Asia & Chocolate

Life happens

• Tomorrow I start back working for Thomas Nelson at an undefined position in the production department. It's like the first day back to school feelings.
• Yesterday my best friend April and I went to Kentucky Kingdom for the day. We spend most of our time at the water park, which we both love! And we used our Dave Ramsey sense of saving and bargained our way to $5 for two water tubes as opposed to $20. Amusement parks are SUCH a ripoff! (It was a tad bit cold for a water park day, but it was still fun.)
• Last night, around midnight, I had to get gas on my way home. I stopped to fill up and discovered that when I went to get my emissions test done on Friday, in order to get the title changed to my name and get my car tags, they forgot to give me back my gas cap. I was sooo tired last night and that just made it worse. And then I lost my debit card in between my seat and the console. Ugh ... so I've been driving around today with no gas cap and my gas is evaporating and leaking everywhere. Not a happy camper ... and I'm going there on my way to work in the morning to see if they still have it.
• I'm also having trouble getting affordable car insurance. I have to do that in the morning as well.
• So, I guess I should go and figure out what I'm wearing on my first day back tomorrow ... better get a good night's sleep!

What I've been doing ...

• Three weeks from tomorrow and I'll be boarding a plane, which will take me on a journey ending in Nashville. THREE WEEKS! It's going to fly by. And then I'll have a new life and I don't have a clue what that will look like.
• I gave four finals this week and now I have to grade them. :)
• On Tuesday I spent 14 hours with my dear friends Chappy and Raynier, the designers of the yearbook. We FINALLY sent it to the printer on Wednesday, and I'm still alive. Hallelujah.
• On Thursday afternoon I took ten 7th graders to lunch and to see Pirates of the Caribbean. It was OK, better than the second one, by far.
• Tomorrow is graduation and I've spent today and yesterday looking for a suitable outfit. Did I ever mention that I DESPISE shopping in Asia. I hate it, which is good for the wallet, but not good for the sanity, especially when I have to find something to wear. Normally I would just have something made, but I was too busy thinking about the yearbook to think about graduation. I'm walking in the procession tomorrow because I taught the seniors Latin this year. I'm kind of excited ... and I bought sometime tonight at 10, just when the store was closing, because I was out of options and had to get something. It's cute, but not amazing. I can't wait to shop again in America (after I get a job, of course). THREE WEEKS!
• In one week and one hour my best friend, April, arrives. Later that day we'll watch the school's presentation of West Side Story. Then, on Sunday morning we'll be headed to Bali! I am more than excited.
• There is much grading to be done before Bali. :-(
• I just read this insightful article at Boundless.org. For all you women out there who hope to be stay-at-home moms someday. I was thankful to know that I think along these lines and am doing some of these things already.
• Life is good. It's in transition, but good. God is amazing and I can't live without Him. Hallelujah!

Some thoughts ...

• Thank you for the de-lurking. I know there are more of you out there ... I see you! But if you want to stay behind your anonymity, then I guess that is OK. But I'd love to know who you are and "meet" you. I have exchanged a few e-mails with Vina from Calgary Canada. She know my pastors here and found my blog doing a search ... and I just added her as a facebook friend! That's what these blogs should be about, building friendships within a  community and not just a one-sided conversation. So, let's be friends, OK? Let me know you're out there!
• A lot has been going on in my personal life lately, some things just between the Lord and me. It's been so good. Just on Sunday I had a fresh encounter with the Lord and am seeing the Holy Spirit's power in my life in a new way. It's exciting. Something I wrote in my Moleskine on my way home from the gym last night (I get the best revelations while working out).
  
  • "As I look to leave Indonesia - I am sometimes overwhelmed by the unknown of what I will do next. But I know that God has something amazing for me that will combine all of my dreams and desires, gifts and talents. After all, He brought me here, didn't He?"
• If you didn't know I was leaving Indonesia to move back home in June, now you know. :)
• And this tragedy that has happened at Virginia Tech. I've wanted to say something since I heard about it yesterday morning. But words escape me. Praying for comfort and hope. I know God shows up in a crisis and so I know He will be glorified. But the pain, I'm sure, is almost unbearable right now. Words just don't seem adequate. Other bloggers have had a lot more to say:
  
  • Girl Talk: Tragedy at Virginia Tech
  • Challies Dot Com: Praying for Blacksburg
  • Solo Femininity: Tears No More

Tidbits and such ...

- I LOVE this blog ... these kids are so cute and their mother is an excellent blogger. It's one of my top five favorites.

- I'm a single girl, so articles/blogs/books about singleness/marriage always catch my eye. I found this book review on Getting Serious About Getting Married very interesting. I think I'll pick it up when I get home.

- Remember that game we all used to play in middle school? M.A.S.H? Oh, hours of fun on road trips can now be enjoyed in the comfort of adulthood. :)

A hodgepodge, if you will ...

I get to go help with the flood victims tomorrow along with some 9th and 10th graders. I’m excited to do something in the community, really for the first time since I’ve been here.

I ate Oreo’s today ...the first time since this freak accident.

Verse of the day: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14. I LOVE those verses.

If you are low on energy these days, Mike Hyatt offers some excellent advice on how to combat low energy. His blog From Where I Sit is one of my favorites.