and crunchy
and the juice drips from my chin onto my chest.
I use my shirt to absorb it.

I'm sitting in chapel hearing words like "keen"
and "petrol" and sayings like "Good on you."
The pew I'm sitting on suddenly becomes hard and
uncomfortable as something stirs within me:
I want to bolt.
I clench my jaw to get by.

I'm standing at the mirror fixing my hair.
The curls are flat and dirty and I sigh with
content frustration.
I throw it into a ponytail and move on.

Sincerely,
Shae

My Weekend

2011-02-14T22:51:00.000-05:00

Dear you,

Facebook decisions, veggie fajitas, emotionless conversation about emotional things, winding hallways, cheesy commercials, quiet swearing, emotional conversation about emotionless things, sleep.

Personal conversations in a public setting, brown hair in snow, hush puppies and leopard prints, second-hand high, co-op heartache, telephone call, homemade pizza, new faces, old apartment, young strangers, brisk walks, home, sleep.

Lack of rest, odd procrastination, sunglasses, "Irish" accents, food-colored snow, food, silk jean shirt, studious reflections, quiet laughter, sleep.

Sincerely,
Shae

Christmas Day

2011-02-04T11:06:00.002-05:00

Sneeze, Cough, Sniffle, Repeat

2011-02-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

Dear you,

Everyone is getting sick.
There are five students around me in the library.
Four out of the five have coughed, sneezed, and/or blown their noses within the past six minutes.

I've been sick for the past three days.
Two of which were feverish and fuzzy.
All I do is sneeze, cough, sniffle, repeat.

I'm off to study... or something.

Sincerely,
Shae

10 days in Goshen

2011-01-20T00:33:00.001-05:00

Dear you,

I read a lot nowadays.
I wear boots, not shoes.
I use a handkerchief.

Some days I eat cereal.
Some days I drink tea.
Some days I don't have either.

My hands are dry.
My feet are wet.
My knuckles pop.

The rumble of trains comfort me.

The hum of the heater relaxes me.

The silence of snow melts me.

Sincerely,
Shae

Writer's Block

2010-12-27T22:29:00.000-05:00

Dear you,

It's been a long time since I've posted something written onto this blog. And for that, I apologize. It's not that I've forgotten about you, as there have been many moments that I've began to type things down, but I would quickly hit a wall of writers-block and soon back away.

Things like my long weekend of friends' visits or simple day-to-day tasks that made time fly by. Or my relaxing Thanksgiving break consisting of sharing and sleeping or my last weekend at EMU that made my insides gleam with happiness. Things like this past week that was filled with old memories and simple pleasures or my huge appreciation of family, both here and there.

To put it simply, there are many scenarios that present themselves that cause me to think, "Soak it in, Shae. Remember every sensation and detail. This will make an amazing blog post." And I do--soak it in, that is. I just seem to lose the magic between that and this. Oh well... at least I recognize the mundane beauty in my everyday life, hey.

Sincerely,
Shae

Random Scenes: EMU

2010-12-12T01:14:00.001-05:00

Random Scenes: EMU from Shae Miller on Vimeo.

My brother's video: It rocks my socks off

2010-12-05T18:57:00.000-05:00

Home 11.25.10 from Landry Miller on Vimeo.

My brother's video: I love it

2010-10-29T11:54:00.000-04:00

Home 10.16.10 from Landry Miller on Vimeo.

Fall Over

2010-10-19T23:20:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Friday
Hustle back. Changing leaves. Mix CDs. Bagel sandwiches. Questioning interactions. Black van. Cruise control. Barbie van. Incense smoke. Tired laundry. Tough decision. Flannel sheets.

Saturday
Denison Witmer. Wandering cows. Parking lot. OrangeMint Tea. Comfortable conversation. Haircut. Fresh bread. Brother's parody. Confidential conversations. Pumpkin knives. Vocal chords. Hallway talks.

Sunday
Greeting time. Carry-in meal. CottonOn pants. Roadtrip soundtracks. Black beans. Retail awkwardness. Big screen. Squeaky floors. Sleeping bag. Barking dog. Restless dreams.

Monday
Flannel shirt. Bright flora. Yournards. Savory skillet. Anxious stomach. Peeling grass. Catching up. Pancake cookie. Utter milk. Grandparents visit. Relaxed ride. Pounding head. Old classmates. Attic memories. Football.

Tuesday
Packing up. Last bagel. Old music. Uneasy realization. Driving time. Same meals. Unloaded car. Back again. Sick housemate. Blog entry.

Sincerely,
Shae

Veganism, Shmeganism

2010-10-14T00:58:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

As you may or may not know, I've been a vegan for the past three months. I decided to make the switch, not because I'm making a political statement, but because I wanted to continue to find ways to challenge myself in my everyday life. It's just a little way that I have integrated my experience from Australia to here: my life back in the States.

Anyway.

Many of you have asked how it's going or if it's hard for me to find food to eat. It's seriously so much easier than I ever thought it'd be. It's just a really official-sounding label for being really healthy. I originally said that I'd be a vegan for only a year, but I'm now rethinking that. Maybe I'll do it longer. Ha.

Now I've gotta try and find something else to challenge me. This is way to easy....

Sincerely,
Shae

now

2010-09-29T09:50:00.002-04:00

Untitled from shae miller on Vimeo.

one year ago

2010-09-29T09:49:00.001-04:00

Untitled from shae miller on Vimeo.

Saturday Afternoon

2010-09-25T22:45:00.002-04:00

Dear you,

Today I drove a car that wasn't mine. For 35 miles I listened to a mix CD that a friend gave me: I cranked it up and sang along, feeling her presence with me on my mini roadtrip. I walked downhill to downtown with my cousin. Who knew thai tofu wraps could be so good. We thought about sharing our meals but ended up sharing our lives. Antique shop after antique shop after antique shop was visited. I walked slowly between the glass bottles, stacks of books, old tools: drowsed by the heat and presence of what was. Sweat trickled down my spine as we made our way to ice cream. Who knew spoons so small could deliver so much flavor to our mouths. Walking uphill was trying: I couldn't help but feel like our bodies are not meant to get used to it. A few last-minute conversations and hugs goodbye. I know her town better than mine-- I got lost when I came back home.

And here I am: feeling incredibly antsy, all the while calm.

Sincerely,
Shae

Time flies

2010-09-22T20:12:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

A year ago I was jet-lagged and amazed in Australia.
The coastlines, mountains, and dust storms greeted us.
Everything was new and exciting, yet similar and comfortable.

A year ago I was stuffy-nosed and cold in Australia.
My bed only had one pillow in it, my doona was Hawaiian flowered.
The warm shower was my favorite part of the day.

A year ago I was happy my host-sister wore red Converse shoes in Australia.
The youth group made us dress up like old people.
My team bonded over Australian Idol each Sunday evening.

A year ago I was filled with "what if" questions and unknown outcomes in Australia.
And now I know the answers as they're all memories and stories.
One wall is filled with pictures of what and who was apart of my daily life.

A year later I'm reflecting on things in Australia.
Some days it feels like years ago, some days it feels like last week.
But here I am, back and living the American life.

.Sigh. I've gotta go.
My mind's to overwhelmed with too many things.

Sincerely,
Shae

This is too great not to share...

2010-09-21T00:57:00.001-04:00

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

Don't Wait For Me

2010-09-16T15:04:00.002-04:00

List: Week 1 at EMU

2010-09-04T17:21:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Creaking floors
air condition
mismatched dishes
tea
uphill walks
penciled books
vegan brownies
new faces
"australian accent"
kitten foster-care
mail delivery
large cafeteria
gift and thrift
sleep
freezy-pops
house parties
loan annoyance
personality tests
leftovers
blisters
sun.

Sincerely,
Shae

Dear Diary

2010-08-25T00:29:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Songs make me ache for you.
Smells take me back to you.
Pictures draw me into you.
Movies are too much.

Somewhere between our meals shared
and our long bus rides together,
I fell for you.
Ever so slowly, but ever so surely,
my heart became yours.

Canberra, I wasn't supposed let you in.
Not this much, that is.
.Sigh.

Sincerely,
Shae

The Present Past

2010-08-18T00:30:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

I ride a lawn mower for five hours each week.
I have the best creative-unique-personal job anyone could ask for.
I spend my nights with my family.
I burn incense.
I write letters to close friends.
I sing my lungs out when no one is home.
I just bought a harmonica: I've wanted one for the past year.
I drink tea when I remember and make rice in our rice-cooker.
I get overwhelmed by the very thought of EMU.
I listen to relaxing music.
I do crunches each night before I go to bed.
I take pictures with my film cameras.

This is my life, now that I'm back in Indiana. Sometimes I sit and wonder how I had developed an entire life, only to return to the former one. It's like stepping back in time while trying to comprehend the present.

Sincerely,
Shae

10 outta 10

2010-08-03T19:50:00.001-04:00

10 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

New old things

2010-07-23T13:20:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Americans are much more publicly expressive:
--They speak loudly on their mobile phones.
--They shout, laugh, think out loud.
--They look and stare with no shame.

Easily accessible things overwhelm me:
--Texting is so... instant.
--Driving takes me places a lot faster than I remembered.
--People I haven't seen in 11 months are now two minutes away.
--TV is too overstimulating to enjoy.

:Sigh: I'm back home.
Change is a weird thing.

Sincerely,
Shae

9 outta 10

2010-07-10T12:04:00.000-04:00

9 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

See ya later

2010-07-10T11:55:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

I've had a busy week. It was filled with farewell dinners and teas.
I've had a busy week. It was spent organizing and packing for the journey home.
I've had a busy week. I am exhausted.

In three days I'll be in Chicago, reminiscing about my life in Australia.
In three days I'll be sweating like crazy, wishing I could be back in winter.
In three days I'll be back, jet-lagged and culture-shocked.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Mondays

2010-07-05T07:40:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Sleeping in, doing laundry, watching "Ready Steady Cook"
Making to-do lists, writing letters, Skyping people
Eating a late dinner, making tea for friends at College and Uni night
Discussing everything from faith to pig and ponytails
Telling Jesse to back up off my organization charts for the household
Staying up later than necessary considering I have work the next morning

Hey, Monday, see you next week when I'm 10,000 miles away from your current location.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Sundays

2010-07-04T10:05:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Sundays are one of the busiest days of the week for me. They're usually filled with church, the markets, good food and company, and mellow evenings. Today, I had my final full Sunday in Canberra.

To small people entertaining me as they "listen" to the children's talk
To the loud organ, front pews, and detailed pulpit
To the shaking of hands and kissing of cheeks, the chitter-chatter afterwards
To the friendly nut man, the pleasant fudge man, the lovely plum man, the mundane juice man
To the free samples, satay sticks, and chocolate-covered strawberries
To the afternoon discussions and late-night movies
To the sweetness of knowing I still have the next day free
I'll miss it.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Saturdays

2010-07-02T22:18:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Saturdays are typically uneventful for me and the housemates. We sleep in, read books, bake, watch movies, stare at our computers, eat French toast.... Sometimes people come over. Sometimes we go shopping or out to eat.
Whatever we do the day seems to pass by too quickly.
Whatever I did the year passed by too quickly.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Fridays

2010-07-02T03:52:00.001-04:00

Dear you,

I always work at Conflict Resolution Services to end my week. Some days I'm there for two hours, some days six. Some days I do role-playing, some days organizing. Though the scenarios change, my coworkers don't. They stay friendly, cheeky, helpful, and interested. Yeah, I'll miss them....

To the nice work clothes, packed lunch, and empty bus
To the construction workers, waiters, and radio djs
To the red zebra crossing, small elevator, and third floor
To the copying, organizing, and filing
To the trashy mags, paper brochures, and mediator's manual
To the large "LADIES" key, dirty mugs, and stamps
To the Borders bookstore, Sushi Sushi, and Typo
Thanks for the familiarity.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Thursdays

2010-07-01T04:40:00.001-04:00

Dear you,

Thursdays are relaxed. I get to sleep in, lay around, and keep warm in my bed for the majority of the morning. After a quick lunch I usually rush off to the bus and spend my afternoon working at the food co-op on Australia's National University campus. Sometimes I enjoy it more than others, and today was one of those days. But it's my last Thursday of routine and normality. So...

To the lunch-hour traffic, chilly metal rail on my backside, walk over the "Look ->" and "<- Look"
To the counting of coins and notes, rinsing of buckets, and making of signs
To the regular customers, newbies, and delivery men
To the overly-anxious manager, my sidekick Petra, and the guy with a handsome face and good hair
To the hippies and tree-huggers, tiny ballerinas, and businessmen
To my lazy, slack hair and style that's allowed while working in such an environment
To the I Am Sam soundtrack, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mum's Mix
Peace out, girl scouts.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Wednesdays

2010-06-30T08:59:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

I just tried to write a poem about this day, as it's my favorite day so I feel like it deserves something extra special. But, alas, it's late and my brain is tired. So I'll just tell you what I will miss... fair enough?

I'll miss being apart of the morning rush-hour. I'll miss working at Oxfam. My boss is awesome. She's one of those people who makes work cool, no matter what's going on. I'll miss restocking the commodities and incense. I'll miss hearing the Body Mineral people ask, "Excuse me. Can I ask you a question?" and "Is that amazing or not amazing? You tell me!" I'll miss listening to the latest pop music while browsing Top Dollar. I'll miss my favorite bus driver. He has a large brown beard and raspy voice. He whistles while he drives-- the type of whistling a grandpa would do. He has a friend who sits up front with him and talks about fishing and insurance policies and family matters. Man... I love it. I'll miss my Wednesdays so much.

Sincerely,
Shae

Goodbye, Tuesdays

2010-06-29T01:50:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

To the brisk morning walk, the polish ladies, the dirty hangers, the sweet snacks
To the lovely mother and her shy child, the smell of old shoes, the organizing of books
To the bag filled with items ranging from jackets to jewelry, the hot hot water
To the ATM keypad, the library's return box, the Commonwealth Bank men
To the crunching of gravel, the ducking of trees, the teens enjoying their midday break
I bid you farewell. For you've been apart of my life and will not be forgotten.

Sincerely,
Shae

Melbourne

2010-06-26T10:34:00.002-04:00

melbourne from shae miller on Vimeo.

White Blank Page

2010-06-26T04:09:00.001-04:00

Retreat!

2010-06-25T10:01:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

The teammates and I went to Melbourne for four days.

We stayed in a hostel called The Nunnery. I shared a bunk with a guy from England and my clothes rested on top of his dirty socks. The nearest toilet was on the next floor and the entrance to the hostel was right outside our room. It never actually got quiet thanks to the traffic, trams, pedestrians, lounge room, TV, and stereos filling up any type of silence.

We went to a rugby game, a market, a musical, two movies, a bus tour, a boat tour, an aquarium, a ballet, a bookstore, and two museums. Not to mention numerous restaurants, including Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, as well as walks through parks and taxi rides. It was full on.

I've come to the conclusion that if I ever get the chance to move to Melbourne, I'm going to take it. It's unbelievably beautiful and creative and diverse. Similar to Seattle except not, because it's Australian. Ha.
Anyway. A video is on it's way. Stay tuned.

Sincerely,
Shae

The Parents' Visit: April

2010-06-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

the parents' visit from shae miller on Vimeo.

To-Do List

2010-06-23T08:59:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Over the past 9.5 months it's come to my attention that, unless I consciously challenge myself, I could easily float throughout my life living comfortably and conveniently. Though doing so is not a bad thing, I want to attempt to find ways to live a routine life while still stretching and growing on multiple levels.

So. I've compiled a to-do list which I'll begin once I get back home. As of July 12, I will become a vegan for a year. Yes, a vegan... not a vegetarian. This means that any and all animal products (including dairy, eggs, etc.) are off limits.

I can see your puzzled face and doubtful expression, so let me explain. I'm not doing it to make some type of political statement or become a member of PETA. I'm doing it to expand my horizons by opening my eyes and taste buds to new things. I want to be inconveniently committed to something and follow through on it.

So, there you go.

Sincerely,
Shae

Tuesday Snoozeday

2010-06-08T00:32:00.000-04:00

Dear You,

I'm officially making the switch over to proper capitalization within my blog posts.
The bottom of my slippers began to melt while I propped my feet up on my heater in my room.
In five--5--weeks I'll be back at JPUSA re-orienting myself to the States.
I read Donald Miller's books to stay sane within my own faith.
My favorite day of the week is Wednesday: I love my job, coworker, bus driver, and social life.
Ashley is leaving tomorrow to return back to PA.
I take pictures with my h-grandpa's film camera and wonder when I'll actually develop the film.
Pie is awesome.
Whenever my fingers feel like playing the piano there's not one around.
My friend is in New Zealand, yet we won't see each other until August... back in the States.

Sincerely,
Shae

life isn't fair

2010-05-29T09:18:00.000-04:00

dear you,

my mom has always said, "life isn't fair."

someone ate the last brownie?

"life isn't fair."

someone has new shoes?

"life isn't fair."

someone asked another girl out instead of me?

"life isn't fair."

my mom has always said, "life isn't fair."

someone gets denied food because of their societal position.

"life isn't fair."

someone lacks clothing because they have to choose between staying warm and eating.

"life isn't fair."

someone yearns to find anyone who will listen to and love them for who they are.

"life isn't fair."

my mom has always said, "life isn't fair."

my mind's response has been to surrender, move on and let go.

but i can't do that anymore.

not when people are starving because of unbalanced power.

not when people are dying because of speaking up.

not when people are silenced because of our own ignorance.

my mom has always said, "life isn't fair."

life isn't fair.

life isn't fair.

life isn't fair.

sincerely,

shae

8 outta 10

2010-05-29T05:22:00.001-04:00

8 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

i crave you.

2010-05-25T01:44:00.000-04:00

sunday evening

2010-05-23T04:04:00.001-04:00

dear you,

i have one nostril that runs.
financial budgeting gives me an odd sense of joy.
slippers don't actually keep my feet warm,
or rather, my toes are always cold.
i went horseback riding yesterday.
i'm sore in places i can't stretch.
tea towels can burst into flames if you leave them in the microwave too long.
don't ask.
my teammates and i snuggled onto one couch to watch videos from the past 8 months.
that hasn't happened... ever.
i want to go to melbourne real bad.
my hair is like a long lion's mane. maybe i'll straighten it tonight....

sincerely,
shae

whitley

2010-05-17T10:07:00.000-04:00

welcome home, dear.

2010-05-16T06:20:00.000-04:00

dear you,

----the kitchen gets disgusting after a single meal is prepared.
--movie-watching alone, without any interruptions, is not realistic.
-------heels of bread loaves go uneaten for days.
----skype conversations are always eavesdropped upon.
--the lint trap never gets cleaned out.
-------grocery lists and errands are never completed.
----"compromise" and "patience" take on new definitions.

living in community: it's not always ideal, but it's worth it.

sincerely,
shae

late night post

2010-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

dear you,

it takes a total of four hours to do one load of laundry.
i sleep with four blankets on top of me.
my room now smells like incense. yay.
chili hot chocolate is the best drink of all time.
top gear makes me lust after cars.
sometimes i intend for blog posts to rock,
but for now it's like verbal diarrhea.

*beep* *beep*
time to rescue my laundry from the dryer.

sincerely,
shae

lingering vanishing

2010-05-06T01:37:00.000-04:00

dear you,

as you may [or may not] know, i've recently moved into irene's place again. i spent three months in a host-family, the williams. the time went by really fast, for i was busy with trips, visitors, jobs, and church. and now, in no time, i'm back in my chilly room listening to school kids outside my window.

you see, though time escaped me, the experience did/has/will not. they will forever be my parents and sister. their house will forever be my home. their parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts will forever be my family. their faith and humor and talents and personalities will forever intertwine with mine. they were just what i needed, when i needed it.

i'm not saying this to flatter them or boast about my experience, for they already know how i feel. my hope is that you, who's disconnected from my everyday life, understand how grateful and blessed i've been by this family. it breaks my heart and mind to think of the day when i depart from their convenient lives. but for now i'll take one meal, one movie, one drive at a time.

sincerely,
shae

puberty...not.

2010-04-30T23:22:00.000-04:00

dear you,

i think my voice is changing.
my singing voice, that is.
it's becoming more earthy.

maybe it's the songs i'm singing.
maybe it's the fact that it's been
over 6 months since i've sang
by myself.

but whatever it is, i'm glad
it's here to stay.

sincerely,
shae

7 outta 10

2010-04-29T05:11:00.001-04:00

7 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

autumn in canberra

2010-04-28T20:35:00.000-04:00

dear you,

it's getting colder.
i wear my slippers and sweats around the house.
i bring home jumpers and hats.

it's getting colder.
the smell of dead leaves fill the air.
the sun sets before six o'clock.

it's getting colder.
autumn is finally here.

sincerely,
shae

aw, man!

2010-04-23T22:23:00.000-04:00

dear you,

i got to go to a concert last night, thanks to moriah's shout and invitation.
it was at a club, so i was getting pumped up for the sweet atmosphere a club normally has.
it was at a club, as in a large room with florescent lights and round tables where the older folks can play bingo and cards.

after sitting in front of a singer with a mediocre voice and below average stage-performance i was beginning to doubt my decision to come. as moriah put it, it was like we were "sitting in her bedroom listening to her sing into her mirror." she was that bad.

but then the band, finally, started playing... and, holy moly, it was worth it. i'm not usually drawn to this genre of music but seeing it live sucks me in and turns me around. i left feeling extremely happy and sad at the same time. i wish i had a band.

check them out: the string contingent

sincerely,
shae

wild wee jasper

2010-04-17T05:39:00.000-04:00

dear you,

i spent the past week at an adventure camp for grades 7-12. it was awesome.
we had pit-toilets, no showers, canvas tents, and great food.
i helped with absailing (repelling), rafting, and caving.
my small group consisted of 7th and 8th graders. they were great.
the speaker spoke about disasters and how to handle them.
i met some great friends and genuine christians.

i returned home extremely smelly.
my feet were real dirty and my hair greasy.
but i was encouraged. thankful. changed.

sincerely,
shae

resistance to persistence

2010-04-17T05:28:00.000-04:00

dear you,

i sat down in my assigned seat, the one that's in the first row diagonal to the driver, preparing for a relaxed bus ride from sydney to canberra. my parents had just left the country earlier that day and i was ready for some good ol' shae time. shortly after the bus left the station, the bus driver turned around and began a conversation with me. an hour later, i was able to confidently turn down his offer to jump-start my career in modeling and fashion. he was persistent, but i was smart.

sincerely,
shae

the day my parents arrived in AU

2010-04-17T04:09:00.000-04:00

dear you,

4.30 am: woke up
5.45 am: caught bus to train station
6.45 am: caught train to airport
7.15 am: anxiously awaited my parents' arrival
8.15 am: realized the flight was 12 hours behind
8.30 am: threw myself a pity-party
9.30 am: began my experience
5.30 pm: bought honolulu-yellow nail polish
7.50 pm: walked towards terminal
8.15 pm: anxiously awaited my parents' arrival
8.55 pm: hugged my mom tighter than ever before
9.30 pm: caught taxi to house
11.00 pm: fell asleep

sincerely,
shae

stay tuned

2010-04-11T09:17:00.000-04:00

dear you,

the past week of my life has been an eventful one.
the next week of my life will be an eventful one.
i will blog.
later.

sincerely,
shae

6 outta 10

2010-03-29T17:16:00.001-04:00

6 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

relayforlife

2010-03-27T17:22:00.000-04:00

dear you,

i participated in my first of, hopefully, many relay-for-life weekends.
our church had three teams: walking, walking/running, and running.
it was great fun and beautiful weather.

i spent the time watching people, eating lollies, and listening to teenage girls' conversations about who's going out with who, for how long, and why. it was entertaining, to say the least.

i then returned home and slept from 8.15-8.00. ooooooh yeah.

sincerely,
shae

conversations rock.

2010-03-24T08:11:00.000-04:00

dear you,

within the past four days i've had the most amazing conversations with people.

1. megan: man. what a blessing to have her as my host-sister. one of the most authentic, non-threatening christians i've met. i could say more, but i'll leave it at that.
2. tiana: how comforting to know that halfway across the world someone feels the same as i about our new lives, faith, etc. i wish i could have coffee with her and talk about life.
3. emily: she... well, there's a reason she's such a good friend. i'm so glad she's not afraid to challenge my views and ask me hard questions.
4. mom & dad: aw. i'm just excited for them to come in a week. i miss the little things about them. mom's walk, dad's whistling....
5. kenan: though the years have separated us in more ways than one, he's still my big brother. and he's awesome and funny and experienced. i was reminded of how much i love him.
6. nanny & pa: they truly are my substitute grandparents while in australia. the more time i spend with them, the more i enjoy them. such quality people.
7. typo shop lady: from chicago, she's lived in canberra for 8 months. i've never met or seen her before today, but we chatted like old friends catching up. it was awesome.

what a good week, and it's only wednesday.

sincerely,
shae

mnmlist

2010-03-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

dear you,

a friend passed this site onto me a few months ago.
and now, i will pass it onto you.

enjoy reading the mnmlist

sincerely,
shae

you deserved to know.

2010-03-20T06:17:00.000-04:00

dear you,

people have been asking me, "what have you learned in the months of doing service?" my answers, well, they surprise even me. i've found that my realizations aren't really about God or other people, but rather, about myself. so i thought i'd share some with you, if that's okay.

1. i am lazy: i tend to make a lot of excuses for myself, probably because i have some type of commitment issue. this goes for anything: jobs, exercise, friends, God. i enjoy the phrase, "eh. it's okay...."
2. i am scared, terrified really, of the "must-haves" of life: money, a career, love.
3. i'm not attracted to safe and comfortable answers, ideas, places, or people: where's the challenge? the pleasure of painfully stretching ourselves?
4. in my search for the pause button of life, i neglect the moments in front of me.
5. i'm a pretty private person: it takes a while for me to open up and trust someone. i mean, seriously, a lot longer than i ever thought.

anyway. i just thought you deserved to know.

sincerely,
shae

just throwing it out there.

2010-03-20T05:02:00.000-04:00

dear you,

if you ever, ya know, want to send your friend (*cough* SHAE *cough*) anything from urban outfitters just do it. don't let anyone talk you out of it, okay?

i hear it's her favorite store.
click this to take a looooook.

sincerely,
shae

wool un gong

2010-03-20T04:26:00.001-04:00

dear you,

becca, steph, and i went to wollongong for five days.
wollongong is a coastal city 3 hours away--up towards sydney.
we stayed with benita, who's moriah's old housemate, and her brother, dean, and sis, camille.
we ate fish 'n chips, went to the beach, hiked in the mountains, and watched movies.
it was great stuff.

i'm glad to be back in canberra though.
and real happy to be back with my host-family.

sincerely,
shae

i need a new journal

2010-03-08T06:55:00.000-05:00

dear you,

sometimes i get in these moods where i could just write, and write, and write.
write about the sounds of the crickets creaking and cars passing at night.
write about my evening routine of face-washing and teeth-brushing.
write about the self-realizations and frustrations that come upon me throughout each day.
write about the comforts and challenges that share the same subject matter.

but then they pass, or i fall asleep.
the next day will come, and with it a new creative drive.

goodnight, sleep tight. and please, don't let the bedbugs bite.

sincerely,
shae

highlights or lowlights. you choose.

2010-03-05T19:09:00.000-05:00

dear you,

1. i went to our church camp at the coast last weekend and had a blast.
2. i have turned into a sun-conscious australian with my sun hat and sunscreen.
3. i stepped in a large puddle of human pee and proceeded to walk around in it without knowing.
4. i met the world's loudest eater in the back of a borders bookstore.
5. i got lost for an hour while riding my bike during midday and understood how people drink their own pee to stay hydrated. i was incredibly parched. (i didn't actually do it, mom.)
6. i got a pair of wool socks from the op shop. they're way too big, but i don't care.
7. i met a man at the bus stop. he thought indiana was close to las vegas. sadly, he was mistaken.
8. i had my first australian pizza hut pizzas last night. it was a dream come true... or something.
9. i rode in one of those cars with a huge sound system and low seats. i felt misrepresented.
10. i get to take kay, our contact person from r.j., around the city this afternoon and show her my life.

sincerely,
shae

5 outta 10

2010-03-02T07:25:00.001-05:00

5 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

untitled

2010-02-24T07:02:00.002-05:00

dear you,

i don't know why i miss you.
you were loud, dirty, rebellious.

you smelled of fast-food and gasoline.

you never turned off the lights.
your cries, shrieks, awakened me in the night.

i'm with someone else now.
someone who's quieter, cleaner, safer.
someone who plans and organizes.
someone who's educated and respected.
someone who is comfortable and polite.

i know i should be happy

to be away from you... but i'm not.

all i want is to be back with you,

to surround myself in your presence.

i never should've fallen for you, chicago.

sincerely,

shae

sitting my way back home

2010-02-24T06:21:00.000-05:00

dear you,

i'm sitting at the bus stop listening as they giggle only as lovers do.
i'm sitting in the back of the bus as the smell of pizza wafts through the air.
i'm sitting with my legs crossed watching t.v. through strangers' windows.
i'm sitting in a ball as my curls interrupt my vision and the wind glides around me.
i'm sitting on a green metal bench listening as he talks to himself.
i'm sitting towards the front of the bus allowing my thoughts of the past to replace the present.
i'm sitting at my desk happily exhausted while crickets fill the silence.

sincerely,
shae

holy moly!

2010-02-19T22:44:00.000-05:00

dear you,

now, i've never been a fan or rubbing things into people's faces or intentionally making them jealous, but this entire post will be taken that way. so...sorry?

on tuesday morning i left with my host-parents to travel 2.5 hours south. upon arrival, we proceeded to eat lunch, go for a walk, and lounge around for the afternoon. some might call it "relaxing." in the evening, we went for a drive, ending up at a restaurant eating fish 'n chips. all of the sudden, my eyes were opened and senses heightened....

i was sitting at a picnic table, looking out across a bay, with the sun setting behind me. the smell of fried fish and saltwater filled my nose, and the taste of passion fruit soft drink tickled my tongue. a gentle breeze grazed across my sun-kissed cheeks as the waves fell upon the rocks. later that evening, megan and i took a walk along the beach. the wet sand padded my bare feet as the waves chilled my toes. we then climbed on top of some rocks to watch a pack of dolphins feed and play, about 50 yds from the shore. i then spent the next two days following a similar routine: some beach time here, some amazing food there. some relaxing time here, some movie-watching there.

what, at first, seemed like a routine vacation out of town soon became a realization of how blessed i am for being where i am. it was another moment of reminding myself, "holy moly. i'm in freaking australia....!"

sincerely,
shae

help

2010-02-07T09:35:00.001-05:00

dear you,

watching a disaster happen is one thing.
but seeing is something else.
hearing statistics and facts is one thing.
but listening is something else.

sympathy towards others is one thing.
but broken-heartedness is something else.
believing is one thing.
but having faith is something else.

speaking is one thing.
but doing is something else.

help support haiti, one t-shirt at a time.

click here to help

sincerely,
shae

feel free to email me with any requests, questions, or comments.
shae.e.miller@gmail.com
spread the word. pass it on.
many thanks.

i provided dinnertime entertainment by just being myself

2010-02-03T20:36:00.000-05:00

dear you,

who: me and eight other people
what: a birthday celebration for my host sister and her cousin
when: last night
where: portia's place, a posh chinese restaurant
unfortunate events: i was the only one to ask for cutlery due to my lack of chopstick experience. i could not transfer rice from the serving plate to my bowl to my mouth without dropping a few grains each time. i made the mistake of comparing something with peanut butter and jelly. australians call jello jelly, so the comparison was more confusing than helpful. i could hardly eat with my fork--dumplings are slippery little fellows. i nearly dripped ice cream onto my top. warm, steamy, moist towels were delivered afterwards and my look of confusion caused my friends to explain that "you don't eat them."
moral of the story: i felt like an incompetent american the entire time. it just wasn't my night.

sincerely,
shae

desserts were forced upon me at 10 a.m.

2010-02-03T20:10:00.000-05:00

dear you,

i spoke at the ladies fellowship yesterday morning.
it's a group of older women who have been meeting once a month for over 80 years.
i sat, cross-legged in a chair, sharing with 15+ women who were thoroughly interested in who i was, where i came from, and what i've experienced. some knitted, some smiled, some fell asleep. but i enjoyed every moment of it. for two hours, they filled the void of my grandmas in every way.

i wish i could chill with them more often.

sincerely,
shae

host family

2010-01-30T00:22:00.000-05:00

dear you,

the time has finally come: i'm moving into my host family's house on sunday afternoon...!
some of you have known this was part of the plans, but for those of you who didn't, i will explain in greater detail.

for the past four months i've been living at irene's place, an intentional community and discipleship program, with four other females. we were matched up with host-families from our church before we got here, and have spent many occasions with them, allowing time to get to know each other. for instance, over christmas many of us spent the holidays with our host-family. we are now moving out of irene's place and into separate houses in separate neighborhoods. we will be with them for three months, then return back to irene's place to finish out our time in australia.

my host family's called the williams. allen and sue are both retired after spending many years in their respectable careers. megan, their daughter, is about to start her final year of university. they live in weston creek, one of the suburbs, which is a 15 minute drive from my current house. they're a great family and i'm looking forward to belonging to them. :)

ok. i'm off to pack.

sincerely,
shae

australia day

2010-01-29T23:51:00.000-05:00

dear you,

australia day, known as invasion day to those longing for justice, is the anniversary of the first ships that discovered the country. the typical australian spends the day decked out in red and blue, goes to the beach, has a barbecue, enjoys some drinks, and plays some form of cricket.

i, however, spent my day sketching my backyard.

but the evening was filled with greatness. we drove through the hills of outer-canberra, waded in a river with 8 other friends, ate lots and lots of fresh food...all the while listening to triple j's (a radio station) top 100 songs of 2009. after the winner was revealed, we headed back home, stopping by the lake to watch fireworks. good day? you know it.

sincerely,
shae

4 outta 10

2010-01-24T07:15:00.001-05:00

4 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

dancing curtains

2010-01-23T13:20:00.003-05:00

dancing curtains from shae miller on Vimeo.

i wear the same clothes multiple days without realizing it.

2010-01-23T04:32:00.000-05:00

dear you,

i feel like it's been a while since i've blogged, sharing my life experiences with you. but the truth is that nothing has really happened over the past month. canberra shuts down for quite a few weeks after the holiday season. because it's summertime, people leave this city to spend time in another. because people leave, businesses slow down. because work slows down, my volunteer placements have... stopped.

and now, this is my life.

i wake up an hour before midday. after soaking up every ounce of comfort from my bed, i stumble into the kitchen searching for something to eat. dilemma #1: do i eat breakfast food or lunch? after consuming some type of meal, i go back to my bedroom and back on my bed. dilemma #2: do i sit up, or lay down? i turn on my laptop and check the appropriate sites. a few hours later, i muster up the energy to brush my teeth, maybe wash my face. i then stand in front of my fan, mumbling to myself about how hot it is. dilemma #3: do i practice guitar or read a book? before i know it, the smell of dinner enters the stale air. i sit at the table, conversing with my housemates about our extremely lazy days and the need to feel useful again. after cleaning up the table, we all form around the t.v. to watch detective shows. by 10.30, the house is dark and quiet, as people are already in bed. i, however, turn on my light, close the door, and write a letter, draw, or read until my eyes finally get tired. by 2 a.m. i'm laying in bed, finally able to fall asleep.

this has been my average day for the past month. but don't fear, all you spiritual and financial supporters. in a weeks time i'll be back to the busy schedule of volunteering throughout the city. i promise.

sincerely,
shae

p.s. any suggestions on how to fill my days with purpose is gladly welcomed....

mourning

2010-01-17T02:00:00.000-05:00

dear you,

over the holidays, a grown family got together for a time of laughter, games, food, and memories. however, on january 5, tragedy struck. during an afternoon on the lake, the son (mid-30's) was killed in a boating accident. he left behind a wife and three kids. upon returning to their home, the parents, of the recently deceased son, were greeted by a ransacked house, turned upside down by thefts. money, jewels, security, peace-of-mind was stolen away.

on the day of their son's memorial service, becca and myself were asked to housesit their home. i have to admit--i was at a loss of words and emotions. how do i comfort people i hardly know? what do i say to people who have lost so much? however, upon arriving we were greeted with warm smiles, easy conversations, and even a few jokes. no tears, no silence. just friendliness and hospitality.

afterwards, the husband invited us to stay for dinner. dinner...! after a day of saying goodbye to their son, brother, uncle, friend, they invite 2 strangers to stay for a barbecue. we politely declined, but the kind invitation was not to be forgotten.

i was left dumbstruck, in awe, of the response from this tragedy. the people who lost so much still have so much to give. their faith and love... amazing.

please remember this family in your prayers.

sincerely,
shae

hello, 2010

2010-01-01T08:50:00.001-05:00

dear you,

i spent my new years eve 11 stories above the rest of canberra.
gazing out onto the city i now call my home.
i spent my new years eve with 10 australians, many of whom i call my friends.
chatting, laughing, sitting as the hours passed us by.
i spent my new years eve with 9 dishes of food.
stopping by the table to awaken my tastebuds.
i spent my new years eve with 8 glasses of drink.
who knew there could be so many types of cool liquid in one place.

i welcomed my new years day with 1 question in mind.
where, oh where, will i be in 10 years?
i welcomed my new years day with 2 sets of fireworks exploding.
one downtown canberra, one downtown sydney--on the t.v.
i welcomed my new years day with 3 memories.
being young, scared the world will end.
being cold, dressed in sweaters and socks.
being home, surrounded by all of you.

happy new years, my family and friends.

sincerely,
shae

back in business...

2010-01-01T05:49:00.000-05:00

dear you,

after much down-time, my picture blog is finally back up.
feel free to take a look at my life again.

snapshotshae.blogspot.com

sincerely,
shae

a week of christmas

2009-12-27T08:38:00.001-05:00

dear you,

sunday: sitting on a blanket, sprinkled with grass and ants, i ate a sizzling sausage fresh off the bbq. after some simple conversations with friends, the carols began. songs filled the warm air, a gentle breeze twirled about, and the sun began to set.

monday: it was hot, both inside and out. no real breeze, no clouds in sight. as the sun set, the people came--filling our house with familiar faces and voices. and then it began. prayers of peace, candlelight, symbolism. the smell of spiced drinks climbed up my nose as my eyes closed and my mind relaxed. thanking, praising, loving God for this special season among us.

tuesday: marinated chicken, cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, rice noodles, and sweet chili sauce filled up my rice-paper wraps. oranges, strawberries, limes filled up my drink. kiwis, strawberries, passion fruit, grapes filled up the top of my pavlova. laughter, stories, uncertainties, wishes, hopes, comments filled up my conversation. our final night together, as a team, before everyone seperated for the holidays.

wednesday: i was in the shower, ridding my skin of smells and such, when i heard the postman bang on the door. my packages finally arrived! staring at the two boxes sitting on my bed, i finally decided to open them. lots and lots of goodies and pressies filled the bed, but i just sat in awe.

thursday: right before dinner, i stood outside on the dry, brown grass waiting for santa to come my way. he travels around on the back of a ute giving lollies to kids who've been good. soon, my hands were filled with sour candy and my face was hot and flushed, so i returned back to the house for a nice summer meal on the deck. after watching carols and listening to my host sister sing along, we went to the christmas eve service. though the sun was gone, the windows were opened, and few candles filled the room, the heat was unreal for 11 p.m. but there we sat, listening, singing, praying as christmas day made it's entrance.

friday: after the morning service at church, we returned home to await the arrival of their family. once my host dad's parents and sister came over, we opened our pressies and ate a delicious meal consisting of ham, turkey, and all the fixin's. it rained all day. 500 ml in all. we watched movies throughout the evening, and ate more snacks than we should've. but it was great, for it was christmas.

saturday: a walk to the shops to hire out two movies and pick up some food occupied an hour of my afternoon. but a skype conversation with the family back home gladly filled the rest of my space before dinner. afterwards, my hair was straightened by my sister's friend as we watched the nativity story.

sunday: the service was small and fairly informal, as the majority were gone for the holidays. upon returning to my home sweet home, i unpacked, unwound, and slept the late afternoon away. and here i sit, listening to the drizzle of rain, creeking of crickets, and buzzing of the fridge. in less than 6 hours, i'll be resting atop my fireplace in indiana, watching my family unwrap their gifts.

belated happy christmas from the girl in canberra.

sincerely,
shae

rain

2009-12-17T09:50:00.000-05:00

dear you,

i'm currently laying in the corner of our lounge room, against a large pillow (ya know, like the ones that are meant for dogs). the fairy lights are the only thing lighting the room, as i just sit a listen.

it's finally raining.

we've gone days, weeks, without a drop from the sky. the grass is brown and crunchy, the dirt easily lifts into the wind, the gardens wilt after a day of bright sun beating down on them. but now, at 1.40 a.m., a week before christmas, i hear and see the refreshment of rain.

there's a light, cool breeze flowing throughout the house. a gentle pitter-patter of raindrops falling upon the glass. and the sound of puddles splashing below car tires. as i look out the window, and down the street, i can see the eucalyptus trees sparkling-- a combination of wind and water tracing the leaves. bugs are talking amongst themselves, as i talk to you.

it's christmas time in canberra.

sincerely,
shae

thursday

2009-12-17T08:57:00.000-05:00

dear you,

this morning, i worked out for an hour. and then, i watched "secret santa" (a lame christmas movie that takes place in hamdon, in) on t.v. this afternoon, i mowed the lawn. and then, i took a shower. afterwards, i read a book and took a nap. this evening, i ate dinner, watched t.v., and drank lemon lime and bitters. it was a good day in the neighborhood.

sincerely,
shae

the dim glow

2009-12-13T08:07:00.000-05:00

dear you,

when the night has appeared,
the house is quiet,
the others are asleep,

when the doors are closed,
the fridge buzzes,
the ipod sings to me,

i turn on the strand of fairy lights,
lay on the couch,
stare at the dim glow,

i curl into a ball,
think,
and remember.

sincerely,
shae

lots of ladies

2009-12-13T07:53:00.000-05:00

dear you,

so, it's been almost three months.
life is good. this is what it looks like:

s--go to church (with numberous ladies)
m--hang out (in a house full of young ladies)
t--work at the op shop (with older, polish ladies)
w--work at c.r.s. (with middle-aged ladies)
t--have a sabbath day (with no other ladies than myself)
f--work at c.r.s. (once again, with middle-aged ladies), help with youth group (where ladies are the majority)
s--hang out (with young ladies from the community)

sincerely,
shae

the weekend after thanksgiving

2009-12-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

dear you,

i am now a victim of theft.

over the past weekend, my household and i went to sydney for a 2.5 day seminar to learn about the alternatives to violence project. it was a lovely weekend, and fun was had by all.
shortly after returning home, my roommate asked in a panicked voice, "where's my computer?" after glancing at my desk, the same question shot through my brain in a similar manner.
we franticly pulled back each curtain in the house, looking for an open window, but finding none. i then wandered into our bathroom, and there it was--the means for intruding.

you see, the friday that we left, three of the girls saw the bathroom window barely cracked open. however, the idea was dismissed and the thought of anything happening was soon dispelled. this made for an easy entrance for the burglars. they simply stepped up on our worm farm, pulled the window open, and hopped inside. they then left the house by the front door, prizes in hand.

the total damage:
9 american dollars
3 laptop computers
3 containers of tim tams (chocolate cookies)
1 passport
1 pocket knife
1 bar of cadbury turkish delight chocolate
1 necklace

though this all came as a shock, i realized that i feel the same as i did a year ago, when my hard drive crashed taking mostly everything with it. nothing i do, say, or feel will bring it back. but i'm alright with that. i'm not defined by the pictures i took, music i listened to, videos i made, or the words i wrote. i am me, with or without technology to prove it.

some of the girls were scared for safety, or angry and upset. some felt guilty like they let us down. but what happened happened for a reason. our lives will move on, return back to normal, and we will adjust. god has a funny sense of humor, ya know. just a few weeks earlier we were all discussing how we should cut back on our technology use. less screen time, more team time. welp! easy enough. :D

all this to say that pictures will no longer be posted. videos will no longer be shown. but i will continue to write, i promise you that.

sincerely,
shae

six

2009-12-02T01:23:00.000-05:00

dear you,

australian
american
italian
polish
russian
spanish

within four hours of working at the local thrift store, i heard all of these languages.
i was impressed. aren't you?

sincerely,
shae

thanksgiving in canberra

2009-11-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

dear you,

as i was watering the garden around 9.30 this morning, in a tank top and shorts, i realized: it's thanksgiving. the birds were chirping, the sun was heating, the trees were rustling, the grass was crunching. i thought about the chilly, gray weather that most of my thanksgivings have been filled with. as well as all the typical sights, sounds, and smells of november coming to an end.

but then i turned off the hose, meandered back to the house, and sat in front of a fan.

following an afternoon of substantial conversation, coffee, and cake, i headed to a beautiful house lodged on the side of a hill. after entering through the door, all the typical sights, sounds, and smells of thanksgiving came rushing back to me. candles burning, decorations sitting, oven's baking, people buzzing, turkey roasting, bread warming. before i knew it, ten other people surrounded me at a table, filling my night with sincere conversations, memories, and traditions. it was splendid.

but then we turned on the car, meandered back to the house, and sat in front of a fan.

sincerely,
shae

2 outta 10

2009-11-25T00:55:00.001-05:00

2 outta 10 from shae miller on Vimeo.

a dead room

2009-11-22T02:12:00.000-05:00

dear you,

i was sitting alone in a dead room. ya know, when the air doesn't move and the only sounds you hear are the breaths you breathe. anyway. i sat upright, with my hands draped over the keys, and my foot on the pedal. i played through the songs that i'd be singing later that night, familiarizing myself with the notes and melodies. as i finished, i realized that i was longing for more words to sing, more notes to play. so i sat... and i sat... and i sat.

suddenly, i began to play the notes and sing the words to one of the songs for later in the evening. but the tune wasn't the same. the feeling wasn't the same. the mindset wasn't the same. i closed my eyes and let my fingers play amongst the narrow rectangles. i breathed deeply and let my voice fill the silence that surrounded me. two, five, seven minutes passed. i opened my eyes and felt an unbelievable sense of peace moving throughout me.

that's when i knew. i finally experienced true worship through song.

the evening came quickly, the sun finally settled, but the heat carried on. before i knew it i was standing in front of 110 youth and young adults from seven area churches, leading them in worship. but this time, it was different. i wasn't worried about playing or singing the right notes. i wasn't distracted by people entering and exiting the space. i wasn't overwhelmed by the heat that flooded through the open windows. i was thinking, praying, feeling every single note and word that came through my mouth.

i left tuggeranong baptist church feeling energized and exhausted. sweaty and chilly. quenched and thirsty. new and old. i left knowing that this was a turning point in my spiritual journey and that finally--finally-- i had experienced what it was like to truly enter, and lead, a time of musical worship.

sincerely,
shae

mona vale, i will return to you.

2009-11-20T00:32:00.005-05:00

dear you,

sights:
darkness so black not even my hand looks familiar.
stars so bright that orion's belt blends in.
flashes from a camera attempting to capture the beauty.

sounds:
crunching of gravel beneath my feet.
rushing of waves reaching the shore.
laughter and squeals as the ocean meets our skin.

smells:
savory salt water and seaweed floating towards me.
dead sea life resting in peace among the sand.
vanilla chapstick quenching my thirsty lips.

tastes:
chicken salt tracing the edge of my lip.
seafood enveloped in my stomach.
salt water splashing onto my face.

touch:
soft sand filling the cracks between my toes.
cool water violating my shorts and long jacket.
warm air blowing my curls away to caress my cheeks.

sincerely,
shae

sydney roadtrip

2009-11-16T00:18:00.000-05:00

sydney roadtrip from shae miller on Vimeo.

their faith

2009-11-08T06:30:00.003-05:00

dear you,

there i was. sitting on a hand-me-down couch, with my hand-me-down shoes, hand-me-down jeans, and hand-me-down shirt, surrounded by others also enjoying hand-me-down this' and hand-me-down that's.
these girls and guys were engulfed in other people's stuff, other people's possessions, other people's belongings, other people's wants, needs, desires.

but suddenly,

these girls and guys revealed their most important, personal, unique possession: their faith. the songs they sang, the words they prayed, the stories they told, the message they presented--these things were not hand-me-downs. these things were authentically theirs. their love, their beliefs, their relationship, their wants, needs, desires.

and suddenly,

i realized that 18 to 20-something year-olds were taking time out of their relaxing weekend to stand and praise with each other, sit and pray with each other, eat and fellowship with each other. i was encouraged. i was inspired. i was refreshed.

sincerely,
shae

wanna mail me?

2009-11-06T01:27:00.003-05:00

dear you,

i love getting postcards, letters, packages, visitors... ya know. things of that nature.
so, if you want, here you go.

Shae Miller
8 Sydney Ave
Forrest ACT 2603
Australia

sincerely, shae

vote, palease.

2009-11-04T02:02:00.004-05:00

dear you,

turns out my brother, landry, is freaking awesome at designing things.

here's the deal: manifest happens each year in chicago. it's a time where all the columbia college seniors present their final projects. pretty much, a great and amazing time filled with creative greatness.

posters, billboards, windows, etc. are filled with one lucky students designs to advertise the event. landry's idea is in the top five.

so, vote away.

support my brother. :D

thanks a bunch!

click to *VOTE!*

sincerely,

shae

noah

2009-11-02T07:57:00.004-05:00

dear you,

i only met you once.

on the porch, late one evening.

we exchanged glances, smiles, handshakes, names.

conversation was cut short,

never to return again.

sincerely,

shae

past three weeks

2009-11-02T00:34:00.007-05:00

dear you,

9.00-11.00---she wakes up

11.00-12.30---she gets on computer

12.30-1.00---she eats lunch

1.00-6.00---she reads, sleeps, snacks, gets on computer

6.00-7.00---she eats dinner

7.00-11.00---she watches tv, cleans dishes, socializes

11.00-2.00---she journals, blogs, has alone time

2.00-9.00---she sleeps

this has been the basic schedule for the past three weeks.

perhaps i'm filling you in on what i've been up to.

perhaps i'm reflecting on how relaxing this time has been.

either way.

my schedule will fill up, my experiences will increase, and my cup will runneth over... like always.

sincerely,

shae