So, while my computer was dead and gone, I really took time to slow down in my life. I was at school until at least 7pm every day, but when I got home, everything was different. I turned on worship music, cooked some dinner, sat at the table and ate it, read some, and then went to bed.
My computer has been back for a couple weeks and I'm on it all the time again (probably not as bad as I was before it broke, but still a lot)... I use it to check my work e-mail as soon as I get home from work. I also check it right before I go to work... as if in the 10 minutes that it takes me to lock my door, walk to work, and unlock my office (and vice versa) an e-mail would come that's so vital those 10 minutes are HUGE....
Sheesh. I don't need that in my life. Time to make some rules. I downloaded some books onto my computer when it came back, but ya know what? Reading a book on the computer is not nearly as satisfying as having the real book in your hands. I do not like it nearly as much.
I need to limit the internet. Limit the videos (movies, tv shows, etc). Limit the e-mail. Sleep at regular times. Eat at regular times. Be normal. I just read an article about being too attached to technology. Yepp, it's definitely my vice.
More another day...
Monday, February 7, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Groundhog's Day
So, does anyone know if the groundhog saw it's shadow? Not that it really matters to me, but as there's been a lot of snow on that side of the world, I imagine you guys would appreciate the end of winter.
February is bringing with it a lot of adventures. Field trip is two weeks from now. Two weeks later I am going out of town for a personal trip. Two weeks after that, we are having a music festival with a school coming here. Two weeks later, long weekend. Then three weeks later, the Easter Cantata, followed the next weekend by the final concerts. My final concerts at the school. Carnegie Hall might be having some representatives come during this time, too.
A lot going on this semester.
I am doing a lot of work beyond just my normal work.
Working on enjoying my time here before I go anywhere.
Tired. Love you all, and I'll write more later!
February is bringing with it a lot of adventures. Field trip is two weeks from now. Two weeks later I am going out of town for a personal trip. Two weeks after that, we are having a music festival with a school coming here. Two weeks later, long weekend. Then three weeks later, the Easter Cantata, followed the next weekend by the final concerts. My final concerts at the school. Carnegie Hall might be having some representatives come during this time, too.
A lot going on this semester.
I am doing a lot of work beyond just my normal work.
Working on enjoying my time here before I go anywhere.
Tired. Love you all, and I'll write more later!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Silence
My computer has been trashed since returning to the mountain top. Someone came over and looked at it, and told me how much it might cost, and I was not excited. However, I sent it down to be looked at and, hopefully, fixed. That was around the fifth. I just found out I should be getting it back on Monday.
It means my house has been insanely boring. I have my music playing all the time, and I've been reading. No internet. The new phone helps for the weekend when I need a quick check of e-mail, but I haven't used it more than probably 10 minutes in a single day. All my internet is finished at school and when I get home, just dinner, reading and sleeping.
The stillness that comes without having a computer has been nice. I debated getting it fixed at times. But, now it's already fixed and on the way back. Let's see how much I can keep this up.
Just saying I'm still around. Just not around the internet much.
Love you all!
It means my house has been insanely boring. I have my music playing all the time, and I've been reading. No internet. The new phone helps for the weekend when I need a quick check of e-mail, but I haven't used it more than probably 10 minutes in a single day. All my internet is finished at school and when I get home, just dinner, reading and sleeping.
The stillness that comes without having a computer has been nice. I debated getting it fixed at times. But, now it's already fixed and on the way back. Let's see how much I can keep this up.
Just saying I'm still around. Just not around the internet much.
Love you all!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Biggest Faith Trial?
I was asked today what my biggest faith trial was that I've been through...
My answer was "right now..."
And I didn't mean that literally about this month, but about the process I am undergoing. God has called me back to school, and that means leaving relationships I have established, my first home, my job, my vacations, and what has become, as one person called it, my comfort zone. So much more than coming here, it is testing me and my faith to go back. It is a new adventure, and one I am excited to begin, but that excitement is nothing compared to what I feel leading up to my departure. I know that five months from now, my house will be basically empty, and I will be getting ready to head out. It will be very different than coming over here. Coming here was a gradual sort of thing, and naturally expected (as a big change, not necessarily this in particular) after college. But now it's different.
This is where God stretches me. This is where I will see Him work. I have to rest on Him as I head back and work out both my 'vacation' and the next stage of my life.
He is good and I trust Him. That's all there is to it.
My answer was "right now..."
And I didn't mean that literally about this month, but about the process I am undergoing. God has called me back to school, and that means leaving relationships I have established, my first home, my job, my vacations, and what has become, as one person called it, my comfort zone. So much more than coming here, it is testing me and my faith to go back. It is a new adventure, and one I am excited to begin, but that excitement is nothing compared to what I feel leading up to my departure. I know that five months from now, my house will be basically empty, and I will be getting ready to head out. It will be very different than coming over here. Coming here was a gradual sort of thing, and naturally expected (as a big change, not necessarily this in particular) after college. But now it's different.
This is where God stretches me. This is where I will see Him work. I have to rest on Him as I head back and work out both my 'vacation' and the next stage of my life.
He is good and I trust Him. That's all there is to it.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wow.
I don't really write enough about what goes on over here, lol. Right now it is 12:15 in the afternoon and power is still on. In the course of writing this, I expect it will turn off because, well, our power outages are from 12-2 everyday and sometimes they forget to turn it off until a little later. That's one of the joys of living here.
Another is what I'm about to embark upon. I have some things to do before I head out of town for a few weeks, so I have to get some things done. I have three things to do in town. That's it.
However, you should know that the main school gate is at a place where 7 roads meet (including the school's entrance road). We'll count clockwise from the gate, with the school's road being number 1. I live on road 2. I have to recharge my cell phone on road 3, go to the ATM on road 4, and go the store on road 5. Thankfully I don't have to go to roads 6 and 7 today. There's not really a lot down those two. Then I will come back up road 2 for lunch and then head back to school for some work. So, basically, I'm about to go on a scavenger hunt and hope everything is where I need it to be today.
All to head out tomorrow. I can't wait to get off the mountain. We had two nice days of sun, and then yesterday, the sun ran away again. It has gotten really cold again. At least I'm all packed and just need to finalize a few things and I'm ready to go.
I'll see you all again in the new year!
Another is what I'm about to embark upon. I have some things to do before I head out of town for a few weeks, so I have to get some things done. I have three things to do in town. That's it.
However, you should know that the main school gate is at a place where 7 roads meet (including the school's entrance road). We'll count clockwise from the gate, with the school's road being number 1. I live on road 2. I have to recharge my cell phone on road 3, go to the ATM on road 4, and go the store on road 5. Thankfully I don't have to go to roads 6 and 7 today. There's not really a lot down those two. Then I will come back up road 2 for lunch and then head back to school for some work. So, basically, I'm about to go on a scavenger hunt and hope everything is where I need it to be today.
All to head out tomorrow. I can't wait to get off the mountain. We had two nice days of sun, and then yesterday, the sun ran away again. It has gotten really cold again. At least I'm all packed and just need to finalize a few things and I'm ready to go.
I'll see you all again in the new year!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Summer 2011
So, next summer is going to be significantly long. I will have about 2.5 months to "transition" back to the states, and already my calendar is filling up. My schedule is largely dictated by a few monumental events happening in the lives of some of my family.
First, my youngest brother is graduating from high school. :-)
Two weeks after that, my oldest two nieces are graduating from high school. Followed immediately by a family reunion that I am greatly looking forward to.
Around the second round of graduations, I will be spending time playing with my new niece or nephew, as well as a new cousin!
(In between those graduations, I'm pretty sure I'm road tripping it up from NC, up to Chicago, seeing some friends, going to a wedding, and then cutting across Canada to get me to NY.)
My family will take what is an annual vacation that I unfortunately missed last year. That should be a good time up in the mountains and is always enjoyable. There's a chance some of my other family will be joining us up there, so that will make it even better.
Then, I'm considering working a summer camp just to make some money and reunite with friends of mine and enjoy some time around there.
Then I have a little while to relax (with lots of visiting happening) and then a family reunion for the maternal side. Another thing I am looking forward to as I have missed the last three.
After that I will head back down south and hopefully work some and get ready for school to start.
And that is my whirlwind of a summer.
However, I am also trying to add something else into it.
I will be spending most of those 2.5 months reconnecting with people I haven't seen in at least two years, traveling around and visiting other people, and somehow trying to get used to being stateside again.
Basically, I know I will be overwhelmed after a bit of this. So, what I'm trying to do is add in a very quiet get away at some point towards the end of July or at the beginning of August. A place where I will be able to go and retreat. Relax and process. I know that even after my last visit to the states (that was only 6 weeks in length), that I was beyond overwhelmed. A lot of people to see, and a lot of things to do. I know it will only be worse with the fact that I will then be LIVING back there. I will need a retreat. A place to withdraw to.
Currently, that means I'm looking at cruises (aka: get on a boat and not have to worry about cooking or cleaning or ANYTHING for a week). I've really narrowed it down to two options that really appeal to me and sometimes have really good deals. One to Bermuda, or one to Alaska. Both are interesting places I've not been before, but also offer a chance to just relax and enjoy the surroundings.
I'm still exploring my options, but a cruise really appeals to me as a chance to sit in the middle of the vastness of creation and marvel at all that surrounds us. I remember from the last cruise I went on (and the only one I've been on) how much fun it was to meet people and learn their stories and get to know them over the course of a few days. I am yearning to go on a cruise and I have no idea why. I think I'm just craving seeing somewhere new. Doing something different.
Alas. All conjecture at this point. If you're interested in helping me have a vacation next summer, let me know, and I'll let you know how you can help me reach it. :-) I'm thinking Christmas presents and birthday presents... just let me know, and I'll get you some information.
I miss you all. I'll try to write once more before I head out for this vacation. But if not, enjoy Christmas and New Year's and the new beginnings that come with both of those holidays.
First, my youngest brother is graduating from high school. :-)
Two weeks after that, my oldest two nieces are graduating from high school. Followed immediately by a family reunion that I am greatly looking forward to.
Around the second round of graduations, I will be spending time playing with my new niece or nephew, as well as a new cousin!
(In between those graduations, I'm pretty sure I'm road tripping it up from NC, up to Chicago, seeing some friends, going to a wedding, and then cutting across Canada to get me to NY.)
My family will take what is an annual vacation that I unfortunately missed last year. That should be a good time up in the mountains and is always enjoyable. There's a chance some of my other family will be joining us up there, so that will make it even better.
Then, I'm considering working a summer camp just to make some money and reunite with friends of mine and enjoy some time around there.
Then I have a little while to relax (with lots of visiting happening) and then a family reunion for the maternal side. Another thing I am looking forward to as I have missed the last three.
After that I will head back down south and hopefully work some and get ready for school to start.
And that is my whirlwind of a summer.
However, I am also trying to add something else into it.
I will be spending most of those 2.5 months reconnecting with people I haven't seen in at least two years, traveling around and visiting other people, and somehow trying to get used to being stateside again.
Basically, I know I will be overwhelmed after a bit of this. So, what I'm trying to do is add in a very quiet get away at some point towards the end of July or at the beginning of August. A place where I will be able to go and retreat. Relax and process. I know that even after my last visit to the states (that was only 6 weeks in length), that I was beyond overwhelmed. A lot of people to see, and a lot of things to do. I know it will only be worse with the fact that I will then be LIVING back there. I will need a retreat. A place to withdraw to.
Currently, that means I'm looking at cruises (aka: get on a boat and not have to worry about cooking or cleaning or ANYTHING for a week). I've really narrowed it down to two options that really appeal to me and sometimes have really good deals. One to Bermuda, or one to Alaska. Both are interesting places I've not been before, but also offer a chance to just relax and enjoy the surroundings.
I'm still exploring my options, but a cruise really appeals to me as a chance to sit in the middle of the vastness of creation and marvel at all that surrounds us. I remember from the last cruise I went on (and the only one I've been on) how much fun it was to meet people and learn their stories and get to know them over the course of a few days. I am yearning to go on a cruise and I have no idea why. I think I'm just craving seeing somewhere new. Doing something different.
Alas. All conjecture at this point. If you're interested in helping me have a vacation next summer, let me know, and I'll let you know how you can help me reach it. :-) I'm thinking Christmas presents and birthday presents... just let me know, and I'll get you some information.
I miss you all. I'll try to write once more before I head out for this vacation. But if not, enjoy Christmas and New Year's and the new beginnings that come with both of those holidays.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving
Well, I will write the typical "What am I thankful for" entry... Enjoy!!
- I am thankful for my friend BP. He brings the smiles when he comes around and I love it.
- I am thankful for a principal whose office I can walk in to almost any time and discuss issues with... I don't know if I will ever have another employer as awesome as he.
- I am sooooooo thankful for my aquaguard and having clean water to drink.
- I am thankful for import stores.
- I am thankful to my fabulous colleagues who may irk me almost all the time, but are wonderful and have been a blessing to work with.
- I am thankful for the gifts I have been given in my life. I often cannot see them, but I know they are there.
- I am thankful for a child who sees me and smiles, runs up to me and gives me a hug. The kids who see me walk into a house and run up to me yelling my name. The kids who see me and know it's safe to talk to me and that I'll listen.
- I am thankful for the students who find the time in their day to come to my office and annoy me. Because if they didn't do that, they wouldn't feel comfortable with me.
- I am thankful for a community that surrounds each other with massive amounts of love. A community that cares for one another. A community that shares.
- I am thankful for my friends. The friends who call me up just to hang out. The ones who call me when they need to talk. The friends who tell me when I'm wrong. And the friends who are there just to listen when I need to work things through.
- I am thankful to have a wonderful secretary who keeps my work life running smoothly and often helps me stay sane in the personal side of things, too... I love her...
- I am thankful for living in a place where fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available and are cheap.
- I am thankful for electricity.
- I am thankful for the friends who have become more than friends.
- I am thankful for the world being my oyster. I don't know what that means, but people say that. I know I can do anything. God will lead me through it.
- I am thankful for my family. For all our faults and challenges, I miss them dearly. I especially miss my siblings and hope they know how much I love them.
- I am thankful for overwhelming love. To love so many people that your heart hurts is a glorious pain.
- I am thankful for my church families... I am so blessed to have 4 that I feel at home in. 5 if you count Primal in NZ. I am so thankful they are around me and pray for me and are wonderfully seeking God's will for them.
- I am thankful for God. I am thankful He saw fit to create me. I am thankful for His redemptive blood, shed on the cross. I am thankful He came to earth for my soul. That no matter what else happens in the world, He cared enough to send His son to endure the ultimate pain. That it's not a matter of "if" someone loves me that much, but that HE DOES!
These and so many other things... God is amazing.
I am so blessed.
- I am thankful for my friend BP. He brings the smiles when he comes around and I love it.
- I am thankful for a principal whose office I can walk in to almost any time and discuss issues with... I don't know if I will ever have another employer as awesome as he.
- I am sooooooo thankful for my aquaguard and having clean water to drink.
- I am thankful for import stores.
- I am thankful to my fabulous colleagues who may irk me almost all the time, but are wonderful and have been a blessing to work with.
- I am thankful for the gifts I have been given in my life. I often cannot see them, but I know they are there.
- I am thankful for a child who sees me and smiles, runs up to me and gives me a hug. The kids who see me walk into a house and run up to me yelling my name. The kids who see me and know it's safe to talk to me and that I'll listen.
- I am thankful for the students who find the time in their day to come to my office and annoy me. Because if they didn't do that, they wouldn't feel comfortable with me.
- I am thankful for a community that surrounds each other with massive amounts of love. A community that cares for one another. A community that shares.
- I am thankful for my friends. The friends who call me up just to hang out. The ones who call me when they need to talk. The friends who tell me when I'm wrong. And the friends who are there just to listen when I need to work things through.
- I am thankful to have a wonderful secretary who keeps my work life running smoothly and often helps me stay sane in the personal side of things, too... I love her...
- I am thankful for living in a place where fresh fruits and vegetables are readily available and are cheap.
- I am thankful for electricity.
- I am thankful for the friends who have become more than friends.
- I am thankful for the world being my oyster. I don't know what that means, but people say that. I know I can do anything. God will lead me through it.
- I am thankful for my family. For all our faults and challenges, I miss them dearly. I especially miss my siblings and hope they know how much I love them.
- I am thankful for overwhelming love. To love so many people that your heart hurts is a glorious pain.
- I am thankful for my church families... I am so blessed to have 4 that I feel at home in. 5 if you count Primal in NZ. I am so thankful they are around me and pray for me and are wonderfully seeking God's will for them.
- I am thankful for God. I am thankful He saw fit to create me. I am thankful for His redemptive blood, shed on the cross. I am thankful He came to earth for my soul. That no matter what else happens in the world, He cared enough to send His son to endure the ultimate pain. That it's not a matter of "if" someone loves me that much, but that HE DOES!
These and so many other things... God is amazing.
I am so blessed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)