Where in the World?

The Curtain Falls

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!

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

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

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!

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

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.

What Country Are You?

You're Thailand!

Calmer and more staunchly independent than almost all those around you,
you have a long history of rising above adversity.  Recent adversity has led to
questions about your sexual promiscuity and the threat of disease, but you still manage
to attract a number of tourists and admirers.  And despite any setbacks, you can
really cook a good meal whenever it's called for.  Good enough to make people
cry.


Take the Country Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid

Car Mechanic 101

Last week, my car battery died since my car was stuck in the ice for so many days. This week, my roommate Anne did some reconaissance for me and found a battery at a store nearby.

Today I went and bought the battery and then with some advice from my dad via cell phone (he lives in Florida), I took out the old battery and installed the new one. So fun and sort of fast. It was also really cold outside, so I had to keep taking breaks inside to thaw out.

First time I've changed a battery. My dad felt bad he couldn't be here to help me. I told him it was good Foreign Service Officer training.

What's the best do-it-yourself car repair story you have?

The Greeks Are First Once Again.....

Sent to me by my American godmother living in Greece :)


After digging to a depth of 100 meters last year, Japanese scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 1000 years, and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network one thousand years ago.

So, not to be outdone, in the weeks that followed, Chinese scientists dug 200 meters and headlines in the Chinese papers read: "Chinese scientists have found traces of 2000 year old optical fibers, and have concluded that their ancestors already had advanced high-tech digital telephone 1000 years earlier than the Japanese."

One week later, the Greek newspapers reported the following: "After digging as deep as 800 meters, Greek scientists have found absolutely nothing."

They have concluded that 3000 years ago, their ancestors were already using wireless technology.

Where Are You Going?

Where have you been?

I ended up with 33 countries = 14%. I have a loooong way to go on this one. Foreign Service...help me out!!

I would post the picture but it was too big and pushed my format around. I'm not sophisticated enough to figure out how to change the HTML.

Hop, Flap, Step, Step, Step, Hop & Repeat

Last night we had a major choreography session for Godspell. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. The title of this post are the basic steps to a time step - a kind of tap/softshoe move that I'm trying to learn. We also learned the buffalo (a kind of step/hop and shuffle) and the choo choo (a kind of stomping move). It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. I was really frustrated trying to get the time step down that I almost cried. It has been a really long time since I've been that frustrated over anything. I finally got it though thanks to Jesus. Well at least thanks to Nathan who is playing Jesus. He kept at it and finally I got it too.

So now we have choreography to two songs. Only 13 more (or something like that) left to go!

They Arrived

So my flowers finally got here. It's a funny and sad Valentine's. Apparently the DHL plane couldn't land because of the weather yesterday - all the snow and ice. The flower arrived and had obviously been frozen and then thawed so all the buds on the miniature rose bush plant were waterlogged and dead. My father was not happy. Maybe I'll get something free out of it. Regardless they are sitting on my desk and I'm sending happy thoughts that direction looking forward to the day when they will bloom.

I'm Still Waiting For Valentine's Day

I know, it's the day after V-Day, but my dad sent me flowers to work and when I showed up today (since I stayed home yesterday due to the ice and snow), they weren't here. So I'm waiting for them to show up and cheer me up in my drab and almost colorless office space.

The walls are grey and I have put up a very colorful map of the U.S. and a calendar with pictures of animals made from fruit and vegetables (see above picture). I love the artist Saxton Freymann. Here's a link to some of his work. You can also order books online.

Anyway, that's it for color in my office. I also have a very colorful world map I want to put up, but I don't have anywhere for it to go. But I shall smile anyway!!!!!

Foreign Service Update

For the record (and for those in the know), I passed with a 5.3 in the Consular cone.

Music Is Hard Work

So to answer a question...

My suitcase was packed for a Godspell cast retreat this weekend. Since rehearsals began in January for the musical, we have not yet had a complete run through of the show. This weekend was a chance to get away in the foothills of the Shenandoah mountains for two days and spend the entire weekend working on the show.

We learned choreography, we rehearsed our songs, we had to be off script completely with our lines, we had to put it all together.

I can't say enough about the hard work of our director, Kacey, producer Heather, choreographer Tiffani, vocal coaches Sarah and Ellen, and artistic director, Genevieve. They have put so much of themselves and sacrificed so much for us that I am truly grateful.

The show is coming along slowly. For the record, I am part of a tourist couple. My "husband" is married to the producer in real life, so I have a good time teasing them about my role in their marriage! I also have two solos and am nervous but excited about these opportunities.

I'll post updates over the next weeks. The show is Easter weekend and the weekend before. If you're in the area, buy a ticket, invite a friend, come ready to laugh, cry, think, be challenged, be changed.

A Great Big Thank You!

I just want to say a big and hearty thank you to the readers of this blog. I know my postings have been sporadic over the past six months or so and yet you still keep coming back and checking. Some of you I know really well, some of you I have only met briefly in cyberspace, but I thank you for your visits, your comments, and your presence.

Blessings on each of you today! May you step ever closer to your dreams and destinies, may you realize your potential to an even greater degree, and may you come to know the overwhelming greatness of Christ and His love for you.

Friday Frustrations

This morning I was headed out of the house dragging a suitcase behind me with a sleeping bag attached. My roommate was in front of me and was going to drive me to the Metro. I made a comment about how annoying this was (I'm not even sure what I was referring to) and she said that I've been saying things like that a lot lately.

I said thank you for letting me know. And I didn't mean it in a cynical or mean way. I really did appreciate the fact that she was pointing out to me that I apparently have been complaining a lot lately. And I really have nothing to complain about.

It's been almost 96 hours since I found out I passed the Oral Exam and I guess it has changed my entire perspective on things. I'm not enjoying so many things nearly as much, I guess because I have this whole new and exciting potential future ahead of me.

But that's exactly what it is...a POTENTIAL future. It's completely in the Lord's hands now. I have done everything I can do (except qualify for language bonus points which I will attempt to work on this summer). Beyond that, it's up to Him.

So I'm frustrated about a lot of things. But I'm also grateful that God is there looking out for me.

Are You Down With Web 2.0?

Here's a little something interesting for all you techies out there...and all you non-techies. Apparently we are privileged to be witness to the second generation of the Internet. I remember being around for the first generation, but now there is Web 2.0. For a really cool video explanation of this, check out this awesome video:

The Machine is Us/ing Us

So You Think You're A Good Driver

Try driving along some of these roads...

The Most Dangerous Roads in the World

Let me know if you survived.