I'm still feeling kind of yucky but I'm trying to stay on top of it by taking breaks and sleeping so please keep praying. Jason has a cold right now and isn't feeling well at all so feel free to add him in there as well. He's really finding this extra hard without me there to put up with his whining and take care of him. Poor guy! I will admit too, although he used to drive me nuts when he got sick, it's hard to not be there for him right now.
So the woman that I'm renting a room from is best friends with Berry. For those of you that don't know who Berry is she has wore many hats in my life from boss to friend. However the most important one is that she was my counsellor for 5 years. She connected me with her friend when she found out I was moving here and that's how I found my temporary home. I'm very thankful for this because I trusted Berry enough to know that I didn't need to see the place before I agreed and it just made the whole process so easy.
Anyways.... guess who just walked in the door a half hour ago? You go it.... Berry! It was SO good to see her. Her and her friend had already planned this vacation together before they knew I was going to be here. Friends I cannot tell you how important it is to me to see people who know me from my Canadian world. It could have been anyone walking through the door from home and I would have got teared up. However the fact that it was Berry just made it that much more special and comforting.
I'm going out to a fundraiser tonight for Ethiopian women (it includes an authentic Ethiopian meal...oh ya) with them and after that there time will be theirs. She's only here for a few days and they have lots planned. Plus I don't want to invade on their time together since they only get together once a year. I am thankful for the time I will get though. Such a much needed breath of fresh air!
This leaves me with one question. Whose coming to visit me next? :)
September 12, 2009
September 11, 2009
Those of you inclined to prayer....
I think I'm getting a freaking cold that I just do not have time for. If you have a chance to send one up to the big guy for me I'd certainly appreciate it! THANKS!!!!
I had fun tonight. It's midnight and I'm just getting home. This is a first in my Harrisonburg life! Good people, good conversation, good food, good drinks, what more could a girl ask for? PRAYER now get to it.... ha ha ha
I had fun tonight. It's midnight and I'm just getting home. This is a first in my Harrisonburg life! Good people, good conversation, good food, good drinks, what more could a girl ask for? PRAYER now get to it.... ha ha ha
Woo Hooooooo.........
Well kids after 2 long weeks of not going out to a restaurant and having some fun I'm excited to announce.... I'M GOING OUT TONIGHT!!!!! One of my classmates and I decided that we all needed to get out and have a good time outside of our serious classes. So we invited the whole group (there are 21 of us, don't know if they'll all come or not) and we're off to some bar downtown. Don't worry I'm driving so I'll be have myself (those of you who really know me are rolling your eyes because you know I never actually end up drinking even I wasn't driving). I purposely didn't eat supper so that I can get something yummy. I'm way too excited about this :)
Picture worth a thousand words....
One thing that I'm so thankful for is that Jason and I love to travel. We've been a lot of fun places together and I'm getting to relive that with the pictures that are popping up on my computer as a screen saver. So fun! Anyways when this one popped up last night I remembered when I took it (somewhere on the highway between Tucson, Arizona and the state line of California from the motor home window...I know quite impressive camera I got huh? it's certainly not the photographer). The memories of that trip brought a smile to my face. Since then I have been thinking about this picture. This my friends is how I feel right now.
Dry and needing love, touch, and water. However because of the constant light and warmth I receive it's keeping me going in this time of being in the desert. I have a mountain in front of me, like this one, that I want to just find a way around. However I know deep, deep within me that no matter what I must go over the mountain because finding a way around it is the simple solution and I hate the simple solutions. Simple solutions frustrate me. They're a cope out and I get cranky when others take them so why would I? I won't! I will climb this damn mountain. I then take the step forward and remember how crappy it is to walk in sand. Oh and I'm not only walking in sand I'm trying to do it while climbing a freaking mountain. Seriously could this get any harder? Could this get anymore frustrating? Just when I'm at my end and I'm wanting to take a step backwards and reconsider going around it I sense this....
Jason took this picture from the motor home about 4 hours after the first picture was taken. We got on the other side of the dessert, now in California, and it was beautiful. We almost missed it because you had to turn around to see it. So he climbed to the back of the motor home and took the picture out the back window. We were only in the dessert of Arizona for three days at that point however I missed the greenery and signs of life. I remember feeling so thankful for the change.
Much like that moment in California. That moment where I chose to look back and see the beauty. I'm choosing to do this now. I've been over some huge mountains and I know that once on the other sides of those there is life. There is love, touch and water. It is those moments when I realize that the two things I need most continuously are His light and warmth.
In this moment I smile realizing that I have these two things when I'm climbing this current mountain. He is here. He isn't waiting on the other side, even though it feels like it sometimes. He is here and has been all along. He will also still be there when I get to the other side, just like he promised. It is with this realization of moments passed that I will continue the climb no matter how hard. There will be days I stumble. There will be days that I stop to rest. However I will keep climbing. And I will persevere, there's just simply no way for me not to!
September 10, 2009
Week 2....
This week....
- I ran out of chocolate Teddy Grahams
- I'm trying not too be annoyed with one of my roommates
- I'm wondering if I'm too much of a neat freak
- I made way too big of a supper
- I enjoyed classes still
- I'm thankful
- I'm missing my boys and girl like crazy
- Trooper lost his man hood and had his hernia repaired
- I got to hang out with a fellow Canadian
- I have something to look forward too
- I got to volunteer at a food bank
- I have made friends
- I am struggling with what church to go to
- I am nervous about all the school work I have to do
- I am feeling weepy at times
- I am grateful
- I am showing more of myself
- I have offended others
- I have made apologies
- I am tired
- I want to go home
- has been a roller coaster!!!!!!!!!
September 8, 2009
Bring on the boredom.....
Okay so I'm coming down of the potluck high. I'm freaking bored right now. It's horrible. I'm just looking at random things on the internet to pass the time until I'm tired enough to go to bed. Good news is that if I have time to do this it obviously means that I got that boat load of reading done! Woo Hoo! One week down a million more to go :)
I don't have anything really worthy of blogging so I'll spare you from me just rambling to pass the time. I'm bored and that's about all there is to it. I have researched where the closest DVD rental place is to me though so that I don't find myself in this predicament again.
Oh and one more thing... So my screen saver now flashes through pics that are on my comp. I've been seeing lots of picks that bring back fond memories of past trips, church events, friends, my animals, etc. However when this one popped up I thought one thing. Why the heck did you all let me walk around with a hairdo like that? Friends you call yourselves? Hmmmm I'll have to think about that!
I don't have anything really worthy of blogging so I'll spare you from me just rambling to pass the time. I'm bored and that's about all there is to it. I have researched where the closest DVD rental place is to me though so that I don't find myself in this predicament again.
Oh and one more thing... So my screen saver now flashes through pics that are on my comp. I've been seeing lots of picks that bring back fond memories of past trips, church events, friends, my animals, etc. However when this one popped up I thought one thing. Why the heck did you all let me walk around with a hairdo like that? Friends you call yourselves? Hmmmm I'll have to think about that!
Update....
Okay so I've learned my lesson, no matter how good the coffee looks after supper don't drink it! Sheesh I shouldn't still be awake right now. Good thing I don't have classes in the morning.
1. The Saturday church camp thing was awesome! I'm so glad i went. I almost didn't and I'm so thankful I talked myself out of that. As I had mentioned, the church that was camping was the church that a volunteer couple from Ten Thousand Villages is pastoring. I can't even explain to you how happy I was to see them. They both gave me big hugs and I was holding back the tears. I wasn't expecting this emotional reaction. However looking back on it now it just felt so good to see people who know me in my natural, home setting. Hard to explain I guess until you've been in the situation I have. They were great and hauled me around introducing me to everyone as their boss :) It was quite funny.
Okay so this church potluck was insane! I loved it. Most of you know I love potlucks and this is the best one that I've been to by far. Those Mennonites know how to cook let me tell you. There were 8 6 foot tables loaded with food. People formed into 4 lines and went at it. By the time I got halfway through the tables my plate was full. It was a bunch of Southern dishes too. So yummy! There was even a guy there who barbecued pork loin roasts, Southern style I'm told. I watched this 3 hour process from where I was sitting reading one of my text books. It was something that Jason and I have seen on cooking shows. I couldn't wait to get home and tell him about. It was so good too. I love food in case you can't tell, however if you're reading this then you already know that about me.
After supper there was an auction. So I stayed for that as well. It was all so different form what I was used to. The dude doing the auction was a real auctioneer. Isn't that crazy. I didn't know what he as saying half of the time but it was fun to listen to him. My classmate and I then headed home late in the evening. However before I left the Zook's invited me over to their house for supper tonight. I'm still full form that adventure and feeling the affects of the lovely coffee I had as well. Again, so good for my soul to be with them. They don't need to ask me questions about my home because they already know since they lived there for 4 months. Ahhhhhhh! (all you Villages people reading this they send you a big hello)
2. I'm having hard time with all of this stupid reading I have to do. I really hate reading and I therefore never want to do it. BUT I know I have to so I've been fighting my way through it. Today I decided to head to a nearby cafe where one of my friends works. Can I just tell you that this was an excellent idea. I grabbed a fancy, yummy coffee drink (wasn't as expensive as Mandi's Second Cup drink though and it was fair trade...ha ha ha) and sat there and read three chapters in a row. This is an amazing accomplishment for me kids. I liked that there were others around doing the same thing as me so I didn't feel so much like a loser. I like that my friend came over and chatted with me a few times and we were able to complain about the reading. I liked the constant in and out of different types of people that I could look at it when I needed a distraction. I also liked that there was no bed that I inevitably end up falling asleep on when I'm trying to read my ethic texts. Look I know the whole ethics thing is super important but it's not very interesting to read let me tell you. Anyways, what I'm getting at here is this is going to become something I do way more often! I was there for two and a half hours and it felt like an hour. I will have to tell my friend about my experience though so that she doesn't start thinking the creepy Canadian is stalking her.
3. Last night the woman I rent from had her friends over for supper. This is a great group of women who meet weekly just to hang out, have conversation and eat. So they invited me along (yes that's three potlucks for me the last three days, I'm in heaven). They asked what I thought hanging out with old ladies for the night. At this point I will take what I can get. I'm so craving social interaction. This is a big adjustment for me. Okay, okay I'll admit it.... I was naive about Grad school. I thought it was going to be a lot less work than it is. I thought it was ridiculous that they were advising me not to work as you all know and even more ridiculous that I had 5 days off in a row. HOWEVER that has all come back to bite me in the butt. I would appreciate no I told you so's please and thank you :)
4. I've started something new but no so new all at the same time. The last two days I have gone for lengthy walks. This is not so new because I used to do this all the time. However it is new because of my motive behind it. Everytime I have exercised in my life it has ALWAYS been to loose weight. I know it's good for stress and I would have probably tried to tell myself that but at the core of it was always about weight loss for me. Not this time though! For the first time in my life I've walked to have a break. I've walked to get out and be with God because of all of the beauty around here. I've walked to relieve stress and gather my thoughts. I've walked because I enjoy it and want to be healthier. Sounds simple but this is huge for me. I don't know if I'll keep it up. I'd like to think that I will though because if I can get this now I'll hopefully hang onto it for life. I'm really proud of myself about this. Oh and I've joined an aerobics class that meets twice a week starting next week. As a student it only cost me 12 dollars for three months. Isn't that insane? How could I NOT sign up for that.
5. I think that's it for now. I have no potlucks for tomorrow night, so it's back to cooking for one. That is kind of depressing and I always end up with way too many leftovers when I cook because of it. I'll learn though or maybe I shouldn't because I am going to be back with that cute guy of mine at some point, even though that seems really far away right now. I was driving tonight and thinking I need a trip home soon. Then I realized it's only been a little over 2 weeks since I left. This is going to be a long 2 years :(
On that positive note I'll try yet again to fall asleep. Stupid coffee that just tasted so darn good!
1. The Saturday church camp thing was awesome! I'm so glad i went. I almost didn't and I'm so thankful I talked myself out of that. As I had mentioned, the church that was camping was the church that a volunteer couple from Ten Thousand Villages is pastoring. I can't even explain to you how happy I was to see them. They both gave me big hugs and I was holding back the tears. I wasn't expecting this emotional reaction. However looking back on it now it just felt so good to see people who know me in my natural, home setting. Hard to explain I guess until you've been in the situation I have. They were great and hauled me around introducing me to everyone as their boss :) It was quite funny.
Okay so this church potluck was insane! I loved it. Most of you know I love potlucks and this is the best one that I've been to by far. Those Mennonites know how to cook let me tell you. There were 8 6 foot tables loaded with food. People formed into 4 lines and went at it. By the time I got halfway through the tables my plate was full. It was a bunch of Southern dishes too. So yummy! There was even a guy there who barbecued pork loin roasts, Southern style I'm told. I watched this 3 hour process from where I was sitting reading one of my text books. It was something that Jason and I have seen on cooking shows. I couldn't wait to get home and tell him about. It was so good too. I love food in case you can't tell, however if you're reading this then you already know that about me.
After supper there was an auction. So I stayed for that as well. It was all so different form what I was used to. The dude doing the auction was a real auctioneer. Isn't that crazy. I didn't know what he as saying half of the time but it was fun to listen to him. My classmate and I then headed home late in the evening. However before I left the Zook's invited me over to their house for supper tonight. I'm still full form that adventure and feeling the affects of the lovely coffee I had as well. Again, so good for my soul to be with them. They don't need to ask me questions about my home because they already know since they lived there for 4 months. Ahhhhhhh! (all you Villages people reading this they send you a big hello)
2. I'm having hard time with all of this stupid reading I have to do. I really hate reading and I therefore never want to do it. BUT I know I have to so I've been fighting my way through it. Today I decided to head to a nearby cafe where one of my friends works. Can I just tell you that this was an excellent idea. I grabbed a fancy, yummy coffee drink (wasn't as expensive as Mandi's Second Cup drink though and it was fair trade...ha ha ha) and sat there and read three chapters in a row. This is an amazing accomplishment for me kids. I liked that there were others around doing the same thing as me so I didn't feel so much like a loser. I like that my friend came over and chatted with me a few times and we were able to complain about the reading. I liked the constant in and out of different types of people that I could look at it when I needed a distraction. I also liked that there was no bed that I inevitably end up falling asleep on when I'm trying to read my ethic texts. Look I know the whole ethics thing is super important but it's not very interesting to read let me tell you. Anyways, what I'm getting at here is this is going to become something I do way more often! I was there for two and a half hours and it felt like an hour. I will have to tell my friend about my experience though so that she doesn't start thinking the creepy Canadian is stalking her.
3. Last night the woman I rent from had her friends over for supper. This is a great group of women who meet weekly just to hang out, have conversation and eat. So they invited me along (yes that's three potlucks for me the last three days, I'm in heaven). They asked what I thought hanging out with old ladies for the night. At this point I will take what I can get. I'm so craving social interaction. This is a big adjustment for me. Okay, okay I'll admit it.... I was naive about Grad school. I thought it was going to be a lot less work than it is. I thought it was ridiculous that they were advising me not to work as you all know and even more ridiculous that I had 5 days off in a row. HOWEVER that has all come back to bite me in the butt. I would appreciate no I told you so's please and thank you :)
4. I've started something new but no so new all at the same time. The last two days I have gone for lengthy walks. This is not so new because I used to do this all the time. However it is new because of my motive behind it. Everytime I have exercised in my life it has ALWAYS been to loose weight. I know it's good for stress and I would have probably tried to tell myself that but at the core of it was always about weight loss for me. Not this time though! For the first time in my life I've walked to have a break. I've walked to get out and be with God because of all of the beauty around here. I've walked to relieve stress and gather my thoughts. I've walked because I enjoy it and want to be healthier. Sounds simple but this is huge for me. I don't know if I'll keep it up. I'd like to think that I will though because if I can get this now I'll hopefully hang onto it for life. I'm really proud of myself about this. Oh and I've joined an aerobics class that meets twice a week starting next week. As a student it only cost me 12 dollars for three months. Isn't that insane? How could I NOT sign up for that.
5. I think that's it for now. I have no potlucks for tomorrow night, so it's back to cooking for one. That is kind of depressing and I always end up with way too many leftovers when I cook because of it. I'll learn though or maybe I shouldn't because I am going to be back with that cute guy of mine at some point, even though that seems really far away right now. I was driving tonight and thinking I need a trip home soon. Then I realized it's only been a little over 2 weeks since I left. This is going to be a long 2 years :(
On that positive note I'll try yet again to fall asleep. Stupid coffee that just tasted so darn good!
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