Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Brief
My time here in the U.S. is winding down. Less than two months before I'm off to things unknown. The job opportunity that I mentioned before looks pretty positive, which means I'll probably be staying in Egypt after the others come back from our trip together. It seems highly likely that I will be staying there to teach for a couple of years. It's all very exciting, but I am beginning to get a little nervous. I am hoping to at least be home for summers, but we will see what happens. Right now I am just enjoying everything, and spending time with the people that I will miss while I am there.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Your Heart Is Purple
For you, love is about establishing and developing a deep connection.
If it's true love, it brings you more wisdom and inner strength.
Your flirting style: Sincere
Your lucky first date: An afternoon at a tea house
Your dream lover: Is both thoughtful and expressive
What you bring to relationships: Understanding
For you, love is about establishing and developing a deep connection.
If it's true love, it brings you more wisdom and inner strength.
Your flirting style: Sincere
Your lucky first date: An afternoon at a tea house
Your dream lover: Is both thoughtful and expressive
What you bring to relationships: Understanding
Sunday, March 19, 2006
EEEEEEEEEEEE
Some breakthroughs on the job front. Very exciting stuff, but I will refrain from details until a later time. Ambiguities until some things have been settled. Details to follow.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Anxiety
I am beginning to get stressed about finances. I feel like I will never get ahead. I am tired of struggling though. I am still trying to prepare myself financially for this summer. I have this dumb school loan to pay off. People are always asking to go out and do stuff, and I really can't afford to. I feel like a jerk turning them down over and over again, and when I go I feel guilty for spending money that I shouldn't be spending. I want so badly to get out to Denver to see the boys out there before I leave the country. I know my job isn't going to help much, but there are reasons that I have this job and not a better paying one at the moment. Life just gets stressful sometimes.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Misc
Life's been busy. We opened the new store this past week. I'll be working six days a week at the store and at least one with the girls, which is great. I know that I don't have the highest paying jobs, but they are jobs that I love, and hopefully I will be able to save a little bit of money. This summer's coming quickly, and I need to be ready for it. I am so excited about it. I talked to my friend about our travel plans yesterday, and it seems that everything is falling into place. So far so good.
Monday, February 20, 2006
1, 2, 3...
Life's been busy, in a good way, but there's really nothing remarkable to write about. So I'll list it.
1. I have become friends with a starving Bohemian writer.
2. I discovered an amazing Thai restaurant through some friends at work.
3. My car was brutally attack by a rabid shopping cart while I was at work in the predawn hours of the morning.
4. I have begun an Arabic tutorial, so hopefully I can independantly ask where a bathroom is this summer.
5. I have continued search out job possibilities, and have come across something that just might fit. (We shall see)
6. I have discovered a few new Starbucks beverages to add to my much-loved list.
7. I ate Mineo's pizza with some of my closest friends. Good times.
See? Really not much worth writing about. Tune in for better stuff (hopefully) next time!!!
1. I have become friends with a starving Bohemian writer.
2. I discovered an amazing Thai restaurant through some friends at work.
3. My car was brutally attack by a rabid shopping cart while I was at work in the predawn hours of the morning.
4. I have begun an Arabic tutorial, so hopefully I can independantly ask where a bathroom is this summer.
5. I have continued search out job possibilities, and have come across something that just might fit. (We shall see)
6. I have discovered a few new Starbucks beverages to add to my much-loved list.
7. I ate Mineo's pizza with some of my closest friends. Good times.
See? Really not much worth writing about. Tune in for better stuff (hopefully) next time!!!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Phad Thai
Mmmmm.... I found all of the ingredients and tried my hand at making phad thai today. Sooo good. A taste that I have missed. I tried it out on my parents. They approved. So delicious.
I went back and read some of my Thailand journals (my personal ones, not blogs), and looked through a bunch of my photos. Squeazed in between the rough moments were some really good times. I loved travelling in Thailand. It is a wonderful country to travel in. I think it's a really good country to work in too, but I definately had my rough spots. My two biggest issues were homesickness and being screamed at in another language almost everyday. I think that the screaming might have contributed to the homesickness. I am almost certain that screaming and misery like that are not at all common for foreigners working in Thailand. Thai people are so sweet and polite. There are so many things that I miss about Thailand.
I worked open today. Love that shift. I work with great people and had a really good time. I am really tired now though. Why is it that the night before I have to wake up at 4:30 I can't fall asleep? It happens everytime. I didn't sleep at all last night, and when I did it was in ten minute clips. Now my eyes are droopy and I have to stay up and take the kids to youth group tonight. Might get rough. I may actually skip CSI tonight and head straight to bed.
I have less than a week to decide whether I am going to take an Arabic course or just do a computer program. I'm not sure what is best. I want to be wise with my money and time, but I also want to learn. Back to the scales. I wish those pro's and con's would maintain a consistant weight.
I went back and read some of my Thailand journals (my personal ones, not blogs), and looked through a bunch of my photos. Squeazed in between the rough moments were some really good times. I loved travelling in Thailand. It is a wonderful country to travel in. I think it's a really good country to work in too, but I definately had my rough spots. My two biggest issues were homesickness and being screamed at in another language almost everyday. I think that the screaming might have contributed to the homesickness. I am almost certain that screaming and misery like that are not at all common for foreigners working in Thailand. Thai people are so sweet and polite. There are so many things that I miss about Thailand.
I worked open today. Love that shift. I work with great people and had a really good time. I am really tired now though. Why is it that the night before I have to wake up at 4:30 I can't fall asleep? It happens everytime. I didn't sleep at all last night, and when I did it was in ten minute clips. Now my eyes are droopy and I have to stay up and take the kids to youth group tonight. Might get rough. I may actually skip CSI tonight and head straight to bed.
I have less than a week to decide whether I am going to take an Arabic course or just do a computer program. I'm not sure what is best. I want to be wise with my money and time, but I also want to learn. Back to the scales. I wish those pro's and con's would maintain a consistant weight.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Good books and great coffee
So I worked the early shift today. I love opening the store. It may be way earlier than I care to be awake, but for some reason I find myself in a better mood and functioning better somewhere in that misty space between sleep and reality. The drive at 5am is much calmer, and it's great to be done with a day of work somewhere around lunch time. Besides, what better place to spend those early morning hours than a coffee shop, especially for someone as addicted to the beverage as I am. It works for me!
Tomorrow is my day with my kids. Have I mentioned that I love all of my random jobs?
I just finished reading a book called Inside Afghanistan by John Weaver. It's about an American (the author) living in Afghanistan doing relief work with refugees in the year 2001. It speaks of the atmosphere of the country leading up to the events of 9/11, of the hardship that the people of Afghanistan endured at the hands of the taliban. It gives a unique perspective on U.S. retaliation after 9/11. Definately an eye-opener. I was also a moving reminder that there is world beyond America, and in many places it is a very desparate world. Americans tend to forget that.
Jase is coming home this weekend! Yeah!!!! I can't wait to see ya bud, but do you have to go home in the middle of the Superbowl? Honestly!
Tomorrow is my day with my kids. Have I mentioned that I love all of my random jobs?
I just finished reading a book called Inside Afghanistan by John Weaver. It's about an American (the author) living in Afghanistan doing relief work with refugees in the year 2001. It speaks of the atmosphere of the country leading up to the events of 9/11, of the hardship that the people of Afghanistan endured at the hands of the taliban. It gives a unique perspective on U.S. retaliation after 9/11. Definately an eye-opener. I was also a moving reminder that there is world beyond America, and in many places it is a very desparate world. Americans tend to forget that.
Jase is coming home this weekend! Yeah!!!! I can't wait to see ya bud, but do you have to go home in the middle of the Superbowl? Honestly!
MySpace?
So MySpace seems to be the new trend, the place where everyone is, yet I continue to do all of my babbling on Blogger. Should I get a MySpace? The only use that I see for it would be to post some of my photos. I have issues getting photos to load on this site (Jase, help), but I would like to put some of my photo's on the web. I have some cool ones of far-away places. Advice?
Movies
Two dvd's that I recently rented and think are worth checking out: Cinderella Man and The Constant Gardener. Both worth your time (I think). Tom if you disagree about the latter, sorry for making you watch it with me, but you're a good friend for enduring it.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Beauty of Technology
Oh the wonders of the internet. I love voice chat. In the past couple of days I have had conversations with friends on three different continents. It is so nice being able to just put on a headset and talk to someone for as long as you want completely free. It's definately a plus with my lifestyle. The beauty of technology.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Egypt this Summer
I am getting an apartment in Egypt this summer with some of my friends again. I am sooo excited. My cousin is probably coming with me for the first month, and I think that my best friend is coming for about ten days. We are going to work in the same orphanage that we worked in the last time we were there. I can't wait. Maybe I'll get teaching job while I am there. Who knows. We shall see. I will eventually settle into some form of consistant life. I feel like that's what everyone's waiting for me to do, but something in me won't let me live the typical American dream. It's just not my dream. Until I leave I'm just going to do my random jobs and save money for the summer. I'm so excited about it!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
I took J's test
Does this sound like me? It seemed a little off, but maybe I just don't see things about myself that others see. What do you think?
Extraversion |||||||||||||||| 70%
Stability |||||||||| 40%
Orderliness |||| 20%
Accommodation |||||||||||||| 56%
Interdependence |||||||||||||||| 63%
Intellectual |||||||||||||| 56%
Mystical |||||||||||||||| 63%
Artistic |||||||||||||||| 63%
Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90%
Hedonism |||||||||||| 50%
Materialism |||||| 30%
Narcissism |||||||||| 36%
Adventurousness |||||||||||||||| 63%
Work ethic |||||| 30%
Self absorbed |||||||||||| 43%
Conflict seeking |||| 16%
Need to dominate |||||||||| 36%
Romantic |||||||||| 36%
Avoidant |||||||||||| 50%
Anti-authority |||||||||||| 50%
Wealth |||||||||| 36%
Dependency |||||||||||||||||| 76%
Change averse |||||||||||||| 56%
Cautiousness |||||||||| 36%
Individuality |||||||||||||||| 70%
Sexuality |||||||||||| 50%
Peter pan complex |||||||||||||||| 63%
Physical security |||||||||||||||| 63%
Physical fitness |||||||||||| 44%
Histrionic |||||||||| 36%
Paranoia |||||||||||||||| 70%
Vanity |||||| 30%
Hypersensitivity |||||||||||||||||| 76%
Female cliche |||||||||||| 43%
Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Orderliness results were low which suggests you are overly flexible, improvised, and fun seeking at the expense too often of reliability, work ethic, and long term accomplishment.
Extraversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity.
trait snapshot:
craves attention, messy, open, rash, irritable, likes large parties, low self control, weird, fragile, does not like to be alone, emotionally sensitive, worrying, depressed, heart over mind, does not respect authority, dependent, not rule conscious, not good at saving money, more interested in relationships than intellectual pursuits, likes to fit in, very social, frequently second guesses self, phobic, suspicious, not careful, outgoing, vain, compassionate, aggressive, likes to make fun, hates to lose
Extraversion |||||||||||||||| 70%
Stability |||||||||| 40%
Orderliness |||| 20%
Accommodation |||||||||||||| 56%
Interdependence |||||||||||||||| 63%
Intellectual |||||||||||||| 56%
Mystical |||||||||||||||| 63%
Artistic |||||||||||||||| 63%
Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90%
Hedonism |||||||||||| 50%
Materialism |||||| 30%
Narcissism |||||||||| 36%
Adventurousness |||||||||||||||| 63%
Work ethic |||||| 30%
Self absorbed |||||||||||| 43%
Conflict seeking |||| 16%
Need to dominate |||||||||| 36%
Romantic |||||||||| 36%
Avoidant |||||||||||| 50%
Anti-authority |||||||||||| 50%
Wealth |||||||||| 36%
Dependency |||||||||||||||||| 76%
Change averse |||||||||||||| 56%
Cautiousness |||||||||| 36%
Individuality |||||||||||||||| 70%
Sexuality |||||||||||| 50%
Peter pan complex |||||||||||||||| 63%
Physical security |||||||||||||||| 63%
Physical fitness |||||||||||| 44%
Histrionic |||||||||| 36%
Paranoia |||||||||||||||| 70%
Vanity |||||| 30%
Hypersensitivity |||||||||||||||||| 76%
Female cliche |||||||||||| 43%
Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Orderliness results were low which suggests you are overly flexible, improvised, and fun seeking at the expense too often of reliability, work ethic, and long term accomplishment.
Extraversion results were high which suggests you are overly talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting at the expense too often of developing your own individual interests and internally based identity.
trait snapshot:
craves attention, messy, open, rash, irritable, likes large parties, low self control, weird, fragile, does not like to be alone, emotionally sensitive, worrying, depressed, heart over mind, does not respect authority, dependent, not rule conscious, not good at saving money, more interested in relationships than intellectual pursuits, likes to fit in, very social, frequently second guesses self, phobic, suspicious, not careful, outgoing, vain, compassionate, aggressive, likes to make fun, hates to lose
Back to the drawing board
I went to talk to some people today about further education. I really don't know how practical this is at the moment. I don't know if itis going to happen right now. I think I may be reverting to former plans and holding off on the master's. Who knows things still may work out sooner than expected, but it doesn't seem so. That is fine though. I have always planned on getting my master's. That isn't changing, I just have other ideas about how it is going to happen. Back to the drawing board.
Saturday, January 07, 2006
*Brrrr!*
Christmas is over and New Years is over, so now basically I have months of frigid weather to look forward to and no holiday to give that weather the illusion of being festive. And the snow continues....
The headaches are back. I think that most of last month was headache free, but they have returned. I have had this one for two days now. It makes me want to puke. Gotta love those. I don't know what the issue is, but I wish I could get rid of these. Yes, I have had my head examined. They can't find anything wrong. I'm not saying that there isn't anything wrong, they just can't seem to diagnose anything medically. It's just one of those lifelong annoyances that I'll probably never get rid of. Blah.
I really am not feeling as negative as I sound in this happy blog. I am looking for another job. Now that the Christmas rush is over I need some supplementary income. That's always fun. I probably will just get something to generate some cash for the next couple of months until I head to Egypt.
I'm also looking into possibilities in further education. We shall see how that goes. I know I want to get my master's, but I didn't think I would get into it this soon. The way things seem to be working out in my life lately it just might be best for me to pursue my master's sooner rather than later. That's all up in the air of course. We shall see what happens.
This weekend I am spending with the youth group at church. This is their winter retreat weekend. It's a lot of fun. These kids are a trip. I really enjoy participating in these things. I wish I could do more with them. Right now a bunch of them are playing football out in this frigid weather. Crazy kids. Well, I supposed I should return to my shivering.
The headaches are back. I think that most of last month was headache free, but they have returned. I have had this one for two days now. It makes me want to puke. Gotta love those. I don't know what the issue is, but I wish I could get rid of these. Yes, I have had my head examined. They can't find anything wrong. I'm not saying that there isn't anything wrong, they just can't seem to diagnose anything medically. It's just one of those lifelong annoyances that I'll probably never get rid of. Blah.
I really am not feeling as negative as I sound in this happy blog. I am looking for another job. Now that the Christmas rush is over I need some supplementary income. That's always fun. I probably will just get something to generate some cash for the next couple of months until I head to Egypt.
I'm also looking into possibilities in further education. We shall see how that goes. I know I want to get my master's, but I didn't think I would get into it this soon. The way things seem to be working out in my life lately it just might be best for me to pursue my master's sooner rather than later. That's all up in the air of course. We shall see what happens.
This weekend I am spending with the youth group at church. This is their winter retreat weekend. It's a lot of fun. These kids are a trip. I really enjoy participating in these things. I wish I could do more with them. Right now a bunch of them are playing football out in this frigid weather. Crazy kids. Well, I supposed I should return to my shivering.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
A Continuation of Christmas
Christmas was wonderful, although I haven't fully relinquished my hold on the holiday yet, so in my little unimportant world the holiday season continues. The festivities shall continue through the New Year and beyond.
I tried to shop today, but as I entered the first store I had a change of heart, and decided to spare my heart and just go home. I hadn't seen my home since Christmas morning anyway. It's been nice having a couple of days with friends and family, but an evening at home may be nice. My house is crying out for a little bit of attention, especially my bedroom. It's looking rough. Maybe I'll be inspired to do something about that today. Of course then again, maybe not.
I tried to shop today, but as I entered the first store I had a change of heart, and decided to spare my heart and just go home. I hadn't seen my home since Christmas morning anyway. It's been nice having a couple of days with friends and family, but an evening at home may be nice. My house is crying out for a little bit of attention, especially my bedroom. It's looking rough. Maybe I'll be inspired to do something about that today. Of course then again, maybe not.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Christmas Eve Eve
Tomorrow's Christmas Eve, and have I wrapped a single gift yet? No. Have I even finished me Christmas shopping? Nope! Will I? Eventually. I can't believe it's almost over already. I was planning to savor and enjoy every moment of it, and ... Puff! It's gone. How does that happen? I've been working a lot. But it hasn't been an overwhelming amount of work. I have no idea how it has all gone. And I am unprepared as usual. Welcome to the life of me. Well, Merry Christmas anyway!!!
Monday, December 12, 2005
Winter Insulation
There's less than two weeks until Christmas, and I haven't even started my Christmas shopping. I am way behind. I have no idea how I'm going to get it all done either. I just can't seem to find the time to get everything done. I just may have to get creative with things.
The snow has been falling like crazy here. It totally puts me in the Christmas mood. We decorated the Christmas tree today. It's been up for a while now with lights and cranberries, but today we finally put up the ornaments. (I put one up for you Jase - the hand painted one with your name on it.) We have been baking like crazy. Our kitchen is overflowing with Christmas cakes, cookies, and candies. My dad made this English toffee that is amazing. Nothing like Christmas goodies to pack on the pounds and provide some good winter insulation.
I am looking into my back yard as I write, and I am watching a doe chewing on our shrubbery. She's coming right down to our dining room doors. Deer never come that close to the house. What a funny little thing.
The snow has been falling like crazy here. It totally puts me in the Christmas mood. We decorated the Christmas tree today. It's been up for a while now with lights and cranberries, but today we finally put up the ornaments. (I put one up for you Jase - the hand painted one with your name on it.) We have been baking like crazy. Our kitchen is overflowing with Christmas cakes, cookies, and candies. My dad made this English toffee that is amazing. Nothing like Christmas goodies to pack on the pounds and provide some good winter insulation.
I am looking into my back yard as I write, and I am watching a doe chewing on our shrubbery. She's coming right down to our dining room doors. Deer never come that close to the house. What a funny little thing.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Jobs, jobs
I worked with my kids today. As usual it was wonderful, rewarding, and enjoyable. Right now I am working random jobs to make money while I search for "the real job". The thing is, all of my random, non-real jobs are wonderful, and I enjoy them so much! If you put all of my hours together from all of my jobs, I'm working more than full time. It almost makes me not want to get a real job. Ok, I don't want to get a real job, but that nagging sense of responsibility demands that I continue the search for one. Until I get one, however, I will continue to enjoy my days with the kids and my days at the shop.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Oh Tanenbaum
My family went to the tree lot and picked out a Christmas tree today. It was a numbing experience. My extremities have not thawed yet. I discovered that
picking out a Christmas tree to please the whole family is not always easy. Everyone has their own taste in Christmas trees. I like stiffer trees, the kind where you can hang an ornament and it won't slide off fifteen times because of flimsy branches. I like Christmas trees that are shaped like christmas trees, not like over grown bushes. I like them to be tall and full, but triangular, not round. Not everyone agrees with my taste. We ended up finding one that everybody approved of. It's actually very nice. I can't wait to decorate it.
I am bound and determined to enjoy the holiday season to its fullest this year, especially since I didn't really have one last year. Even dumb little things that nobody cares about are huge events for me this year. I refuse to listen to music that isn't Christmas music. At work I refuse to create packages or gift baskets that aren't Christmassy (no orders for Hannukah baskets yet). I definately wouldn't let my family just go out and pick up a tree without me. I had to be part of the process, browsing and delkiberating ovver which tree would best suit our needs and (of course) my taste. I even tolerate freezing temperatures for the experience.
As Christmas crazy as I have been this year, I have not done much Christmas shopping yet. First the money just wasn't available, and now the time isn't there. I'm also struggling for ideas. One thing about last year's Christmas season: the Christmas shopping was so much fun. Having Dave in Thailand with me, wandering through the markets, finding all kinds of random and somewhat exotic novelties to buy for people at home. It was a blast. This year it's back to America's malls and high prices. But that's part of being home for the holidays, so I can't complain. Eventually I will get the shopping dne, and then I will have a blast wrapping all the presents.
picking out a Christmas tree to please the whole family is not always easy. Everyone has their own taste in Christmas trees. I like stiffer trees, the kind where you can hang an ornament and it won't slide off fifteen times because of flimsy branches. I like Christmas trees that are shaped like christmas trees, not like over grown bushes. I like them to be tall and full, but triangular, not round. Not everyone agrees with my taste. We ended up finding one that everybody approved of. It's actually very nice. I can't wait to decorate it.
I am bound and determined to enjoy the holiday season to its fullest this year, especially since I didn't really have one last year. Even dumb little things that nobody cares about are huge events for me this year. I refuse to listen to music that isn't Christmas music. At work I refuse to create packages or gift baskets that aren't Christmassy (no orders for Hannukah baskets yet). I definately wouldn't let my family just go out and pick up a tree without me. I had to be part of the process, browsing and delkiberating ovver which tree would best suit our needs and (of course) my taste. I even tolerate freezing temperatures for the experience.
As Christmas crazy as I have been this year, I have not done much Christmas shopping yet. First the money just wasn't available, and now the time isn't there. I'm also struggling for ideas. One thing about last year's Christmas season: the Christmas shopping was so much fun. Having Dave in Thailand with me, wandering through the markets, finding all kinds of random and somewhat exotic novelties to buy for people at home. It was a blast. This year it's back to America's malls and high prices. But that's part of being home for the holidays, so I can't complain. Eventually I will get the shopping dne, and then I will have a blast wrapping all the presents.
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