I'm a gift person! It is definitely one of my top love languages...but when I say I'm a gift person I'm not talking about flashy jewelry, expensive purses, or a $500 pair of shoes. I'm talking about little things like the ping pong ball one of my students in Thailand gave me years ago, a handmade card or note, or wildflowers picked off the side of the road. I also absolutely LOVE to give gifts! Birthdays and Christmas are always so hard for me because I feel so pressured to get a great gift for those I love and treasure...something that truly expresses my heart and appreciation for them. I find I give better gifts at random times...when I happen across the perfect tea cup for Heather, the picture frame that completely screams Katie P., the floor pillow that reminds me of movie nights at Meghan's, and the cutest scarf for Katie G. It's in those moments that I get giddy with excitement about the way in which I can tell the people in my life that I thought of them today.
But something that I'm realizing more and more is that I'm not too great at receiving gifts, or more accurately I don't open myself up to be in need of help from anyone. I find that I'm really good at listening to others and helping them along their journeys but when it comes to me...well I'm ok thank you very much! This thought came pouring out of my mouth in class a couple of weeks ago (yes I'm back in school...well sort of...that's a blog for another day!) and it started me thinking about how difficult going to see a spiritual director was going to be (part of my school program)...I have to talk about me for an hour? That's not what I do...I do the giving, the listening, the caring...I don't play the recipient very well!
A few months ago, when I had my surgery, the beginnings of this thought process came up. I didn't want people visiting me in the hospital, heck I had a hard time asking people to pray for me...I mean this was a routine surgery right, I was going to be fine! Then a day or two after my surgery a dear friend shows up at my house with a bag full of brand new beautiful scarves so that when I go out I can cover up my super large scar. I didn't know what to say...and I instantly thought how can I pay her back? What can I buy her to show her I appreciate her? Oh no, I made too big a deal about wearing scarves all winter and she felt guilted into buying me these scarves!
So back to present day. Last week I went down to the Rainbow Sandal Factory to help my mom pick out a pair of Rainbows and while I was there I texted several friends and asked them if they needed any sandals. A couple of them responded so I bought the sandals and throughout the week I delivered them (knowing they would pay me back). Then on Sunday night I was dropping off the last two pairs with a friend at church. He hands me a $100 bill and I was like...umm I don't have change on me, you can just pay me next week. His response, "Don't worry about it, keep the change." I think I actually laughed out loud and responded with "No way, that's like $30! There is no way I can keep your $30! I will bring you change next week." He sort of chuckled and told me that he wanted me to keep it, that he wanted me to have it, that I needed it more than he did. I admit, in my mind I was really offended! "What, I don't need your $30! I'm fine financially thank you very much!" But thankfully I didn't say that out loud! I said thank you, but I feel like I had a quizzical look on my face...why was it so hard for me to receive a gift from a friend who is well aware that I haven't worked in 9 months? Wouldn't I have done the same thing for a friend? Probably, but that's different!
The whole rest of the evening I tried to figure out how I could give the money back, how could I give him something that would be equal (or better yet greater) than what he had just given me? Basically I wanted to be the giver, not the receiver...receiving things is very humbling! And that's when I began to unravel the real issue, my pride! I don't like receiving because it means that I am in a position of need, I have to admit that there is something out there that I can't provide for myself...a place in life where my accomplishments, abilities, or strength isn't going to be able to cut it. And I'm pretty sure the pride thing goes deeper than just receiving gifts from my friends...I think it cuts to the core of my spiritual being. I have a hard time receiving grace and love from God...I get in the way, thinking that I can take care of myself, that I can solve my own problems and make my life wonderful...but what I'm basically saying is, God you are awesome and I think your gifts of grace, mercy, and redemption are pretty wonderful, but I've got it...I can handle it. But the God honest truth is that I am so desperately in need of my Savior's grace and He died to give it to me! And there is absolutely no way I can ever pay him back, say thank you enough, or get God something bigger or better in return! His love for us is truly a gift!
I don't want to become a "needy" person, but I am in need of grace and forgiveness and the only way to relieve that need is to learn to receive. So for the journey ahead I will continue to give with my whole heart, but I will also begin to let go of my pride and learn to receive the most amazing gift ever given.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Just to Catch You Up
I haven't blogged in about 8 months, which probably is not a record for me! It isn't that I haven't had anything to write about that's for sure, I just haven't really found the ability to put into words my thoughts or emotions and/or was too worried about what people would think if I really wrote what was truly going on in my mind.
Last time I wrote I was summing up the first 3 weeks of a month long trip to Asia...that truly feels like a million years ago! Since June both of my grandmothers have passed away (about a month apart) and my dad had knee replacement surgery. A few weeks after my dad went back to work I found out I might have thyroid cancer - talk about a reality check! You know it's not a good phone call from the Dr. when she asks you if you are sitting down and have some time to talk. So ensued a rapid fire couple of weeks of dr's visits and surgery a mear 3 weeks later to remove my thyroid. The verdict was that my thyroid was really big (my dr. couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed...sure cause I know what a normal thyroid should feel like, that's why I go to the dr.!) and that there was a possiblity of cancer...so the surgeon suggested I just get the whole thing taken out...fine with me, it's not like it has worked right in years! LOL! The surgery went super great and I was never in any major pain (though the morphin in the immediate hours after the surgery may have helped a little with that!). I was even able to eat some macaroni and cheese the next day, which I wasn't planning on any "solid" food for a few days. The worst part of the whole surgery was getting the drain and the stitches out...I almost threw up on the guy who was taking out the drain...he even made a comment about me not looking too good at the moment and wanted to know if I "typically have issues with medical procedures?" I wanted to respond..."well typically I don't have to deal with people pulling tubes out of my neck while I'm awake!" But I think I just mumbled something to the effect of "it just grosses me out". (I can't believe I ever wanted to be a neuro-surgeon!) The lab results from the surgery came back and the good news was that there was no cancer...though my surgeon said he is certain that within a couple of years cancer would have developed.
One possible side effect of the surgery was the possiblity of my voice permanently becoming raspy and/or losing my ability to sing. Now for those of you who know me you know I have been singing since I was a little kid. I'm definitely not a rock star, but it's something I have always enjoyed. Prior to the surgery I didn't think too much about the possibility of actually losing "my voice" or the emotions that would come along with that reality. For about the 1st week after surgery, it didn't even occur to me to try and sing - my voice was still really raspy and my throat was still super swollen; but, by the second week I quickly discovered that I could sing 2 notes to a song that was playing on the radio. I freaked out! It was so weird...I could hear the pitch in my head but I couldn't sing it, it was like my mind and my vocal chords weren't acknowleding each other. Then came the weirdest moment...a church service. I couldn't sing! Nothing would come out! I literally began to cry, for the first time that I could remember I couldn't use my voice to worship. My prayer during the next few weeks was twofold - God, please give me my voice back! and God, if you aren't going to give me my voice back then teach me how to worship you without singing! Worship is so many many things, but singing had been my way of connecting with God for so long and now it wasn't there. At Christmas I couldn't sing Christmas carols or rock out to my favorite Mariah Carey and N*Sync Christmas albums...it sounds weird but I felt so lost. And then it happend, one day in the car a song came on and without thinking about it a few on key notes came out of my mouth. I hoped and continued to pray that over time my voice would come back...I'm sooo excited to say that it's almost back completely! I have been so very blessed to be given this gift!
The other big process that has been going on is "the job search." During grad school I took a class and one of the topics we discussed was how when people lose their jobs and can't find a new one they easily become depressed and really struggle with their identity because so much of who we are in society is based upon our jobs. I remember thinking...that would never happen to me, I know who I am whether I have a job or not....HA! I ended my temporary position at APU in May and within a couple of days I left for Asia with full confidence that once I returned I would quickly find a new job...yeah 9 months later I'm still jobless!! The process has been painful, depressing, hurtful, and has caused me to spend many many days and weeks really searching out what my role is in this big big world of ours!
There was the job that I interviewed for and quickly became one of the top two candidates for; the job would have required a move and wasn't exactly the kind of job I was hoping for but I felt honored to even be considered for the position. Then as quickly as it had materialized I found out that they chose the other candidate. It's a weird feeling - relief and rejection. Relief that I didn't have to move away from my family and friends. Rejection that I wasn't the person that fit into their mold. There was the job the popped up in December that seemed like an amazing mix of opportunities! The VP basically told me after the interview that I had the job...I couldn't believe it! I had nailed the interview, they liked me...it was going to be awesome. Then I got the email...we're sorry, we aren't going to hire you. Really??? Then there are all the applications in between...you haven't lived over seas long enough, oh you don't have an M.Div., you are too qualified, we lost our funding and won't be hiring for that position at this time...ahhhh!!! After about 50 rejection emails it starts to get to you!
So here it is a couple of hours from March 1st and I stil don't have a job! My friends have been so supportive and so encouraging, making sure that I don't give up and that I continue to hope and trust. But I admit, there are still many many days when I wonder what this elusive job is actually going to be...because at this point I have no idea!
So yes, that has been my life for the last 9 months! Full of busyness and extreme bouts of rest, full of love and loss of loved ones, full and empty all at the same time.
Last time I wrote I was summing up the first 3 weeks of a month long trip to Asia...that truly feels like a million years ago! Since June both of my grandmothers have passed away (about a month apart) and my dad had knee replacement surgery. A few weeks after my dad went back to work I found out I might have thyroid cancer - talk about a reality check! You know it's not a good phone call from the Dr. when she asks you if you are sitting down and have some time to talk. So ensued a rapid fire couple of weeks of dr's visits and surgery a mear 3 weeks later to remove my thyroid. The verdict was that my thyroid was really big (my dr. couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed...sure cause I know what a normal thyroid should feel like, that's why I go to the dr.!) and that there was a possiblity of cancer...so the surgeon suggested I just get the whole thing taken out...fine with me, it's not like it has worked right in years! LOL! The surgery went super great and I was never in any major pain (though the morphin in the immediate hours after the surgery may have helped a little with that!). I was even able to eat some macaroni and cheese the next day, which I wasn't planning on any "solid" food for a few days. The worst part of the whole surgery was getting the drain and the stitches out...I almost threw up on the guy who was taking out the drain...he even made a comment about me not looking too good at the moment and wanted to know if I "typically have issues with medical procedures?" I wanted to respond..."well typically I don't have to deal with people pulling tubes out of my neck while I'm awake!" But I think I just mumbled something to the effect of "it just grosses me out". (I can't believe I ever wanted to be a neuro-surgeon!) The lab results from the surgery came back and the good news was that there was no cancer...though my surgeon said he is certain that within a couple of years cancer would have developed.
One possible side effect of the surgery was the possiblity of my voice permanently becoming raspy and/or losing my ability to sing. Now for those of you who know me you know I have been singing since I was a little kid. I'm definitely not a rock star, but it's something I have always enjoyed. Prior to the surgery I didn't think too much about the possibility of actually losing "my voice" or the emotions that would come along with that reality. For about the 1st week after surgery, it didn't even occur to me to try and sing - my voice was still really raspy and my throat was still super swollen; but, by the second week I quickly discovered that I could sing 2 notes to a song that was playing on the radio. I freaked out! It was so weird...I could hear the pitch in my head but I couldn't sing it, it was like my mind and my vocal chords weren't acknowleding each other. Then came the weirdest moment...a church service. I couldn't sing! Nothing would come out! I literally began to cry, for the first time that I could remember I couldn't use my voice to worship. My prayer during the next few weeks was twofold - God, please give me my voice back! and God, if you aren't going to give me my voice back then teach me how to worship you without singing! Worship is so many many things, but singing had been my way of connecting with God for so long and now it wasn't there. At Christmas I couldn't sing Christmas carols or rock out to my favorite Mariah Carey and N*Sync Christmas albums...it sounds weird but I felt so lost. And then it happend, one day in the car a song came on and without thinking about it a few on key notes came out of my mouth. I hoped and continued to pray that over time my voice would come back...I'm sooo excited to say that it's almost back completely! I have been so very blessed to be given this gift!
The other big process that has been going on is "the job search." During grad school I took a class and one of the topics we discussed was how when people lose their jobs and can't find a new one they easily become depressed and really struggle with their identity because so much of who we are in society is based upon our jobs. I remember thinking...that would never happen to me, I know who I am whether I have a job or not....HA! I ended my temporary position at APU in May and within a couple of days I left for Asia with full confidence that once I returned I would quickly find a new job...yeah 9 months later I'm still jobless!! The process has been painful, depressing, hurtful, and has caused me to spend many many days and weeks really searching out what my role is in this big big world of ours!
There was the job that I interviewed for and quickly became one of the top two candidates for; the job would have required a move and wasn't exactly the kind of job I was hoping for but I felt honored to even be considered for the position. Then as quickly as it had materialized I found out that they chose the other candidate. It's a weird feeling - relief and rejection. Relief that I didn't have to move away from my family and friends. Rejection that I wasn't the person that fit into their mold. There was the job the popped up in December that seemed like an amazing mix of opportunities! The VP basically told me after the interview that I had the job...I couldn't believe it! I had nailed the interview, they liked me...it was going to be awesome. Then I got the email...we're sorry, we aren't going to hire you. Really??? Then there are all the applications in between...you haven't lived over seas long enough, oh you don't have an M.Div., you are too qualified, we lost our funding and won't be hiring for that position at this time...ahhhh!!! After about 50 rejection emails it starts to get to you!
So here it is a couple of hours from March 1st and I stil don't have a job! My friends have been so supportive and so encouraging, making sure that I don't give up and that I continue to hope and trust. But I admit, there are still many many days when I wonder what this elusive job is actually going to be...because at this point I have no idea!
So yes, that has been my life for the last 9 months! Full of busyness and extreme bouts of rest, full of love and loss of loved ones, full and empty all at the same time.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Week 3 in Southeast Asia
I was going to start this off by apologizing for taking so long to update everyone about my trip...but then I realized that writing a new blog every 3 weeks is actually way better than how often I typically update my blog - maybe I should work on that!
So what have I been up to the last 3 weeks...
Day 1... Took a really long plane ride from LAX to Taipei. Watched more movies than I can count, tried to sleep, avoided airplane food, and had swollen feet (this is a new occurance for me!)
Day 2... Hung out in the airport in Taipei for a few hours and then flew from Taipei to Bangkok. We arrived at 2 am, headed straight to our hotel (thank you Thong Ta Resort and Spa for sending someone to pick us up in the wee hours of the morning so I don't have to worry about finding a taxi and finding the hotel) and went to bed (much needed after over 24 hours of little to no sleep).
Day 3... Explored Bangkok (despite the rioting). We had breakfast at an adorable little waffle shop across the way from our hotel (we meaning Chelsea and I)...my entire breakfast including waffles and a mocha was less than $1.50. Hired a driver (that's right we had a driver for the day!) who said we wouldn't go near the rioting that was happening in the business district of Bangkok...ohhh how things get lost in translation!!! We headed out...and guess what...we drove on the freeway that goes right over the street where the rioting was...smoke was rising on both sides of the road...super safe! We spent the afternoon checking out the Royal Palace, several temples, and seeing the giganitc reclining buddha (so amazing...but such a reminder of the need for the Good News all over the world!).
Day 4...Chiang Mai! (Home sweet Home). A 6:45 am flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, checked into our guesthouse (Bed and Terrace...exceeded all my expectations!), had lunch at a great mexican place (ohhh how I love non Thai food!!) with the Director of the organization Chelsea is checking out, shopping at the night market, a foot massage, and of course we wrapped up the evening with a banana roti!
Day 5...Rioting in Bangkok is put to an end by the Thai military (it took all day...and unfortunately several people lost their lives), rioting broke out in Chiang Mai (about 1.5 miles from where we were staying), and a curfew was put in place by the government (from 8 pm to 6 am). We spent the day watching the news, walking around the Day Market and just enjoying the sights and sounds of the downtown Chiang Mai.
Day 6... Most things were closed in Chiang Mai because of the rioting (including Starbucks and all the banks). We had the opportunity to go up to Doi Suthep (the temple on the mountain that overlooks Chiang Mai) and had dinner with my friend Cynthia who lives in Chiang Mai.
Day 7... Factory Tour Day! This is a must for 1st time visitors to Chiang Mai! We went to the leather factory, the silk factory, the jade factory, the silver factory, the lacquer ware factory, the umbrella factory, and my personal favorite...the jewelry factory! Today I also made some new Thai friends during our many excursions...I love hearing people's stories and being invited into random families' homes during rain storms!
Day 8...Long bus ride to Mae Sot (sooo thankful it was air conditioned!). We got picked up at the bus station by staff of the organization...on motorbikes! My first experience riding a mortorbike was uneventful and not as scary as I expected...here's to trying new and adventurous things!
Day 9...Spent the morning at one of the children's houses the organization runs. This house is for children whose parents are in prison...typically the children would just stay in the prison with their mom but this house allows the children to not have to grow up in the prison environment and if they are school aged to go to school. I spent the morning going for a walk with two of the little ones, painting, coloring, and eating lunch.
Day 10...Mae Sot Day!! We walked around Mae Sot with one of the staff, had tea at a Burmese Tea Shop, and went to the Thai/Burma Border...heart breaking (the only words I have...but they don't come close!). In the evening we went to the Safe House...another house the org runs which house 8 children who were living on the street 2 years ago...the children are thriving and getting to go to school. They have so much energy, I was worn out after playing with them for just a few hours...blessings to the house parents!
Day 11...The Drop In Center, a place for street kids to come and have time to play and have a meal or two. If the Burma border broke my heart this was a million times worse! I met a 7 year old boy who crosses the border everyday with his 1 year old sister to beg and collect things to recycle...he also looks for several of his siblings who have disappeared. All I could find myself praying is "God you see them, please surround them and take care of them...there is NOTHING I can do to fix this!!!"
Day 12... Mae Sot Garbage Dump to visit families who make the dump their home. The thing I was told to remember...the living conditions at the dump are better than their lives in Burma...this blows my mind! The families we met were so wonderful and the org we went with is being so intentional about building relationships with the families in order to share HOPE with them. My mind is still spinning with the reality of people whose reality it is to live in the sewage and waste of society.
Day 14... Back to Chiang Mai...spent the rest of the day just hanging out around town.
Day 15...Back to Bangkok...took some time to process.
Day 16...Chelsea goes back to California and I stay in Bangkok for 1 more day.
Day 17...Meet Heather at the Bangkok airport and head to Vietnam! Arrived in Danang to Audrey and Robin's huge smiles! Then there was the trick of getting my luggage to the house...Robin took my huge suitcase on the back of his motorbike...I'm impressed!!! I rode on Audrey's motorbike...traffic in Vietnam is CRAZY...literally every one just goes and weaves in and out...ahhh I closed my eyes for most of the ride!
Day 18...International Children's Day Event...spent the day with Audrey and Robin at an event they helped organize for the children who live in orphanages in the city. I painted faces for 5 hours straight...my painting skills were much much better by the end of the day!!!
Day 19... Hung out with friends! Coffee, manicures, pedicures, dinner with friends...literally such a great day!! One fun adventure...Kait took me for a ride along the waterfront and on our way back it began to rain and then POUR! We were soaking wet by the time we got back to the house...it was hilarious!!!
Day 20... Climbed Marble Mountain! Ok there were steps so I didn't actually "climb a mountain" but it was such a workout! The view from the top was so beautiful! The rest of the afternoon I spent reading while Kait was at work and then last night we had dinner at a cafe called Bread of Life...an org. that trains and employs deaf individuals to bake (baked goods are all the rage here!!)...one of my other friends volunteers there. It is so fun to see where all my friends live and work!
Day 21...Today...hanging out with Kait at work (writing this blog) and helping out where I can.
Plans...(and we all know how those work in Southeast Asia)... tomorrow we are going to Hoi An and then next Wednesday I am heading back to Thailand for a few days to explore/travel with Heather...I'm super excited!
How's that for an update!!!
So what have I been up to the last 3 weeks...
Day 1... Took a really long plane ride from LAX to Taipei. Watched more movies than I can count, tried to sleep, avoided airplane food, and had swollen feet (this is a new occurance for me!)
Day 2... Hung out in the airport in Taipei for a few hours and then flew from Taipei to Bangkok. We arrived at 2 am, headed straight to our hotel (thank you Thong Ta Resort and Spa for sending someone to pick us up in the wee hours of the morning so I don't have to worry about finding a taxi and finding the hotel) and went to bed (much needed after over 24 hours of little to no sleep).
Day 3... Explored Bangkok (despite the rioting). We had breakfast at an adorable little waffle shop across the way from our hotel (we meaning Chelsea and I)...my entire breakfast including waffles and a mocha was less than $1.50. Hired a driver (that's right we had a driver for the day!) who said we wouldn't go near the rioting that was happening in the business district of Bangkok...ohhh how things get lost in translation!!! We headed out...and guess what...we drove on the freeway that goes right over the street where the rioting was...smoke was rising on both sides of the road...super safe! We spent the afternoon checking out the Royal Palace, several temples, and seeing the giganitc reclining buddha (so amazing...but such a reminder of the need for the Good News all over the world!).
Day 4...Chiang Mai! (Home sweet Home). A 6:45 am flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, checked into our guesthouse (Bed and Terrace...exceeded all my expectations!), had lunch at a great mexican place (ohhh how I love non Thai food!!) with the Director of the organization Chelsea is checking out, shopping at the night market, a foot massage, and of course we wrapped up the evening with a banana roti!
Day 5...Rioting in Bangkok is put to an end by the Thai military (it took all day...and unfortunately several people lost their lives), rioting broke out in Chiang Mai (about 1.5 miles from where we were staying), and a curfew was put in place by the government (from 8 pm to 6 am). We spent the day watching the news, walking around the Day Market and just enjoying the sights and sounds of the downtown Chiang Mai.
Day 6... Most things were closed in Chiang Mai because of the rioting (including Starbucks and all the banks). We had the opportunity to go up to Doi Suthep (the temple on the mountain that overlooks Chiang Mai) and had dinner with my friend Cynthia who lives in Chiang Mai.
Day 7... Factory Tour Day! This is a must for 1st time visitors to Chiang Mai! We went to the leather factory, the silk factory, the jade factory, the silver factory, the lacquer ware factory, the umbrella factory, and my personal favorite...the jewelry factory! Today I also made some new Thai friends during our many excursions...I love hearing people's stories and being invited into random families' homes during rain storms!
Day 8...Long bus ride to Mae Sot (sooo thankful it was air conditioned!). We got picked up at the bus station by staff of the organization...on motorbikes! My first experience riding a mortorbike was uneventful and not as scary as I expected...here's to trying new and adventurous things!
Day 9...Spent the morning at one of the children's houses the organization runs. This house is for children whose parents are in prison...typically the children would just stay in the prison with their mom but this house allows the children to not have to grow up in the prison environment and if they are school aged to go to school. I spent the morning going for a walk with two of the little ones, painting, coloring, and eating lunch.
Day 10...Mae Sot Day!! We walked around Mae Sot with one of the staff, had tea at a Burmese Tea Shop, and went to the Thai/Burma Border...heart breaking (the only words I have...but they don't come close!). In the evening we went to the Safe House...another house the org runs which house 8 children who were living on the street 2 years ago...the children are thriving and getting to go to school. They have so much energy, I was worn out after playing with them for just a few hours...blessings to the house parents!
Day 11...The Drop In Center, a place for street kids to come and have time to play and have a meal or two. If the Burma border broke my heart this was a million times worse! I met a 7 year old boy who crosses the border everyday with his 1 year old sister to beg and collect things to recycle...he also looks for several of his siblings who have disappeared. All I could find myself praying is "God you see them, please surround them and take care of them...there is NOTHING I can do to fix this!!!"
Day 12... Mae Sot Garbage Dump to visit families who make the dump their home. The thing I was told to remember...the living conditions at the dump are better than their lives in Burma...this blows my mind! The families we met were so wonderful and the org we went with is being so intentional about building relationships with the families in order to share HOPE with them. My mind is still spinning with the reality of people whose reality it is to live in the sewage and waste of society.
Day 14... Back to Chiang Mai...spent the rest of the day just hanging out around town.
Day 15...Back to Bangkok...took some time to process.
Day 16...Chelsea goes back to California and I stay in Bangkok for 1 more day.
Day 17...Meet Heather at the Bangkok airport and head to Vietnam! Arrived in Danang to Audrey and Robin's huge smiles! Then there was the trick of getting my luggage to the house...Robin took my huge suitcase on the back of his motorbike...I'm impressed!!! I rode on Audrey's motorbike...traffic in Vietnam is CRAZY...literally every one just goes and weaves in and out...ahhh I closed my eyes for most of the ride!
Day 18...International Children's Day Event...spent the day with Audrey and Robin at an event they helped organize for the children who live in orphanages in the city. I painted faces for 5 hours straight...my painting skills were much much better by the end of the day!!!
Day 19... Hung out with friends! Coffee, manicures, pedicures, dinner with friends...literally such a great day!! One fun adventure...Kait took me for a ride along the waterfront and on our way back it began to rain and then POUR! We were soaking wet by the time we got back to the house...it was hilarious!!!
Day 20... Climbed Marble Mountain! Ok there were steps so I didn't actually "climb a mountain" but it was such a workout! The view from the top was so beautiful! The rest of the afternoon I spent reading while Kait was at work and then last night we had dinner at a cafe called Bread of Life...an org. that trains and employs deaf individuals to bake (baked goods are all the rage here!!)...one of my other friends volunteers there. It is so fun to see where all my friends live and work!
Day 21...Today...hanging out with Kait at work (writing this blog) and helping out where I can.
Plans...(and we all know how those work in Southeast Asia)... tomorrow we are going to Hoi An and then next Wednesday I am heading back to Thailand for a few days to explore/travel with Heather...I'm super excited!
How's that for an update!!!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
I'm Off...Again!
Well it seems like May is always "that time of year" when I pack up my bags and head off to Southeast Asia...and this year is no different! In just a few hours, 5 hours to be exact, I will be boarding a plane to spend a month overseas - I couldn't be more excited or blessed!
For the first two weeks I will be in Thailand with one of my friends Chelsea, who is looking to commit to serve with an organization in Thailand for 2 years. Before she made a 2 year commitment she wanted to visit Thailand and the organization (smart move) and well I sort of volunteered myself to go with her (I think she is excited about me going with her though...I hope!) since Thailand is my other home. We will be spending 1/2 of our time in Chiang Mai (being toursits...which will be an adventure) and the other half with the organziation in a Burma border town seeing what they do and meeting their staff.
The second two weeks I will spend in Vietnam with a bunch of friends who live in Danang. I have no formal plans with them...but all I know is they live near the beach and there are tons of coffee shops...I think I will survive just fine! I promise I won't just be lounging around for 2 weeks...I will also be helping out however I can at the organizations my friends work for.
I know some of you may have heard about the protests in Thailand (and some of you have even voiced some concern about my travels)...I promise I have taken a lot of precautionary steps for my time in Bangkok, including only being there as little as possible. However, the situation is still unstable and I would ask for your prayers for peace. Chelsea and I are not feeling fearful about the situation and really belive that the Lord has created this time and space for us to be in Thailand specifically - so we go in full faith that the Lord will guide us, strengthen us and use us as He sees fit (whether or not we are "safe").
My hope and prayer for this journey is to really encourage and love on my friends who have committed at least a portion of their lives to overseas service...they give so much and my hope is to pour back into them as much as possible (and to maybe ride an elephant or two!).
Blessings!
E
For the first two weeks I will be in Thailand with one of my friends Chelsea, who is looking to commit to serve with an organization in Thailand for 2 years. Before she made a 2 year commitment she wanted to visit Thailand and the organization (smart move) and well I sort of volunteered myself to go with her (I think she is excited about me going with her though...I hope!) since Thailand is my other home. We will be spending 1/2 of our time in Chiang Mai (being toursits...which will be an adventure) and the other half with the organziation in a Burma border town seeing what they do and meeting their staff.
The second two weeks I will spend in Vietnam with a bunch of friends who live in Danang. I have no formal plans with them...but all I know is they live near the beach and there are tons of coffee shops...I think I will survive just fine! I promise I won't just be lounging around for 2 weeks...I will also be helping out however I can at the organizations my friends work for.
I know some of you may have heard about the protests in Thailand (and some of you have even voiced some concern about my travels)...I promise I have taken a lot of precautionary steps for my time in Bangkok, including only being there as little as possible. However, the situation is still unstable and I would ask for your prayers for peace. Chelsea and I are not feeling fearful about the situation and really belive that the Lord has created this time and space for us to be in Thailand specifically - so we go in full faith that the Lord will guide us, strengthen us and use us as He sees fit (whether or not we are "safe").
My hope and prayer for this journey is to really encourage and love on my friends who have committed at least a portion of their lives to overseas service...they give so much and my hope is to pour back into them as much as possible (and to maybe ride an elephant or two!).
Blessings!
E
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Go ahead...throw a wrench at me!
On Thanksgiving weekend you would think that I would be well aware of how many things I have to be thankful for...but I think it was tonight on my super long drive to church (literally an hour...I love my church!!) that I had one of those moments where I was in awe of how blessed I am. I was driving west, into the sunset, on a cloudless and pleasantly cool evening with a Venti Non-fat Peppermint Half-caf latte (with whip cream instead of foam) while listening to Coblie Caillat (that I got for $6.50 @ an after Thanksgiving sale at Target)...and it hit me...well actually IT hit my car...but it hit me...a wrench (an actual wrench) hit my car (and actually it was my mom's car...you know the almost like new Honda Civic)! I saw the car in front of me run over the wrench and the wrench banged around underneath it a bit before it flew out the back end and started bouncing on the freeway towards me. A million thoughts ran through my head...can I get over? NO...I am surrounded by cars; if I slow down will that make a difference? I don't know? What if it hits my windshield? Will my windshield shatter? Will I be knocked out...oh man this could get real bad real fast!!! But...thankfully it just hit the front of my mom's car and flew into the lane next to me where it had time to settle on the road before the car in the lane next to me got to it. My next thought...why is there a wrench flying around on the freeway? Next thought...oh man...I hope the front of my mom's car isn't damaged...the one time I take her car! (Actually last Thanksgiving weekend I took her car to go meet a friend and while it was parked in a parking spot some other car that was trying to park totally hit her car...I think I shouldn't drive her car anymore!)
Anyway all that to say that I am so blessed! I am so blessed to have a car to drive (and a mom that let's me drive her car too). I am blessed to live in Southern California where I get to see amazing sunsets everyday and have amazing weather. I am soooo blessed to have a job so I can afford my Venti frou-frou latte from Starbucks (who fyi...is a great company who works with coffee growers all over the world and gives them a fair price for their coffee...ex: the coffee growers I work with in Thailand) and a new CD that costs more than what a person lives off of for a week in a developing country. AND I am so blessed that I am alive and breathing and didn't have a wrench go through my windshield tonight! There are a million other things that I am thankful for many of which I probably don't think about most days...but I am going to try to be more appreciative for the little and everyday things! And I am also going to continue to be thankful even when there are wrenches hurdling my way at 50 mph (literally and metaphorically!)
Oh...and if you were wondering...there appears to be no damage to my mom's car (from my brief inspection in the dark!)...I am sooo thankful!!!
Anyway all that to say that I am so blessed! I am so blessed to have a car to drive (and a mom that let's me drive her car too). I am blessed to live in Southern California where I get to see amazing sunsets everyday and have amazing weather. I am soooo blessed to have a job so I can afford my Venti frou-frou latte from Starbucks (who fyi...is a great company who works with coffee growers all over the world and gives them a fair price for their coffee...ex: the coffee growers I work with in Thailand) and a new CD that costs more than what a person lives off of for a week in a developing country. AND I am so blessed that I am alive and breathing and didn't have a wrench go through my windshield tonight! There are a million other things that I am thankful for many of which I probably don't think about most days...but I am going to try to be more appreciative for the little and everyday things! And I am also going to continue to be thankful even when there are wrenches hurdling my way at 50 mph (literally and metaphorically!)
Oh...and if you were wondering...there appears to be no damage to my mom's car (from my brief inspection in the dark!)...I am sooo thankful!!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I freaked out today!
Today was a great day...I got to hang out with an amazing student who has decided that she wants to spend her life doing missions (I mean come on...how could that not be an amazing conversation!); I got to hang out at my most favorite coffee shop in Glendora and have an iced vanilla chai while reading through my journal and reflecting on my life over the past 2 years; I was able to hang out with two amazing friends; and I ate Thai food (ok, not necessarily my personal choice but they love Thai food and I love Thailand so it seemed like a good option at the time)...
And then it happened... I pulled into my driveway after my long and wonderful day and I went to grab my book, my Bible and my journal, but my journal wasn't there! I frantically searched under the seats and in the back of the car and it was no where to be found. At this point I flipped out! Seriously not only are there some really profound observations and my life story in that journal...but also some pieces of information that I DO NOT want other people to know about... that is why it's my journal and not my blog!
So I storm into the house (quite literally...ask my mom) and throw down my purse and ask my mom if we have a flashlight. She responds with..."yeah, why?" I respond with..."I CAN'T FIND MY JOURNAL!!!!" My mom, "oh..." I go back out to the car and look again...by this time all I can think about is that the last time I know I had my journal was at the coffee shop. Maybe I left it on the table or maybe I dropped it on the sidewalk as I walked to my car... ohhh my gosh!!! What if someone reads it! It's not like there is anything in there that would be completely awful if someone read it I guess, but it is just so personal.
I storm back into the house, with tears in my eyes at this point. I start to take deep breaths. My mom tells me she will go out and look for it because "sometimes another set of eyes is all it takes" (I love my mom!! She is so calm! I mean seriously she knows how upset I am and she just keeps me calm) She tells me if she doesn't find it she will drive up there right now with me to go look for it. Too bad the coffee shop is already closed and well...what would you do if you found a journal laying on the sidewalk? Leave it there? Hmmm that is a question to think about for sure!
Anyway, I sort of yell at my mom (not sort of...I do...sorry mom!!) and she goes out with flashlight in hand. I stand in the kitchen and try to collect my thoughts and say a prayer. I hear the doors of the car close. My mom walks into the house. She casually walks into the kitchen and says..."Here you go...it was wedged in between the seat...only a little part of it was showing." Deep breath!
So that is my short story on life today... it was good, I lost my journal, I freaked out, my mom found my journal, and life is still good!
But you wish you knew what was in my journal huh???
And then it happened... I pulled into my driveway after my long and wonderful day and I went to grab my book, my Bible and my journal, but my journal wasn't there! I frantically searched under the seats and in the back of the car and it was no where to be found. At this point I flipped out! Seriously not only are there some really profound observations and my life story in that journal...but also some pieces of information that I DO NOT want other people to know about... that is why it's my journal and not my blog!
So I storm into the house (quite literally...ask my mom) and throw down my purse and ask my mom if we have a flashlight. She responds with..."yeah, why?" I respond with..."I CAN'T FIND MY JOURNAL!!!!" My mom, "oh..." I go back out to the car and look again...by this time all I can think about is that the last time I know I had my journal was at the coffee shop. Maybe I left it on the table or maybe I dropped it on the sidewalk as I walked to my car... ohhh my gosh!!! What if someone reads it! It's not like there is anything in there that would be completely awful if someone read it I guess, but it is just so personal.
I storm back into the house, with tears in my eyes at this point. I start to take deep breaths. My mom tells me she will go out and look for it because "sometimes another set of eyes is all it takes" (I love my mom!! She is so calm! I mean seriously she knows how upset I am and she just keeps me calm) She tells me if she doesn't find it she will drive up there right now with me to go look for it. Too bad the coffee shop is already closed and well...what would you do if you found a journal laying on the sidewalk? Leave it there? Hmmm that is a question to think about for sure!
Anyway, I sort of yell at my mom (not sort of...I do...sorry mom!!) and she goes out with flashlight in hand. I stand in the kitchen and try to collect my thoughts and say a prayer. I hear the doors of the car close. My mom walks into the house. She casually walks into the kitchen and says..."Here you go...it was wedged in between the seat...only a little part of it was showing." Deep breath!
So that is my short story on life today... it was good, I lost my journal, I freaked out, my mom found my journal, and life is still good!
But you wish you knew what was in my journal huh???
Monday, August 31, 2009
Running Shoes...Oh how I've missed thee!!
So yesterday I did it! I braved the 90+ degree heat at 9 am and went for a run, or (if I'm being honest) a jog/walk. It has been so long since I have gone jogging that I forgot how much I love it (even when it is beyon hot outside)!
Only problem...my feet weren't so happy. I wore my old running shoes (which I absolutely love) which was a huge mistake. See I took the running shoes to Thailand and wore them in the village quite a bit so they got just a tad bit muddy. When I brought them home I washed them in the washing machine and well the heel part of the shoe is really worn through. I also wore really short socks, which when added to the shoe problem equals some pretty ugle blisters on the back of my feet. Oh well...it's worth it!
Today I signed up for the Surf City Half Marathon. This will be my 3rd one in a row!! So excited!
Well I think that's it! I do have some exciting news to share soon...but it isn't 100% so I don't want to post it on my blog yet...so I'll let you know!
Only problem...my feet weren't so happy. I wore my old running shoes (which I absolutely love) which was a huge mistake. See I took the running shoes to Thailand and wore them in the village quite a bit so they got just a tad bit muddy. When I brought them home I washed them in the washing machine and well the heel part of the shoe is really worn through. I also wore really short socks, which when added to the shoe problem equals some pretty ugle blisters on the back of my feet. Oh well...it's worth it!
Today I signed up for the Surf City Half Marathon. This will be my 3rd one in a row!! So excited!
Well I think that's it! I do have some exciting news to share soon...but it isn't 100% so I don't want to post it on my blog yet...so I'll let you know!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thailand Update 1 (this may be a long one!)
Well...I have been in Thailand over 3 weeks! I really cannot believe how fast the time has gone! I am going to do my best to brief you on the trip, tell you some funny stories, and let you know what is happening the next few days.
I met up with the team at LAX on Tuesday May 12th. We had no problems checking in and going through security, which can always be interesting considering all the tools and random things we bring with us! We boarded the plane and took off for Bangkok...and we didn't stop at all for over 16 hours! Let's just say I had plenty of time to think, read, watch movies, and attempt to sleep (thankfully the flight home is much shorter because of the air currents or something like that...I am just very very thankful!!!). We arrived in Bangkok, hustled through customs and boarded our flight to Chiang Mai, which was less than an hour.
We arrived in Chiang Mai around 9 AM and headed to our hotel to drop off our luggage. Then it was off to lunch, a briefing at the office, and shopping (which I opted out of to go relax at the hotel...I mean you can only go to the Gem store and Silver shop so many time =) ). After the team came back we had dinner & headed out to the night market. On our way back to the hotel that night it began pouring rain- so by the time we reached the lobby we were completely soaked from head to toe...I love wading through the steets of Chiang Mai!
The next morning we headed out to the Elephant Farm, the Snake Farm, and Tiger Kingdom. At the Elephant Farm I feed a preganant elephant 5 bunches of bananas in about 30 seconds (she would eat them a whole bunch at a time) and watched the elephant show. At the Snake Farm (not my favorite place int he world) we walked around, held snakes, and watched the snake show. At Tiger Kindgom I opted out of petting the tigers after I heard that sometimes the tigers just have bad days and knock people around with their huge paws...I may have some good traveler's insurance...but I am not too sure if it covers getting mauled by a tiger? After our exciting morning of visiting animals we grabbed our gear from the hotel and headed out to the villages.
We stayed overnight at a "resort" (which is nothing like a resort that we would think of...I didn't even get a warm shower) about half way to the village. It was a fun night to get to know the team a little bit better, as the girls stayed up late talking and fighting off the "big" bugs...which little did they know the bugs only get bigger the farther away from the city you go...but I thought I wouldn't scare them and let them figure that out on their own (I'm mean I know!)
In the morning we headed out fairly early and were able to not have any rain on the way into the village. The drive into the village on the dirt road was amazingly easy! Absolutely no rain, no mud, and no wenching trucks up roads...incredible! Thank you for your prayers! We arrived in the village (not Maohjo where I thought we were going to stay, but the village right next to it...we are trying to spread the wealth...I guess each village "fights" over where the team stays...they love us that much!!!) in early afternoon and got settled. As I was getting settled I realized that I didn't know where my battle buddy was...so I went on a search. Came to find out that the team had gone to visit Maohjo and the work site...so one of the staff found some children to take me on a hike to the work site. I admit I was a little nervous...but the children took me on the easiest route and I arrived at the school site and hung out with the teachers until the team came back down the hill.
The next day was Sunday so we didn't work; but we did get to go to church in Maohjo! What a blessing! One of the girls in the village that I had gotten pretty close to the last I was there was at the church service...I couldn't stop smiling! Her family is Buddhist and she's Christian now! What an answer to prayer! During church some of the team shared their testimony, we sang a song (impromtu), and our team leader gave the sermon (which was translated into Karen)...such a great experience!
On Monday we began work on the medical clinic. A team from San Diego Christian College had come out in December and done a ton of work on the clinic! They had laid almost the entire foundation...which basically meant mixing cement for 2 weeks straight! We arrived to a very basic structure of a foundation and some of the steel beams. We spent the day mixing cement, hauling cement, pouring cement, and smoothing cement...we love cement!!! This is where a really funny story comes in!!! So on the way up to the work site we took a random path up the side of a hill...literally!!!! It was pretty steep and slippery and well I was pretty dirty before we even started working. On this little path there were two "ladders" made of bamboo...one that spanned a gap between the rice patties and the side of the hill (with probably a 4 foot drop under it into a small stream of water) and a ladder that allows you to climb over a barbed wire that seperates plots of land. No big deal right??? Well on the way up the hill there were no problems at all. But on the way back from work...well that was another story!! So we get to the first ladder on the way down (over the barbed wire fence) and there are Fire Ants all over the handles of the ladder...so I am told not to touch the sides of the ladder so I have to walk up one side...not hard and down the other while standing straight up...a little harder. Thankfully one of the team members helped and I made it over safely with a big sigh of relief! We get to the next ladder (the one spanning the gap)...well earlier in the day other people on the team had broken the ladder (remember that everyone on the team...even the smallest girls probably outweigh the villagers 20 or 30 pounds)...so two of the rungs were missing. So all of the team but me has gone across...the ladder crackling all the way...I think ok this could work...I will just crab crawl across it...well I get half way across and well the part I am not even on suddenly has had enough...the girl in front of me is like...ummmm Erin....and down I go! But like a pro I landed on my feet in the stream! Lauging the whole way! I didn't even get dirty! BUT....I did get dirty about 1 minute later. While walking in the rice patties we had to manuever through a random part that was muddy...no big deal right...well first step no problem...next step...instantly knee deep in rice paddy mud (which FYI...is full of leeches and weird things!). My foot would not come out and I thought my big rubber boot was lost forever....but I got down on my hands and knees and wiggled and squirmed while the girl with me was laughing hysterically! Needless to say I was so dirty...that I walked into the village and everyone who saw me just started laughing!
Alright there is so much more to write but I have to go I will write more later!!!
I met up with the team at LAX on Tuesday May 12th. We had no problems checking in and going through security, which can always be interesting considering all the tools and random things we bring with us! We boarded the plane and took off for Bangkok...and we didn't stop at all for over 16 hours! Let's just say I had plenty of time to think, read, watch movies, and attempt to sleep (thankfully the flight home is much shorter because of the air currents or something like that...I am just very very thankful!!!). We arrived in Bangkok, hustled through customs and boarded our flight to Chiang Mai, which was less than an hour.
We arrived in Chiang Mai around 9 AM and headed to our hotel to drop off our luggage. Then it was off to lunch, a briefing at the office, and shopping (which I opted out of to go relax at the hotel...I mean you can only go to the Gem store and Silver shop so many time =) ). After the team came back we had dinner & headed out to the night market. On our way back to the hotel that night it began pouring rain- so by the time we reached the lobby we were completely soaked from head to toe...I love wading through the steets of Chiang Mai!
The next morning we headed out to the Elephant Farm, the Snake Farm, and Tiger Kingdom. At the Elephant Farm I feed a preganant elephant 5 bunches of bananas in about 30 seconds (she would eat them a whole bunch at a time) and watched the elephant show. At the Snake Farm (not my favorite place int he world) we walked around, held snakes, and watched the snake show. At Tiger Kindgom I opted out of petting the tigers after I heard that sometimes the tigers just have bad days and knock people around with their huge paws...I may have some good traveler's insurance...but I am not too sure if it covers getting mauled by a tiger? After our exciting morning of visiting animals we grabbed our gear from the hotel and headed out to the villages.
We stayed overnight at a "resort" (which is nothing like a resort that we would think of...I didn't even get a warm shower) about half way to the village. It was a fun night to get to know the team a little bit better, as the girls stayed up late talking and fighting off the "big" bugs...which little did they know the bugs only get bigger the farther away from the city you go...but I thought I wouldn't scare them and let them figure that out on their own (I'm mean I know!)
In the morning we headed out fairly early and were able to not have any rain on the way into the village. The drive into the village on the dirt road was amazingly easy! Absolutely no rain, no mud, and no wenching trucks up roads...incredible! Thank you for your prayers! We arrived in the village (not Maohjo where I thought we were going to stay, but the village right next to it...we are trying to spread the wealth...I guess each village "fights" over where the team stays...they love us that much!!!) in early afternoon and got settled. As I was getting settled I realized that I didn't know where my battle buddy was...so I went on a search. Came to find out that the team had gone to visit Maohjo and the work site...so one of the staff found some children to take me on a hike to the work site. I admit I was a little nervous...but the children took me on the easiest route and I arrived at the school site and hung out with the teachers until the team came back down the hill.
The next day was Sunday so we didn't work; but we did get to go to church in Maohjo! What a blessing! One of the girls in the village that I had gotten pretty close to the last I was there was at the church service...I couldn't stop smiling! Her family is Buddhist and she's Christian now! What an answer to prayer! During church some of the team shared their testimony, we sang a song (impromtu), and our team leader gave the sermon (which was translated into Karen)...such a great experience!
On Monday we began work on the medical clinic. A team from San Diego Christian College had come out in December and done a ton of work on the clinic! They had laid almost the entire foundation...which basically meant mixing cement for 2 weeks straight! We arrived to a very basic structure of a foundation and some of the steel beams. We spent the day mixing cement, hauling cement, pouring cement, and smoothing cement...we love cement!!! This is where a really funny story comes in!!! So on the way up to the work site we took a random path up the side of a hill...literally!!!! It was pretty steep and slippery and well I was pretty dirty before we even started working. On this little path there were two "ladders" made of bamboo...one that spanned a gap between the rice patties and the side of the hill (with probably a 4 foot drop under it into a small stream of water) and a ladder that allows you to climb over a barbed wire that seperates plots of land. No big deal right??? Well on the way up the hill there were no problems at all. But on the way back from work...well that was another story!! So we get to the first ladder on the way down (over the barbed wire fence) and there are Fire Ants all over the handles of the ladder...so I am told not to touch the sides of the ladder so I have to walk up one side...not hard and down the other while standing straight up...a little harder. Thankfully one of the team members helped and I made it over safely with a big sigh of relief! We get to the next ladder (the one spanning the gap)...well earlier in the day other people on the team had broken the ladder (remember that everyone on the team...even the smallest girls probably outweigh the villagers 20 or 30 pounds)...so two of the rungs were missing. So all of the team but me has gone across...the ladder crackling all the way...I think ok this could work...I will just crab crawl across it...well I get half way across and well the part I am not even on suddenly has had enough...the girl in front of me is like...ummmm Erin....and down I go! But like a pro I landed on my feet in the stream! Lauging the whole way! I didn't even get dirty! BUT....I did get dirty about 1 minute later. While walking in the rice patties we had to manuever through a random part that was muddy...no big deal right...well first step no problem...next step...instantly knee deep in rice paddy mud (which FYI...is full of leeches and weird things!). My foot would not come out and I thought my big rubber boot was lost forever....but I got down on my hands and knees and wiggled and squirmed while the girl with me was laughing hysterically! Needless to say I was so dirty...that I walked into the village and everyone who saw me just started laughing!
Alright there is so much more to write but I have to go I will write more later!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
THAILAND!!!
I am going to Thailand in about 6 hours! I don't know if I would believe it was true if it wasn't for the giant gear bag full of stuff sitting in my living room right now.
The last week has been crazy! I finished up working at APU, Graduated with my M.Ed. in College Student Affairs and moved out of my apartment! Needless to say that I didn't start packing until this morning...at least I got it done!
I am excited for the adventure that is waiting for me in Thailand! I am going with a team of college students...which should be a blast! Other than the basic details of the trip I have no idea what is going to happen over the next 3 weeks, but my new more spontaneous self is completely fine with that!
I would ask for your prayers...we got word late last week that two villagers died in an accident on the dirt road that leads to the village (and 5 others were injured, but have returned to their homes). This road is the same one we have to take into the village (and is the same one I have traveled many many times). So first, please be in prayer for the families of those who died. This is a totally different ministry opportunity for our team, so we are praying that we can just be of comfort to the families. Second, this accident has caused a lot of concern and worry from friends and family of the team; which is totally understandable. So please pray that we have safe travels and that the drivers know what is too dangerous and what is doable.
So thanks again!! I will update this as much as possible while I am gone! Love you all!!
The last week has been crazy! I finished up working at APU, Graduated with my M.Ed. in College Student Affairs and moved out of my apartment! Needless to say that I didn't start packing until this morning...at least I got it done!
I am excited for the adventure that is waiting for me in Thailand! I am going with a team of college students...which should be a blast! Other than the basic details of the trip I have no idea what is going to happen over the next 3 weeks, but my new more spontaneous self is completely fine with that!
I would ask for your prayers...we got word late last week that two villagers died in an accident on the dirt road that leads to the village (and 5 others were injured, but have returned to their homes). This road is the same one we have to take into the village (and is the same one I have traveled many many times). So first, please be in prayer for the families of those who died. This is a totally different ministry opportunity for our team, so we are praying that we can just be of comfort to the families. Second, this accident has caused a lot of concern and worry from friends and family of the team; which is totally understandable. So please pray that we have safe travels and that the drivers know what is too dangerous and what is doable.
So thanks again!! I will update this as much as possible while I am gone! Love you all!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Some Exciting News!
I am DONE with my Masters Degree!!!! (Well almost!!) I am done with homework at least!
So here is the link to the website I created as my Capstone Project for my degree...
http://erinlindcapstone.synthasite.com/
Enjoy, comment, & critique...but be nice...I am so worn out I literally can't think anymore =)
So here is the link to the website I created as my Capstone Project for my degree...
http://erinlindcapstone.synthasite.com/
Enjoy, comment, & critique...but be nice...I am so worn out I literally can't think anymore =)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I always write blogs when I should be doing something else...
Blogging when I busy beyond words is my stress reliever. I find some of my most creative thoughts come about at 1 in the morning when I am so tired I want to curl up and not wake up for the next 12 hours, yet have so much to do that I can't fall asleep because my head is to full of stuff; it is in these moments that inspiration comes (or what I consider inspiration) and I have to get it down on paper. So forgive me if this is a little discombobulated, incoherent, or maybe even an idea that a much wiser person has already thought of...but tonight it hit me...
Our lives are like jokes. (wait for it, wait for it...) hmmm yeah, I didn't like equating my life to a joke either, but here is where my thought process was going. Jokes have punch lines, and if you don't say the punch line at just the right time...well the joke just isn't funny. True?
Well a lot of times I find that I live my life doing what I think I should be doing, going about my merry way -let's say going to grad school for example-and then I get to the part where the punch line is suppossed to come in- like an amazing high paying job after graduation- and well...I am left hanging...no punch line. My first response...God, where ar You? Why didn't you deliver the punch line? Ummm hello, life isn't good without the punchline...right?
Wrong! See the problem is too often we are too busy writing our own jokes (aka lives) and our punchlines (aka outcomes, blessings, dreams, the stuff that happens in movies, you know...the good stuff) and when it doesn't happen we look to God and say...what happen? Why didn't you show up? I told you exactly what to give me! Why aren't you giving it to me? (insert the most annoying little whiny kid you can think of here begging for an ice cream cone on a hot day!)
First of all...God doesn't play on our timing! He plays on His own timing. So we may write the joke and wait for the punchline...but it's not going to come....yet or maybe not at all. God's punchline to our jokes is:
always on time...His time
always good...He never does anything wrong
and always better than the one we wrote ourselves!
So all that to say...right now I am coming to the end of this joke (this part of my life...grad school)...and I had thought I had a pretty good idea what the punchline was (ummm a great job doing exactly what I wanted to do at the exact university I wanted to work at)...but well...I am pretty sure that punchline is not going to be my reality. Instead...I am waiting (not necessarily because I want to but because I need too) for God's punchline.
What does God's punchline look like...well that, I don't know; but, I do know three things...
It will be on time! It will be good! AND it will be better than anything I could have ever imagined or dreamed on my own!
Yep...so that is my creative side (and heart) at 1 in the morning.
Our lives are like jokes. (wait for it, wait for it...) hmmm yeah, I didn't like equating my life to a joke either, but here is where my thought process was going. Jokes have punch lines, and if you don't say the punch line at just the right time...well the joke just isn't funny. True?
Well a lot of times I find that I live my life doing what I think I should be doing, going about my merry way -let's say going to grad school for example-and then I get to the part where the punch line is suppossed to come in- like an amazing high paying job after graduation- and well...I am left hanging...no punch line. My first response...God, where ar You? Why didn't you deliver the punch line? Ummm hello, life isn't good without the punchline...right?
Wrong! See the problem is too often we are too busy writing our own jokes (aka lives) and our punchlines (aka outcomes, blessings, dreams, the stuff that happens in movies, you know...the good stuff) and when it doesn't happen we look to God and say...what happen? Why didn't you show up? I told you exactly what to give me! Why aren't you giving it to me? (insert the most annoying little whiny kid you can think of here begging for an ice cream cone on a hot day!)
First of all...God doesn't play on our timing! He plays on His own timing. So we may write the joke and wait for the punchline...but it's not going to come....yet or maybe not at all. God's punchline to our jokes is:
always on time...His time
always good...He never does anything wrong
and always better than the one we wrote ourselves!
So all that to say...right now I am coming to the end of this joke (this part of my life...grad school)...and I had thought I had a pretty good idea what the punchline was (ummm a great job doing exactly what I wanted to do at the exact university I wanted to work at)...but well...I am pretty sure that punchline is not going to be my reality. Instead...I am waiting (not necessarily because I want to but because I need too) for God's punchline.
What does God's punchline look like...well that, I don't know; but, I do know three things...
It will be on time! It will be good! AND it will be better than anything I could have ever imagined or dreamed on my own!
Yep...so that is my creative side (and heart) at 1 in the morning.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
It's after 1 in the morning & I am so excited that I can't sleep!!
So, it seriously 1 AM right now and I am so excited...though I am not going to share with you why I am so excited (don't hold your breath because I am really not going to tell you the details because nothing is 100% yet but just know that it is really cool and amazing and I am so excited that I cried about it earlier today...it is that great!!) Anyway, I wanted to share what I wrote in my journal last night. I usually don't do this, but I really just feel the need to share and hope that someone enjoys it and it resonates with someone's heart...so here it is...
Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
The phrase that sticks out the most is "he will quiet you with his love" -God I am so busy and always talking and always thinking...I need to be quieted by your love; I need to be quiet in your love; I need to experience the power of your love that has the ability to calm my mind, my heart and my spirit.
God you take great delight in me? I find this hard to believe a lot of the time because I do so many sinful things. How could you delight in me? How do you delight in me when others can't even delight over me - and they are my equal and not the God of the universe! But you do delight in me, as a parent delights in their child and as a artist delights in their creation and as a composer delights in his song - so you delight in me.
You take so much delight in me, that you "rejoice over me with singing." What a voice You must have! What a song You must be singing! Which one is it? What does it sound like? I know I have heard it before! In the quiet moments of the sunsets on the dock at the Delta, in the thunder and pounding rain of the storms in Northern Thailand, in the laughter of the rowdy teenage girls at winter camp who just won't go to sleep, in the waves that crash on the shore, or the sound of my feet hitting the pavement when I go for a run - all of them are percussion and harmony and sound effects to the joyous song You are singing over me!
Thank you for taking delight in me, quieting me, and rejoicing over me! Thank you also for being might to save - thank you for loving me enough to save me from myself!
Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
The phrase that sticks out the most is "he will quiet you with his love" -God I am so busy and always talking and always thinking...I need to be quieted by your love; I need to be quiet in your love; I need to experience the power of your love that has the ability to calm my mind, my heart and my spirit.
God you take great delight in me? I find this hard to believe a lot of the time because I do so many sinful things. How could you delight in me? How do you delight in me when others can't even delight over me - and they are my equal and not the God of the universe! But you do delight in me, as a parent delights in their child and as a artist delights in their creation and as a composer delights in his song - so you delight in me.
You take so much delight in me, that you "rejoice over me with singing." What a voice You must have! What a song You must be singing! Which one is it? What does it sound like? I know I have heard it before! In the quiet moments of the sunsets on the dock at the Delta, in the thunder and pounding rain of the storms in Northern Thailand, in the laughter of the rowdy teenage girls at winter camp who just won't go to sleep, in the waves that crash on the shore, or the sound of my feet hitting the pavement when I go for a run - all of them are percussion and harmony and sound effects to the joyous song You are singing over me!
Thank you for taking delight in me, quieting me, and rejoicing over me! Thank you also for being might to save - thank you for loving me enough to save me from myself!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Countdown has begun!!!
15 weeks until graduation! (May 9th)
9 weeks of class left (or 1 quarter from February 2 - April 1)
2 classes left
1 Gigantic Project & Presentation (sometime in mid April)
Wow...I can't believe grad school will be over in just a few weeks! Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with my life- maybe go back to school and get a Ph.D.? The thought has crossed my mind...but I think I would like a break!
9 weeks of class left (or 1 quarter from February 2 - April 1)
2 classes left
1 Gigantic Project & Presentation (sometime in mid April)
Wow...I can't believe grad school will be over in just a few weeks! Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with my life- maybe go back to school and get a Ph.D.? The thought has crossed my mind...but I think I would like a break!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
I am a legend in a small village in Thailand
A couple of nights ago I was talking to one the girls who went on a Thailand trip with me a few years ago. She went back to Thailand two Mays ago (or 1 year after I went for 3 months). Anyway, we were talking about Thailand memories and she tells me this story...
She was sitting in her host families hut talking with her host family (through a translator) and they are telling them stories about different things that have happened in the village. I guess the topic got onto when Brad, Shannon and I were living in the village because the host mom starts telling this story about "the tall American girl who fell through the porch of her sister's house into a big pile of mud while the whole village was watching" and another women in the room utters "Erin" (in a Karen accent I am sure). My friend said she almost lost it, because her she is sitting in the middle of nowhere hearing a story (an embarrassing one at that) about someone she knows.
Anyway, I couldn't stop laughing as she told me the story! Of all the stories the villagers tell people I was sort of hoping the one about me falling off a porch into a giant pile of mud (need I mention that I hurt myself really really badly) would be the one they wouldn't tell. Oh well, at least they remember me right?
She was sitting in her host families hut talking with her host family (through a translator) and they are telling them stories about different things that have happened in the village. I guess the topic got onto when Brad, Shannon and I were living in the village because the host mom starts telling this story about "the tall American girl who fell through the porch of her sister's house into a big pile of mud while the whole village was watching" and another women in the room utters "Erin" (in a Karen accent I am sure). My friend said she almost lost it, because her she is sitting in the middle of nowhere hearing a story (an embarrassing one at that) about someone she knows.
Anyway, I couldn't stop laughing as she told me the story! Of all the stories the villagers tell people I was sort of hoping the one about me falling off a porch into a giant pile of mud (need I mention that I hurt myself really really badly) would be the one they wouldn't tell. Oh well, at least they remember me right?
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Top Eight of 2008
I love lists (once again another reason I am weird I know!) so I thought I would make one about the best things that happened in 2008. (It also seemed like a good idea to reflect on 2008 as I head into 2009) So in no particular order here they are...the highlights of my life for the last year!
1. I ran a half marathon...that's 13.1 miles! (For all of you who run marathons I don't want to here about how that is not all that far...I was proud of myself and really sore for a few days after). The day was blustery to say the least...wind, rain and cold...but it was pretty cool. I will be running the 1/2 marathon again in about 28 days. My goal is to beat my time from last year, which should be interesting since I haven't been able to train much lately because I sprained my ankle (a funny story I will save for another day!)
2. I finished my first year of graduate school! (and as of this writing have about 13 total weeks of class left!!) It is going by so fast, but almost not fast enough now! Please don't ask what I want to do when I finish...I still don't know (but that seems to be the story of my life!). The options (or hopeful options) are...working at APU, working at a non-profit missions organizations, or moving overseas to do something crazy (like live in th jungle).
3. Bangladesh...pretty sure I will not go back, but it was an amazing adventure! From missing flights, hanging out in Hong Kong, incredible heat and humidity (this place beats Thailand any day!), speed boat rides across huge rivers, hanging out with college students, building 10 homes for cyclone vicitms, and hanging out with my boss as she puked her guts out...it was an adventure all the way!
4. Wakeboarded way better than last year! (I still stink but hey I only get to practice about 1 week a year and I was proud of myself!) I love being out on the water...even just being in the boat is good with me. Anyway...this makes my list because I love my time out on the water and it is always a highlight of my year to hang out at the Delta!
5. Went to New York, New York. Had so much fun! Ditched classes (I told my professors so I guess that really isn't ditching) and did all the fun stuff....saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, sat in the 3rd row at an amazing opera house and saw my first opera (I LOVED IT!), rode the subway too much (we need one in LA so bad!), went to the top of the Empire State Building, saw the Statue of Liberty, went to Ellis Island, went to Dean & Deluca (amazing!), hung out in Central Park for a little, and ohhh soo much more. All that to say...NYC is not my favorite place in the world...to hectic and materialistic...but fun to visit!
6. Went to Vermont (this was for school) in the fall....so beautiful! I highly recommend a visit. Sorry not too much to say...I was at a Legal Conference (it was a little boring, but I got out of a huge amount of class work for going...well worth the cost of the plane ticket!)
7. Several of my friends, from my original Thailand team, came out to visit! I got to be a tourist in So. Cal. which was fun! We hung out at the beach, played cards, saw Wicked, and did a whole bunch of relaxing. It was so great!
8. Moved into an amazing apartment with three amazing girls! They are definitely my saniety on nights when school is driving me crazy. I love my house and am sad that in just a few short months we all won't be living there anymore.
There are so many other great moments of 2008! Thanks for letting me share...I wonder what 2009 holds, but I guess we will find out soon enough!
1. I ran a half marathon...that's 13.1 miles! (For all of you who run marathons I don't want to here about how that is not all that far...I was proud of myself and really sore for a few days after). The day was blustery to say the least...wind, rain and cold...but it was pretty cool. I will be running the 1/2 marathon again in about 28 days. My goal is to beat my time from last year, which should be interesting since I haven't been able to train much lately because I sprained my ankle (a funny story I will save for another day!)
2. I finished my first year of graduate school! (and as of this writing have about 13 total weeks of class left!!) It is going by so fast, but almost not fast enough now! Please don't ask what I want to do when I finish...I still don't know (but that seems to be the story of my life!). The options (or hopeful options) are...working at APU, working at a non-profit missions organizations, or moving overseas to do something crazy (like live in th jungle).
3. Bangladesh...pretty sure I will not go back, but it was an amazing adventure! From missing flights, hanging out in Hong Kong, incredible heat and humidity (this place beats Thailand any day!), speed boat rides across huge rivers, hanging out with college students, building 10 homes for cyclone vicitms, and hanging out with my boss as she puked her guts out...it was an adventure all the way!
4. Wakeboarded way better than last year! (I still stink but hey I only get to practice about 1 week a year and I was proud of myself!) I love being out on the water...even just being in the boat is good with me. Anyway...this makes my list because I love my time out on the water and it is always a highlight of my year to hang out at the Delta!
5. Went to New York, New York. Had so much fun! Ditched classes (I told my professors so I guess that really isn't ditching) and did all the fun stuff....saw Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, sat in the 3rd row at an amazing opera house and saw my first opera (I LOVED IT!), rode the subway too much (we need one in LA so bad!), went to the top of the Empire State Building, saw the Statue of Liberty, went to Ellis Island, went to Dean & Deluca (amazing!), hung out in Central Park for a little, and ohhh soo much more. All that to say...NYC is not my favorite place in the world...to hectic and materialistic...but fun to visit!
6. Went to Vermont (this was for school) in the fall....so beautiful! I highly recommend a visit. Sorry not too much to say...I was at a Legal Conference (it was a little boring, but I got out of a huge amount of class work for going...well worth the cost of the plane ticket!)
7. Several of my friends, from my original Thailand team, came out to visit! I got to be a tourist in So. Cal. which was fun! We hung out at the beach, played cards, saw Wicked, and did a whole bunch of relaxing. It was so great!
8. Moved into an amazing apartment with three amazing girls! They are definitely my saniety on nights when school is driving me crazy. I love my house and am sad that in just a few short months we all won't be living there anymore.
There are so many other great moments of 2008! Thanks for letting me share...I wonder what 2009 holds, but I guess we will find out soon enough!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Uggg!
I have hit the breaking point (well not quite yet...I haven't cried yet, but I am getting close!). I am so over grad school right now! Part of it is the fact that I am so close to being done that I can taste it, but at the same time I can see all the assignments and reading that have yet to be accomplished and it is all a little overwhelming.
At the moment I am taking a break from the hours of reading and writing that I are still on my agenda for the evening, which will be early morning by the time I am done. I promise I am not complaining...it is all just a little too much at the moment. Thoughts of what am I going to do when I graduate, will there even be jobs available with the economy the way it is, shoot I really should work on my resume, Thailand, did I already read this chapter, and maybe the assignment is due tomorrow instead of next week...are running through my head while I attempt to write about my leadership achievements and challenges...not a good combination!
It is at this moment that I remember why I never really wanted to go back to school, yet at the same time I remember how all of these late nights and stressed out days will not seem so bad in a year or two (or hopefully even after graduation!). Honestly, I feel like I just need to make it to Christmas and then I can breath...only 24 more days!! LOL!
Alright, no more whining...I am going back to the ultra boring book I am reading about restructuring organizations!
At the moment I am taking a break from the hours of reading and writing that I are still on my agenda for the evening, which will be early morning by the time I am done. I promise I am not complaining...it is all just a little too much at the moment. Thoughts of what am I going to do when I graduate, will there even be jobs available with the economy the way it is, shoot I really should work on my resume, Thailand, did I already read this chapter, and maybe the assignment is due tomorrow instead of next week...are running through my head while I attempt to write about my leadership achievements and challenges...not a good combination!
It is at this moment that I remember why I never really wanted to go back to school, yet at the same time I remember how all of these late nights and stressed out days will not seem so bad in a year or two (or hopefully even after graduation!). Honestly, I feel like I just need to make it to Christmas and then I can breath...only 24 more days!! LOL!
Alright, no more whining...I am going back to the ultra boring book I am reading about restructuring organizations!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
I never thought I would really have to do this...
I can't count the number of times throughout my growing up years I have gone through the exercise of "What would you grab if there was a fire and you had to get out of your house in 10 minutes." But, I guess I never really thought that it would actually hit so close to home.
I don't have tv at my house (we can't afford cable and there is no reception) so the first and only thing I had heard on Friday about any fires was that there was a lot of damage done up in Santa Barbara. Then on Saturday my dad called and he asked me if there was a lot of smoke up near me. There was nothing but blue skies! Little did I know that fires were raging in Orange County.
Because of my proximity to some very dry hills and mountains my dad suggested that I pack up anything that I would want to take with me. At first I didn't think I would do it, but as I was driving home the wind was picking up and helicopters were hovering over the mountains behind my house. I thought maybe a little preparation might be a good idea.
I walked into my room and thought about what I would take. First thing I packed...my hard drive for my computer and all my papers from grad school...they are irreplacable! Second set of things...all my journals (so many memories). At that point I looked around my room and tried to remember which of the pictures I have all over my room are ones I have taken and have saved to my computer and which ones I have gotten from other people and probably can't replace...i grabbed a few that I knew I would never be able to get again. And then began to think...what else? What other pieces of my life are replacable? I almost grabbed my oldest pair of Rainbows (that have traveled the world with me) but decided against it. The last thing I grabbed was my little stuffed lamb that I have had since I was a little girl...that could never be replaced.
At that point I realized how much I had that I really wasn't as attached too as I thought. I can live without 12 pairs of shoes, books, cds, dvds, and furniture. The stuff that matters is the memories....the pieces of the places I have been and the people I love.
Thankfully, as of right now Azusa Canyon remains fireless (and I pray it remains so), but I think I have a little bit of a new perspective on life...the things that matter and the things that really don't.
My prayers are with all the families that have lost their homes, their possions, and some of their priceless memories!
I don't have tv at my house (we can't afford cable and there is no reception) so the first and only thing I had heard on Friday about any fires was that there was a lot of damage done up in Santa Barbara. Then on Saturday my dad called and he asked me if there was a lot of smoke up near me. There was nothing but blue skies! Little did I know that fires were raging in Orange County.
Because of my proximity to some very dry hills and mountains my dad suggested that I pack up anything that I would want to take with me. At first I didn't think I would do it, but as I was driving home the wind was picking up and helicopters were hovering over the mountains behind my house. I thought maybe a little preparation might be a good idea.
I walked into my room and thought about what I would take. First thing I packed...my hard drive for my computer and all my papers from grad school...they are irreplacable! Second set of things...all my journals (so many memories). At that point I looked around my room and tried to remember which of the pictures I have all over my room are ones I have taken and have saved to my computer and which ones I have gotten from other people and probably can't replace...i grabbed a few that I knew I would never be able to get again. And then began to think...what else? What other pieces of my life are replacable? I almost grabbed my oldest pair of Rainbows (that have traveled the world with me) but decided against it. The last thing I grabbed was my little stuffed lamb that I have had since I was a little girl...that could never be replaced.
At that point I realized how much I had that I really wasn't as attached too as I thought. I can live without 12 pairs of shoes, books, cds, dvds, and furniture. The stuff that matters is the memories....the pieces of the places I have been and the people I love.
Thankfully, as of right now Azusa Canyon remains fireless (and I pray it remains so), but I think I have a little bit of a new perspective on life...the things that matter and the things that really don't.
My prayers are with all the families that have lost their homes, their possions, and some of their priceless memories!
My name is not Katie!!
Alright, so I haven't given up drinking coffee yet! And maybe if I had I wouldn't be writing this little blog right here!
This morning I ditched church to go to a great little coffee shop to work on an assignment that is due tomorrow night. (I am just waiting for all the comments about me ditching church!! LOL!!...just FYI it is not something I do very often). Anyway, I walk in to this place (where I go fairly often) and one of my favortie baristas is working. I have no idea what her name is, but since moving up here her and I always have conversations when she is making my coffee. About a week ago, I stopped by to do some homework. I ordered my coffee and she (my favorite barista) was making my coffee. While we were talking I thought she called me Katie, but I wasn't too sure so I ignored it (the typical Erin response when she isn't sure what someone said...just nod and pretend like you know what is going on...this gets me in a lot of trouble!!). So back to today...I walk in and the first words out of her mouth are..."Hey, Katie! How are you?" I respond with, "I'm good, how are you?" But my mind is racing with thoughts about what I should do. Do I correct her? Do I just let it go? If I let it go, I think of the very awkward situation that will happen at some point where she finds out she has been calling me Katie and my name is Erin. Ummm...what should I do? In typical Erin fashion I continued the conversation as if my name was Katie.
I honestly think she just got me and my friend Katie's name mixed up. (Katie and I tend to go there together quite often). But, anyway...this isn't the first time that this has happened. In fact, my neighbor thought my name was Ashley until one of my roommates corrected her about 2 weeks ago. I guess I just don't look like an Erin!
This morning I ditched church to go to a great little coffee shop to work on an assignment that is due tomorrow night. (I am just waiting for all the comments about me ditching church!! LOL!!...just FYI it is not something I do very often). Anyway, I walk in to this place (where I go fairly often) and one of my favortie baristas is working. I have no idea what her name is, but since moving up here her and I always have conversations when she is making my coffee. About a week ago, I stopped by to do some homework. I ordered my coffee and she (my favorite barista) was making my coffee. While we were talking I thought she called me Katie, but I wasn't too sure so I ignored it (the typical Erin response when she isn't sure what someone said...just nod and pretend like you know what is going on...this gets me in a lot of trouble!!). So back to today...I walk in and the first words out of her mouth are..."Hey, Katie! How are you?" I respond with, "I'm good, how are you?" But my mind is racing with thoughts about what I should do. Do I correct her? Do I just let it go? If I let it go, I think of the very awkward situation that will happen at some point where she finds out she has been calling me Katie and my name is Erin. Ummm...what should I do? In typical Erin fashion I continued the conversation as if my name was Katie.
I honestly think she just got me and my friend Katie's name mixed up. (Katie and I tend to go there together quite often). But, anyway...this isn't the first time that this has happened. In fact, my neighbor thought my name was Ashley until one of my roommates corrected her about 2 weeks ago. I guess I just don't look like an Erin!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
You know your addicted when...
Ok, so I don't know if any of you have ever felt this way but here it goes... So all my life I have had this fear (fear is not the right word, but I can't think of the right one) of being seen in the same restaurant or coffee shop or grocery store on two consecutive days or sometimes even in the same week, the worst would be on the same day! I know I have gone somewhere earlier in the day and then had friends suggest that we go hang out there later that same evening and I will do all I can to avoid the return visit. I don't want people to think I can't cook for myself, or that I am lazy, or just I don't know...even that I eat out alot (which I really don't) but anyway to the point of the story.
This morning I went into the Starbucks down the street from my house (just fyi I usually switch off Starbucks each time I go for the reasons/fear stated above) and there is a huge line. I am usually not in a rush so the lines don't bother me and this morning I was already late to work so I figured that a few extra minutes wouldn't kill me. So one of the employees notices that the line is getting really long and comes over to a register to help out (I think the girl at the register was fairly new and/or hadn't had any coffee yet because she was moving fairly slow!!) anyway...the girl who had just walked over asks the two people in front of me what they would like and she writes it on the Christmas cups (hello it is not even Thanksgiving yet...we shouldn't be drinking out of christmas cups!) and then turns to me and says...Do you want your usual, venti iced skinny vanilla latte? I sort of looked at her with a bewildered look like "are you talking to me?" and then realized that was exactly what I was going to order! It sort of weirded me out. I mean I have been so careful to never go to the same Starbucks at the same time of day...but it didn't work...the girl knew my order!!
So all that to say that today's incident proved my suspicion that I am addicted to coffee! I don't really now what I am going to do about it...probably wake up tomorrow morning and go get another venti skinny vanilla latte...heck I can even go to the same Starbucks without fear...I've already conquered my fear!
This morning I went into the Starbucks down the street from my house (just fyi I usually switch off Starbucks each time I go for the reasons/fear stated above) and there is a huge line. I am usually not in a rush so the lines don't bother me and this morning I was already late to work so I figured that a few extra minutes wouldn't kill me. So one of the employees notices that the line is getting really long and comes over to a register to help out (I think the girl at the register was fairly new and/or hadn't had any coffee yet because she was moving fairly slow!!) anyway...the girl who had just walked over asks the two people in front of me what they would like and she writes it on the Christmas cups (hello it is not even Thanksgiving yet...we shouldn't be drinking out of christmas cups!) and then turns to me and says...Do you want your usual, venti iced skinny vanilla latte? I sort of looked at her with a bewildered look like "are you talking to me?" and then realized that was exactly what I was going to order! It sort of weirded me out. I mean I have been so careful to never go to the same Starbucks at the same time of day...but it didn't work...the girl knew my order!!
So all that to say that today's incident proved my suspicion that I am addicted to coffee! I don't really now what I am going to do about it...probably wake up tomorrow morning and go get another venti skinny vanilla latte...heck I can even go to the same Starbucks without fear...I've already conquered my fear!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
When the little things go wrong...Part Two!
So I really should be working on a paper that is due in a few hours, but instead I am checking my Facebook and writing another blog about my dull life and the things that are just plain funny to me sometimes! So this week continued the trend of little things going wrong...here they are in no particular order!
So a little insight into this week before I get started....It was Global Vision Week at APU! Which is an incredible week of over 30 events that is put on for the students. I am on the planning committee, so this is a big deal for me and my office. Let's just say I usually only work abou 15 hours a week (I know I know that is nothing!!), but last week I clocked about 40 hours (and that doesn't include some stuff I attended and didn't count as work)...anyway that is an intro to the week!
Things that just didn't go right...
1. An event that I was suppossed to take care of reservations for (place, chairs, tech equipment, etc.) just didn't get planned! Ahhhh!! I didn't even know that the reservations hadn't gone through until about 30 minutes before the event, thanks to one of my amazing co-workers who calmly approached me and told me the exciting news! Thankfully everything came together in a matter of minutes and no one else on the committee knew about it (until they read my blog of course). I just can't believe I let it slip through...seriously I need to get more organized!
2. Waited to the last minute to finish my final for my Counseling class (not unusual!)...go to finish it and my computer starts being weird! Great! I attempted to save the file to a memory card I had and ran into my work to use a computer there. The file I save to the memory card was not there by the time I got to work and I was so scared at this point...I already had 21 pages done! Well, thanfully I have gotten in the habit of emailing myself stuff in addition to saving it to my computer...well I had a recent copy of my paper! Soooo greatful!! So I sat at work and finished my paper. I then proceeded to call my dad and tell him my computer woes! All I can say is that I now have an amazingly new laptop! (the only thing that isn't so great about it is the pricetag...but I think I can deal with that!) The one funny thing about this whole thing is that I took the old computer home and my dad was checking it out...it has worked perfectly ever since! Go figure!
3. On Friday morning I was trying to quickly get from East campus to West campus so I could attend chapel. I was walking to my car and making a phone call to my mom just to say hi and as she picks up I round the car parked in front of mine and notice an large blotch of white paint smeared across the corner of the front bumper of car! The first words out my mouth were...mom do you know anywhere I can get bodywork done on my car. There was no note on my car, so I just got in my car and drove to West campus. I couldn't even be mad, seriously of all the things that could bother me in life I was not going to let this be one of them.
Hmmm...none of that seems bad now. In fact most of it is funny! Ahhh my life!
Alright back to my paper that I can now work on because I have an amazing computer that works!
So a little insight into this week before I get started....It was Global Vision Week at APU! Which is an incredible week of over 30 events that is put on for the students. I am on the planning committee, so this is a big deal for me and my office. Let's just say I usually only work abou 15 hours a week (I know I know that is nothing!!), but last week I clocked about 40 hours (and that doesn't include some stuff I attended and didn't count as work)...anyway that is an intro to the week!
Things that just didn't go right...
1. An event that I was suppossed to take care of reservations for (place, chairs, tech equipment, etc.) just didn't get planned! Ahhhh!! I didn't even know that the reservations hadn't gone through until about 30 minutes before the event, thanks to one of my amazing co-workers who calmly approached me and told me the exciting news! Thankfully everything came together in a matter of minutes and no one else on the committee knew about it (until they read my blog of course). I just can't believe I let it slip through...seriously I need to get more organized!
2. Waited to the last minute to finish my final for my Counseling class (not unusual!)...go to finish it and my computer starts being weird! Great! I attempted to save the file to a memory card I had and ran into my work to use a computer there. The file I save to the memory card was not there by the time I got to work and I was so scared at this point...I already had 21 pages done! Well, thanfully I have gotten in the habit of emailing myself stuff in addition to saving it to my computer...well I had a recent copy of my paper! Soooo greatful!! So I sat at work and finished my paper. I then proceeded to call my dad and tell him my computer woes! All I can say is that I now have an amazingly new laptop! (the only thing that isn't so great about it is the pricetag...but I think I can deal with that!) The one funny thing about this whole thing is that I took the old computer home and my dad was checking it out...it has worked perfectly ever since! Go figure!
3. On Friday morning I was trying to quickly get from East campus to West campus so I could attend chapel. I was walking to my car and making a phone call to my mom just to say hi and as she picks up I round the car parked in front of mine and notice an large blotch of white paint smeared across the corner of the front bumper of car! The first words out my mouth were...mom do you know anywhere I can get bodywork done on my car. There was no note on my car, so I just got in my car and drove to West campus. I couldn't even be mad, seriously of all the things that could bother me in life I was not going to let this be one of them.
Hmmm...none of that seems bad now. In fact most of it is funny! Ahhh my life!
Alright back to my paper that I can now work on because I have an amazing computer that works!
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