Happy birthday, dear Allie!
Allie is one of my students and she also works with us. PTL for Allie for the following:
1. Taking over library duties so I don't have to do it anymore!
2. Being ever cheerful no matter what's going on
3. Always willing to serve where we need her
4. Being a clever gal
5. Keeping me young
6. Picking me and Christine up from the airport so we didn't have to walk home :)
7. Introducing me to "bun" at Hu-Dat Noodle House
8. Having a global vision
9. Inspiring me to exercise
10. Giving me the privilege of being her friend
See Allie's xanga site...new link to the right!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
The only thing that doesn't change...
Is change.
After job-hunting and doctoral program-hunting for nearly a year, I have accepted an academic advisor position at the University of North Texas in their School of Visual Arts (www.art.unt.edu). The SOVA is one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country...several people have asked what exactly "visual arts" means. Well, it's anything artsy that is NOT performance (music, drama)...the UNT SOVA includes programs in sculpting, fashion design, interior design, ceramics, photography, metalsmithing & jewelry, printmaking, art history, art education and more. Like I said, comprehensive. :)
UNT is located in Denton, TX, which is about 30 minutes north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. So I get the big city without having to be IN the big city. There is another large university in Denton, Texas Womans U, so Denton is a "college town" but has lots to offer that isn't necessarily "college-related".
Those of you who know me well at all know that I LOVE changes! I love new opportunities and challenges! I am so excited to start a new experience...the moving date is May 17th!
The University of North Texas "Mean Green"
After job-hunting and doctoral program-hunting for nearly a year, I have accepted an academic advisor position at the University of North Texas in their School of Visual Arts (www.art.unt.edu). The SOVA is one of the most comprehensive programs of its kind in the country...several people have asked what exactly "visual arts" means. Well, it's anything artsy that is NOT performance (music, drama)...the UNT SOVA includes programs in sculpting, fashion design, interior design, ceramics, photography, metalsmithing & jewelry, printmaking, art history, art education and more. Like I said, comprehensive. :)
UNT is located in Denton, TX, which is about 30 minutes north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. So I get the big city without having to be IN the big city. There is another large university in Denton, Texas Womans U, so Denton is a "college town" but has lots to offer that isn't necessarily "college-related".
Those of you who know me well at all know that I LOVE changes! I love new opportunities and challenges! I am so excited to start a new experience...the moving date is May 17th!
The University of North Texas "Mean Green"
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Kate is another year older!
Happy birthday to my former roommate and teammate in West Africa! Kate is a wild woman! Here are some of my favorite Kate moments:
1. The first time we met in Abidjan, and she hugged me. I thought, "Who is this freak I just met that's squeezing me?"
2. Kate's trip to the make-shift bathroom (i.e. bush) in a Senegalese village...she almost peed in the pot you're supposed to use to wash your hands!
3. The camel at the McIntire's
4. Driving our pimp station wagon that we had to refill with water every 5 minutes on the road
5. Hanging out at the Niangs
6. The Great Flood of Derkles 2002 when we first moved in and our water went out. We accidentally left the sink on since it was out and we couldn't tell. We came home hours later to our 2nd story apartment flooding down the steps and into our (dirt) road...and thus began a beautiful friendship with the Niang family.
7. Kate's impersonations..."What's the deal?"
8. Cruising the Sahara with a GPS as our only hope for getting to our destination
9. Hiding in the bushes in Tukulor-land so we didn't make any of the Muslims we were trying to film at the mosque angry
10. Long hours in the office, cranking the New Community Church cd
11. Watching Sinatra the cat get fatter and fatter and fatter...
12. Tanou, Kate, Robin,& I visited Tanou's village in Cote d'Ivoire...Tanou's family gave us this chicken as a thank you for coming that Tanou insisted on cooking for us. Kate and I took the unused chicken feet and did a little dance...4 years later, Tanou still doesn't know...
13. The day I told Kate I was moving to Senegal to work with her...she was driving and she screamed and almost killed us all driving off the road.
Good times with Kate! Happy birthday and many more!
1. The first time we met in Abidjan, and she hugged me. I thought, "Who is this freak I just met that's squeezing me?"
2. Kate's trip to the make-shift bathroom (i.e. bush) in a Senegalese village...she almost peed in the pot you're supposed to use to wash your hands!
3. The camel at the McIntire's
4. Driving our pimp station wagon that we had to refill with water every 5 minutes on the road
5. Hanging out at the Niangs
6. The Great Flood of Derkles 2002 when we first moved in and our water went out. We accidentally left the sink on since it was out and we couldn't tell. We came home hours later to our 2nd story apartment flooding down the steps and into our (dirt) road...and thus began a beautiful friendship with the Niang family.
7. Kate's impersonations..."What's the deal?"
8. Cruising the Sahara with a GPS as our only hope for getting to our destination
9. Hiding in the bushes in Tukulor-land so we didn't make any of the Muslims we were trying to film at the mosque angry
10. Long hours in the office, cranking the New Community Church cd
11. Watching Sinatra the cat get fatter and fatter and fatter...
12. Tanou, Kate, Robin,& I visited Tanou's village in Cote d'Ivoire...Tanou's family gave us this chicken as a thank you for coming that Tanou insisted on cooking for us. Kate and I took the unused chicken feet and did a little dance...4 years later, Tanou still doesn't know...
13. The day I told Kate I was moving to Senegal to work with her...she was driving and she screamed and almost killed us all driving off the road.
Good times with Kate! Happy birthday and many more!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Granny, the Energizer Bunny
Yesterday, my grandma turned 85 years old! So we partied it up!
My grandmother usually goes to her room around 9:30 or 10 p.m. to read and then go to sleep. But not the night before her birthday...she stayed up until 11:00, so my plan to decorate the kitchen to surprise her was delayed for quite awhile. What a wild woman she is! But she finally went to bed and she loved the decorated kitchen (and her "Birthday Girl" crown).
Surprise!
The day before, Wednesday, I invited her neighbors that take great care of her (and always bring really good food) to have dinner with us the next night for her birthday...this was also a surprise. So I went to one of the neighbors' houses, and their daughter, Lauren, answered. She's 13, and doesn't know me well at all. So I asked if her parents were home and she said no...then I heard her dad's voice, coming from what sounded like the roof. So I told her I could hear him trying to get my attention. She didn't hear it. But he kept saying, "Hello?" yet I couldn't see him! So Lauren (who is on the phone while she's answered the door) starts looking at me like I'm a crazy person (which I'm wondering if I am, since she can't hear the voice). She closes the door and as I'm leaving, I finally see David, talking to me through one of the windows...I knew I wasn't crazy!
The next night when the family came for dinner they told me that Lauren had stayed on the phone in case I was in fact crazy, and she bolted the door after I left! Turns out she didn't know her father was home and she really didn't hear him. Wow. She thought I was schizophrenic!
Anyway, the neighbors did come over and surprise Grandma--she was really excited!
It didn't matter that she was opening gifts, my 18 year old cat wasn't going to get off her lap!
Grandma's surprise party
My grandmother usually goes to her room around 9:30 or 10 p.m. to read and then go to sleep. But not the night before her birthday...she stayed up until 11:00, so my plan to decorate the kitchen to surprise her was delayed for quite awhile. What a wild woman she is! But she finally went to bed and she loved the decorated kitchen (and her "Birthday Girl" crown).
Surprise!
The day before, Wednesday, I invited her neighbors that take great care of her (and always bring really good food) to have dinner with us the next night for her birthday...this was also a surprise. So I went to one of the neighbors' houses, and their daughter, Lauren, answered. She's 13, and doesn't know me well at all. So I asked if her parents were home and she said no...then I heard her dad's voice, coming from what sounded like the roof. So I told her I could hear him trying to get my attention. She didn't hear it. But he kept saying, "Hello?" yet I couldn't see him! So Lauren (who is on the phone while she's answered the door) starts looking at me like I'm a crazy person (which I'm wondering if I am, since she can't hear the voice). She closes the door and as I'm leaving, I finally see David, talking to me through one of the windows...I knew I wasn't crazy!
The next night when the family came for dinner they told me that Lauren had stayed on the phone in case I was in fact crazy, and she bolted the door after I left! Turns out she didn't know her father was home and she really didn't hear him. Wow. She thought I was schizophrenic!
Anyway, the neighbors did come over and surprise Grandma--she was really excited!
It didn't matter that she was opening gifts, my 18 year old cat wasn't going to get off her lap!
Grandma's surprise party
Friday, March 31, 2006
Tag...again
The first player of this game starts with the "6 weird things/habits about yourself" and people who get tagged need to write a blog of their 6 weird habits/quirks/random things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end you need to choose the 6 people to be tagged and list their names.
This post comes courtesy of a fellow bridesmaid from Georgia...Abby!
1. I can't go to bed until I've watched the 10:30 Nick at Nite episode of "The Cosby Show".
2. I have to say goodbye to all 3 cats before leaving even if I can't find them. (I just holler it out to the abyss.)
3. I am messy for a certain (undefined) period of time, then in a freakish temper tantrum, I get mad at myself for letting everything go and clean like a madwoman until everything is perfect again.
4. I call my grandma "Aama". Contrary to what you're thinking, this nickname did not develop when I was too young to say "grandma" correctly. It developed in high school.
5. I need symmetry in my life. If there are 5 people eating out, there'd better be one on the end with 2 on each side. 3 & 2 will NOT work.
6. I am annoyingly early to everything. I will try to run "fashionably late" on purpose only to have road rage in the car b/c I am frantically trying to get wherever I'm going on time.
My tags (look to the right for their links):
Maggie
Marcy
Jessica B
All the others are too irregular with their blogs to tag or Abby already tagged them...
This post comes courtesy of a fellow bridesmaid from Georgia...Abby!
1. I can't go to bed until I've watched the 10:30 Nick at Nite episode of "The Cosby Show".
2. I have to say goodbye to all 3 cats before leaving even if I can't find them. (I just holler it out to the abyss.)
3. I am messy for a certain (undefined) period of time, then in a freakish temper tantrum, I get mad at myself for letting everything go and clean like a madwoman until everything is perfect again.
4. I call my grandma "Aama". Contrary to what you're thinking, this nickname did not develop when I was too young to say "grandma" correctly. It developed in high school.
5. I need symmetry in my life. If there are 5 people eating out, there'd better be one on the end with 2 on each side. 3 & 2 will NOT work.
6. I am annoyingly early to everything. I will try to run "fashionably late" on purpose only to have road rage in the car b/c I am frantically trying to get wherever I'm going on time.
My tags (look to the right for their links):
Maggie
Marcy
Jessica B
All the others are too irregular with their blogs to tag or Abby already tagged them...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
You know you're traveling in Texas when...
1. You drive nearly 1,000 miles for 15-ish hours and never leave the state.
2. For 3 hours on a stretch of highway, two kinds of music tune in: Country and Tejano. And at least one of those is "Texas Country."
3. The "Don't Mess with Texas" signs posted at every mile marker...just in case you forget where you are.
4. Bluebonnets!
5. You get stuck behind an "Operation Game Thief" truck going approximately 52 mph in a 70 zone. Then, he finally turns but ANOTHER truck, this one rusting all over and manufactured circa 1968 pulls out, going 42 in that same 70 mph zone. For the love.
6. After driving for 8 hours, you see a sign "Oklahoma City: 150 miles" and think you're "way up north".
7. Whataburger, baby!
8. There's nothing but UT Longhorns and TAMU Aggies decals on the vehicles (the occasional Baylor when driving around Waco).
9. 1 out of every 35 vehicles is an actual car...all others are trucks or SUVs.
10. By the end of your trip, you're singing along with the "Texas Country" and Tejano stations.
2. For 3 hours on a stretch of highway, two kinds of music tune in: Country and Tejano. And at least one of those is "Texas Country."
3. The "Don't Mess with Texas" signs posted at every mile marker...just in case you forget where you are.
4. Bluebonnets!
5. You get stuck behind an "Operation Game Thief" truck going approximately 52 mph in a 70 zone. Then, he finally turns but ANOTHER truck, this one rusting all over and manufactured circa 1968 pulls out, going 42 in that same 70 mph zone. For the love.
6. After driving for 8 hours, you see a sign "Oklahoma City: 150 miles" and think you're "way up north".
7. Whataburger, baby!
8. There's nothing but UT Longhorns and TAMU Aggies decals on the vehicles (the occasional Baylor when driving around Waco).
9. 1 out of every 35 vehicles is an actual car...all others are trucks or SUVs.
10. By the end of your trip, you're singing along with the "Texas Country" and Tejano stations.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Verse for the day, week, month, year, life...
Proverbs 3:26 (NASB)
"For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from getting caught."
That's for all the foot-in-mouth people, klutzes, those lacking confidence, etc. Words to live by! When you're taking a step and you're unsure of your footing...will I land just fine, will I fly off the cliff? No worries!
"For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from getting caught."
That's for all the foot-in-mouth people, klutzes, those lacking confidence, etc. Words to live by! When you're taking a step and you're unsure of your footing...will I land just fine, will I fly off the cliff? No worries!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Dedicated to K
Happy Birthday to K! Though this is a day late, I definitely wanted to honor one of the best friends I've ever had as she turned 25 yesterday. Here's to you, Kari!
One of our first outings in Senegal together, to Goree Island
Nice glasses...
Patricia, Kari & Diami
What K and I do best...EAT Senegalese!
K's favorite (I think) birthday was when all our American men dressed as Kari...I don't really know why that's her favorite. It was actually pretty scary. Can you find K in the picture? (Hint: Lower right corner)
K eats the fish eye...she says it tastes like popcorn
K with Cire & newest addition to the Niangs, Mame Yacine
St. Louis, then-Trey-now Jonathan's village...if this is how Les Massons fought before they were married, imagine how the quarrels go down now!
Kari and her favorite baby at the orphanage, Absa
The last time I saw J&K before arriving in Georgia for their wedding 16 months later. I can't remember if at this point, K was still saying, "I can't stand him!" everyday or if we were beyond that to being friends...
One of our first outings in Senegal together, to Goree Island
Nice glasses...
Patricia, Kari & Diami
What K and I do best...EAT Senegalese!
K's favorite (I think) birthday was when all our American men dressed as Kari...I don't really know why that's her favorite. It was actually pretty scary. Can you find K in the picture? (Hint: Lower right corner)
K eats the fish eye...she says it tastes like popcorn
K with Cire & newest addition to the Niangs, Mame Yacine
St. Louis, then-Trey-now Jonathan's village...if this is how Les Massons fought before they were married, imagine how the quarrels go down now!
Kari and her favorite baby at the orphanage, Absa
The last time I saw J&K before arriving in Georgia for their wedding 16 months later. I can't remember if at this point, K was still saying, "I can't stand him!" everyday or if we were beyond that to being friends...
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Camping
The average temperature for our camping adventure was upper-30s with a lower 30s wind chill. Yikes.
By the time that Josh, Amy & I arrived, Christine already had the tent up for us girls and dinner mostly finished. That's my kind of camping! I definitely win the "Most Useless" award for the weekend since this was the second time camping in my life. Christine won the "Camp Expert" award and the others fell somewhere in between. :) Here are some highlights:
By the time that Josh, Amy & I arrived, Christine already had the tent up for us girls and dinner mostly finished. That's my kind of camping! I definitely win the "Most Useless" award for the weekend since this was the second time camping in my life. Christine won the "Camp Expert" award and the others fell somewhere in between. :) Here are some highlights:
Making a decision
My friend, Sallie, is a genius.
I have come to this conclusion because I have been trying to find direction in making a major decision lately, and Sallie pointed the way. She told me to write out my values. Simple.
So I did, and lo & behold, it worked! A clear decision hasn't exactly been made, but I definitely found out what NOT to do. Which is still extremely helpful.
Then, God in his graciousness, spoke to my concrete-oriented mind in a concrete way. The conviction that one of my choices was extremely selfish and worldly was confirmed through his Word. "For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
I am just grateful today for the obvious work of God in my life and wanted to share it. :)
Have a God-filled day!
I have come to this conclusion because I have been trying to find direction in making a major decision lately, and Sallie pointed the way. She told me to write out my values. Simple.
So I did, and lo & behold, it worked! A clear decision hasn't exactly been made, but I definitely found out what NOT to do. Which is still extremely helpful.
Then, God in his graciousness, spoke to my concrete-oriented mind in a concrete way. The conviction that one of my choices was extremely selfish and worldly was confirmed through his Word. "For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
I am just grateful today for the obvious work of God in my life and wanted to share it. :)
Have a God-filled day!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Great Reasons
"Great Reasons" experienced this week:
A great reason to be single on Valentine's Day:
Everyone thinks you won't get anything, so you get something from everyone! (My desk is covered in flowers!)
A great reason to live with Grandma:
A homemade cookie in the cookie jar everyday.
A great reason to get up on Thursdays:
My Favorite "Cinnamon Coffee" Muffin and great conversation with KatyO.
A great reason to have a weekend:
Camping in Goliad, TX with friends. (Pictures forthcoming next week.)
A great reason to work out at Reaction Fitness:
If you have your own headphones, you just plug in and run to Seinfeld reruns.
A great reason to study:
You don't look like an idiot...hopefully.
A great reason to check your pockets before sticking something in the washer:
You don't end up with pink underwear and socks (never happened).
A great reason to have a cat:
It wakes you up for work when you woke up in the middle of the night and subconsciously turned off your alarm.
And a serious one to end the schpeel...
A great reason to be honest:
People trust you.
A great reason to be single on Valentine's Day:
Everyone thinks you won't get anything, so you get something from everyone! (My desk is covered in flowers!)
A great reason to live with Grandma:
A homemade cookie in the cookie jar everyday.
A great reason to get up on Thursdays:
My Favorite "Cinnamon Coffee" Muffin and great conversation with KatyO.
A great reason to have a weekend:
Camping in Goliad, TX with friends. (Pictures forthcoming next week.)
A great reason to work out at Reaction Fitness:
If you have your own headphones, you just plug in and run to Seinfeld reruns.
A great reason to study:
You don't look like an idiot...hopefully.
A great reason to check your pockets before sticking something in the washer:
You don't end up with pink underwear and socks (never happened).
A great reason to have a cat:
It wakes you up for work when you woke up in the middle of the night and subconsciously turned off your alarm.
And a serious one to end the schpeel...
A great reason to be honest:
People trust you.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Tag...you're it!
I got this thing from Kari (see blog link to right) and decided to participate:
4 Jobs I've had:
1. Waitress
2. Volunteer coordinator in Mali & Cote d'Ivoire
3. Media strategist in Senegal
4. Higher education administrator in Texas
4 Songs I'd listen to on repeat:
1. "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen
2. "Beautiful" One by By the Tree
3. "Magnificent Obsession" by who knows?
4. anything Britney Spears...just kidding...anything Sara Evans
4 Languages I'd like to speak:
1. Spanish
2. French (speak well)
3. Italian (how hot would that be?)
4. Chinese
Note: I'd also like a cool accent...maybe British or Canadian?
4 Vacation spots we'd like to hit:
Well I hit 2 in the last 2 months (France & Seattle), but...
1. Australia
2. Senegal
3. New Zealand
4. England (I need more than a 6 hour layover)
4 Websites I visit daily:
1. Masson blog (no, I'm not kissing up)
2. My online class
3. Yahoo mail
4. Used to do CNN...should start that again
4 Foods I lust after:
1. That molten lava cake at Chili's
2. French fries
3. Everything but the... ice cream from Ben & Jerry's
4. Dipping #2 into #3
4 Changes I'd make to the apartment:
Note: I live at my grandmother's house right now, so...
1. New furniture
2. New wallpaper
3. New carpet
4. Throw out anything over 5 years old, and start from scratch.
5. (Yes, I'm allowing a #5) New apartment
4 Tags:
1. Marcy, who I've never actually met but seems we should have by now
2. Angie, who was in Peru but is now settling into life in America
3. Maggie, friend in Senegal
4. Anyone who's reading this and hasn't done it (then let me know you did)
4 Jobs I've had:
1. Waitress
2. Volunteer coordinator in Mali & Cote d'Ivoire
3. Media strategist in Senegal
4. Higher education administrator in Texas
4 Songs I'd listen to on repeat:
1. "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen
2. "Beautiful" One by By the Tree
3. "Magnificent Obsession" by who knows?
4. anything Britney Spears...just kidding...anything Sara Evans
4 Languages I'd like to speak:
1. Spanish
2. French (speak well)
3. Italian (how hot would that be?)
4. Chinese
Note: I'd also like a cool accent...maybe British or Canadian?
4 Vacation spots we'd like to hit:
Well I hit 2 in the last 2 months (France & Seattle), but...
1. Australia
2. Senegal
3. New Zealand
4. England (I need more than a 6 hour layover)
4 Websites I visit daily:
1. Masson blog (no, I'm not kissing up)
2. My online class
3. Yahoo mail
4. Used to do CNN...should start that again
4 Foods I lust after:
1. That molten lava cake at Chili's
2. French fries
3. Everything but the... ice cream from Ben & Jerry's
4. Dipping #2 into #3
4 Changes I'd make to the apartment:
Note: I live at my grandmother's house right now, so...
1. New furniture
2. New wallpaper
3. New carpet
4. Throw out anything over 5 years old, and start from scratch.
5. (Yes, I'm allowing a #5) New apartment
4 Tags:
1. Marcy, who I've never actually met but seems we should have by now
2. Angie, who was in Peru but is now settling into life in America
3. Maggie, friend in Senegal
4. Anyone who's reading this and hasn't done it (then let me know you did)
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
The Pacific Northwest
This past weekend, I went to Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon with Chrissy & Christine. My primary purpose was to check out the University of Washington's doctoral program in higher education. Chrissy also wanted to check out the nursing program at UW, and Christine just needed to get out of Corpus after being stuck there for over 6 months! So off we went and it was fantastic. Here's a bit of a re-cap:
We accidentally located the original Starbucks on the Waterfront in Seattle first time out. It looked nothing like any other Starbucks, which made it really fun!
Famous entrance to Pike's Place Public Market
City Fish is a famous spot...when the fish come in, the guys throw them around. We're talking about huge fish here--the one in this picture is one of the smaller ones!
Chrissy's shopping...I think this is one of the biggest and oldest farmers markets in the country. At any rate, it was the biggest one I've been to--everything you can imagine was sold here!
In a scene in Sleepless in Seattle (one of my favorites), Tom Hanks (another favorite) ate at this cafe...had to take a picture with Tom!
Seattle skyline, as seen from the ferry to Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge is this tiny island about 30 minutes by ferry from Seattle. Loads of people (and I mean loads, this ferry was bigger than Titanic) commute to Seattle everyday. The island was very quaint, with small shops and really classy neighborhoods.
Dinner at Ghandi Indian restaurant on Bainbridge Island. (Honestly, it was the only restaurant open besides a shady looking diner--it seemed the town went to sleep around 6 p.m.) We took advantage of the cultural diversity by eating at various ethnic restaurants. Friday we had Russian and Indian, followed by French and Chinese on Saturday. In Portland, we went to a Cuban restaurant. We soothed our tummies with good ol' Subway. :)
Christine having coffee at Zeitgeist Art & Coffee, one of Seattle's million coffee shops.
Visit to the University of Washington, a beautiful, world-renowned institution. It was amazing!
King Street train station in Seattle, where we caught a train (that's right, a train--so fun) to Portland, OR to visit Chrissy's college friends
Imago Dei (Latin for "Image of God") is the home church of one of my favorite authors, Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, and Through Painted Deserts), located in Portland, OR so we went on Sunday
Lunch at Pambiche Cuban Restaurant clockwise- me, Christine, Shawna, Amanda, Sarah, Chrissy
We accidentally located the original Starbucks on the Waterfront in Seattle first time out. It looked nothing like any other Starbucks, which made it really fun!
Famous entrance to Pike's Place Public Market
City Fish is a famous spot...when the fish come in, the guys throw them around. We're talking about huge fish here--the one in this picture is one of the smaller ones!
Chrissy's shopping...I think this is one of the biggest and oldest farmers markets in the country. At any rate, it was the biggest one I've been to--everything you can imagine was sold here!
In a scene in Sleepless in Seattle (one of my favorites), Tom Hanks (another favorite) ate at this cafe...had to take a picture with Tom!
Seattle skyline, as seen from the ferry to Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge is this tiny island about 30 minutes by ferry from Seattle. Loads of people (and I mean loads, this ferry was bigger than Titanic) commute to Seattle everyday. The island was very quaint, with small shops and really classy neighborhoods.
Dinner at Ghandi Indian restaurant on Bainbridge Island. (Honestly, it was the only restaurant open besides a shady looking diner--it seemed the town went to sleep around 6 p.m.) We took advantage of the cultural diversity by eating at various ethnic restaurants. Friday we had Russian and Indian, followed by French and Chinese on Saturday. In Portland, we went to a Cuban restaurant. We soothed our tummies with good ol' Subway. :)
Christine having coffee at Zeitgeist Art & Coffee, one of Seattle's million coffee shops.
Visit to the University of Washington, a beautiful, world-renowned institution. It was amazing!
King Street train station in Seattle, where we caught a train (that's right, a train--so fun) to Portland, OR to visit Chrissy's college friends
Imago Dei (Latin for "Image of God") is the home church of one of my favorite authors, Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz, Searching for God Knows What, and Through Painted Deserts), located in Portland, OR so we went on Sunday
Lunch at Pambiche Cuban Restaurant clockwise- me, Christine, Shawna, Amanda, Sarah, Chrissy
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Bubble Girl
After running 100+ tests at the allergist, I found out I'm RED PRINT (aka very severely) allergic to the following:
Cats
House dust
Dust-mites
Molds
Trees
Grasses
Weeds
Shrimp
Crab
Oyster
Garlic
I should not have indoor pets with fur or feathers and should avoid whenever possible:
Feather pillows
Tobacco and tobacco smoke (darn, I'll have to quit that 3 pack a day habit)
Insecticides with pyrethum (huh?)
Chemical fumes (no household cleaning products, goody!)
Exposure to scented perfumes and colognes (I'll be au natural from now on)
Aerosol products (no more Rave hairspray, good thing it's not the 80s anymore)
Regular cosmetics (I have to spend the big bucks on Clinique now)
Just call me Bubble Girl. I will never go out again.
I'm just happy I'm NOT allergic to:
1. My grandma.
2. Friends re-runs.
3. Dessert.
4. Muffins.
5. My friends (this is in no particular order by the way)
6. Foreign countries.
7. Babies.
8. Hot guys (although history might indicate otherwise)
9. Email.
10. Love.
Cats
House dust
Dust-mites
Molds
Trees
Grasses
Weeds
Shrimp
Crab
Oyster
Garlic
I should not have indoor pets with fur or feathers and should avoid whenever possible:
Feather pillows
Tobacco and tobacco smoke (darn, I'll have to quit that 3 pack a day habit)
Insecticides with pyrethum (huh?)
Chemical fumes (no household cleaning products, goody!)
Exposure to scented perfumes and colognes (I'll be au natural from now on)
Aerosol products (no more Rave hairspray, good thing it's not the 80s anymore)
Regular cosmetics (I have to spend the big bucks on Clinique now)
Just call me Bubble Girl. I will never go out again.
I'm just happy I'm NOT allergic to:
1. My grandma.
2. Friends re-runs.
3. Dessert.
4. Muffins.
5. My friends (this is in no particular order by the way)
6. Foreign countries.
7. Babies.
8. Hot guys (although history might indicate otherwise)
9. Email.
10. Love.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
2005--Pegs' Year In Pictures
Unfortunately, the Year in Pictures must begin with March b/c I don't have digital pics from January or February. Here's a sum-up of 2005!
Deborah, my friend since 6th grade, had her second baby, Alyssa, during Spring Break
Amy married Josh, and became Mrs. Amy Byrd on March 6th
Grandma celebrated her 84th birthday on April 6th
Missing sharing my birthday by only one day, my second cousin Lacey entered the world May 6th (I'm just noticing the 6th of each month was pretty eventful)
I returned to Senegal for 10 days and was reunited with my twins and Patricia, among others...I arrived in Senegal on (you guessed it) June 6th
5 years and 7 months after it began, I welcomed myself into the 21st century in July with a flip phone and my grandmother also joined me with a shared line
The annual trip to the condo in August
Tara's baby shower in August...Brooklyn joined the world in October (Anyone noticing the recurring wedding & baby themes?)
No better way to spend Labor Day in Corpus than at the Texas State Aquarium with Katy, Caitlyn and Sallie
In October, 6 months into marriage, Amy had settled nicely into domesticated duties and shared with all of us
On November 3rd, my supervisor, Linn retired after 10 years at SOCS and about 40 years in the ministry. Tony was voted in the same day
Thanksgiving at Grandma's
December 11--Reunited with my roommate in Mali & Ivory Coast, Robin, and meeting her mom in Norman, Oklahoma
December 15-22--a fabulous trip to France to be reunited with my roommate in Senegal, Kari, and her husband (another friend from Senegal) Jonathan
I'll ring in the New Year tonight with friends at the Surf Club in Corpus. Hope all of you have a fantastic 2006!
Deborah, my friend since 6th grade, had her second baby, Alyssa, during Spring Break
Amy married Josh, and became Mrs. Amy Byrd on March 6th
Grandma celebrated her 84th birthday on April 6th
Missing sharing my birthday by only one day, my second cousin Lacey entered the world May 6th (I'm just noticing the 6th of each month was pretty eventful)
I returned to Senegal for 10 days and was reunited with my twins and Patricia, among others...I arrived in Senegal on (you guessed it) June 6th
5 years and 7 months after it began, I welcomed myself into the 21st century in July with a flip phone and my grandmother also joined me with a shared line
The annual trip to the condo in August
Tara's baby shower in August...Brooklyn joined the world in October (Anyone noticing the recurring wedding & baby themes?)
No better way to spend Labor Day in Corpus than at the Texas State Aquarium with Katy, Caitlyn and Sallie
In October, 6 months into marriage, Amy had settled nicely into domesticated duties and shared with all of us
On November 3rd, my supervisor, Linn retired after 10 years at SOCS and about 40 years in the ministry. Tony was voted in the same day
Thanksgiving at Grandma's
December 11--Reunited with my roommate in Mali & Ivory Coast, Robin, and meeting her mom in Norman, Oklahoma
December 15-22--a fabulous trip to France to be reunited with my roommate in Senegal, Kari, and her husband (another friend from Senegal) Jonathan
I'll ring in the New Year tonight with friends at the Surf Club in Corpus. Hope all of you have a fantastic 2006!
Saturday, December 24, 2005
I saw London, I saw France, I saw...
Well, I didn't see anyone's underpants, but I did see London & France last week! (Hopefully you know the old nursery rhyme or that comment seems quite inappropriate.)
The intent of my adventure to Europe was to visit Jonathan & Kari, fellow journeymen in Senegal, where they now live in Lyon, France. However, the cheapest itinerary also involved a long layover in London. My friend Amy lives outside London and took the train in to be my personal tour guide for the half-day. Here are some highlights of London:
Amy and I in front of Big Ben
Covent Garden, a quaint spot to shop, eat, and be merry
View of the London Eye from where we exited the "tube" (subway)...apparently, the London Eye is this ferris wheel-type thing where people actually get married. It's also the highest view in England.
Picadilly Circus, that intersection you always see in movies
Subway, my favorite fast food restaurant, is worldwide and I didn't know it! I really could live in London...
Westminster Abbey
And Lyon highlights:
Place Bellecour, in the center of Lyon
The temp hovered around 33-35 degrees most of the week, and we walked everywhere!
For the second year in a row, I was with Kari to make Christmas cookies
The Saone and Rhone rivers meet in Lyon...here is the Cote de Rhone (I think)
I am all about the food when I travel to new places. I had at least one French pastry every day I was there. I also had a crepe avec jambon et fromage (ham & cheese crepe) while there.
The wine shope we visited, Dit'Vin, was incredible. Nicolas, the owner, discussed the different types with us and even offered us Christmas wine!
When we weren't walking, we took the metro or buses. It was quite a complicated system!
Murals on the sides of buildings...Kari said this was "very Lyon"
Amazingly, my favorite street in Lyon is called "Rue de Boeuf"...that's Beef Street
When we stopped at the old Roman theater (although Lenny Kravitz had a concert there earlier this year), Kari and I couldn't resist "performing"
All in all, a fabulous trip!
The intent of my adventure to Europe was to visit Jonathan & Kari, fellow journeymen in Senegal, where they now live in Lyon, France. However, the cheapest itinerary also involved a long layover in London. My friend Amy lives outside London and took the train in to be my personal tour guide for the half-day. Here are some highlights of London:
Amy and I in front of Big Ben
Covent Garden, a quaint spot to shop, eat, and be merry
View of the London Eye from where we exited the "tube" (subway)...apparently, the London Eye is this ferris wheel-type thing where people actually get married. It's also the highest view in England.
Picadilly Circus, that intersection you always see in movies
Subway, my favorite fast food restaurant, is worldwide and I didn't know it! I really could live in London...
Westminster Abbey
And Lyon highlights:
Place Bellecour, in the center of Lyon
The temp hovered around 33-35 degrees most of the week, and we walked everywhere!
For the second year in a row, I was with Kari to make Christmas cookies
The Saone and Rhone rivers meet in Lyon...here is the Cote de Rhone (I think)
I am all about the food when I travel to new places. I had at least one French pastry every day I was there. I also had a crepe avec jambon et fromage (ham & cheese crepe) while there.
The wine shope we visited, Dit'Vin, was incredible. Nicolas, the owner, discussed the different types with us and even offered us Christmas wine!
When we weren't walking, we took the metro or buses. It was quite a complicated system!
Murals on the sides of buildings...Kari said this was "very Lyon"
Amazingly, my favorite street in Lyon is called "Rue de Boeuf"...that's Beef Street
When we stopped at the old Roman theater (although Lenny Kravitz had a concert there earlier this year), Kari and I couldn't resist "performing"
All in all, a fabulous trip!
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