Hi there!

Okokokokok....

So where were we? Work's still work. My commission is going up as I do more. The more I do the more comfortable I feel. But I still have a looooong way to go. I miss having a camera; mine died so I'm looking to get a new one eventually. I want an SLR but those are not cheap. I might spring for one after Thanksgiving and do the whole "investment" thing. Because if I stay in this field I have to start investing in the proper equipment. And starting at some point I wanna take classes too. But why must things require money?!?!?!? Cuz I also am going to need a new computer soon and am reeeeeelly wanting to go to India over Easter (to meet up with Jess and Holly and Lisa Walker from Korea). Meh, the Lord'll provide if I'm supposed to get/do these things.

Um, other things...I've got a place to live! I'm moving in this week with a girl from church. Stephanie is the same age as I am and is an engeneer. She works with the teens and I'm actually hoping to start working with them eventually myself.

I've decided to give away my cat. Right now I'm too "unsettled" to have an animal and if something were to happen to him and he'd need some kind of medical help I could not afford to take care of him. Practically, pragmatically, now's just not the time. I'm good with that decision, really. I've found a shelter that I want to take him but it's like an hour away they have hours that don't line up with my hours at the studio. I'm hoping to take him next week on my day off.

It's getting nice and cool and fall-y here! Yay! I love this time of year...if only I had a camera to take pics of it...

Thats all for now.

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

I shall again forgo the apology.

Life has been kinda busy but not as busy I might think it is. I've been working mostly evenings which is nice but I am not the most motivated of people when it comes to getting things done in the mornings then going to work later. I spend too much time online usually. Incidentally, I work today at 4 and it is now 11:30 and I've only taken my shower and done my hair. I'm sitting here in my t-shirt just chilling. I've been up since 8. However, yesterday, I worked from 10-4 and was up at 7 and got my room cleaned before going to work. I came back and fixed some broken jewelry. More than I might get done today. Tho I am planning on tossing a load of laundry in the washer after I post. Ok....rambling done now. Even tho I do waste time I still am doing other things; last Saturday for instance my church had a free car wash in the morning and I was there until I had to go to work. I go to Rebecca and Bill's about every other week for dinner (and to see my cat), and on my days off I run errands and apply for jobs. And on occasion get together with people from church. Friday some of us are going out for Korean. Which is another thing I need to to....find a Korean restaurant for Friday.

Wow...I have a life! I find I enjoy having one. But I do miss Holly and Jessica and my students.

Speaking of Korea; it's inservice this week at SCS and I've been talking to Holly and Jessica when I or they can. They are busy. But "hearing" them talk via IM... I don't miss it. I'm not sad that I'm not there. I only would go to see my kids and to hang out with Holly and Jess. That's it. I don't miss feeling judged, or feeling like I'm not the "right" kind of Christian, or being looked at strangely because I do things differently or think differently than the prescribed manner. I can' wear my odd pants here and not get made fun of. I can have my terrible blond moments (I don't have them often but when I do I do them right) and not get mocked for them for the next week. I get mocked for a day and that's it (I really don't mind being made fun of, just find another joke, really) . I can talk to a guy as an equal.

There's a "movement" if you will where people my age who were raised "Fundamentalist" are leaving it's camps. Now, I don't get into all that, I'm not even sure what it is. I just know that for much of the last eight years (college and Korea) I've been in something that holds itself to be "Fundamentalist". Of course, I grew up in a "Fundamentalist" background, but it was so. very. different. Certain of the more visible nature who are amongst the more sane ones are wondering why people my age are leaving in droves. Sadly, the type of Fundyism I grew up in is hard to find so many people are leaving the more [can't think of a good adjective.... maybe stupid?] kind. People are tired of being told that they are not "good Christians" (not in so many words but really, that's what's going on) because they dress funny, have a "worldly" hairstyle, listen to the "wrong" music or do any number of things. I have so many friends who have left the movement because they are tired of it and want to be accepted on the merits of Christ and His work on the Cross and on what they do for the Kingdom and not based on things that just. don't. matter. For a while I too was wondering why they were leaving. But now that I am where I am (spiritually, physically, emotionally, in every way), I can see where those who are leaving are coming from. I'm not saying I'm leaving, I'm not saying I'm staying. As before mentioned, I'm not even sure what the point is. However, I do see both sides now. Quite clearly. And both have pros and cons. But is that whole "Fundamentalism" debate really worth it? It just causes Christians to fight and bicker amongst themselves.

Where was I going with this? I'm not really sure, I just know that now, I'm back in a similar type of situation I grew up in; I'm accepted for who I am, I am loved for who I am, I don't feel like I have to keep looking over my shoulder to make sure I am being "good". The focus is not outward anymore.

OKokok, enough of that. On to other things.

I'm still at the photo studio and really do enjoy it. I had a strong lead to work at the Macaroni Grill here but they said no as far as serving but they want me to call in September and they should have a hostessing job for me then. I'd love to get it; I worked at a Mac. Grill in high school and really loved it. I was a hostess/singer and that's what they are interested in having me do at the one here. I am looking for other jobs too tho, you never know what God has. I'm also beginning to look for places to live. I've found one that might work but I really would need that second job. It's about 20 min from the mall where I am currently working and is less than $700/mo with most utilities included. It's still a tad expensive but I should be able to swing it. I'm going to keep looking for other places too. A roommate would really be ideal, I could maybe find a place and once everything is split have rent and stuff be about $500/mo. But roommates don't fall outta the sky. I have about a month tho so again; we'll see what God has in mind.

If/when I settle here I am planning on volunteering with the USO in the area. I've always had a love and respect for the men and women who serve and being able to serve them would be awesome. Eventually I'd love to even do a benefit concert for the USO. I was thinking about starting to plan for one for this year but since I'm still not completely sure I'll be settling here I decided to wait a bit. But if I'm here, next year for sure.

Ok, that's it for now. Laundry time!!

Happiness is...

I've always considered myself a happy person, and really I am. But lately I've realized that right now I am the happiest I've ever been. I'll be driving around and realize that all those stupid metaphors about being so happy you could explode are indeed true! I thought I was happy in Korea, and I was really, happy in that I had some amazing friends and students whom I loved. Happy knowing that I was where God wanted me. But now...here...it's difficult to explain.

I have friends here; new and old. I have a job I mostly love (it has it's moments of frustration but I do enjoy it about 95% of the time). My amazing church. I am always so excited for Sundays; can't wait for them. This weekend I'm in MN hanging out with Joshua while Mum and Dad are away for their anniversary and as I was driving here and realizing I'd be missing Sunday at SVPC I almost wanted to cry. The past several years I've had to force myself to go to church. But now I hate missing it and hate being late and missing the dear sweet fellowship time and the Gospel and Grace-filled preaching and teaching. Last week was communion at SVPC and they asked me to fill in for someone in the Praise and Worship team and I truly felt like I was ministering and worshiping while I was singing. Up till now, no matter the church I've been in I've felt like a seal on display while I was singing and also felt like I was "supposed" to sing. Like people expected me to do it. Last week it was like...like I was worshipping. Like I really was using my talents for God. I did not feel on display at all. It was God who was the focus, not me. Oddly enough I've never been given more compliments about my voice than I have here. Every week at least three people come say something to me. Sometimes more. But again, I don't feel strange saying "God gave me my voice, I'm just giving it back to Him." usually I felt really really strange saying it, like it was fake or something.

But I'm just...happy. About to explode happy. I get the sense that I'm where God wants me to be. He's not done with me yet (I am still living afterall). But He's got me in a great place. I'm in an area I've wanted to live in for a good ten-plus years. I've got a great church. I have great friends near (and far...) and I am living with wonderful people and I have a mostly ok job. I also have a job interview at Macaroni Grill on Wednesday after getting back from MN. They are hiring servers and hostesses and I said I'd do both if it got me more hours. It is to be hoped that I get that job.

What is the verse? "Every good and perceft gift comes from God"? (Joanna paraphrase). I've told my students for the past three years (and I remember the realization when I had it); as a Christian if it comes, it's from God, or at least ordained by Him. So no matter what it is; getting fired from a job, not knowing where you are going to live, getting a place to live rent-free for two months, getting a job with in five days of moving to a new area...finding an amazing Church. It's all from God. So I can't complain. Was I happy in Korea? Yes. But I really and truly am happier here than I've ever been in my life. Things really can only get better ya know?

Those of you who've been praying, thank you so very much! And please keep it up! There are still things to get figured out but He does everything in His time. So you'll hear no complaints from me.

Provisions

So I'm not even going to apologize for not really posting lately cuz "real" posts are so few and far between I am starting to begin all of 'em with an apology so we'll just get right into it 'k?

Work is still pretty cool. I am still looking for other jobs (second job or a full time one) but so far nothing. My sales are going up and I feel like I'm getting better at the photography part too. I actually had my first repeat customer a while back. I had gotten some girls (two sisters and a friend) to come in so I could practice on them. They did not get anything then but the next day the friend came back with her mom and sister! She made them come from an hour away to get "real" pictures done. Then they spent about $400. Made me happy. I've had a few other good shoots and sales lately but none that come as immediately to mind. I did however do a shoot for a lady who was graduating from some random Bible College with a masters in Urban Ministry. We got to talking and she was so sweet! During the whole conversation she'd interject with "Praise Jesus" and "I call on Jesus power to be with you." (She was black). At the end (after I had told her my story of Korea and getting here etc.) she said "I wanna plant a seed and you have to let me ok?" I wasn't really sure what she was going to do and was half expecting her to give me a mustard seed or something. But she didn't; she gave me $120!! Made me cry. When I told her I could not accept it she insisted that I keep it. "This morning I was at the health club and it was just me and God and I asked Him to let me be a blessing to someone today. I almost did not come to get my pictures done but something told me to come and I think you are the answer to my prayer." Other people have been generous and given me money too (cheques in the mail etc). God's providing.

Another way God's provided is through housing. I had a place to stay through the end of the month of July (Rebecca had gotten married and her lease on her apartment was out at the end of the month she said I could stay there rent free!). I've been attending an a.ma.zing. church (more on them in a second) and a couple in the church knowing that I was looking for a place to live offered me a place to stay with them for the time being. Again, free. So I'll be living with the Kraays until about October. Sadly I can't have Mac with me as David Kraay is allergic to cats but Rebecca and Bill offered to take him, so again, God is providing. According to Rebecca he's made himself right at home. He knew Rebecca because of living with her that week or so before the wedding and knew her cats. Apparently he's starting to warm up to Bill.

Ok. Church. This church is so amazing it almost warrants a seperate post...but I shall just put it with this one and make this a nice long juicy post. (=

I've been going to Rebecca's church in Schaumberg. It's a PCA church and such a wonderful body of believers. I've not been to a church like this in ages. I'm pretty sure Shiloh (the church my family attended in Georgia) was like this but when you're a teen nothing much like this sticks ya know? I attended two churches in Greenville; one for three years and one for two and the preaching was good but that was it. Fourth in Minnesota is an interesting situation; it's huge and I've not even gone a years worth of Sundays. I'd go and stuff when I'm visiting my parents but never felt connected. When I got back from Korea and was trying to figure out what to do next no one was helpful beyond the very unhelpful "Praying for you" pat on the head and send me on my way. A lot of times I felt like people would talk to me out of "duty" if that makes any sense. Um, hello I've just moved back across the globe, and have no job. Prayer is nice but do you know of any job leads?

But this church....wow...again...wow. My first Sunday there I had a few people come up to me to tell me that they recognized me from Rebecca's Facebook and they had wanted to meet me. Then others would just come up to me and welcome me to the church and want to know how I got there and all sorts of things about me. One couple told me that most of the church would go out for lunch after the service and that they hoped that I would join them. Pretty sure in that one service I was made more welcome than I was in 3 weeks of attending my parents church in MN and Fourth knows me. Only like five people in this church had any idea of who I was yet they still made me feel loved and welcomed. The next week I was there again and was talking to the ones that I had met and mentioned that I had gotten the photography job. A man was walking by (whom I had not yet met) and said "Oh! You got that job! Good, I was praying for you!" Several were like "You need another job? I know [of these places that are] hiring." Others said that they were looking into different places for me to live (this was before the Kraays offered me a place). Over and over again this church has shown that they live their Christianity. They are not at all just "Sunday Christians". Their lives are overflowinf with Grace and they can't wait to share it. The preaching is good too tho I've yet to hear the Sr. Pastor (he's on Sabbatical until the begining of August.). The pastor I have heard is excellent, very expository which is what I'm used to from Dad. The sermon last week was so encouraging; out of Daniel 12 and how the tough times we'll go through have a reason and an end and how that as Chrisitans we don't need to worry when we do go through those tough times.

Ok....that's long enough for now. I gotta make dinner.

Catching up

This is most likely going to be a long post. Pictures might or might not appear, we'll see how I feel about it.

Ok, graduation first. Which was like, a month ago, if not longer.

This year we has 12 graduates which to date is the largest graduating class of SCS (last year we had one graduate and the year before three). The night of graduation the parents took the teachers out to a nice dinner with the kids. It was fun to just sit and hang out with the kids. But then when is it not?? Then back to school for the actual graduation. The kids were running around getting last second things done, several had to tweak their senior testimonies. Some were rewriting them all together. One kid even asked me "What do I say?" I told him that I was not writing his Sr.Testimony for him and that he had had several weeks to work on it. He did get it done tho.

Graduation itself was good. Steve's testimony was funny, in it he thanked me for my uncontitional love and support then said "...and I am sure that you will find the perfect man." I managed not to cry until the end when people were taking picturesand stuff. I had one of the Korean teachers translate something for me when I went to talk to Max' mum. I started crying then and almost was under control when she hugged me. She was crying when she hugged me and it made it worse. Then Max came over and hugged us both which made me cry more.

The last week of school was exams and the last day was a cleaning/awards day. At the end of the awards chapel the kids all gave me cards and made me cry. It's nice to know that I am loved and will be missed.

Then the last few days were just making sure things were in order. I got school stuff done and did that last minute shopping for things I wanted. actually, for three days Holly Jessica and I went down to the south where they grow the green tea (thats another post). I got most of my stuff done and what I did not finish Merilee was so incredibly sweet to finish for me.

Going to the airport was ok. Again, Merilee was sweet and came with me. I stuck the cat in his carrier and he cried for the entire twoish hour trip to the airport. I was kinda concerend but by the time we got there he had settled down. Max, Angelina and Ronnie came to see me at the airport which was nice. Angelina gave me a sweet note and some pictures. Then it was time to go through security. I cried a little as I went through but quickly composed myself. The flight itself was good, the cat was quiet for the most part, only having a minor crisis for about an hour about two-thirds of the way through the flight. There were no accidents for the duration of the entire trip thankfully. Thanks to those of you who prayed. We made it to MN and shortly after getting home went to bed. The cat is still getting used to the house, just a moment ago actually he came all the way up the stairs and into the dining room. He's ok tho and happy to stay in the basement for the most part. He and the dog have not had too much interaction so there's nothing to tell in that area.

Things have been super busy here; since getting here I've had much to do. During the times I'm not looking online at jobs and cars I've gone and renewed my liscence, gotten a cell phone (it's pretty and purple and stuff!!), and spent too much money on essentials like shampoo, a new hair dryer and the like.

I'm looking in the Chicago and Greenville areas for jobs and have applied online at several places in both locations. I have a great lead on a car that I am hoping to get tonight or tomorrow and after that I am hoping to head to Chicago and get a better feel for the area when it comes to jobs. So we'll see what God has in mind.

Close My Eyes and Leap

So. I'm back in the US. And more than completely overwhelmed. After much thinking and not enough praying (never enough really) this is what I think is going to happen:

Hopefully, by this time in two weeks I'll be in Chicago. Looking online is not the way to get a job if you ask me, It's overwhelming and more than a little depressing.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to live in Chicago. I have no idea why. A friend who lives in one of the 'burbs of Chicago is allowing me to sleep on her couch while I job hunt. I'm thinking I'm going to do a temp agency thing and see where that leads. The plan is to buy a car, load it up and drive to Chicago whereupon I will begin searching. If, after a bit, it seems to be not working out I will head to Greenville and do the same thing there. I'm going in order of desirability of living locations.

So, please pray with me that God will open some doors. I'm kinda excited, kinda overwhelmed, kinda freaked out but hey, God's in control, He has whatever I need eh?

Greetings

So it's 12:30 am and I have to be at school early tomorrow but I'm not sleepy. Tired, yes, sleepy no. So I might as well do something which leads me to telling you all about my weekend. Which I'm sure you are soooooooo interested in.

Saturday was the greatest day ever. I didn't do a blessed thing. Well, not until 8 pm. I first woke up at 8ish, did whatever internet stuff for about an hour then went back to bed. Until noon. Up again, more internet putzing then back to bed for another hour or two. Then up again, watched some CSI:NY and finally decided to get some work done. I had had a ginormous desk in my apartment that finally had been removed the day before. So I rearranged some furniture and got the last two chairs that were at my place from last year. I had not had the room for them. When you put the chairs side by side you get a very teeny couch. But it's more couch than I've had all year so hey, I'm not complaining. Now my apartment's just about how I want it. And here it is March.

Sunday was Sunday; church and all. After church Jess, Holly and Jen (a teacher from another school) went to dinner and then to Shillim, one subway stop down where they had opened a new mall. This mall and I are going to be good friends; it has a Bandi and Lunis (similar to Barnes and Noble's). The English section is not as good as the one at COEX (the mall 10 stops down) but it's still an English section and bad for my wallet. After the mall Holly Jess and I went to Express Bus Terminal where they have a ginormous underground shopping area. I did not get much; just an orange skirt but Jessica and Holly came away with several bags. Dinner was at Outback then home.

Today was another rather lazy day. I had intended to work all day and had a nice list to accomplish but ended up doing for most of the morning. But in the end I did get much done, including putting away winter clothing and pulling out warm weather clothing. In the process I got rid of 3 large shopping bags of stuff that was either unused or too big. This included much of my winter stuff. I'm going to need to replace it this summer if at all possible. Hopefully the second hand stores will still have some winter things. If not I ought to have enough here to last me but my choices will be limited. If I lose more weight they'll really be limited. Unless I can find stuff here that fits which is becoming a possibility now. I had to run down to Shillim for something and somehow (no idea, really) ended up at Bandi and Lunis. I found a very interesting book about the reconciliation of God and Science by the man who headed up the Human Genome Project. Right now I can recall neither name of book or man. But it looks good. I'll tell you more after I read it.

Ok, time to try for bed again; it's 12:50....

Happy New Year! (almost)

Time for the traditional wishing of the Lunar New Year! We are leaving the Year of the Rat and entering the Year of the Ox so if you are turning a multiple of 12 this year you are an Ox. The actual LNY is Sunday I think, but we have Monday and Tuesday off which makes for a happy me. The teachers actually don't really have plans this year. I'm good with that; I need to clean.

Not too much to report; exams are FINALLY over and graded and all that. The week of exams (second week of Jan) was the coldest week of the year; well below freezing all week, tho not as cold as my parents had it; -25*F!!! The first two days of the week the heat was broken in both my apartment and on the High School floor. The students and teachers wore their jackets and stuff in an attempt to thaw. I would go home and sit in front of my space heater with many clothing layers, blankets and tea and watch movies. I also lived on eggs that week; I had picked some up on the weekend meaning to get more groceries later but it was too cold to go out!! So eggs it was. I'm glad I like eggs. Wednesday the HS was working on Thursday my heat was as well so I was fine. Good thing I don't mind the cold. It had gotten warmer this past week but today it's cold again, but not as bad as it had been.

I made a decision/leap of faith to stay one more year. I do want to see my boys through their last year. They were thrilled. Max suggested that I teach them one class and spend the rest of the day making food for them. I told him Mrs. J might have something to say about that. I think teacher-wise next year's gonna be fun; a friend is most likely going to come teach and she and I will live together if she does. Jessica is staying too which I am happy about. Other than staying for the boys I don't know really how I feel about being here one more year. I mean, something about being here one more year is a little depressing. It's difficult to explain.

OH! I'm down another kilogram! I have a denim jacket that zipped but was a tidge snug; not anymore!!! It's not too big yet but maybe next season...

That's really it. Nothing too exciting. More later maybe after the weekend's over.

A run-down of the loot

From others:
~Lots of money
~ipod nano 4g (green)
~Assortment of clothing
~Books (Lives of the Great Composers and The Time Quartet)
~CD (can't remember)
~Quilt

From self:
~Bones Season 1
~CSI:NY shirt
~Assortment of clothing
~ipod case

A good haul this year.

Many Happy Things

1. These are the best peanut-butter cookies ever:

For 36 tookies:

• 2 cups crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
  
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips (optional)
  

DIRECTIONS
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
~In a medium bowl, stir peanut butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Add chocolate chips. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
~Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. I'm going to be in the Chicago area for New Years!! This totally happened last-minute. For the last several months every time I spoke to Rebecca she mentioned me going to see her. Today I was just looking to see about prices and realized I had enough airline miles to go see her. So I'm going!!! EEEEEE!!!

3. My ipod's pretty much dead. So that means I get to get a new one!! I think I want a nano. I just have to do some price shopping.

4. Being home is fun. I've not really had jet-lag. YAY. Also: there's LOTS 'n' LOTS of SNOW!! Just not packing snow...but that'll come.

Ok, thats it. I'm about to go to bed.

A quick hello

Sorry I've not updated in a while. I've not even put pictures (or even a post) up from Singapore! And it most likely won't be happening till Christmas either. Things are insanely busy from now till the 19th (when I fly home for Christmas). It was supposed to be a suprise but the cat got outta the bag. Thats ok.

So, yes I am alive. I'm just very busy. If you have an extra hour or two you can send me I will gladly take them off your hands. I could use them. Or a clone. Or three clones.

Back Home

So I'm back in Korea which I have discovered is Home (at least for now). I had a rough trip getting here but here I am. We sat on the tarmac for two hours because of rain in Japan which put us into Korea at midnight and in Bongcheon at 2. Thankfully Merilee and Linda waited for me. I got to my apartment and wanted to cry. It was (and still is) a mess. Things were moved and just put into the place. Furniture was kinda in the right rooms but not really. There were also several pieces that were (and still are) there that belonged in other apartments. It is also filthy in an unsanitary way. There is no way that bathroom has ever been properly cleaned, it's moldy in several places. The doors have gunk all over them and there are several other cleanliness issues. I've been moving stuff around and gradually getting moved in but it is going to take a while. Thankfully Merilee came for about 2 hours on Sunday and will try to come again this weekend. There are other things that will need to be taken care of but those can wait until the year has gotten started.

It is soooooo nice to have the Threlfalls back! He preached Sunday and I took about three pages of notes. He is such an excellent preacher, you can tell he puts extensive time and thought into his sermons. And its all exegetical, no having a thought and running all over scripture to prove it. To utilize and overused picture: It was like having an ice cold glass of after a long dry trip. It really was.

We've been in inservice for this week. Meetings, getting classes ready and the like. I am going to have Chemistry, French (2 class hours of that), Life Science and Earth Science. My homeroom will be my grade 10 kids from last year with 4 new additions. Life Science are my 5th graders (now in grade 7) from my first year with a few additions and subtractions and my Earth Science kids will be mine for a 3rd year (with a few other additions as well). I have no idea who is going to be in my French classes. I'm looking forward to this year but things are a bit overwhelming. French is going to be the most difficult; we already have issues with English.

Tonight I have several things I need to do, all of them typing and stuff. My fingers are going to be nubs by 10 I'm sure. It's already 6:30. I need to go get food then back to work time!

Some good and some bad

The former: This is really fun. I'm not the greatest artist but still enjoy it.

The latter: I can't find my passport wallet. I've looked all over the house and van: no dice. Inside are all the documents I need for Korea. And my passport obviously. Please pray I do find it.

One Week!

I am soooo ready to go back to Korea. Not that I have not enjoyed my time here I just want to get back home. It's crazy inside my head that Seoul is more "home" to me than Minneapolis. But I've only been here for summers and an occasional Christmas so really....I've started to pack and have soooooooooooooooooooooooo much stuff! I hope and pray I can get it all in my suitcases. I also hope and pray my last suitcase (which I ordered in June) gets here soon. It's just a small carry on but still. It's a suitcase. And speaking of carry ons I'm going to try to fly first class this trip (or business first or whatever NWA calls it). If it's less than $100 to upgrade I'm so doing it. I won't know till I actually check in.

I spent so much money this summer!! Most of it was stuff I need (clothing, stuff for school, stuff for my apartment and other such things) but still...oof. And there are still things I want/need but don't have the space for (I have enough coffee to last till roughly Christmas and there were some things I've seen that I could have used for class and/or my apartment). But what I have is more than good. It will be nice to get back to living more cheaply. And to being in an area with PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION! I never got around to using the bus here but still, I know it's not as good as the stuff in Seoul. Man I miss the subway.

Ok, it's 12:45 and I need to go to bed. As soon as this episode of CSI:NY is over. The one I saw earlier today. And that I have on DVD.

I'm 25

There are a games out there that determine your brains age. Whatever that is supposed to mean. Supposedly the lower the number the better your brain works. According to my second try on this I'm 25. My first said I was 35 but then I was just seeing how it worked before I really tried it. I can tell it's something I'll be playing again and again.


I hate it when I don't listen to myself. At least twice when I was packing to come to the US for the summer I thought "I might need this this summer....naahh." HA! One of the things was not that big a deal but the other really frustrates me because I ought to know by now to always have music with me in case I am asked to sing. I have been asked to sing in Church on Sunday night. I have this one Hymnal that I love and usually sing out of. Since I did not bring it I must resort to using the internet. But I found something that will work. Still...

T-3 weeks (I think)

I got some Crocs today. The ugly kind. And their Mary Jane style which is ok I guess. I wanted the Alice style but they did not have the colour I wanted in my size. Both styles I got in black. I considered getting the ugly ones in a lurid green but decided that they were ugly enough just black. But I know I'll wear them all the time so what can you do eh? I'd wanted some for teaching and "toss on shoes" for some time but was not too interested in spending the money. But my grandmother had sent some money and they were on sale soooo.... I also got some polo shirts for teaching. Most of my clothing I had in college and it's time to get some new things.

I think though my favourite purchase for the summer would be my used copy of CSI:NY season 1. I of course want all seasons but the first is a lovely start. I've also been able to stock up on coffee. Korean coffee is instant and not delicious.

Joshua's having his graduation party tomorrow and some of our family came for it. We have 9 people in the house at this present time. I'm sleeping on the couch in the sunroom. I made Korean food for dinner tonight: bulgogi, kalbi, japche, dakochi, and sesame spinach. I even found kimchi. Several of my family members really liked the kimchi which suprised me. Most Westerners don't like kimchi (I actually do). All the other dishes were quite well received though. Sunday night I am having people from Church over. We're gonna have s'mores.

Dad's in Greenville next week presenting a paper on the emergent church at the Bible Faculty Summit. When he gets back he and mum go to MI for a wedding. After that there is something that I cannot remember then back to Korea! I'm very excited about this coming year.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to motivate 11th/12th graders to pay attention to a class taught via video? The class is Chemistry. I have some ideas but would love to hear others.

New Cat Clip

Not sure why it's called "TV Dinner" but hey. Still funny.

Had lovely fun with Sarah and LaSonj, both of whom came to visit this weekend. I'll put pictures up eventually.

And I've realized that shopping with my father is like shopping with a gnat. He just wanders to and around stores as the spirit leads.

"Dad, where are we going?"
"Somewhere."
"What are we looking for?"
"Something."

Oi.

Meh

Jess gave me a pair of wrap-around pants for my birthday. I love them and made another pair today. I'm going to make more this summer. I got the 2.5 yds of needed cotton fabric at Jo-Ann's for less than $10 total. Yay summer sales.

We have rodents in our basement. I've set some traps but not caught anything yet. Rather annoying cuz they keep me up at night.

I think I'm at least staying my weight if not actually losing it. Mum's scale batteries have died so I can't actually check. Though eating three pieces of pie yesterday did nothing for that I'm sure.

I'm looking for summer reads. I'm particular to (non-trashy) fantasy, but really will read about anything. Any suggestions? In the meantime I'm going to re-read Harry Potter. I've started a Dean Koontz which I like but find it kinda slow so I'm having issues getting into it.

Things I like about being back in the US (in no particular order):
~ Seeing the sky and clouds. I find myself staring at them whenever I'm outside or in a vehicle.
~ English book stores.
~ Being in the same time zone (or within one hour of) my friends. Makes for easier communicating.
~ Being able to watch Law and Order about 24/7.
~ Good coffee (i.e. non instant) readily available.

Gas prices got you down?

I don't drive but still found this an interesting article. It's cool to see a positive spin put on the $4/gal. gas prices. 4-day work week anyone?

I love living in a city with public transportation. Being in Plymouth for the summer is a bit boring, having nothing but a grocery store and coffee shop in walking distance, but I think I've discovered the Minneapolis public transportation and am itching to try it out.

Home

So, yes, I'm back. Life is good so far. We ran to Indiana for a family reunion which was not terrible. I was not feeling to well when there but whatever.

Happy thing: Sarah is coming to visit July 12th! We've not seen each other since I graduated. Sad. But she's spending 4 days here. Happy.

Tomorrow's Canada Day and then the 4th of July so we have a fun week of entertaining ahead.

Ummmm...thats about it.