I passed a billboard today and it kind of forcecd me to really think about where I am in my spiritual life. I had gotten to a point where I was really comfortable with my relationship with God and my attitude of service. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't perfect, and know that there were quite a few things that I needed to work on, but I was really growing and acknowledging my shortcomings and really ... i don't know. My point is that I'm not really there anymore. I was forced to be uprooted from a church family that, while dysfunctional (what family isn't?), I was finally feeling involved and accepted and all that. So I found a family with which I really seemed to fit, theoretically. But it's been pretty close to a year, and I don't feel any closer to anyone there than I did my first Sunday. Granted, I have missed quite a few weeks, especially lately. Most of my absenses have been completely legit - I've been sick a lot, as has Shaun, and we have been doing a lot more traveling... but there are times when I've just "accidentally" slept in, decided there wasn't much reason for me to be there... and other excuses that I used to think were such lame excuses! Shaun and I would spend that time studying on our own - and do well, but I still lack true fellowship and the ability to learn from others. I had just forgotten how difficult it is to be the new kid. Especially in such a tight knit group of people. Not that it is in any way anyone's fault but my own... I just feel so awkward. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone else knows what to do and where to go and what happened in X's family and just what to say to Y... small talk is even different among people who know eath other well. There's not that awkward grasping for some common ground.
I just need help. Prayers and thoughts and good wishes.
Would you do that for me?
Thanks (or Thanks anyway if you decide not to)
Monday, January 29, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Coffee, Tea & Vanity
So the wonderful little chillins at work have discovered tea and coffee making. This means that every morning when class starts I have a 4 or 5 year old asking, neigh begging me, if they could make me tea or coffee (even fresh-squeezed orange juice sometimes). It's been nice - they even grind their own coffee beans and then use a french press so it's nice and fresh coffee! They serve it to me on the "tea table" in a CUTE little Starbucks tea cup and saucer with a small tray of cream and sugar. And for some reason, one of the things that HAS to be on the tray is a little hand mirror. I'm not sure what that has to do with having tea or coffee, but every time they set the table, that little mirror is there. Hmmm... do they know something I don't?
Sittin on the Dock of The Bay...
Sittin on the Dock of the Bay...
Okay, so I'm not really sittin on the dock of the bay, but I AM wasting time:
(and yes, Tab I kept some of your answers.... they fit)
The Strange Questions Survey
Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work:
not direct tongue-on-cd action, but... well, sorta
What's the largest age difference between yourself and someone you've dated:
Offially dated? about a year and a half
Ever been in a car wreck?:
yep
Were you popular in high school?
nah...
Are looks important?:
this question isn't very complete... I feel that the looks I give (and get from others) are important in how we communicate... and the look of my produce is also very important to me...
Do you have any friends that you've known for 10 years or more??:
10 years... 1997... since Jr.High? Sure, a few.
Does the number of people a person's slept with affect your view of them?:
depends on the person and his/her situation
"You and ME baby aint nothin but mammals, so lets do it it like they doit on the discovery channel"
ah, memories!
Have you ever made a mistake?
moi?
Are you a good tipper?:
i try. i think it's important.
What's the most you have spent for a haircut?
mmm maybe 15 bucks
Have you ever had a crush on a teacher:
yeah, unfortunately
Have you ever peed in public?:
in a bathroom...
Would you tell your parents if you were gay?
probably not... or at least not for a long long long time.
What would your last meal be before getting executed?:
ooh, good question - probably a weird mixture of my favorite foods - watermelon, okra, pickles, oranges...
Beatles or Stones?:
beatles.
If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who?:
i can't even bring myself to be that mean. i mean, i my head i can think of some people, but then when it comes down to it, i think it would be devastating for their friends and family, so . . . no one.
Beer, wine or hard liquor?:
mojito!!!
Do you walk around the house naked?:
come on now... do you really want to know that information? Because I'm not sure I want you to
If you were an animal what would you be?:
Sea Otter?
Hair color you like on someone you're dating?:
dark
Would you rather be blind or deaf?
well, i'm already awfully klutzy, so blindness may just be the death of me. On the other hand, there are so many things I love hearing. How about I'll not choose, and then deal with whatever comes my way when it comes.
Do you have any special talents?:
i think i can cook okay?
What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?:
usually look through the mail really quick before dashing to the bathroom
Do you like horror or comedy?:
yes, although i've been a little less keen on the horror and loving the comedy.
Are you missing anyone?:
yes! Carly and Nicole and Amanda and.... my family
If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?
john cusak or zach braff or frank sinatra or benny goodman
What did you dream last night?:
I don't remember all of it, but i was bar hopping with a bunch of girl friends and my grandpa met us at a bar and then went home with like, 3 20-something girls. it was weird
What is your favorite sport to watch?:
football
Are you named after anyone?:
i don't think so
Non alcoholic drink?:
OJ
Have you ever been in love?:
have been and am
Do you sing in the shower?:
when am i not singing? (don't confuse this with an ability to sing well)
Have you ever been arrested?:
nope
Would you ever get plastic surgery?:
nah.
Have you ever caught a fish?:
YES! i LOVE fishing!
Off-The-Wall Questions:
Family member you most resemble?
my mommy
Do you own your own Bible?
yes
Do you wear deodorant?
when i remember to put it on.
Do you clean up nice?
not really. what you see is what you get
Where was the last place you slept besides your home?
my father-in-law's couch
What are you listening to right now?
my husband telling me about all the stupid people at work
Have you ever started an uncontrollable fire?
I think i've been able to contain most of the fires i started
Ever run out of gas on the road?
nope
What would you rather do, rake the leaves, or mow the lawn?
mow the lawn
What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
some They Might Be Giants
Last time you swam in a pool?
ummm... probably the honeymoon
Have you ever been in a school play?
yep. The Secret Garden
How many kids do you want?
good question.
i don't know. maybe 2?
Type of music you dislike most?
not much...maybe some of that hard rap/nasty pop
Do you have cable?
no.
Ever prank call anybody?
yeah! i used to do it ALL the time
Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
yeah, if i had the money
Do you have a garden?
well, we just moved so I haven't established anything here yet... but i'm totally stoked for springtime since we have a lot more yard!
Bath or Shower?
shower to clean, bath to relax
Best movie you've seen in the past two weeks?
Winter's Passing
Best pizza topping?
pep, olive and shroom
Popcorn or Peanuts?
kettle corn
Orange Juice or apple juice?
orange.
Chocolate Bar?
anything dark dark dark (pref. 65 - 75% cocao
When was the last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
last summer @ work
Ever order anything from an infomercial?
I LOVE infomercials
Sprite or 7-Up?
Sprite. or ginger ale
Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work/school?
no way
Ever thrown up in public?
not unless you count the church bathroom
Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?
finding true love with a millionaire would be nice
Believe in love at first sight?
nope
Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?
ummm... I don't remember - either Grandpa Charlie or Grandma Grace
What do you think about most?
myself probably
Favorite form of travel?
any kind of travel as long as it gets me somewhere and i have fun doing it!
If you could have one magical power what would it be?
to move things with my mind. then my house would always be clean just by me thinking about it
SOME STRANGE QUESTIONS:
Something purple within 5 feet of you:
candle
The sexiest item of clothing you own:
uh - no thanks
Is your hair long enough to chew on:
yep
Least favorite color?
pink
Ever have Dippin' Dots?
yeah, weird
Ever play an instrument?
b flat and bass clarinet
Ever been to a palm reader?
no . . . but it would be interesting
Did you have a good weekend?
yes :)
How is today going for you?
better now that work is over
Any plans for tonight?
yeah, it's tv night - the office, scrubs and grey's anatomy
Ever photograph something that was dead?
dead rat. freshman o.
Are you ready for the holiday season?
if you mean the next holiday (valentine's day) . . . not really.
Ever given someone a full-body oil massage?
yes.
Okay, so I'm not really sittin on the dock of the bay, but I AM wasting time:
(and yes, Tab I kept some of your answers.... they fit)
The Strange Questions Survey
Have you ever licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work:
not direct tongue-on-cd action, but... well, sorta
What's the largest age difference between yourself and someone you've dated:
Offially dated? about a year and a half
Ever been in a car wreck?:
yep
Were you popular in high school?
nah...
Are looks important?:
this question isn't very complete... I feel that the looks I give (and get from others) are important in how we communicate... and the look of my produce is also very important to me...
Do you have any friends that you've known for 10 years or more??:
10 years... 1997... since Jr.High? Sure, a few.
Does the number of people a person's slept with affect your view of them?:
depends on the person and his/her situation
"You and ME baby aint nothin but mammals, so lets do it it like they doit on the discovery channel"
ah, memories!
Have you ever made a mistake?
moi?
Are you a good tipper?:
i try. i think it's important.
What's the most you have spent for a haircut?
mmm maybe 15 bucks
Have you ever had a crush on a teacher:
yeah, unfortunately
Have you ever peed in public?:
in a bathroom...
Would you tell your parents if you were gay?
probably not... or at least not for a long long long time.
What would your last meal be before getting executed?:
ooh, good question - probably a weird mixture of my favorite foods - watermelon, okra, pickles, oranges...
Beatles or Stones?:
beatles.
If you had to pick one person on earth to die, who?:
i can't even bring myself to be that mean. i mean, i my head i can think of some people, but then when it comes down to it, i think it would be devastating for their friends and family, so . . . no one.
Beer, wine or hard liquor?:
mojito!!!
Do you walk around the house naked?:
come on now... do you really want to know that information? Because I'm not sure I want you to
If you were an animal what would you be?:
Sea Otter?
Hair color you like on someone you're dating?:
dark
Would you rather be blind or deaf?
well, i'm already awfully klutzy, so blindness may just be the death of me. On the other hand, there are so many things I love hearing. How about I'll not choose, and then deal with whatever comes my way when it comes.
Do you have any special talents?:
i think i can cook okay?
What do you do as soon as you walk in the house?:
usually look through the mail really quick before dashing to the bathroom
Do you like horror or comedy?:
yes, although i've been a little less keen on the horror and loving the comedy.
Are you missing anyone?:
yes! Carly and Nicole and Amanda and.... my family
If you could date any celebrity past or present, who would it be?
john cusak or zach braff or frank sinatra or benny goodman
What did you dream last night?:
I don't remember all of it, but i was bar hopping with a bunch of girl friends and my grandpa met us at a bar and then went home with like, 3 20-something girls. it was weird
What is your favorite sport to watch?:
football
Are you named after anyone?:
i don't think so
Non alcoholic drink?:
OJ
Have you ever been in love?:
have been and am
Do you sing in the shower?:
when am i not singing? (don't confuse this with an ability to sing well)
Have you ever been arrested?:
nope
Would you ever get plastic surgery?:
nah.
Have you ever caught a fish?:
YES! i LOVE fishing!
Off-The-Wall Questions:
Family member you most resemble?
my mommy
Do you own your own Bible?
yes
Do you wear deodorant?
when i remember to put it on.
Do you clean up nice?
not really. what you see is what you get
Where was the last place you slept besides your home?
my father-in-law's couch
What are you listening to right now?
my husband telling me about all the stupid people at work
Have you ever started an uncontrollable fire?
I think i've been able to contain most of the fires i started
Ever run out of gas on the road?
nope
What would you rather do, rake the leaves, or mow the lawn?
mow the lawn
What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
some They Might Be Giants
Last time you swam in a pool?
ummm... probably the honeymoon
Have you ever been in a school play?
yep. The Secret Garden
How many kids do you want?
good question.
i don't know. maybe 2?
Type of music you dislike most?
not much...maybe some of that hard rap/nasty pop
Do you have cable?
no.
Ever prank call anybody?
yeah! i used to do it ALL the time
Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
yeah, if i had the money
Do you have a garden?
well, we just moved so I haven't established anything here yet... but i'm totally stoked for springtime since we have a lot more yard!
Bath or Shower?
shower to clean, bath to relax
Best movie you've seen in the past two weeks?
Winter's Passing
Best pizza topping?
pep, olive and shroom
Popcorn or Peanuts?
kettle corn
Orange Juice or apple juice?
orange.
Chocolate Bar?
anything dark dark dark (pref. 65 - 75% cocao
When was the last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
last summer @ work
Ever order anything from an infomercial?
I LOVE infomercials
Sprite or 7-Up?
Sprite. or ginger ale
Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work/school?
no way
Ever thrown up in public?
not unless you count the church bathroom
Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?
finding true love with a millionaire would be nice
Believe in love at first sight?
nope
Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?
ummm... I don't remember - either Grandpa Charlie or Grandma Grace
What do you think about most?
myself probably
Favorite form of travel?
any kind of travel as long as it gets me somewhere and i have fun doing it!
If you could have one magical power what would it be?
to move things with my mind. then my house would always be clean just by me thinking about it
SOME STRANGE QUESTIONS:
Something purple within 5 feet of you:
candle
The sexiest item of clothing you own:
uh - no thanks
Is your hair long enough to chew on:
yep
Least favorite color?
pink
Ever have Dippin' Dots?
yeah, weird
Ever play an instrument?
b flat and bass clarinet
Ever been to a palm reader?
no . . . but it would be interesting
Did you have a good weekend?
yes :)
How is today going for you?
better now that work is over
Any plans for tonight?
yeah, it's tv night - the office, scrubs and grey's anatomy
Ever photograph something that was dead?
dead rat. freshman o.
Are you ready for the holiday season?
if you mean the next holiday (valentine's day) . . . not really.
Ever given someone a full-body oil massage?
yes.
Monday, January 22, 2007
I'm back
Alright, so here I am! I'm all hooked up to the internet, sittin in our not-so-fancy but oh-so-comfy new chair... yes, life is good here.
Okay, so my last update post was in August, so here's a recap of the past few months.
September: I officially began my new position at work and I officially hated my job.
October: Well, honestly, I have a sneaking suspicion that most of October didn't actually happen. One day it was October 5th, and then it was Halloween.... weird.
November: We were REALLY busy at work - the kids were preparing for their Thanksgiving Feast (they cooked/prepared the entire meal - it was pretty awesome). For Thanksgiving we (Shaun and I) were invited to spend the weekend with some in-laws. About a week before we were to leave we found out that our Thanksgiving dinner would be eaten at Sizzler. Yes, Sizzler.
So... we head out Thursday morning so we can make sure to be at said in-laws house by the prearranged meeting time of 12:00 noon. We arrived in town at about 11:30am. Shaun was delivering some wood and had planned to meet his customer at a Safeway parking lot at 11:45. Since we were early, we stopped at in-law's house to say hi and all that..... except noone was home. So we went and sold the wood and then went back to in-law's house at 12:00. Still, noone home. And noone was answering their cell phones.... A little worried, and a little put off, we went to another in-law's house and kinda crashed their Thanksgiving... they were more than generous, even though we ended up not eating until 7pm. We finally got ahold of the people with whom we were supposed to have met at noon, and they told us that they had wanted to "beat the rush" and so went out without us.
hmmm
December: What a fantastic month this is! Fun work Christmas parties, deliciously cool weather, making homemade hot chocolate mix, making decorations for our christmas tree, and getting ALL of our christmas shopping done in one afternoon! In the interest of keeping this post not super long, I'll tell you about christmas later. It was great
And now here we are in January. I went back to work (which I discovered I no longer hate...I'm not sure when that happened, though) on Jan 2nd... then had Jan 8 off for my birthday... then it snowed that week! It was so beautiful and wonderful. Then it went away.... and then it snowed again!!!!!! and a LOT! Because Monday was MLKJ day, we ended up having Mon, Tue, Wed & Half of Thursday off, which was fantastic. Except when I got to work on Thursday.
I walked into our classroom and felt that something was different, but dismissed it as just not having been there for almost a week.
Well... I wasn't the only one who hadn't been there for that long - the lead teacher had forgotten all about the class birds. That's right - 2 dead birdies.
The kids were great... they buried the birdies and had a nice little funeral.
Well, now that I have internet at home I should be updating this more often so I'm just going to leave off here.
I hope that everyone has had a wonderful year thus far and I'll be seein' ya!
Okay, so my last update post was in August, so here's a recap of the past few months.
September: I officially began my new position at work and I officially hated my job.
October: Well, honestly, I have a sneaking suspicion that most of October didn't actually happen. One day it was October 5th, and then it was Halloween.... weird.
November: We were REALLY busy at work - the kids were preparing for their Thanksgiving Feast (they cooked/prepared the entire meal - it was pretty awesome). For Thanksgiving we (Shaun and I) were invited to spend the weekend with some in-laws. About a week before we were to leave we found out that our Thanksgiving dinner would be eaten at Sizzler. Yes, Sizzler.
So... we head out Thursday morning so we can make sure to be at said in-laws house by the prearranged meeting time of 12:00 noon. We arrived in town at about 11:30am. Shaun was delivering some wood and had planned to meet his customer at a Safeway parking lot at 11:45. Since we were early, we stopped at in-law's house to say hi and all that..... except noone was home. So we went and sold the wood and then went back to in-law's house at 12:00. Still, noone home. And noone was answering their cell phones.... A little worried, and a little put off, we went to another in-law's house and kinda crashed their Thanksgiving... they were more than generous, even though we ended up not eating until 7pm. We finally got ahold of the people with whom we were supposed to have met at noon, and they told us that they had wanted to "beat the rush" and so went out without us.
hmmm
December: What a fantastic month this is! Fun work Christmas parties, deliciously cool weather, making homemade hot chocolate mix, making decorations for our christmas tree, and getting ALL of our christmas shopping done in one afternoon! In the interest of keeping this post not super long, I'll tell you about christmas later. It was great
And now here we are in January. I went back to work (which I discovered I no longer hate...I'm not sure when that happened, though) on Jan 2nd... then had Jan 8 off for my birthday... then it snowed that week! It was so beautiful and wonderful. Then it went away.... and then it snowed again!!!!!! and a LOT! Because Monday was MLKJ day, we ended up having Mon, Tue, Wed & Half of Thursday off, which was fantastic. Except when I got to work on Thursday.
I walked into our classroom and felt that something was different, but dismissed it as just not having been there for almost a week.
Well... I wasn't the only one who hadn't been there for that long - the lead teacher had forgotten all about the class birds. That's right - 2 dead birdies.
The kids were great... they buried the birdies and had a nice little funeral.
Well, now that I have internet at home I should be updating this more often so I'm just going to leave off here.
I hope that everyone has had a wonderful year thus far and I'll be seein' ya!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
mindless babble
Yep, I'm still alive! It's snowing and beautiful in Portland... and I'm at work. We're on the Portland Public schedule for closures, PPS closed for the day, and we are open - make sense of that! Sheesh
So there was a little guy (about 4 yrs old) getting lined up to go outside. He then asked one of the (male) teachers, "don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?"
So funny and so incredibly sad all at the same time, though that's a rant for a blog that I actually have time for.
So there was a little guy (about 4 yrs old) getting lined up to go outside. He then asked one of the (male) teachers, "don't you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?"
So funny and so incredibly sad all at the same time, though that's a rant for a blog that I actually have time for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
