Harder Than You Think

I'm sure I look alright... but I'm taking this harder than you might think. My insides tighten and my eyes water when I think about it. It makes me physically ill. I've decided to withdraw from my online class because I can't think straight and I don't feel even slightly motivated to care about school. My mind is racing... over the same road again and again. I'm not hungry. I can't sleep without dreaming horrible dreams (none nearly as harmful as reality, I suppose). I dreamed that all of my teeth fell out when I took a "nap" yesterday. I don't want to be around ANYONE but you, Mikey and Aaron. I'm sad for you and sad for me. I feel guilty that I didn't see it before. I feel guilty that I'm not near by to talk to you. I feel guilty that I live so far away. I'm afraid you think I left you. I miss you so hard it hurts. I showed up at work today, turned on my computer, and started to cry... then I went home. I went grocery shopping today because we had absolutely no food in our apartment... I had to listen to my iPod because I was afraid I'd think about all this and break down crying in the middle of the store. I wanted to text you... but I knew you wouldn't get it. I'll probably start taking medicine too, as soon as I can get help.

I'm sure I look alright... but I'm taking this harder than you might think.

I DID IT!!! (and other random thoughts)

I passed my first two sections of the CSET. That's the test that I thought there was no way I passed... yeah... that one! It has totally made my whole day 10x brighter. I'm just glad I don't have to re-take them. I do have to take the other two sections, but... two down, two to go. One step closer to being a REAL teacher!

Also, I made it through November! I'm so happy that it's December. November was just a little too crazy and I almost completely lost it.

Now... I really want to go back to India this summer. I want to be able to visit Janaman and make some progress on starting the orphanage. The problem: I don't have the money and I don't want to ask everyone AGAIN. The other problem: I reeeeeally wanna go!!! (right Amber?)

Book weather emotions

I feel that this just about sums up my emotions for today:

I'm leaving work to go home and read a book... CUZ I WANT TO!

November 20th!!!

How did you get here!? Seriously... bullet train?

I cannot believe it is already November 2oth! I don't know how I lived through the last 2o days. Actually, I'm pretty sure that's just what I did - live through them. They've gone by so fast and they've been so busy. I'm glad to have finished the 2 sections of the CSET, but I'm still waiting (nervously) on the results. We've moved into our new apartment and we absolutely love it. It has a little more space and already feels like our home. Hosting Janaman was both amazingly exciting and horribly exhausting. We had a lot to do and it's always wearing to spend time with international friends whom you have to struggle to understand.

Some exciting thing have come out of the last 2o days, but I'm really not sure how I've made it through. My body is screaming and yelling at me now, but I'm sure it'll eventually settle down and I'll be able to talk some sense into it.

Alright, December, bring it on!

A Laughter of a Memory

This morning, as I stood in the bathroom straightening my hair, I began to think of all the things I'm blessed by. I thought of some of the amazing people I've traveled alongside to India. I thought of many of the people in my congregation that are so pleased in the Lord. I thought of the provision that God has granted me - a wonderful new apartment at the top of my list today. I also thought of my beloved husband. In thinking about how great he is, I stumbled across a memory that, I believe, vividly expresses why I am thankful for this man. The memory is this:

Aaron and I went to Oregon in October. We flew into the Portland airport on October 15th around 5pm. We exited the airplane, gathered our luggage, and we lugged our luggage (now I understand the term "luggage") toward the car rental booth just outside the airport. Aaron stood in line as I stood watch over our luggage just beyond the line, toward the parking garage. After the transaction at the counter was completed, Aaron and the car-rental-man proceeded toward the garage and I followed. We entered an elevator that would take us to the garage level where we'd receive our beautiful, masterpiece of a car - a royal blue Chevy Cobalt. The car-rental-man, being polite and personable, thought it fitting to start small talk in the elevator. "What brings you to Portland," car-rental-man asked. "We're visiting my grandpa," Aaron replied. I truly worked very hard not to laugh out loud while thinking to myself, "Visit your grandpa!?" "Oh, how sweet! I'm sure he'll be so happy to see you," car-rental-man said so sincerely. In my head (and probably in my face), I laughingly smirked a reply, "Not really! He's dead!" You see, Aaron and I had traveled to Oregon not to visit his grandfather, but to celebrated his life and morn his passing with the rest of Aaron's family. What brought us to Portland? His grandfather's memorial service! My precious Aaron simply didn't want to hear, "oh, I'm sorry for your loss" and thought it better to explain our visit in different terms.

It's all these blessed memories that make me smile.

Mutts

L.A. ...lalala... Love

The perk of living in LA is the la la la live music! Heck yes it is!

Tonight I went to Hotel Cafe and saw Greg Laswell. His music is pretty amazing. He's pretty chill himself actually. It was fun to watch him perform. He seemed sincere... and tired. The Hotel Cafe is this cute little place with a few tables and tons of standing room. Cute cut-out-felt hanging lamps and a brick wall, it's located right between Sunset Blvd. and Hollywood Blvd. in the heart of the downtizown. What better place to listen to such sweet melodic expressions.

Yay for LA! Love the live la la la.

Irregular Verbs Belong in the Zoo

Today I look my CSET. I had been studying for a while but did some cram-sessions this past week. Last night (yep, Halloween) I was studying and took a pre-test. One of the questions said,

"Irregular verbs"
a. show a vowel alteration when changing to past tense
b. show the difference between a noun and a verb
c. show the difficulty in linguistic studies
d. belong in a zoo

I choose d. belong in a zoo. That'd imply that they were cute and fluffy. That'd imply that this test might not be so bad... Instead, this test was ridiculous! I totally would have aced it if... I HAD KNOWN EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT ENGLISH!!! It's so broad and complex. I feel I was expected to know all kinds of things that I'll never, ever teach in my class as a high school English teacher. I'm hoping I passed because, if I didn't... well... I don't know if I have a career in teaching English. I would have to take it again but I'm not sure how I'd even study for the next round. Oh! I know! I can read the entire Oxford Companion to English Literature, The Dictionary of Literary Terms, and a few common grammar books to start off. ...oh whatever... I guess all I can do now is wait to see how it turns out.

In efforts to recover, I baked two apple pies. :) And I leave you now with one thought: perhaps irregular verbs actually belong in pies... not the zoo.

Good Bye October

I can't believe October is nearly gone. It went pretty fast.

What I really can't believe is what comes next... November! AHHHH!!! Run and hide!

I start November off with a wonderful Saturday of CSET testing. Followed directly by moving into a new apartment ("followed by," if not accomplished simultaneously). About 10 days in, I start graduate school at APU. On day 14 we have a friend visiting from India. He'll be here for about one week. His stay also includes corrdinating his luncheon at NewSong Church on the 16th. About a week after he leaves, Thanksgiving rolls around the corner and right into my lap. I lovingly and gladly volunteered to host Thanksgiving at our new apartment, which includes hosting(and cooking for) my brother, sister, father, and Aaron's father and mother.

These are all things I'm excited about, but it's slightly daunting knowing that all of these boulders are rolling toward me at once. None of them can I pick up and throw back up the hill.

Better yet, I have cold.

Good bye October... hold on November! Wait for me!!!

Used Furniture Rocks

I spent most of today buying and selling furniture. It's really quite exciting knowing that I've just furnished my second room/office for about $130 (this includes 4 pieces of furniture - 3 piece[chair] couch, a huge bookshelf, a coffee table, a new printer stand)! How amazing! All I have left for the office is our desks which each cost $180 (new) and some accessories. Still pretty good!

I've also gotten rid of two TVs! I also have a butterfly chair, cd rack, 2 lap trays, and a side table/printer or tv stand up for sale. Let's hope someone grabs.

New best friends: Craigslist & Freecycle

and PS if anyone sees a candelabra for an amazing price or FREE, definitely let me know!

Christmas/Birthday List... so far

For the sake of... well... my husband (by his request) I've started to compile a "Christmas/Birthday List"

so far... (which isn't very far)

• a pair of Tom's shoes, like this or this in size 6.5
• a magazine subscription to Real Simple (I have a great coupon for it too)
• Ticket to Ride board game
• Wicked The Grimmerie: a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Hit Broadway Musical (hardcover)

I'm sure there will be more to add later. After all, it's only October.

An Oregonian at Heart?

Aaron and I went to Oregon last week... and it was AWESOME. I really like it up there. I discovered that I can't handle the streets in downtown because they're too crammed and busy, but other than that I felt like I fit in. It's weird to say because I never really admit this aloud, but I think I feel most comfortable with the artsy-hippy crowd that exists in Portland. Not to mention that Powell's - the best book store ever - also exists in Portland, and I can definitely handle that! 3 stories high, one city block large, new and used books on the same shelves... c'mon! An amazing bookstore and constant reading weather (foggy chill), what wouldn't I totally love about being in this city (except for the driving, we already established that).

It should however be noted that I do turn into ultra-nerd in Oregon. We went on this amazing hike (behind waterfalls and all!) and I was totally content taking photos of mushrooms. Uh huh, mushrooms. I intend to post the pictures for my very-large(hardly existent) fan base here soon. Some of them turned out to be pretty cool.

The last day we were in Portland we went to this cute cafe called "Sound Grounds." The coffee was great, they had art on the wall (good art too, not corporate reprints of crappy patterns mixed up and called art), and they sold vynals on the side. Uh... yeah...

The houses there are even cute. I mean it's all that slightly old architecture that looks like it's transitioning out of the victorian style, but is way cute. I'd love to own a house like that. I can picture myself growing old in a house on a cute little, tree-laiden street. That's after I have kids playing under the large oak tree and building forts in the backyard, of course.

Oh Portland of my heart...

News Flash

...I need a new place to live and a new place to work...

Book Club

I think it'd be cool to start a book club. I think a dinner book club would be cool. I like to host people so I wouldn't mind hosting it (at least a few times). And I think it's cool to be building common group based on books. ...because I like books.

It'd be cool to do a book per month for one year - meeting once a month. All year we can have a theme - like Coming of Age, Strong Women Leads, Love Stories, Memoirs . Or we could pull books off some list (like the Pulitzer Prize winners).

Just a thought... maybe I'll act on it someday!

Toms Shoes

So... at work I called a girl to tell her about TeachOverseas... instead she totally sold me on her company!

Check this out! www.tomsshoes.com For every pair of shoes you buy, they give a pair of shoes to a poor child in another country who cannot afford shoes. They're super cute shoes too! So, for Christmas or my birthday... I want a pair!

It's just one of those days that I'm really ready to give up on everything. I've just been too busy for anything good to happen. And I just paid $150 for a really dumb mistake that (if I have to admit it...) I made.

I just go through these periods though... periods of my life where I'm too busy and can't handle life. I rest in the assurance that this too shall pass because it has before.

And this TV and PS3 purchase... still haunting me. I still think it's overwhelming and silly that we spent money on these things. And I realize what a true time-waste both are. All the way to the extend that they are persuading some of us to not take care of our responsibilities around the house. I understand how they do it - they both sit there in the livingroom suttling whispering, "just play for a little bit." "I miss you." "Spend time with me." But other people are saying it a lot louder! -clears her throat - ehhem... ME!

And on top of all this... today I set out a black shirt that I was going to put on before I went to work. I put on the undershirt and left the black shirt lying on the bed. Now, note that the bed is fairly large - queen size - and nothing else was on the bed (other than pillows of course). Silas comes waltzing in and decides to take a siesta on the bed... oh, but not just on the bed, also right on my shirt! Hello!!! There's the whole bed and you chose to lay on the 2sq. feet that's taken by my shirt! UH! C'mon!

Ok... maybe life it's THAT bad!

Fall!

Today I totally got jazzed that it's the start of fall! I even went to Bath and Body Works to sniff pumpkin candles after work! MMMMM! Yummy! I love the smells and colors of fall. I also like that the holidays are coming (although, right around Nov. 15th I'm ready for them to be over).

So... to celebrate fall... one of my favorite comics

Yoga Day 7 (before class)

Today is indeed day 7 of Yoga.

I went on Saturday morning (day 5) and it was quite crowded. I squeezed in and got stuck near one of the side walls. I was doing great though! I held a lot of the stretches that I haven't been able to hold yet. I was feeling totally relaxed but focused and determined. A little more than halfway through the class I realized that there was a cricket on the floor between the wall and myself. Before some of the positions we lay down on our stomach and all face one way (we all face right or we all face left). The cricket was on the left side of me and we were taking a turn facing right. Lying there I was getting all worried that the cricket would start crawling on me if I wasn't paying attention to where he was. I turned my head around just to see where the cricket was, so I could shoe him away from me, but when I turned around... AHHH! The cricket was right in front of my face.

Yesterday was different than the others because I got Amanda and Aaron to go with me! Aaron had a hard time with the heat, but I'm so proud of him for toughing it out. Amanda... well we all know Amanda's the health and exercise nut in our little group, so of course, she was awesome. She nailed it (ESPECIALLY for her first time!)

Today will be my 7th class in 7 days. This is a big accomplishment for me. I'm really proud of myself for sticking with it and doing if for the whole 7 days. Really, I'm actually enjoying it. I feel accomplished when I reach goals (in specific stretches) and I feel healthier as a whole. It's actually brought me some hope because I had been pretty hopeless about my back ever feeling better (normal, actually) again.

So.... off to day 7!

Yoga Day 4

I'm tired and very very sore.

(yes, I did go yesterday too, but I didn't write about it)

After that...

Immediately following Aaron's read through "Yoga Day 2":

a: You purchased a yoga mat?
me: no!
where did you get that idea?!
a: uh uh!
you said it in your blog!
the blogesphere never lies
me: it lies
I tell you! It lies
...
ps - I used my BN discount on my new mat (doesn't that help!?)
a: I SUPPOSE so
So where's my mat?

blogs... they sometimes get you in trouble

Yoga Day 2

So, I went to yoga again. It was a lot different this time. I felt so much more comfortable because it wasn't a totally new place. I also had an easier time as far as the workout itself! I never felt dizzy or nauseous like I had yesterday. I felt pretty focused and motivated. I think I actually had a little bit of fun because I saw myself overcoming things I could NOT do yesterday. I also noticed I was able to focus on my breathing better, which kept me calmer and more focused on the positions - rather than panicked and totally unable to balance.

The people (teachers, owner, students...) at the studio are so nice too. The owner even remembered that I came for the 4:30 class yesterday. And the teacher remembered me too. Also, I met two people right before class today. The guy that I met had his last day of undergraduate college today so he was really excited. The lady was so sweet, asking how I was feeling after doing one day of it and asking what I think will get better and how it'll help me. They're so welcoming. It's fun! Vern, the owner, said the goal of the studio is to make Yoga the funnest part of the day. I like that. I can handle that :)

I bought myself a yoga mat today too. I told myself I'd hold off on that for a while to make sure I was really committing to this, but I'm so excited, and I REALLY wanna stick with it. (I hope I can afford it!)

Tomorrow Isabell (a friend from work) is joining me. I'm excited about having a friend with me!


On a deeper level:
I think our generation of Christ-followers has mostly grown away from silly rules and restrictions of associating with other religious practices, but still some might think it's odd that I practice yoga (yes, it is typically a religious practice... from India!). Here's my take, in brief - God has gifted people with the wisdom and knowledge of how to care for the body. For some reason, God gave yoga's founding fathers an amazing insight to the body; how wind is drawn and released, how muscles are built by contracting and relaxing, how minds are stabilized through rest. What these people have missed is that God created the body to be restored through these amazing processes and is, therefore, worthy of ALL praise and adoration. But because they've missed this point, should I avoid yoga completely? I say no - in actuality, the physical elements of yoga (the exercise part) honor God by proclaiming His product (the body) is a. worth taking care of and b. made in a way that could not have been done by anything/anyone other than a divide, all powerful, and creative being like Himself. For that, PrAiSe GoD!!!

Plus - what a GREAT place to show the love of God; a place where many are open to spirituality!

So... I press on - through the sweat, through the hurts (uh huh!), through the 90 minutes per day - toward a healthy body and better understand of God's complex creativity.

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."
- Walter Elliott

Yoga Day 1

That's right... today I started up yoga again. I did it back in San Diego, kinda back in the day. I do it at a hot yoga studio (Bikram Yoga in Covina). They keep the temp at 101-103 degrees. It helps muscles stretch easier and makes you sweat like a mother! It's good because you sweat out a lot of toxins, but man is it sick. The worst is when you have to put your head down and the sweats runnin' in your eyes and... eck! And yoga aint no small thing. Man, I was gettin' dizzy and nauseated... I had to take a break and sit a few times. It's intense. The first week is always the hardest. But my plan is to go at least 4 times in the next 7 days, and 3 times per week after that. Before, in San Diego, it was really helping my back and made me feel really healthy - that's what I'm hoping for again!

Anyone wanna join me? $10 for unlimited classes for the 1st week!

Not a Professional

Apprently, I'm not a professional blogger. Not even close, really.

Sorry I've let you down, fans! Sorry I've failed to tell you about all the dumb things I think about all day! :)

Perhaps now that my phone has internet access (as if I need it to) I'll be more dilligent or something. We'll see, no promises!

Closing

Our trip is coming to a close. It's been both exciting, heart wrenching, and HOT!

This week we've done a lot of tourist type things. We've been to a few more temples and traveled to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.



We've also had opportunity to hangout with some nationals. A great coffee shop called Costa Coffee has employed quite a few deaf people. Two of them quickly befriended our team. One of them is a Christ-follower and the other is Hindu. The Hindu friend, Rajeev, told us that we much see a temple called Ashratam, so we asked if he would take us and show us around. Both went with us on Thursday. It was horribly hot but the temple was immaculate. ...In the US I had watched and IMAX film with Paula (Aaron's mom)about an Indian boy who traveled through India and became a Yogi... it turns out the boy that this boy was the central focus of worship in this temple. The temple had the IMAX film for us to watch as well as a ride (Pirated of the Carribean style), and an exhibition that walked through the stages of his life. Many of the things he was know for sounded a lot like the things Jesus did - cared for the poor, lived simply, taught peace, etc. It was all quite interesting. We talked with the two deaf boys more about our experience when we went back to Costa with them.

I've also grown fond of a girl named Sonia. She's Hindu but very modern. She walked us through the ISKCON temple this morning. She kept telling us "...but this is mythology, and I don't really believe it." And she pointed out that she thought it was pretty ridiculous that this huge temple was build so nicely (and expensively) but there are still people starving right outside of its doors. She admitted that she only really held onto Hinduism slightly because it seems to give her some soft of peace in hard times.... very interesting! I have her contact info and I really hope to keep in contact with her. She's a really neat girl outside of those things too. Very nice, very gentle, and so giving.

Tomorrow we leave (in the late evening). I'll admit that I'm pretty excited to go home. I miss feeling "at home" and I have been dealing with this weird heat rash thing that I've never seen before. Aaron is also sick with a flu of some sort. We miss our cat and we miss the comfort of our bed :)

So... soon we shall see you friends! SOON!

Signing off,
Spotted and Eager

Hanuman's Temple and Sikh Gurdwara

Today we went to the Hanuman temple and Sikh Gurdwara. It was neat to go again. I think I draw nearer to God each time I re-learn how unique He is. He's not chaotic and unpredictable. He's just and quick to act. He's welcoming and kind to all, like the Sikhs, but He's promised eternal salvation to those who come to Him! He is not partial (whereas the Hindu Gods give favor to those who give lots of money and flowers and food).

Also, I'm constantly amazed at how complete, how whole, how provocative the Word of our Father is. He has already addressed, so clearly, the things that are happening here, even in this present age. Today I read Romans 1 and 2. I see the things in this text lived out in my surroundings here. They have indeed traded in truth for falsehood! They have indeed seen the wonders of God but turned away! They are indeed not only practicing lawlessness, but ENCOURAGING and HONORING it!

I love our Father! What a mighty One He is! What a righteous and loving One we serve. What a personal and accepting Lord we know! What a forgiving Son we love!

Signing off,
An Admirer

Finished Program

It's Saturday morning... yesterday we finished the children's program in the slum area. It turned out that only Aaron, Janelle, and I could go yesterday because Dawn and Becky were very sick. But other than that, it was so fun to see the program come to a close. The kids were so excited to share their memory verses with us, perform a skit, and sing songs. They kinda got to take over and lead he program. It was very fun.






Last night we went to this dance show. It was a Jazz dance thing that Dawn wanted to go to because the girl she met in the cafe was performing. It was very interesting though. The show was set up like a history timeline. One of the major markers was the death AND RESURRECTION of Christ! The announcer even said something like "when the Christ was killed for the sin of all people...." It was very interesting, the markers they chose to use throughout history.

Today is a pretty relaxed day. Of course! It's Saturday!
...but how crazy to think we are half way through out time here.
...and then we have to get back on that darn plane.... eh!
Happy Saturday!

Signing off,
Ready for the Weekend

Photos from India

Today we went to the slum again to work with the children. While we were there the electricity went out (which is fairly typical) and so the fans turned off. It got sooo hot! I could feel sweat dripping down my back and front side as if water had been poured over my head. It's was pretty extreme.

Last night we didn't get to go to the Big Chill, so we went for lunch today. YUMMY!



Last night we went to Cafe Coffee Day and Janelle and I met some really neat girls. Hopefully on Saturday we'll get to go with them to the ISKON temple. One of them worships there so she said she'd show us. I'm pretty excited about it.

Now we're about to have a team meeting. SO......

Signing off,
Just signing off :)

Time in the Slums

Today and yesterday have been very encouraging. Both days, we went to a slum with Janaman. We've been telling Bible stories to the children and done coloring pages with them. We've also played some games with them. They've seemed to really enjoy it.

I'm very proud of my team too. They've done so well in getting involved with the children. I have to admit that Aaron's anxiety about teaching children made me a little nervous. I thought he'd basically refuse to do anything with them, but he's been AMAZING. I love to watch him singing the worship songs and doing the hand motions. He gets all into it and it makes me so happy!

-interjection: all that I have written so far has been thought out in an Indian accent and I apologized for the awkward sentence formation... I'm not sure I can help it right now -

I hope that maybe tomorrow I can take some pictures and post them here. I think it would be fun for many of you to see the things we are doing while we are here.

Tonight we will be going to some coffee houses in hopes of meeting some friends. We would like to begin conversations about culture and religion with them. (For those who know Delhi-) I think I am going to take the team to Saket; to the Cafe Coffee Day (or whatever that coffee shop is). Then we will come back for dinner because Kheem is cooking... and then... THE BIG CHILL! WHAT WHAT!

The first couple days were rough, but as time goes on it is getting better. Praise God!

Signing off,
Ever so excited about the Big Chill

Purses, Postcards, and Elephants, Oh My!

Today we went to the market again and bought purses, wall hangings, key chains, and all that junk that only Americans waste money on, I mean, buy. It was a lot of fun though. We bought some pretty cool stuff. The team seemed to really enjoy the experience.

For lunch we went to Pizza Hut. I know... we're being very "cultural" huh? HA! Well we were EXHAUSTED by the time we had lunch (3:30) so we just did that. Aaron got all brave on us and ordered and drink called Masala Lemonade. It was the sickest thing I ever did taste. It definitely tasted like rotten eggs. ECK!

Tonight we went to meet with Janaman and we discussed our plan for the week. We are still planning to do VBS Tues-Fri. I think my team will be pretty shocked by what they see. But I am sure it will be a great awakening for them. I'm excited to see the change that God works in them.

Well, I am going to sit with my team and plan out games, so I shall go.

Signing off,
Tired, Sweaty, and Sticky

Just to Say We're Here

We're here in India, it's true. We had quite the flight. It was cramped and very long. I sincerely thought I was going to go insane about 6 hours into the second flight (which was 13 hours). It was just such a small amount of room to be in for 13 hours straight. But we're here and we've had a busy day. So now (it's 11:15pm) we're very tired and ready for bed. Tomorrow I will report more about today's events.

Signing off,
FROM INDIA!

India Time (may also be titled On Indian Time)

CRAZY!

no, seriously... I think that's the only word I'm familiar with right now (well, that and "AHHHHHH!!!" or "grrrrr!!!"). I've been running around like crazy getting ready for this trip to India. We leave my apartment on Friday at 6:30am. We, as in the team. We're having a team "sleep over" on Thursday so that we can all start adjusting to Indian time. It's slightly overwhelming... ok, not slightly... it's overwhelming; knowing I leave on Friday, knowing I'm SUPPOSED to work till 6pm tomorrow, knowing they'll all be here soon after that tomorrow night, knowing that after that I won't come home for two weeks. *sigh*

This trip is so exciting for me, but at the same time it's been such a trial. I've had so many frustrations. Last time I went, I traveled alone and it was pretty casual. This time I had to deal with more administration and had to plan for and train 4 other people (who, as they should, have questions I need to answer, things I need to fix, and money I need to handle). I am SO excited to go, because it means we're going, and because it means I'll soon be free of dealing with the travel plans!
(Disclaimer - Although I'm tired of the travel planning, I've been incredibly blessed by my team throughout the planning process, they've been great. I've also seen God's provision and faithfulness in the planning.)

...By the way, as a side note, or something, mine and Aaron's 1 year anniversary was just yesterday. We celebrated by going to bed early. No, I mean it... we went to sleep at 10pm. We were exhausted from work and preparing for India (told you it was crazy!). BUT, a whole year! Can't believe it's been that long even. Hmmm... it's been an awesome year though.

Now, I think I'm going to read Twilight (it was my goal to finish before we left, but who knows if that'll actually happen).

Signing off, (hee hee!)
EXHAUSTED

and I think I'm happy

It's true, summer has started... know how I know? Jenn came to visit for a couple days! And we shopped for books (as well as many other items we may or may not have needed). And we decided on which books we'll read this summer. They're different than what we usually choose. And because lists are my favorite:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
2. Twilight (Stephenie Meyer)
3. The Time Travelers (Linda Buckley-Archer)
4. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou)
4. The Time Thief (Linda Buckley-Archer)
5. New Moon (Stephenie Meyer)
6. Eclipse (Stephenie Meyer)
7. Breaking Dawn??? (Stephenie Meyer)

Yeah, we expect to read each and everyone. Yeah, it might last into the fall.

And we're watching Felicity. Uh huh... all these things you may or may not have expected from me, definitely mark the start of my summer. And, I think I'm happy. And I think I like it. And I think I like reading... and watching Felicity. And I KNOW I like Jenn.

Shaun and Amanda are finally married. I'm so happy for them! And the wedding looked great!


I was so excited to help. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off. But it was fun. For favors they had a table full of candy and boxes to fill. Each person could fill their box to take home. The night before I made these cute little letters the place on the table.



It was a crazy weekend, but I'm so excited for them and everything turned out so well! Yay for Amanda and Shaun!

It's true, I'm jumpin on the bandwagon. The funny thing is, I started this account like 3 days ago and then reconsidered, but when I saw that Erin and Jennifer we're doing, I thought, "ok, ok... maybe I'll do it." So... yay for the BaNdWaGoN! And for you two, way to be inspiring!

I'm currently at work (@ TeachOverseas). Unfortunately I don't have much motivation to be here right now. I'm very tired and would like nothing more than to sit and read my book near a window (the place where one might admire the cloudy, gloomy, beauty that is today).

Funny story: Last night I kinda hosted a bachelorette party for Amanda... we went to see Wicked (yes, again!) and I drove with Deanna. I've known Deanna for a while because we worked together at CBU and she's pretty good friends with Amanda so we've hungout due to that whole relational network thing. Well, we were talking about new things happening in her life and she was telling me she had been working for a "high end flower company." She was doing this to get into the wedding planning business. Her last day was on Monday and I asked why she had quit. She said it was mostly telemarketing that she was doing and it wasn't what she really signed up for. I jokingly said "oh tell me you didn't work for Javie's Flowers." I said this because they've pretty much stalked me since I was engaged. They got my info for theknot.com. They've called me at least 6 times and each time I said I was not interested and would like to be taken off all calling lists. They even called me a few times AFTER I was married (8 months after, even!) and I knew they knew my wedding date because they had mentioned it in one of their calls! I am definitely annoyed by this Javie's Flowers place! Anyway... I jokingly said that to Deanna, but she said, "YEAH!" She had totally worked for them! She said they do that kind of stuff all the time. They basically call ANYONE they have phone numbers for. Also, she said they have this machine that calls 4 phone numbers at a time and the first person to pick up speaks with a representative and all the others are hungup on! She said some people have been called 8 times in one day because of this dumb system! I got to vent to her about my situation... and needless to say (because we all know that venting does this) I felt slightly justified and relieved.

But now I should probably stop pretending I'm not at work and actually get going on some things I need to do.

...yay for blogging...