A Road To Remember

Two Weeks Already

2009-10-20T09:51:00.002-04:00

Okay - so I have to apologize. I really was hoping to be blogging more, but with no Internet at home yet and not really able to spend oodles of time on the computer at work, I have been remiss in my updates. However, I have been trying to get something quick and dirty up on Facebook so even if you hate Facebook - at least try and read my status :)

Just wanted to give you a heads up on that note. I promise to come back around really soon. Stay faithful dear readers. This road is not forgotten just needing some work - like the roads in Kinshasa :)

One Week in Congo

2009-10-12T08:59:00.002-04:00

So I've been in the DRC for one week so far. Well not even quite a week and already I have gotten on a plane and flown to the other side of the country. This week I will be in Goma - right on the border of the DRC and Rwanda. I'm sitting on Lake Kivu at the moment looking across the water to Rwanda. It's a bit surreal. Which is probably the best way to explain my time here so far. I'm still reeling from figuring out the job to the language to the fact that I'm here for two years and need to make friends and everything. So far I've settled in to my apartment which is so spacious. I feel really blessed to be there. And the people I've met so far have been really nice. I'm hoping to make some good friend connections though and find a spiritual community. I think, no I know, that will keep me sane. So here are some observations thus far - in no particular order and no particular importance.

It's going to take work to get out from behind the USG persona, but I think its doable.

I have found spinach in little frozen portions in a giant bag (like frozen chicken breasts) which makes me so happy. Thus far my favorite food item. Not only do I love spinach but the little portions are so much handier than making one large frozen box of the veggies.

The clock light on my stove will blink continuously for the next two years because the power goes out often and the generator kicks in. There's no point in setting the clock because everyday it will end up blinking and wrong. Which of course means I'm incredibly greatful for the fact that I will always have power no matter what.

Is is expensive here but that can also be relative. Store brand grocery items are about the price of good brand items in the States. And name brand are outrageous - a box of corn flakes $20 or thereabouts. But eating out seems to be about what it costs in DC - which is expensive in the U.S. but I'm a bit used to it. However, things like pizza that was delivered is $20 for a medium. It's good pizza though and will be well worth the price when I get a craving.

Haven't really gotten sick so far - had one day that was a bit crazy but thank goodness for meds.

I will love any and all packages sent my way.

I've watched a lot of movies already on my computer.

It's definately hot here so here's hoping the pool at my building will be fixed soon. So far going on six months with no water.

Really praying and hoping to find a christian community if it doesn't happen through the church then the community at large. I can feel how incredibly important that's going to be for me.

I have had so many moments where I feel like I'm living a movie or a book about this kind of life, this part of the world, etc. It really is a surreal experience always.

That's it for now.

Less Than Two Months And Counting

2009-08-12T22:50:00.002-04:00

In case anyone is still reading this, I have found out where I will be spending the next two years...The Democratic Republic of Congo. Yep - that would be the Heart of Darkness aka Zaire aka the middle of Africa. And if all goes well next Friday during my French exam I'll be leaving the first week of October - just around the corner. Once I get settled in, I'll be sure to update this blog, until then, thanks for waiting.

Update

2009-02-02T05:49:00.002-05:00

The absence on this blog can be explained by several things - the primary being I have started my new job. As a result, I don't have quite the time I used to have to update this thing, so I will probably take a break. Those of you who do know me and are interested in staying updated, I encourage you to email me and I will let you know what's happening. I may reinitiate this blog, but for at least the next couple weeks, I won't be on here.

Thanks!

American By Choice

2008-12-19T17:33:00.002-05:00

This week I was privileged to be part of a naturalization ceremony for a friend of mine. Several coworkers and I headed to the Convention Center in downtown DC. It was an awesome experience to see so many people gathered together for the sole purpose of becoming citizens of the United States. According to the judge presiding over the ceremony this was the largest naturalization ceremony in DC history with 701 people from 104 countries pledging allegiance to the United States. I was misty eyed through much of the 2+ hour ceremony.

We had a color guard, the national anthem, the reading of each name and country of those becoming naturalized, the oath of allegiance to the United States, the pledge of allegiance to the flag and then a big congratulations with much waving of small American flags. Some of my favorite moments were the cheers that came after the new citizens were told they could receive their passports in as little as three days! Other favorite moments: a stoic couple from Croatia beaming and kissing after they became citizens and some young adult kids cheering for their 60+ year old parents as their names were called.

Overall, it was really exciting to see people become Americans by choice and it was a thrilling memory to have with me as I will be on the frontlines of the visa line helping to start others dreams come to reality in a ceremony like this some day.

What's New Pussycat, Woah, Woah, Woah

2008-12-01T14:07:00.003-05:00

Being a Monday and all, I thought I might post a few updates for my few faithful readers. If you are one of them, thank you for sticking with me through thin and thick and hardly there posts.

Update #1 - Foreign Service

As you have seen from the previous blog, I have been offered and have accepted a position with the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. I'm still excited and still in a bit of shock when I start to think about it. Orientation will begin for me on January 5 in DC. I'm glad that I get to stick around the area for a bit longer while in transition and don't have to move to a new city quite yet. On February 13, I will attend what is known as Flag Day. The day I find out which country I will be spending the next few years working and living in for my first post. This will be a day of great anticipation and nervousness and excitement and I'm already planning a big party for that evening. I will also learn at that time what additional training I will need before leaving for post ie. language training and other important things. I'm guessing that I will be leaving for post sometime the end of next summer or early fall. Of course this is all a guess and I won't know for sure until February. I'm already busy starting to think about a myriad of different things like insurance, taxes, moving, buying things I'll need, clothes, etc. It's gonna be fun but also a lot of work. If you think about it and are the praying type, I would really appreciate prayers for wisdom and insight regarding my choices of posts (I get to put in my preferences) and for the assignment of those posts and for an openness and sense of camraderie and friendship among the 70 plus of us that are starting orientation together.

Update #2 - The Grand Canyon

This was an amazing four day backpacking trip that I was able to go on with my dad, his brother and half sister. We hiked to the bottom of the Canyon, spent two nights at the bottom, hiked halfway up, camped again, and hiked the rest of the way. It was spectacular and a vacation of firsts for me:

first time to the Grand Canyon
first time backpacking
first time meeting my Dad's half sister
first time seeing the Hoover Dam
first time in Arizona
first time in Las Vegas
first time swimming in the Colorado River
first time smoking a cigar

Overall, it was a great vacation of firsts and what was even more cool about it was that I found out about the Foreign Service a couple hours before flying on a plane to start the trip. I spent the whole time in the canyon vacillating between "I'm in the Grand Canyon" and "I'm a Foreign Service Officer". It was great and so cool to hang out with my dad and family for a couple days. I'll post pictures soon.

Update #3 - Thanksgiving in Nashville

I just spent four days in Nashville, TN with my friend (and pastor) Heather and her husband Ryan and another friend/colleague Juliet. We spent the holiday with Heather's sister and brother in law and other related family members. I ate so much that it hurt to even look at food again. But it was so much fun. We went to Fido's - this really cool coffeeshop, the Catfish House for some delicious grilled catfish (and fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, and friend onion rings - all was delicious but I don't want to eat fried food for a while), Corkys for awesome barbecue ribs and collard greens with pepper vinegar - yummy, and of course the house for turkey and all the trimmings. It was some good eating. We also made it out to the Grand Ole Opry for an evening of good country music. It was so cool to be there even if I didn't know any of the artists or the songs, but just so much fun anyway. On the ride back, we "ran into" my friend Josh on the highway, so I switched cars and rode back back with him which was so much fun. Overall, a great holiday.

Update #4 - The New House

For those of you in the know (and those who now will be), I moved into the city a month ago. I'm now a ten block walk from work and loving being in the city. I still haven't quite gotten everything unpacked and in its place but I'm getting there. So far its been an easy transition and it will make the new commute in January pretty easy as well.

World Here I Come

2008-10-31T15:58:00.002-04:00

Just to let you all know that as of 2:30pm today, I am officially a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State. It has been a long journey but as mentioned in my previous entry - Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. More details when I return from my backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon and Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.

WOW. still in shock.

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

2008-10-27T12:02:00.002-04:00

That's about all I can say this week. And for the past couple of weeks. I can't say that I have always said this or have thought it or acted like it at times, but man, God deserves all praise. In spite of the crazy economy (with friends losing jobs) and hearing stories of other friends getting seriously sick or having some serious run ins with the law, God is good. And He deserves our praise whether we are feeling it or not.

I feel so blessed right now that I am moving to a new place and I'm so extremely blessed to have the incredible living situation I have had for the past 3 1/2 years. Dawson House is wonderful! My job is super great and I enjoy every minute of it. And now I'll be closer so I'm excited about the new opportunities that is providing me as well. In addition, I get to go on a super cool vacation next week. I'm excited and so grateful that I can do really neat things like this. I've never been to the Grand Canyon so backpacking it for four days is going to be awesome! Plus I'll get to hang out with my dad so that's going to be great too. And I'm planning on seeing a Cirque du Soleil show in Vegas. That is on my life to do list so it should be super fun. All that to say God is so good to me and I'm so grateful for the many blessings of friends, family, and life in general.

I'm also waiting to hear one more piece of news about the Foreign Service. The past month has been a rollercoaster in regards to it and I'm not exactly sure what's going to happen next. My eligibility was supposed to expire on October 12, but State granted an extension to a small group of people and I ended up having a six month extension moving my expiration date to April 2009. I'm right on the bubble of getting hired for a January start date. All this to say, I look back on this journey that started in February of 2006 and see that God has brought me this far. To Him be the glory.

Update Part Deux

2008-10-02T09:38:00.002-04:00

So a friend reminded me that I had failed to live up to my promise of posting an update the following day. I'm sorry and so here's an update: I am moving! I have decided to move from suburbia (which has been awesome) down to the city of DC. I'm excited about the chance to live in the middle of the action and save time and money from commuting to do other fun stuff like take dance classes and hang out more with people I want to get to know better. I move the end of October into a house with 4 other girls. I'm also going to be 10 blocks from work which is so exciting. I can walk or bike to work everyday. Woohoo!

The other funny thing about moving the end of the month is that I'm going on vacation Nov. 1-6. So far the past two moves I have made have occurred right before going on vacation. When I moved from DC to Southern MD in 2004, I moved in the weekend I left for Europe for 3 weeks. When I moved from Southern MD to where I live now, I left for a missions trip to Ethiopia the next day. Now I'm moving into a new place the day before I head out to the Grand Canyon for a week of hiking and camping and seeing Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. I'm so excited about the vacation part and of coming back to lots of boxes and a new home.

I'll post pictures of the new place when I get them done.

Updates

2008-09-28T13:43:00.002-04:00

So there has been a fair amount of stuff happening over the past couple months like Steel Magnolias, God on Broadway, friends and family updates. I promise to have an update posted tomorrow as I'm in the middle of waiting to see about one more huge and potentially life changing event. I would appreciate your prayers about this matter and will fill you in on more once I know how things pan out. Thanks!

More to come...

Inspiration or Cheese - You Decide

2008-08-14T13:39:00.002-04:00

1) Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin Robbins.
2) If you dont like the way you were born, try being born again.
3) There are some searches that cant be found by Google.
4) Prayer - the best wireless connection.
5) Life is Gods gift to us - What we do with it is our gift to God.
6) Hybrid Christians run on truth and love.
7) Jesus is my prozac.
8) God answers knee-mail.
9) In the dark? Follow the son!
10) Under the same management for over 2000 years.
11) If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
12) Dont give up! Moses was once a basket case!
13) If God seems far away, guess who moved?
14) God does not forget the sinner, he forgets the sin.
15) Gossip the Gospel.

Who Should I Vote For In November?

2008-08-11T17:51:00.001-04:00

So I took one of those Internet quizzes that asks you a bunch of questions and then tells you which candidate you best align with in order to assist you in your decision making. I took the test and my results are listed below which of course begs the question: who should I vote for in November? I tell people all the time that I'm a moderate and no one ever believes me. Maybe the results of this silly quiz will convince someone that I'm telling the truth.

72% John McCain
72% Barack Obama
69% Hillary Clinton
67% Chris Dodd
65% John Edwards
63% Joe Biden
63% Bill Richardson
60% Mitt Romney
59% Mike Huckabee
58% Rudy Giuliani
52% Dennis Kucinich
51% Fred Thompson
50% Mike Gravel
40% Tom Tancredo
35% Ron Paul

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Florida Triathlon Pictures

2008-07-29T13:50:00.010-04:00

So I don't have any clever title for this entry. Just got my pictures from my triathlon in Florida a couple weekends ago and these are the highlights. This was the first time my dad has been to a triathlon and seen me compete in one so it was really fun. He said he thought he could do one too :) Triathlon's are addicting and exciting!

This was in the transition area, first thing in the morning getting everything set up. I'm showing off my number. You get your number marked on both arms and front of your leg. Your age goes on your calf.

Heading into the ocean for the 1/4 mile swim. With Hurricane Bonnie off the coast, the waves were 2-5 feet. It was AWESOME! I'm on the left side in the black and red suit.

Running through the sand after the swim was tough. I'm headed back to the transition area to change and get ready for...

...the 11.1 mile bike ride.

I borrowed this bike from a friend of mine. It was just a little too big for me, so Dad and I hammered down the seat post until it was almost level with the top bar. It was also totally rusted and we had to tie on the water bottle cage. But it rolled so it was a blessing.

This is at the end of the 3.1 mile run. I turned the corner and am heading to the finish line.

Sprinting to the finish line. I remember in high school my basketball coach would always tell us to finish strong no matter what. So that's what I'm doing. Not the best picture - but hey I've been working hard for one hour and thirty-eight minutes :)

Crossing the finish line. I'm done!

Enjoying the post-race food. Yummy!

Family

2008-07-29T13:49:00.001-04:00

My cousin Lori and I in Montana last summer. We had so much fun together - me the thirty-one year old and her the thirteen year old.

Fun In The Sunshine State

2008-07-16T10:03:00.002-04:00

This past weekend I headed south to Florida for a little R&R with my dad and stepmom. Dad picked me up at the airport on Wednesday night and we drove to Sarasota for a business meeting the next day. That meeting consisted of sailing on the above 43 foot catamaran for a couple of hours. I love my dad's job :)

Then we headed back home and I got ready for a triathlon on Saturday. My dad was able to come out and watch the race which was really fun for me to have him there. It was my first open water swim as well and took place in the ocean with 2-4 foot swells from Hurricane Bertha. It was so fun! I did end up losing my goggles though which was sad. But I finished the race and Dad was inspired to maybe do one himself. We'll see :) Dad took pictures and I'll post those once I get them.

Saturday night we had a barbecue at the house and I had invited lots of friends I hadn't seen in a several years. It was really fun to catch up with them and see all their kids and hear their stories. So great. Then on Sunday we went to church at my old church that I haven't been to in like six years. There was a rush of memories as soon as we walked in the door so that was a bit overwhelming. There were familiar faces although I've forgotten many names, but still it was great to worship there again. Even Dad was overwhelmed with memories especially ones of when Mom was alive standing in the hallway and in the service. It was a neat time.

Then I flew home back to DC and enjoyed sitting next to a really nice (and really good looking) guy on the plane. That never happens. I didn't get his name but it was a fun flight :)

Fourth Celebrations

2008-07-09T13:48:00.003-04:00

Fourth of July found me doing lots of fun things for the weekend. On Friday, I hung out with my friend Renee most of the day then took in the fireworks near the Capitol building with a group of friends. Saturday I headed to Harper's Ferry, WV for some tubing. Awesome time! Sunday found me hanging with small children at Sunday School, lunch with my friends Jen and Clinton and wrapping up the weekend with "All Shook Up", a musical based around Elvis songs at a dinner theater in Maryland. All in all a good time.

Girls At The Movies

2008-06-17T14:15:00.002-04:00

Chasity, a girl I don't remember, me, Renee

This is a picture of some of the girls that went to opening night of "Sex and the City" movie. It was an interesting night with LOTS of women all dressed up in heels and flirty outfits. Overall a good time.

Birthday Celebration

2008-06-15T17:32:00.005-04:00

For my birthday this past year, I really wanted to go hang out at the National Arboretum. So my friends all met there and we ended up having a scavenger hunt race around the gardens looking for certain plants and stuff. It was a blast! Then we headed to a random Caribbean restaurant for food which was super fun too. All in all, it was a great birthday. Thanks friends!

Christy, Anne, Katie and Jen. They were in one car - I was in another and we raced all over. So much fun!

My team had to take a picture climbing these giant columns. Jeff, Renee, me, and Greg.

A bonsai tree started the year I was born - 1976. Love it!

Memorial Day Weekend 2008

2008-06-15T17:29:00.004-04:00

Owen, Amber, Katlyn, me, Dennis, Brandt

I went camping with some friends for the weekend and it was amazing. This is our third or fourth year going and its always such a blast. We ended up camping on some property of one of my friends friends :) so although we pitched our tents on the grass, we were right next door to a cottage and on the river where we could fish, sail, kayak and swim. It was pretty awesome and all just an hour from DC!

Here are two pictures of sunset one night. We kayaked over to the other side of the property and the pictures were taken by two friends who walked over. I'll post more later.

New Job

2008-05-14T09:08:00.000-04:00

It has been one month since I started my new job and it has been going swimmingly. For those of you that don't know I am working at my church, National Community Church (www.theaterchurch.com) and I love it. The people are so much fun to work with and I'm laughing on a regular basis everyday. It's awesome. I am the office manager so I'm the lead admin person, overseeing the maintenance staff and doing staff event planning and lots of other stuff. It's a good time.

Old School

2008-05-08T16:50:00.002-04:00

Yesterday my radio was stolen out of my car. Yes another theft. Thankfully this time, they didn't break anything so it won't cost me any additional money besides the replacement of my radio. Which by the way was a tape player as well. So someone in my neighborhood decided to go old school and pimp their ride with a tape player. I wish them all the best.

The only tape that was stolen was the one that happened to be in the tape player at the time. It was a mixed tape made by an old boyfriend of mine from waaaaay back. He's married now with a kid, so it's probably for the best that it was stolen. I couldn't really throw it out or give it back to him.

Thought Provoking

2008-04-18T12:00:00.001-04:00

click here

A Taste of Brazil

2008-04-14T14:36:00.004-04:00

More to follow but I wanted to give you something to chew on. I'm chewing a firefly larvae. It was a little sweet, a little creamy, and a little nutty. It's been feeding on a palm tree nut after all.

And drinking from a water vine chopped down by a machete. The clearest, purest, yummiest water ever.

I love the jungle!

Last Day On The Job

2008-04-03T09:06:00.005-04:00

Today is my last day at Blackboard. It has been quite a year (or rather almost 15 months). As I started the job, I wasn't that enthusiastic about what was ahead. During my time here, the job wasn't exactly something that allowed me to use my passions, but I was successful at it and I enjoyed the people I was working with which made the days fun. Now I'm headed off on a new adventure. I have no idea what awaits me at the church as I've never been full-time ministry before, but I think I'll learn alot and grow a lot. I already know I like most of the people there. And those I don't know yet, I'm looking forward to meeting and building a friendship with.

Yesterday some of my fellow Blackboarders took me out to lunch which was a nice way to celebrate the end of my time here. We had Italian which was so yummy.

Then Christy wanted a work picture of the two of us so here we are standing in front of the company logo.

I started off my last day at Blackboard with a trip to the dentist which is always super exciting and I will end it by packing for my trip to Brazil that leaves tomorrow. I will be incommunicado for the next 10 days, but when I get back, I'll be sure to have some pictures and stories to share with you.

My New Bike

2008-04-02T08:51:00.003-04:00

Click here for all the specs!

As I mentioned in my previous post, the tri season is here and so if I'm really serious about doing some big time races, I needed to get on the ball and get a new bike. Last night, my friend Christy and I went to a bike store just to look. And I walked out an hour later with this beauty :) The price was fantastic - big time sale, so I couldn't pass it up.

This is my first road bike as I have only had a mountain bike for the past seven years and have been using that in the few tris I've done so far. My dad bought me the mountain bike in 2000 for Christmas and when I told him I had bought a new bike, he asked me if I was still going to ride the bike he bought me. Of course I said yes. I'll keep that bike as long as I can not just for sentimental reasons, but also because it's a great bike. Maybe I'll do some offroading triathlon sometime or adventure racing with it!

Here's to a fun and healthy summer.

New Month, New Job

2008-04-01T15:54:00.003-04:00

So as I like to keep things interesting, I have decided to change jobs. So this Thursday is my last day at my current position. Then I leave for Brazil and South Beach Miami for 10 days. On my return I will start in my new position as office manager (or Director of Operations as I like to call it) at my church. This is a very different and crazy kind of move and I'm both looking forward to it and a little nervous about the switch.

I'm sure I'll post more on it as time permits.

Tri Season 2008 Is Here

2008-03-31T14:26:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year again - when athletes around the world are oiling up their bike chains, putting on body glide and testing out their goggles. Yes - it's tri season 2008.

And I kicked it off yesterday with a mini tri and several friends and a roommate. I haven't been training very much, but I have decided that I want to try an Olympic distance (1500m swim or .93 miles, 24.8 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run) the end of this year. There's one in Annapolis September 7 and seeing as how that's my mom's birthday I think that would be a great way to celebrate her birthday. Of course that kind of distance requires that I start some serious training and that I buy some new equipment - like a road bike. Thus far the triathlons I have done have been on my mountain bike with road slicks put on which has helped, but still I don't get very far very fast.

The race yesterday was a lot of fun even if it was pretty small (250yd swim, 4 mile bike, 1.4 mile run). I hadn't done much training for the event but it was a great way to get me motivated to start training more seriously for the rest of the season. There were 8 girls who went out for the race yesterday. My roommate Anne, friends Christy and Jill, and a couple other girls I don't know really well and some I met for the first time. Everyone did really great and we all went out to Cracker Barrel afterward and ate a big ole breakfast. Then I went home and crashed for a couple hours in the afternoon and am still tired today.

Here's to a great season. If you want to think about trying a tri - I totally encourage you to do it. Find something really small in your area and give it a try. You may find yourself addicted and on your way to a super cool healthy lifestyle.

My Birthday

2008-03-28T15:52:00.002-04:00

Last Saturday was my 32nd birthday and I had such a fun day. It started with a regular monthly brunch with a couple of friends. It just happened to land on my birthday this year which was great.

Then I picked up my friend Greg from the metro and we met a group of other friends and roommates at the National Arboretum. I've never been and have wanted to go. The weather started off a bit cloudy, but the sun came out and it was gorgeous. Christy, Anne and Katie came up with a scavenger hunt for us so we broke into two teams and drove around the grounds looking for crazy things like a crocus, a cherry blossom tree, a reptile and a black squirrel. It was a lot of fun. Then we walked around the bonsai trees and I found one that was started the year I was born! How fun is that.

Then we headed to H street to grab a bite to eat and something to drink. We ended up in this great Caribbean restaurant. Rum punch, plantains, oxtail, rice and beans...it was so yummy and the staff were awesome.

Then back to the house for a super chill time of presents, pizza, cake, talking and watching the Bee Movie. My friend Josh came over and hung out with us girls. Such a great and relaxing day.

I can't wait to get back to the Arboretum - it was so beautiful.

Thanks to Christy and Anne for the planning and thanks to all my friends for enjoying the day with me.

He Said Bonjour, She Started Crying

2008-03-26T09:52:00.002-04:00

So for all of my bluff and bravada about lots of things, one thing that I am scared of is speaking a foreign language. I know its crazy. But I get really nervous about sounding and looking like an idiot that I don't want to open my mouth. I freeze and I can't think of anything to say or do.

Now there have been times in my life when I have had no problem. Mainly when I'm traveling and have no choice. Then I don't care. But thinking about meeting up with a group of French speakers here in DC and trying to talk with them freaks me out a bit.

And yet if I want to get into the Foreign Service, I should have and need to get my act together and start to parle francaise (speak French).

The impetus behind this new surege of attention to French happened last night. I met up with a friend of mine - actually we have only met once before on February 5, 2007. C and I were the only two people to pass the Foreign Service Orals together last year at our location and so we have this crazy little connection. He received the call from the State Department and has been in DC the past month for the orientation training.

We met up last night and he was really pushing for me to get moving with my language training and to try and get hired as soon as possible. This is the only thing that can improve my score and possibly get me hired before October. If not, then I have to take the test again in July (which I'm going to do anyway) and try for next year to get "the call".

But that doesn't change the fact that I'm nervous and a bit scared of speaking French. Even though I know it is something I have to do, its a bit nervewracking. But hey, I've got to chase the lion and face my fears.

Thanks C for your encouragement, your belief in me and your willingness to challenge me to get out there and cahse the french speaking lions. Here's to the Foreign Service and cheers to you for blazing the trail!

Facing Fears

2008-03-20T10:34:00.003-04:00

My church has small groups on a semester system. They run for 12 weeks three times a year and provide a start and stop point for people to jump in and out which is helpful with the large college age population that attends the church.

This spring semester I have been leading a small group using curriculum written by my pastor, Mark Batterson. It's called "Chase the Lion" and is based on his book "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day". We have covered topics related to Taking Risks and Seizing Opportunities. This week we covered Facing Fears and I like to incorporate a practical application to the lesson that we are studying.

This week, I challenged the small group to step out and face their fear of talking about religion and faith with people. I provided each person with a questionnaire and we headed out to Union Station (train station and major tourist destination in Washington, DC near the Capitol building). Each person had to talk to two people and ask them the following questions:

What is your faith/religious background (if you have one)?
What words come to mind when you think about Jesus?
What comes to mind when you think about Christians?
How often do you attend church?
What is the reason you go / don't go?
What would it take for a church to reach you / others?
In your opinion, what do you think it takes for a person to go to Heaven when they die?

It was such a great experience for all of us as we found a way to approach a topic that can be scary in a non-threatening way. Most of us found that we wanted to continue the conversations and ask more probing questions. It was a great introduction to evangelism and a great way to see that we can initiate a conversation about faith in a simple and easy way.

Here's to more conversations!

Lent Is Almost Over and Easter Is Around the Corner

2008-03-20T10:28:00.003-04:00

This year for Lent, I gave up sleep.

And no I haven't pulled a 40 day all nighter or anything. Rather, I have been getting up a bit earlier each morning and calling a friend of mine who also needs to get up in the morning. We share about our previous day and then we pray for each other for that day. It hasn't always been easy. In fact some days it's been downright tough or didn't happen at all (like the weekends), but for the most part, we've been pretty good about it.

What I have really enjoyed the most about it is the fact that this was a friend that I have known for several years, but wasn't really close with or didn't know her that well. I took a chance and asked if she wanted to do something like this and she said yes and so we decided to try this experiment for Lent. I have really gotten to know her better over this time which has been really great.

We haven't talked about continuing this on past Easter, but I have enjoyed it so much that I would like to keep doing it. We'll see.

I encourage you to try this as well. Perhaps there is someone that you want to get to know better but you can't really take the time to always meet with them for lunch or spend time with them face to face. You can just call each other in the morning or at a set time and encourage one another. Maybe you want someone to keep you accountable to working out, or reading your Bible, or getting up early, or going to bed early. THis is a great way to start an accountability partnership with someone and it doesn't take up much time at all (although I will say that we do tend to talk for a bit before we get to praying :)

Weight Watchers Update

2008-03-20T10:23:00.003-04:00

I'm still doing this thing :)

Here's this weeks results:

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 146.4
Total Loss To Date: 7.4

My goal is to lose a total of 10 pounds by the time I leave for Brazil in two weeks. I think I can easily lose 2.6 pounds between now and then.

I haven't been paying so much attention to this lately, but I have realized that I lost about 5 pounds and have managed to keep it off for a while, and now I'm going to work on the next five pounds and keep that off for a bit and let my metabolism and my body adjust to the new numbers and then I'm going to tackle my last 8 pounds. My goal weight is 135 so I'm just about 10 pounds away from that.

Why that number? Well I like the sound of it. I figure I'll be about a size 6-8 which is a great size. I don't think that it is too skinny of a weight. It also works really well for my height and my BMI (body mass index score). It's kind of in the middle for height and weight and BMI and since I'm a middle of the road kind of girl it's my perfect weight!

I Love The Stage!

2008-03-20T10:20:00.002-04:00

Last year the church put on a production of Godspell which was awesome. I auditioned for it which was really nervewracking because I'm a little scared of auditions due to an incident in jr. high and this audition included singing which I like but am also a little scared to do in front of people.

I got a part and had an absolute blast singing and dancing my way through the Gospel.

This year the church is putting on a production of Steel Magnolias. So I auditioned and got a role! I'm going to be Shelby (played by Julia Roberts in the movie). I'm excited about the cast of all women and know that it is going to be another stellar show.

I'll keep you posted on how rehearsals go and everything.

Technology Goes Global In A Personal Way

2008-03-03T17:26:00.003-05:00

I'm at work in Washington, DC listening live to BBC Radio 6 Music based in the UK and a band from Jacksonville, FL (where I used to live) came on. Talk about a global time bending weird thing. Anway, I'm kind of an anti technophile (not necessarily a technophobe) and this experience kind of makes me like technology and kind of doesn't. Anyway, that's all for now.

Click Here to listen to BBC Radio 6 Music.

My Brazil Trip

2008-02-28T12:10:00.003-05:00

I'm headed to the Amazon! On April 4, I will board a plane with one of my roommates, Susan and we will fly to Miami to meet up with 30 other singles from around the U.S. Then we will board a plane and fly to Manaus, Brazil for a week in the Amazon.

I've never been to Brazil before and I'm really excited about the trip. We're going to stay in a hotel on stilts in the jungle and cruise the Amazon. We'll be going piranha fishing, jungle hiking, swimming with the pink dolphins and who knows what else. It should be a blast!

Then on our way home, Susan and I will hang out in Miami for three days soaking in the rays on the beach and living it up on the strip in South Beach dancing the night away. I'm excited about this trip and really excited that a friend is going with me. We'll be back in DC on April 13.

I know I haven't posted many pictures on here lately. Blame the lack of a camera on my person at all times for that one. But I will be sure to post pics of the Amazon and the jungle and all the fun in the sun we'll be having!

Weight Watchers Update

2008-02-28T12:02:00.002-05:00

Yes, I am still doing Weight Watchers. It has been a slow time however, but I achieved another success yesterday. Another .6 down. I was gone a lot in January with travel to Florida and Colorado for work and if the company is paying, I'm eating! Next week I'm headed to Michigan for a conference for three days. I'm hoping I'll be able to stick to my routine and diet. It's so hard when I travel to do that though.

My short term goal is to hit an even number by the time I leave for Brazil on April 4. That gives me exactly five weeks from today to lose 7 pounds. I know that I can do that. I just have to work hard at it :)

Here's the stats:

Starting Weight 8/15/07: 153.8 lbs
Current Weight 2/27/08: 147.8 lbs
Total Loss To Date: 6.0 lbs
Current Goal: 140 lbs by 4/4/08
Most Weight Lost in a week: 3.4 lbs (I do blame water weight for that dramatic loss however!)
Lowest Weight since starting Weight Watchers: 146.4 lbs on 10/10/07

October 12, 2008 is D-Day

2008-02-26T10:25:00.002-05:00

That's the day that I expire off the Foreign Service list. I have begun studying to take the test again in July, but wow I would LOVE to get hired before I expire off. However, persistence is what is needed for the Foreign Service. Today I received my most recent ranking - 50 out of 70. Seems like a low number, but they usually only hire about 12-15 people each time. I have two more chances. However, this past hiring cycle they did get into the low 20's. Here's hoping that somehow I will squeeze in just barely.

Your prayers are much appreciated both for the next testing cycle and for the hiring.

I'm freaking out for some reason today with excitement over this. I guess two years into the process and I'm still excited means that there is something in this that I want and desire to do.

Today I was in the Brazilian Embassy getting my visas for my upcoming trip in April. I was looking at the people behind the counter and thinking that they are doing what I hope to be doing someday. I think I would really like it. Talking with people, helping them, doing admin stuff as well. All good stuff - not for everyone, but I would like it.

Inspiration

2008-02-19T17:16:00.002-05:00

So I'm still waiting on the Foreign Service stuff. So far, I am somewhere in the 60's with not a very good chance of getting hired. And today offers went out for the May class which means I only have two more shots at getting a call this year - one in July and one in September. In case you don't remember, I expire off the register in October.

So with all of that, I have been meaning to take the test again, but just haven't been very inspired to start studying again. However, this weekend, I got the urge to start studying and will do so with a vengeance for the test in July. Yes, I have to wait until July to take the test again. If I fail, I will have to wait until July of 2009 to take it again which is a bummer, but hey, another year to study. If I pass however, I will need to be invited to take the Oral examination again and if I pass that, I will need a better score than my 5.3 I received last time. So pretty much the entire process starts all over again. Which is okay I guess.

For those of you keeping track - I first took the written exam in April of 2006. I passed the Oral exam in February of 2007. So if everything goes well this second go round of testing, I may have a job in 2009 or beyond. The key is persisence and I'm gonna keep trying. Or get married to a Foreign Service Officer. Whichever one comes first :)

Weird Things

2008-02-18T15:53:00.003-05:00

So my friend Amy wrote about some of her weird habits and tagged me to do the same. I've been thinking about weird things lately and trying to think of some to write about. I know I have a lot of weird things, but I can't think of too many at the moment.

One that I remembered this morning is how much I like to sleep under my pillow. Most mornings I forget to sleep under my pillow, but when I do it is like heaven. I sleep flat on my stomach and put my pillow on top of my head. I have to have the edge of it kind of close to my face so I don't suffocate, but I love it and it is so yummy to sleep like this.

I don't like ice in my drinks usually. This isn't so weird for people who have lived overseas, but for American's its a little bit strange I guess.

I like to talk in accents occasionally and when I get into one it can be hard to get out of it. Easiest ones are British, Southern, French. Sometimes, I'll try out an Australian or Minnesota/Wisconsin. I have to be in just the right mood though.

I like to sing lots of things. I sing exclamations - like if I am suddenly surprised or scared or if I'm excited or for whatever reason. I like to make up words to common tunes to describe a situation or add to a conversation.

I used to have to arrange books on my bookshelf according to height and width. Of course there were always a couple books at the end that don't quite fit anywhere, so I just have to stick them in somewhere and not think about it.

I believe that stuffed animals have some kind of personality. I can't say that they come alive, but I do think there's a little spark of life in there somewhere.

I get really sad if I think too hard about a business going out of business or if very few people are frequenting an establishment. I think about the disappointment and the death of a dream for someone when its failing. I try not to think about it too hard though.

I also really like the Old Testament. Maybe better than the New Testament in some ways. Not that the stuff that happened in the New Testament is less important - quite the opposite, but there's something about the historical importance of the Old Testament that I really love. Probably has something to do with the fact that I enjoy Catholic Mass on occasion as well. Gives me a sense of history and belonging.

I'm sure those of you who know me will have other weird things. That's what I've come up with for now.

Cheers!

Brasil - aqui eu venho!

2008-02-06T11:23:00.000-05:00

So I'm headed to Brazil in April with my roommate Susan. It's an organized tour to the Amazon and it should be so much fun. I'll post more later, but I'm excited and wanted to let you know.

January Updates

2008-02-01T18:34:00.000-05:00

So it has been over a month since I last wrote. At the moment I'm sitting in a hotel room in Frisco, CO about nine miles from Breckenridge. I just spent the last week in Denver on business and since I was in the area, thought I would take a couple days and head into the mountains for some skiing. I'm in a bit of a conundrum however because I can't decide if I should just go hard core skiing over the next 2.5 days or if I should throw some snowboarding in there as well. I may hold off on the snowboarding for the wild mountains of Western Maryland. By the way, I learned how to snowboard for the first time last weekend on those mountains. And I have the bruises and sore muscles to prove it. I'm also consider some spa time and maybe a snowmobile tour over the Continental Divide, but I can't quite decide.

It should be fun and although I'm by myself, I know I'll make some snow bum friends.

This month I also spent a week in Florida - Orlando to be exact - also for work. I tell you I sure get around with this company. I'm not complaining because although it was a tough transition for me last year, I am getting used to the company and the job. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for the Foreign Service however.

Last weekend was also our yearly leadership retreat at church and it was a great time of getting together with other leaders and learning more about what it means to be a leader in leading others and helping others to be leaders and grow in their own personal leadership :)

I'll write more later about my excellent adventure here in the mountains of Colorado. For now, I'm going to go put on my moon boots and long underwear and look around town. And for the record, I'm going to hang out at Copper Mountain this weekend. My fellow van mates all said that it was the best mountain in this area. I'll let you know what I think. Cheers!

The Spirit of Christmas

2007-12-28T12:54:00.000-05:00

This Christmas I never once got into the spirit of things. Christmas was just another day - like any other - except for the fact of all the food and the presents and the reading of the Christmas story. But I just never really "felt" anything. It's actually been like that pretty much for the past eight years since Mom passed away just after Thanksgiving. Dad keeps telling me that it will be different when I have my own family, but until then I just kind of go through the motions. I do try and remember and focus and am grateful for the true meaning of the season. The time that has been set aside to remember Christ's birth. And for that I am truly thankful.

In spite of the lack of feeling I have during this time of year, God has used this time of year to show me that the birth of Christ is also an amazing time for the rebirth of people I know. Although I didn't get into the season, I'm so glad the Spirit is part of this season.

In early December 1999, we had a memorial service for my mom at our house. We had just moved into the neighborhood about nine months earlier and hadn't had a significant time to really know our neighbors before mom got sick and eventually passed away. But we invited them and everyone we knew to the service. Dad and I had found every picture we could of Mom in all the photo albums, put them on poster boards, and hung them around the entire house. We wanted to give people a chance to see who Mom was in all of the areas and times of her life. It was really cool and gave people the chance to really see what kind of life she had lived.

We also had lots of food and drink and music playing. For the main part of the service, people were crammed into the living room and dining room and we stood in the foyer and spoke. Dad read a letter he had written as did I. We also had our pastor there to share some words and one of my mom's best friends played the guitar and led the group in a couple of praise and worship songs which was awesome. We also opened up the floor to anyone who wanted to share stories or reflections. It was such a joyous time of sharing life together. The cool thing is that a lot of our neighbors came as well and many of them were not Christians.

Fast forward one year to November 2000. Billy Graham came to Jacksonville for a week long crusade. I sang in the choir and it was a really cool time. A couple weeks later one of our neighbors was moving with his wife and son to the west coast of Florida. I saw the truck and went outside to wish them a safe move. The husband came up to me and started talking to me which was suprising because I had rarely talked to him. He said that he had been wanting to talk with my dad and I for a couple of weeks but never got the chance and since they were leaving that day he wanted to share something personal with me. I was a little unsure of what he was going to say, but I listened as he shared his story with me. He said that both his wife and mother were Christians but that he didn't take his faith very seriously or really think much about what it meant to be a Christian. He wasn't even one I don't think. He said that he and his wife had come to the memorial service the year before and during the service he said that he felt a presence, he felt something and that he had spent the past year looking for what that was. When the Billy Graham crusade came to town, he and his family went and he said that during that Crusade, he went forward and accepted Christ as his Savior. He said that he finally found what he had been looking for during the past year. I was of course blown away and so excited and humbled. I told him that the past year of grief and mourning and challenge was all worth it. And I have believed that my mom may have given/lost her life, but through that another life was saved.

So this year, my dad tells me about running into another neighbor of ours who we hadn't seen in at least six years. He had also become a Christian recently but his wife did not and they have gotten divorced. But he is confident that God will restore their relationship. In talking with my dad about his salvation, he also mentioned that he had felt a presence at the memorial service and that it was part of what started his spiritual awakening and journey. I was so thrilled to hear that. Another life changed and reborn through a life that was lost in death. GOD IS INCREDIBLE!

Then while I was home for Christmas, one of my dad's childhood friends was also saved. He didn't grow up in church but has had a tough life and recently joined AA to get his life back on track. He's 60 and by himself, divorced and just having a tough time. My dad, with help from family in California, was able to get him to a church on Christmas Eve. Turns out our family in CA has some connections with Saddleback Church (Pastor Rick Warren - A Purpose Driven Life) and so my dad's friend went there, heard the salvation message, received Christ and was baptized...all in one day! So cool. The local pastor of a Saddleback church plant is already in touch with him and I'm so thankful for Dad sharing the Lord with this guy over the years. He called my dad because he said he was the only one he knew who knew anything about God and spiritual things. It just goes to show you that we do have an impact in others lives. Not just in the loud and blatant ways we share Christ, but also in the way that we live our out faith and invite others to witness and share in the journey.

The Spirit of Christmas is not just goodwill among men or the birth of a baby - it is the Spirit of God bringing rebirth in the lives of those who are lost.

Twisted Christmas

2007-12-28T12:50:00.000-05:00

So I went to Florida for a week and hung out with my Dad and stepmom as well as a couple of friends. It was a very chill time eating, sleeping, reading, drinking, playing Scrabble and all around just enjoying kicking back. The most interesting part of the week was probably taking advantage of the nightlife with my Dad and stepmom. There is a new club/bar that has opened up at the Beaches and they had gone there a few weeks earlier with a bunch of their friends. They had such a fun time that we went and got our groove on for a couple of hours. It was a little strange dancing to Britney Spears with my dad and stepmom but we had a great time overall.

Here's where all the fun went down at The Twisted Martini!

Christmas in the City

2007-12-17T14:54:00.000-05:00

On Sunday afternoon, I went to the Kennedy Center with my friend Greg for a Christmas sing-a-long with the Master Chorale of Washington. I have another friend who works for them and was able to give us tickets. It was amazing. And I saw a couple more friends at the performance as well since we all know the same girl. It started and ended with the Chorale walking through the concert hall singing acappella with candles in the dark. Absolutely incredible.

The sky was amazing too as a storm was just blowing through. It was wild and wooly weather that gives me such a thrill. I think its my Irish roots waking up.

Thanksgiving in the Big Apple

2007-12-17T10:51:00.001-05:00

I headed up to New York City to spend Thanksgiving with my friend Yao and his girlfriend Monika. They are moving to Canada in a couple of months and this was probably the last time I was going to see them in the U.S. for a long time.

I met Yao about four years ago when he called me looking for a student club that brought international and American students together. At the time I was president of the International Communication Student Forum in grad school and Yao was studying here for a semester. Although the group was for people in my course of study and not exactly what Yao was looking for, we really hit it off and talked for about 30-45 minutes on the phone that first day. I was really thrown for a loop when he told me his name was Yao, because he was speaking English with a French accent. Of course I found out he had been studying in Paris for a few years although originally he is from China. So we became friends. He moved to New York City later that year and met Monika, an immigrant from Poland. And they have been together ever since.

I really like the two of them and was looking forward to celebrating a very American tradition with them. Monika made her first turkey and they had all the trimmings. A Swiss friend of theirs came over to join us and we had a wonderful meal together. During the weekend, we went to their local bagel joint for breakfast, had excellent dim sum in Flushing, New York. Walked 5th Avenue and drooled and petted the very expensive shoes in Bergdorf-Goodman. Had a delicious lunch at a tiny Korean deli on a side street somewhere in Manhattan. Met up with a Canadian friend of mine from Florida and attended Times Square Church with him and his mom.

We also had coffee in Greenwich Village which is where this picture is taken. Cheers to you Yao and Monika!

Tis the Season to Party!

2007-12-17T10:37:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was the company holiday party. I asked my friend Josh to be my date for the evening because he's cute and so fun. And I was right on both accounts.

For those curious about the details of the dress - it was a little black number with gathering in the front ending on the side with a bow of sorts. I wore high heel peep toe red heels that strapped around the ankle. I will try to post a picture of the entire outfit when I get one. Jewelry consisted of some small very sparkly dangling snowflakes and an heirloom diamond ring I inherited from my mom.

Here is a little pictorial journey of the evening:

Our prom-esque picture.

I tried for a cute picture.

We just couldn't seem to get ourselves serious enough for a good picture. I'll blame the food, drink, and dancing at the party :)

This is Josh big pimpin'. His roommate gave him the ring before we headed out the door. That's one way to make a statement.

We ended our evening at another restaurant celebrating my friend John's big 30. He and I met over two years ago when we were on the same team headed to Ethiopia for a missions trip. Happy Birthday!

Justin, John, Tara, Me, and Josh

Vacation 2008

2007-12-14T13:16:00.000-05:00

So I'm starting to think about vacations for next summer. I had several small ones this year including one week in Montana which was awesome. But next year, I really want to splurge and have a super duper vacation.

Here's what's getting me excited at the moment:

Croatia
Turkey
Ireland

I don't know who I would go with yet or if I would try to organize something myself or pick up with a tour or something, but any and all suggestions from the blogosphere is much appreciated.

Weight Watchers Update

2007-12-12T16:05:00.000-05:00

Another weigh in, another loss.

This week I'm down another 1.2 pounds. Which is good but a little disappointing since I have been working out a bit more. However, I'm still not super consistent, so hopefully next week will be better.

I have also cut out eating the frozen meals. They did contribute to a greater weight loss, but its not realistic for me to spend the rest of my life eating them. I needed to come up with better eating habits with normal food.

I can't believe it has been four months since first starting this. Amazing how quickly time goes by and how slowly the weight comes off. Of course slow and steady is the way to go right :)

October 10 is when I posted my greatest weight loss of 7.4 pounds. With a month off, I gained some back, but I'm close to that again. Here's hoping next week will show my biggest loss yet.

Now for the stats.

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 147.0
Total Weight Loss: 6.8

My reward for losing 10 pounds: A one hour (or longer) massage. I can't wait!!!!

Foreign Service Update

2007-12-12T11:17:00.000-05:00

I have been silent on this topic for quite awhile, but thanks to one of my readers I was reminded to put up a little more information.

Currently I am 76 out of 96 on the consular list. My eligibility expires in October of 2008, and with four more classes being hired, my chances are slim. But I'm persevering and am planning on taking the exam again in March. If I fail, I will have to wait until March of 2009 to take it again so this could be it. We'll see.

I'm still excited about the possibility of being part of the Foreign Service although I am nervous as well about the changes and the challenges that I will face. But I know that I keep coming back to this opportunity over and over again and I continue to be excited and hopeful.

Random Things

2007-12-10T13:09:00.000-05:00

I am eating the new Portuguese Kale soup from Au Bon Pain and it is delicious. I highly recommend it. I even sent an email to Au Bon Pain letting them know how yummy this new soup is and how many of their soups are great for people in Weight Watchers.

In that same vein of active consumer, I also sent an email to one of my local NPR stations telling them that they have lost at least one listener on Sunday mornings since they moved their Stained Glass Bluegrass show from the regular station to HD radio stations. I don't have an HD radio and don't plan on getting one, so no more awesome Sunday morning music on my way to church. I'm bummed. I also included my age in the email so they know that I'm not a 72 year old lady on a Sunday drive but a member of their key constituency.

This weekend I realized for the millionth time that I have qualities that I'm sure are annoying to others. In fact, these qualities/habits are annoying to me, but I can't seem to figure out how to quit doing them. Like Paul said "I do the things I ought not to do and don't do the things I ought to do" (paraphrase by Lisa Overman). It's frustrating and I'm hopeful and grateful that I have forgiving and ever loving friends.

Chivalry is alive and kicking as evidenced by a friend I spent time with this weekend. I'm so grateful for good mama's and good papa's who instill these wonderful traits in their children. And I'm grateful for children who act on these traits and make others feel special just by doing the small things.

Even though he was just a dog, I still miss Paddington and I'm so thankful that I have friends who are sympathetic to me and were so understanding and caring when it came to that loveable crankpot. That makes me feel good.

Although it seems that I'm a pretty open and honest person, I keep a bajillion things to myself and especially am not prone to sharing heartfelt things in a larger group ie more than three. I was vulnerable in a group of 10 this weekend and am hoping that it wasn't too much or too crazy. I'm grateful that many of them are my friends and know me and love me anyway. Yeah for Christian friends!

I love this soup :)

When my dad mentioned my single status again I got mad and told him "what am I supposed to do? Walk into a store and buy one?" (meaning a husband). I thought it was a pretty smart comeback. I'm sooooo grateful for other incredible 30 something single women living in this city that totally understand and feel the same way that I do - that I do want a family, I do want a partner in crime, in love, in life with kids, but that I don't want to be the desperate 30 something woman with a one track mind.

I still want to go in the State Department. It's scary especially if I'm single - but I figure if I get the chance, I should take advantage of the opportunity.

Love to you all. My dear friends both known and unknown. You are special, you are God's creation, you were created to know God and to make Him known. If you don't know that or don't believe that, let me know. It's true and you deserve to know the truth.

The Return of Weight Watchers

2007-12-05T16:04:00.001-05:00

So I have continued going to Weight Watchers but haven't been as consistent in following the rules :)

Today we started another session and I'm really kicking it into gear again. So here's the stats (in pounds)

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 148.2
Total Loss-To-Date: 5.6
My Goal: 15 lbs (138.8)

So that's the update. I'm hoping to be down another 4.4 pounds before going to Florida for Christmas. I think that would be fun! My dad would wonder where I am :)

Love to you all!

Podcasting About Kentucky

2007-11-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

Churchill Downs - Home of the Kentucky Derby

A Warning About "The Golden Compass" Movie and Children's Literature Series

2007-10-29T11:21:00.001-04:00

I seldom send out announcements about movies, but I feel that it is important enough to not be deceived by certain films and books. This is a movie and book series that I was looking forward to, but was told by a friend that it is full of anti-religious themes.

Check out www.snopes.com.

It was first a book written by a renowned Athiest author who hated C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia. It is the first book in a series called "His Dark Materials" The Golden compass was written by Phillip Pullman as a direct affront to the Chronicles. In the movie the children kill God and do as they please. The movie has been dumbed down in the hopes to fool parents so they will buy his trilogy. Phillip Pullman said he wants to " kill God in the minds of children"

I Love the Roaring Twenties (and Fantasy Creatures)!

2007-10-28T22:12:00.001-04:00

This is my Halloween costume. I love it! I went to a costume party on Saturday and have a work party on Tuesday, so I'm getting a lot of wear out of it :)

Here's a picture of my roommate. She went as a fairy and she made the wings herself. So cool!

Blasts From the Past

2007-10-25T17:13:00.000-04:00

Two really cool things happened in the past two weeks. I reconnected with two friends that I haven't seen in ages. It was so much fun.

The first was a friend I met 13 years ago when my parents were living in Charlotte, NC. I actually knew his brother and parents from Virginia Beach because I went to high school with his brother and his mom was a substitute teacher. Anyway, I didn't meet T until college and North Carolina. We emailed occasionally over the years but I last say him Christmas of 1994. Last week I went to Charlotte for a work trip and had let Tom know I was coming to town and maybe we could get together. It ended up being so much fun. I went to dinner with him and his parents on Wednesday night to celebrate his dad's birthday. Then the next night I ate pizza, drank beer and watched a German film at his place with a friend. It was such a break from the hotel room and eating out. So great to reconnect.

Then this week, I was able to meet up with another friend I haven't seen in 10 years! D was in Florida getting his Master's and was part of the Bible study group I attended. Once he got his degree, he headed out in the big bad world to make his way and we kept in touch occasionally via email as well. I hadn't been in touch with him for years when we connected on a professional social networking website. I saw that he was in New York City so I sent him a hello from a Florida friend and told him if he was ever in DC to let me know and I would show him the sights. Imagine my surprise when this week he emailed me saying at the last minute he ended up in DC. We were able to meet up for a couple of hours and walked the Mall to the White House catching up. I really enjoyed reconnecting with him as well and now have another connection in New York to show me the sights.

God is so good and I have to say that it is really a trip to be old enough to have those experiences that as a young girl I used to read about in books or hear about on the news - old friends reconnecting. In a way its crazy that I'm that old, but I'm also so grateful for such wonderful people that I can renew my friendship with.

There's More To Life...

2007-10-25T14:46:00.000-04:00

I realized that the past couple of entries have been all about Weight Watchers. And while that is something that is part of my life, there has been so much more happening. I don't want anyone to think that's all I'm going to write about, 'cause it isn't. I have had a pretty amazing past two weeks and I'm just trying to process it. More to come.

Weight Watchers Update

2007-10-24T15:33:00.000-04:00

Last week I was traveling in Charlotte and ate lots of chocolate chip cookies at the Doubletree Suites (which by the way are absolutely amazing and you can order online at doubletreecookies.com).

So this week, I had gained three pounds. I'm going to blame one pound on the cookies and two pounds on water weight from my impending PMS. Yeah, so I said that in a public place. Oh well.

Stats are as follows:

Gained 3 pounds.

Will lose 3 pounds by next week.

A Headlamp At Midnight

2007-10-12T16:07:00.000-04:00

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. This week has been a very hectic one for me and somewhat anxiety ridden as well. I have a scary feeling that I may have bed bugs. I know, ick, gross, ewwey, blech, and lots of other words. My face is scrunching up at this very minute. However, I'm not ashamed to tell the blogosphere about this. Why? I'm not sure, but anyway, I've told you. I have had some strange bites on my legs the past couple of days and have found some strange little bugs on the carpet. For the record, bed bugs are not microscopic and can be easily seen by the naked eye. I know: ick, gross, ewwey, blech etc.

I have been praying that this is not the case, but anyway, I've had some really funny moments this week last at night in my room with the lights turned off and a headlamp on my head looking for bugs anywhere and everywhere. I was laughing at myself and sorry I couldn't see what I looked like. I mean, I'm tearing the bed apart, the metal frame was disconnecting, the mattress was up against the dresser, I'm on my hands and knees in a dress looking in the carpet. I even slept with the headlamp under my pillow so that in the middle of the night when the bugs might be out feeding, I could surprise them with the headlamp. Alas, I have found very little as a result of these efforts.

I'm hoping that whatever has been biting me is gone far, far away and I can put the headlamp back in the bag where it belongs under my bed. I'm ready for the weekend and no bugs.

Quick Update on Weight Watchers

2007-10-10T16:28:00.000-04:00

This week was better than last. I had a nice little break away, but am back working hard and making good choices. I have also started training for a 10K at Thanksgiving and that's giving me extra motivation to keep up the good work :). Shout out to my training peeps Christy and Anne who are going to run the race too. Should be a good time.

Now for the nitty gritty info:

I lost 3.4 pounds this week bringing my totals up which is exciting.

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 146.4
Total Weight Loss: 7.4

Here's to onward and downward!

What A Weigh-In

2007-10-03T17:45:00.000-04:00

The past week and a half to two weeks have been really sporadic with my Weight Watchers routine. This past weekend I was in NY for a wedding and the car ride there and back was filled with lots of yummy food (not necessarily good, but yummy). So I was not expecting good things to come out of this weigh in. And the results were not promising.

I gained the two pounds I had lost last week.

But I can't look at this as doing bad, or needing to get back on track again. Rather I need to look at this as let's keep going. Make the choices I know are better because in the long run, I will be happier than the immediate fix I get from that extra helping of spring rolls or the fries on the side please with my sandwich.

Of course all of this is making me wonder what my motivation for eating is. I have noticed that since being on Weight Watchers, I have been eating more sweets than I normally do. I think this is because I have figured that I can eat really yummy sweets that are low in points and not deprive myself. But I realize that I need to not substitute the sweet things for the good delicious food because that is what I'm depriving myself of. I like good food. But I have spent too much time focusing on the sweet things so I don't feel deprived that I'm missing out on good food that will satisfy me and not make me feel deprived.

I have also realized that I don't have a weight problem and so in some ways it is hard for me to look back and say "I don't want to get like that again." I need to have the motivation of looking and feeling better in pictures and clothes as my reminder of why I am doing this. In addition, this is all about the discipline.

It has been hard the past couple weeks though for several reasons. I'm trying to be disciplined in my spending as well, so I feel like I'm being strict in many different areas and I guess I'm using the food area as an out. I have been tired a lot lately and that makes it harder for me to keep my guard up. I have been traveling which always gets me out of my routine. So there are reasons, but I'm not beating myself up. Rather, I the next opportunity I have to make a decision, I hope to make the right one. And have a really good weigh in report next week.

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 149.8
Total Loss: 4.0

Staying Positive

2007-09-27T11:17:00.000-04:00

My desire to join the Foreign Service is looking more and more like a dream. My current ranking is 82 out of 102. I have five more chances to get hired before I expire off the list this go round. Approximately 10-12 are hired each cycle. So my chances are pretty slim. Of course if I'm able to get fluent enough in French in the next six months, that might help.

I can always take the test again and start the process over again. My plan is to wait until early spring of 2008 and see what the Holy Spirit is prompting, see how changes that have been implemented in the process are affecting hiring, see what new things are happening in my personal and professional life before making any more decisions.

It's a little disheartening, but they do say that one of the key factors for becoming a Foreign Service Officer is persistence!

Weekly Weigh In

2007-09-26T17:41:00.001-04:00

This week was much better than last week. I wasn't expecting much to be honest, but the scale doesn't lie and I'm certainly not going to call it one :)

This week I lost 1.2 pounds. So that was exciting.

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 147.8
Total Weight loss: 6
Goal Weight: 138

I haven't been counting as strictly as I probably should, but I have been doing a couple of things differently. I have almost completely eliminated snacking, but when I have, in my mind it is part of my daily food intake. Like a meal almost, so I don't treat it casually.

I have also been drinking a lot more water and trying to include a lot more vegetables into my diet since they are zero points and don't count against me.

The only other major change that I think has really helped me so far has been eating lots of frozen meals for lunch and dinner. I just haven't had the time to cook and I usually get home around 7:30 or 8:00pm every night. Plus food seems to go bad in my fridge. In addition, I have been trying to save money during the week and not eat lunch out as often. Bringing a frozen meal has been helpful, but I try to balance it out with a fresh side salad with the frozen entree. I'm hoping that once I figure out a more effective working schedule (get to bed earlier, up earlier, to work earlier, leave earlier, cook dinner), I will continue with this track of frozen food.

Anyway, I am excited to be eating smaller portions and regaining some of the control over food that I had lost.

I've Got A Boat To Sell You!

2007-09-21T09:52:00.001-04:00

This is the company that my dad works for. If you want a boat...

www.mustangmarine.com.au

I'm proud of my pops and excited for him to be working for this great company. So I thought I would do a little advertising for him :)

So Close, But Not Quite

2007-09-19T15:18:00.001-04:00

So I knew I haven't been sticking to the regimen quite as well as I should. And I haven't really been exercising either. And it showed :( But some progress was still made.

Starting Weight: 153.8 lbs
Current Weight: 149.0 lbs
Total Loss: 4.8 lbs

Yeah so I lost 20 oz. I mean, that's like the weight of two toothbrushes. So sad. Here's to next week. I'm aiming for a total loss of 6 pounds!

Being A Tourist

2007-09-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago, I went on a two hour Lincoln Assassination tour in DC. It was really fun playing the tourist. The tour started on the north side of the White House and then we wandered through the streets following the events of that fateful day until ending up at the Ford Theater and hearing about the last moments of Abraham Lincoln. It was really cool.

The picture is of me and some friends from church who all went on the tour as well. It was really cool seeing the actual box that Lincoln sat in (just above our heads with all the drapes) and standing on the stage where John Wilkes Booth jumped and made his escape. Apparently there is a bus tour that will take you from the Ford's theater along his escape route to the farm where he was eventually found.

A Little Weekend Magic

2007-09-18T10:10:00.000-04:00

Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day here. The sun is shining, the air was just this side of dry, it was cool, but not super cold, blue sky, white puffy clouds - but just a few. All in all amazing. I sat outside and worked on my weekly Bible study lesson. I'm co leading a group called Holy Spirit Encounter with my church. So far it's been great.

Anyway, as I'm sitting at the table on the deck in the backyard, I hear a buzzing noise to my right. I think it is a giant beetle bug as I look and see an emerald green-gold "bug" about three inches long or so. Just when I begin to wonder what kind of bug it is, it flits to the left and sticks it's face into another flower and then zooms as fast as possible to the end of the yard. I barely have time to react when it hits me, "Oh my gosh! THat was a HUMMINGBIRD!" I'm so excited, I can barely breathe, I get up to run around the house and find something to write it down with so I don't forget. It was the most incredible, unexpected thing I have seen in ages. I couldn't believe it. I had no idea that hummingbirds lived in Maryland. I mean WOW!

The first two thoughts I had after it flew away - so super fast by the way - were 1) we need to plant more flowers that it can feed on so I can see it again and 2) I wonder how they live in winter when there are no flowers.

For those of you who know how obsessed I am with Googling this kind of information - I haven't looked it up yet. But I will now.

I was so thankful for that little bit of magic that God provided to me on Saturday. It was perhaps one of my favorite moments of the weekend.

I didn't take this picture - but it is almost identical to how I saw the bird.

WW Update

2007-09-12T17:12:00.000-04:00

Today was another weigh in. I felt much better about sticking to my regimen this past week. And it paid off!

Starting Weight: 153.8 lbs
Current Weight: 149.2 lbs
Total Loss: 4.6 lbs

Here's to getting over five this week!

Before Pictures

2007-09-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

So this picture is from two years ago when I first moved in. You can't really tell what my room looked like, but you can see the wall color and the brown bookshelf. There is also the picture of my dresser. So really nothing very exciting about any of it. But now...I have a new room. See pictures below.

Becoming An Adult

2007-09-06T11:46:00.001-04:00

When I came back from Montana last month, I was struck by a huge desire to grow up in some areas of my life. The first thing that has been on the top of my list is to have an adult bedroom! That sounds odd, but I have been living like a coed in a dorm for a while now and I figured it was time to get rid of the free furniture and hand me down items and redo my room.

So two weekends ago, I went shopping at IKEA (the grown up college dorm room look), and bought a new dresser, bookshelf/decorative wall unit, floating shelves for the wall, two lamps, new duvet cover. I'm still looking for a bookshelf style headboard. All the pieces match and this week I bought paint and have repainted my room. It looks awesome. I'm not quite done yet, but when I am, I'll post some pictures.

I'm very excited about being more grown up - at least in the room where I live :)

Physical Discipline Update

2007-09-06T11:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was my three week mark of participating in Weight Watchers. As mentioned in the previous post, I had falled off the wagon the previous week and I think I was being dragged through the dirt this past week as I was half on and half off. But my weigh in was successful. Another pound gone!

So for those of you keeping track...

Starting Weight: 153.8
Current Weight: 151.2
Difference: -2.6

In addition, I am committing to train for a 10K race on Thanksgiving day, known as the Turkey Trot. Two years ago I ran in the 2 mile fun run with my roommate Anne and friend Christy. This year, we are all gearing up for a big time race. Should be fun!

I have had some interesting thoughts the past couple of weeks as I've been on this WW program. I have had moments of sadness for foods that I probably won't eat much anymore. Not because I can't, but because I shouldn't. As I'm changing my mindset of food and eating to live, not living to eat, I have been struck by the hold food has had in my life. Now granted, I grew up eating lots of wheat bread and whole grain cereals, salad with dinner almost every night, lots of vegetables, juices and water, oodles of olive oil. So I don't have terrible eating habits and for that I'm so thankful to my parents. I like to eat foods that are good for me. Anyway, it was interesting to know that I was grieving certain foods. The only one that comes to mind at the moment is mayonnaise, but I've been cutting that out of my diet for a while now anyway. I'll post more as I think of them.

Falling Off The Wagon

2007-08-28T16:13:00.000-04:00

So after I posted yesterday, one of my friends was kind enough to remind me that currently I have "fallen off the Weight Watchers Wagon." And yes, she was right. I did take a hiatus of sorts for a couple of days.

Her comment caused me to think a little deeper about putting such personal goals on a public blog such as this one and opening myself up to criticism and a tarnished reputation if I fail.

However, I thought that in the end this is a place for me to post successes and failures and to allow others to see my mistakes and my triumphs. Yesterday's post on my plan for discipline is one that is stretching me to explore areas of my life where I have been lax. To open up areas of my life to a greater control of the Holy Spirit and to allow Him to work in me and clean me up.

I will fail. I will fall. I will bruise myself. I will end up with bloody knees on this road. But I will continue to set lofty goals, I will continue to challenge myself, and I will continue to let you see me in my weak moments and my strong ones. Perhaps so you can be challenged to do the same thing in your life. And perhaps so that we can know that we are not alone on this journey. That there is indeed nothing new under the sun.

A Season of Discipline - September through December

2007-08-27T09:31:00.000-04:00

Since coming back from Montana, I have really felt that I have needed to focus on a couple areas of my life. Mainly I had a realization that my faith is shallow. While we were at the ranch in Montana, there was chapel twice a day which was really great. The preacher was amazing - I didn't agree with everything he said, but he was very solid in what he was saying. Two major takeaways that have stuck with me are that God doesn't need us but He chooses us anyway. The second is that Christ needs to be my higher affection. These two ideas have really burrowed their way into my heart and challenged me to find ways of deepening my faith and my understanding of who God is and who I am.

So a season of discipline - to get my mind, heart, will, emotions, spirit under His control.

The first area is physical discipline. To accomplish this I joined Weight Watchers to learn more about taking my physical desires under control and being a good steward of my physical health and body.

The second area is in finances. Some of you know that I have had a significant amount of credit card debt accumulated over the years for a variety of reasons. For several years now I have made it a goal to become credit card debt free but haven't been able to quite manage it. However, in about two months, I will send in a final payment and be done with it. Since I don't want to fall back into that pit, I am going to be taking Crown Financial this fall to learn more about what God has to say about money and finances and become a good steward of the financial gifts He has given me.

The last area of discipline I wanted to focus on was spiritual, but I wasn't really sure how to go about it. I realize that I need and want some accountability in this area simply because I know my weaknesses in really following through. So I thought about joining a small group at church, but I didn't know which one would be the best one (we have over 70 - interest groups, bible studies, speciality groups, etc.). On Friday, one of my pastors approached me and asked me if I would be interested in helping co-lead one of the groups called Holy Spirit Encounter. It is an introductory course into who the Holy Spirit is, why people talk about Him, what roles He plays, what the gifts of the Spirit are and living a Spirit-filled life. Although our church is affiliated with Assemblies of God, we are very non-traditional in the approach we take, so this kind of group is a safe, non-threatening and frankly non-weird way to examine the Holy Spirit. I said yes and am excited to see an opportunity open up for me that "forces" me to be disciplined in study. I cannot be a leader in my own strength, but must continually look heavenward for wisdom and humility.

I'm looking forward to this time of growth and am excited to see how God is going to use me, not because He needs me, but because He chooses me.

My Brain On Running

2007-08-22T11:41:00.000-04:00

So last night, I went for a run in my neighborhood. I had a really great run heading down to the local park and then back home again. I started on the trail into the park and got just far enough in to realize that I probably shouldn't be running through there by myself at 8:00 at night, so I turned around.

On the way home, my right foot was hurting and I attributed it to not running in a while. Once the run was done, I was stretching and noticed the bottom of my right shoe was really worn out. I looked on my left one and it looked really new. I couldn't figure out why one shoe was so beat up and the other looked great especially since these were my "new shoes" (ie bought a year ago or more).

I stood up and looked down and realized that I had two different tennis shoes on. The one on my left was my newer shoe and the one on my right was four years old.

No wonder my foot was hurting.

For the record - this was the first time in my life I have ever done this. Let's hear it for the thirties!

Picture Pages, Picture Pages

2007-08-16T14:17:00.000-04:00

So I still don't have my Montana pics yet. But I'm tired of looking at all text, so here's a picture of me and my roommates in April I think celebrating my one roommates b-day at home. My friend Christy is also in the picture. Enjoy.

And here's another dancing picture of me. I'm way in the background. This was at my company's 10th anniversary party at Sequoia in Georgetown. Holla!

Fun Activity-Revisited

2007-08-15T17:25:00.000-04:00

Just cause I like this activity :)

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Turn to page 23.
3. Find the fifth line.
4. Write the next three lines here and post the directions.
5. Grab the nearest book only. Not the coolest book or the most interesting book, but the nearest one.

My book: Eat Wisely

Shop for single-serving portions of snacks, like mini bags of pretzels or chips; Weight Watchers bars, Smoothies and snacks are also ideal. When this is what you have on hand, you won't mindlessly eat more than you expected to. For times when big portions can't be helped, learn to recognize Hunger Signals (page 52).

Weight Watchers!

2007-08-15T17:16:00.000-04:00

So today I joined millions of others around the world in participating in a lifestyle change called Weight Watchers. Although I am not significantly overweight, I am perhaps the heaviest I have ever been in my life and I just don't feel as comfortable in my own skin as I would like to feel.

I signed on for this to re-establish my eating habits, re-learn what a portion size should be and understand exactly how much food I should be eating each day, not how much I want to eat or have been eating. I have felt out of control for a while now when it came to my eating - not particularly the quality of the food I was eating, but primarily the quantity and the splurges.

So I guess you all will have to put up with my "Weight Watchers Ruminations" for a bit here on the blog. However, this is part of my road, my journey and I hope that this sense of control and regaining control over my physical body will have applications to my spiritual body as well. I will post on that in a bit.

For those who want to watch the progress happening :)

Today's weigh in: 153.8 pounds
Goal: 135

Let the fun begin!

I'm A Montana Girl.

2007-08-08T15:57:00.000-04:00

I went on vacation last week in Montana (or Mountaintana as I like to call it). I will post pictures and write more about the amazing time I had horseback riding, fly fishing, paintball, hiking, tubing, skeet (clay pigeons) shooting, air hockey, eating, swimming, river wading, etc. later.

Till then - I've got to catch up on some serious work :)

Lisa

Dancing in Beantown

2007-07-19T15:40:00.000-04:00

Last week I was in Boston for a work conference. The last day our company put on a client appreciation party and then an afterparty for staff (and a few clients we snuck in) only. It was so much fun! I danced and danced and danced until my toes were numb. And they were numb until four days later when I could finally feel them again. I say this makes a case for a new pair of dancing shoes :).

Here's a picture of the good times. Such fun hanging with some co-workers and clients and meeting lots of fun new people. Good times.

It's In My Blood

2007-06-29T16:56:00.001-04:00

This is the ship my family and I sailed on across the Atlantic Ocean and through the Mediterranean when I was 11. From Maryland to Greece - the trip of a lifetime.

Sea-Fever

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967)

Fun Activity

2007-06-28T12:02:00.000-04:00

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Turn to page 23.
3. Find the fifth line.
4. Write the next three lines here and post the directions.
5. Grab the nearest book only. Not the coolest book or the most interesting book, but the nearest one.

My book: Blackboard for Dummies

This statement is especially true of the quick-start guide in the first half of this chapter. In the second half of this chapter, we describe the most important ways (and Blackboard has a ton of them) that you can customize your course to fit your instructional needs. Believe it or not, putting these two halves together yourself sets you apart from the average instructor!

Yes, I Am A Product of the 80's

2007-06-27T15:23:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I just saw the trailer for Transformers: The Movie and can I tell you how crazy excited I am for this movie to be coming out. Seriously, I was a HUGE fan of the Transformers cartoon back in the day. My friend Alana and I used to play in the vacant lot across the street from our houses and we used to be Transformers. Oh yes. I would say "I'm now transforming" and I would make all these noises and move my arms and legs around and assume a different position. And then we would fight battles and stuff.

Anyway, all that to say. I'm so excited. Yes, this makes me a geek, but whatever. TRANSFORMERS!!!!

Karaoke

2007-06-25T16:21:00.000-04:00

Last night I headed to a friend's house for a goodbye dinner party. Dessert was karaoke with the American Idol version of Karaoke Revolution. I sang Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" and killed the song. So much fun. Then a duet with Ben. We sang "I had the time of my life" from Dirty Dancing. We didn't so great on that one. But we had so much fun.

Good times. I'll miss Ben. But at least his super fun roommates are still around so the party won't stop. Hooray. And Bon Voyage Ben.

There Are No Words To Describe This

2007-06-06T15:05:00.001-04:00

Except that this is not real. It is a faked shot.

My Favorite Road Names

2007-06-04T13:29:00.000-04:00

I found this one last summer when I went camping in Glacier National Park in Montana: Going-to-the-Sun Road. This is an awesome road and an awesome name.

Another one I saw as a kid driving from Virginia Beach to Maryland to visit friends after we moved. We would drive the back roads north and stop at Stuckeys: Mattawoman Beantown Road.

Shakespeare is in the House

2007-06-04T10:45:00.000-04:00

My weekend was bookended by William Shakespeare.

On Friday I went to the Shakespeare in the Park and saw "Love's Labour Lost." This was a work sponsored event with free dinner and great seats. It was set in the 60's with a Beatles influenced trip to a guru in India. It was weird and not that great. I left at intermission.

Sunday I went to see "Hamlet" at the Shakespeare Theater Company. It was their final dress and a friend who works there provided free tickets. It was set in a modern time with some cool twists. It was fresh and I really enjoyed it. I left when it was over.

Ra ra ra for Shakespeare.

Post Pentecost Fast

2007-05-31T11:23:00.000-04:00

The past two weeks and continuing this week the sermon series has been on Chapter Two of Acts. We're talking about the Holy Spirit and Pentecost and speaking in tongues and other manifestations and gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is not a topic that has been covered very much at my church or many churches I have attended in the past so it is pretty interesting and exciting.

The main point that my pastor has been wanting to get out about this particular chapter is what if we did what the early church did ie pray for ten days and see how God works in a mysterious and amazing way. The other tagline for this series is to ask God to amaze and perplex us as He did for the early Christians in Acts 2. Amaze us and perplex us. Most of us do ask for God to amaze us, but do we really ask us to perplex us. I think this is pretty cool because it means that we don't have God figured out. That He is constantly and consistently doing things that don't make sense to us, that force us in a way to continually rely on Him. Not because He's manipulative but because He is so BIG!

As part of this journey, we have been challenged to have a post Pentecost fast for ten days where we seek after God with a little more intensity than normal, where we are little hungrier than usual, where we listen to His voice calling to us a little more closely, where we open our hearts up to Him a little more vulnerably. And then we see what God will do. This is a time of no expectations other than allowing God the opportunity to amaze and perplex us.

A fast is not only a time to give something up, but it is also a time to add something, to heighten the spiritual quest, to deprive oneself of something usual which will heighten the senses and to add something unusual or out of the ordinary that will satisfy the heightened senses.

As I thought about what I wanted to fast I had lots of ideas: give up my car and walk, fast a meal, fast a type of food, fast television. I had ideas about what to add: focus on praying for something specific like a husband, a job, family or friend relationships. I asked God what I should give up and add. I thought about it. And then I realized what do I really need more than anything. I need to know God. That's it. That's my point, that's my focus.

So I am fasting an extra amount of sleep in the morning and getting up a little earlier than I normally do. I put on my walking clothes and walk around my neighborhood for 30 minutes. I have needed to make time to get to know God so that is my sacrifice. I am being intentional about what I am adding. I'm not praying about a set list of things. Instead, I have told and asked God that I simply want to know who He is. I want to know Him. I am walking with Him and talking with Him and wanting to get to know Him just as I want to walk and talk and get to know a friend or a potential mate.

Since there is so much to know about God, I wanted to make it simple for myself to get started. Otherwise I would never get anywhere. So I found a list of the names/attributes of God. Each day I will meditate, focus, ask God questions, sing about that one name or attribute of God. The list I found has about 700 different names and attributes of God found in the Word.

So instead of just 10 days, I have over two years of "material" to work with. I'm so looking forward to getting my focus back where it should be and knowing God. Everything else is a bonus.

A Look Back

2007-05-27T16:18:00.000-04:00

Three months ago yesterday, I had to put Paddington to sleep. I know, I've written about this before, but since I just downloaded my pictures, I thought I would post his final portraits taken the morning of his last day. I still miss him. I know he was just a dog. But he was my friend and I miss him.

Surf -n- Sand And I'm Getting Old

2007-05-27T15:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I headed to the beach with my roommate Anne and friend Christy. We got up at crack of dawn and headed to Rehobeth. The drive was quick, parking was found easily and our towels were laid on the sand with an umbrella and chairs set up by 10:30am. It was a wonderful day.

I had my SPF 45, a floppy brim straw hat that Christy said was an old lady hat and Anne said was Coco Chanel at the beach, my iPod, and fancy black bathing suit. The day was gorgeous. We laid around, talked, didn't talk, trolled the boardwalk for lunch, went swimming and had an all around fantastic day. Even with my SPF 45 liberally applied, I managed to get some great color. I'm all about enjoying the sun without sacrificing my future health :)

We left the beach around 5:30pm after taking those really fun crowd-in-a-booth-draw-the-curtain-and-make-funny-faces pictures. They are really funny and as soon as I can scan them in, I'll post them.

We hit the outlet malls on the way out of town and ended up having a yummy dinner at a restaurant near the Kent Narrows bridge. I had a delicious lobster - sooooooo good.

Finally got home around midnight and crashed. Tired but very happy.

This morning I woke up crazy early to teach Sunday school and once I got home from church, I have been sooooo tired. Man, when I was younger, I could go all day to the beach, have a late night, early morning and hit it again. Now I need to get my rest together so that I can party again tomorrow!

Happy Memorial Day!

Frustrated

2007-05-23T14:00:00.001-04:00

I am really frustrated today. And I do not get frustrated easily. In fact, I'm a pretty laidback person most of the time. Sure when things get stressful, my fuse gets shorter, but I have never been so frustrated so frequently as I have the past few months.

I am frustrated with my job for a myriad of reasons. I am really frustrated with the quickly fading possibility of joining the Foreign Service. The reports coming out of the State Department (as heard through a listserv grapevine that I belong to) are really depressing and my hopes of getting hired sometime next year seem to be vanishing quickly.

I'm really frustrated with an online dating service I belong to. Yes, I have done these off and on for several years but I've decided that I'm over it this time.

I'm frustrated with my weight and my seeming inability to stop eating. Thankfully I'm not super overweight, just 10-15 pounds would get me feeling healthy and sexy, but man, I just can't seem to get motivated enough to increase the exercise and decrease the eating.

I'm frustrated spiritually. Next week we start a ten day Pentecost prayer and fast through church. I'm looking forward to it, but in the meantime, I'm frustrated with where I'm at.

I'm frustrated with my life in general. I've got a good job that pays well, a roof over my head, food to eat, friends to spend time with, more than one set of clothes, a loving family, the ability to travel and hope and plan for the future, the ability to freely worship anytime and anywhere, physical security and physical health and so much more. But I'm feeling stuck and frustrated by that. I'm grateful for the many blessings I do have but I'm still feeling dissatisfied somehow.

So I'm frustrated, but I keep putting one foot in front of the other and I'm not giving up and I'm still going. The road ahead is long and curvy and rough and hard and dark, but I'm not stopping or turning back.

I press onward.

On this road to remember.

An Authentic Life

2007-05-23T11:36:00.000-04:00

I watched part of the Dateline interview with Angelina Jolie and something that Anne Curry said about Angelina really struck a chord with me. She mentioned that Angelina is so focused on living an authentic and useful life.

I want to live an authentic and useful life. I see so many areas in my life that aren't that way, but that is truly my heart's desire. I know that only way that I can do that is to ask God for His guidance and to do what He tells me to do. To walk in the freedom that He promises when I follow after Him. And not just follow, but actually do what He wants me to do. That means saying no sometimes. That means walking away sometimes. That means saying goodbye sometimes. That means being a good steward of my time, energy, talents, gifts, resources and using them in the right places for the right things at the right time for the right people. What that looks like I have no idea.

But I do know that I want to be focused on living an authentic and useful life.

Biker Banditas

2007-05-10T22:34:00.000-04:00

Tonight my friend Christy picked me up from work and drove me home. Then she, myself and two of my roommates Susan and Anne all went for a bike ride. It was so much fun. Anne and Christy are training for a triathlon, I'm pretending to train, and Susan is just wanting to ride her bike.

Two road bikes, a cruising bike, and me on my tricked out mountain bike. The only thing really tricked out about it is that I have road slicks on it instead of the big knobbly mountain bike tires. Well that and the fact that my bike is red and black, my helmet is red and black and my gloves are red and black.

Because my bike is the smallest of the four, I found myself in the back of the pack pretty much the whole time. But that was fine. I thought of myself as the red caboose. We hit a really great trail near our house and except for the masses of gnats we kept running into, it was a great ride.

Then we came home and undid all of the calorie burning by eating Pollo Rico. It's this amazing Peruvian rotisserie chicken place near our house where the boys think the gringas are cute (even when we come in after an hour long bike ride) and the chicken is amazing. And the fries are amazing. And the dipping sauce is amazing (both green and yellow kinds). And the coleslaw is okay.

Ay yi yi for the Biker Banditas!

I Love Rodents

2007-05-10T00:25:00.000-04:00

I love rodents. I always have and I think I always will. Some people find them really gross. I think they are really cute. I had hamsters growing up and I'm always excited when I see a mouse running around the train tracks in the metro, or a rat scooting across a road at night downtown. I'm not a fan of the diseases they bring, but I just think they are cute. Really cute.

This is a picture of the world's largest rodent - the capybara. They are found in South America near rivers. I saw one live and in person when I was 11 at a petting zoo in Washington, DC. My best friend Alana and I wore matching shirts to the event.

Lapses

2007-05-08T10:38:00.000-04:00

So obviously my entries on this blog have lapsed recently. It's not that I don't have lots of things happening. It's just that I haven't found the time to update this. So I wanted to let you know. I think about you often and am grateful to know that you are still out there in some form and fashion :)

Here's to more posting in the future!

Where in the World?

2007-04-24T09:52:00.000-04:00

The Curtain Falls

2007-04-13T10:36:00.000-04:00

Sunday night was the last night of Godspell and my musical career debut. It was wonderful, funny, confidence building, thought provoking, and so enjoyable. I had so many friends and family come to see the show which was wonderful. Thank you everyone!

Here is a picture of the lovely cast terrorizing our director :)

And this is a picture of the entire cast, crew, band, ushers, everyone involved with the show in some way. What's really funny is that you can't see the only people taking the picture were about 8 parents in a completely empty theater. Hilarious.

I'm not sure what's next. But I do know that I loved being on stage :)

I Could Have Told You This Without A Test!

2007-04-06T15:26:00.000-04:00

Pure Nerd
78 % Nerd, 30% Geek, 13% Dork

For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.

The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.

The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test

Godspell

2007-04-03T13:09:00.000-04:00

We've had three shows so far and they have been incredible. The audience has been amazing, the cast, band, creative team have all been top notch. We have five more performances this weekend, so come on out.

You can buy tickets at Ebenezer's Coffeehouse (201 F. St. NE, Wash., DC) or online at www.ebenezerscoffeehouse.com.

In Memory

2007-03-26T09:53:00.000-04:00

A month ago today, I had to put my dear sweet dog Paddington to sleep. There were many reasons surrounding this very difficult decision and since then I haven't had the time to write about it. I will post a more signifacant entry when I have more time.

But today, I wanted to say that I miss my little fur baby. I had him for almost 14 years so he was a big part of my life. I definately recognize that he is missing and my every day life just isn't as full of life with him gone.

So here's to you, my little man. I loved you unconditionally and know that you loved me back the same. I miss you and wish I could still squish your little face and kiss your sweet head. Here's to the years we spent together.

Love your mama.

Happy Happy Birthday!

2007-03-22T09:52:00.000-04:00

Today is the big 31. It started off with an early "pow" with breakfast with the roomies and my friend Christy and a really cool retro 80's birthday balloon. Reminds me of Wonder Woman. Thanks to the peeps for getting up so early to start the day with me.

Cupcake making last night with my friend Jessica, a cool e-card from my friend Monika all the way in Norway (who I celebrated my 18th b-day with a long time ago), and a Happy B-day IM with my friend Josh. Plus a fun song from my dad. It's shaping up to be another fantastic year!

The Government Has My DNA

2007-03-06T16:45:00.000-05:00

So today as part of Part 1 for my medical clearance for the Foreign Service process, the government asked me if I wanted to supply them with my DNA in case they need it to identify my remains. I thought about it for a second and then said yes that would be nice, thank you very much. They drew my blood and then had me watch them as they took several drops of my blood and put it onto a card in two big circles. They will now store it for 50 years and use it only in case of an emergency. I feel safer now and less worried. I hope my dad feels the same way.