As the thundersnow was encasing the entire midwest, I was warm and cozy behind my desk at work. Patients were cancelling all their appointments, except for one one lady. And she sparked the travel-bug in me.
See, as I was about to reschedule her, I asked her when she was free and she said, she wanted to come back one more time before she went on vacation. I responded with the characteristic and generic comment of, "Ooh, vacation. I'm jealous. When do you leave?"
She responded with a, "Well... I don't really know."
Now, I'm pretty sure that if I were going to take a vacation, I would know for sure, without a doubt, spot on time that I was leaving. That is the start of your whole vacation, right?
So then I asked her, well, where are you going then? I suppose you wouldn't need to know an exact day you were leaving if it was just going to be a short little trip to the lake or something of the like.
"Egypt," she responded.
"YOU'RE GOING TO EGYPT AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GOING?!" was my exact reaction.
"Yeah, I'm going with my husband and a tour group. We're spending eleven days in that part of the world."
"Ooh," I said, "I'm jealous. I loved Israel and have been wanting to travel some more lately."
And you know what she said? She's going to Israel too!
Never once have I ever found a single person that wants to, is serious about, or going to Israel. It seems as if everyone in this part of the world sees it as some huge danger. For those of you that think it's too dangerous, you are making yourselves one of the most deprived people in the world. Israel is amazing. I have nothing bad to say about it and would recommend it as a vacation destination to everyone. In fact, if you're going any time soon, let me know. I'll go with you. You're more likely to get killed in the US during rush hour traffic than you are in another country by weapons and hatred.
So here I sit. Totally wishing that this storm was over and that I was getting on a plane tomorrow to visit one of the best places in the world. Israel is truly amazing. I will never stop believing that and I will tell everyone how wonderful it was.
And to that lady at work.... Take me with you!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
"Boy Am I Glad I Didn't Fart!"
Thanks Pastor J, that made my night.
Remember that scene in Apollo 13 where the character Blanche Lovell (Tom Hank's character's mom) says to Hanks' wife, "Are you scared? Don't you worry. If they could get a washing machine to fly, my Jimmy could land it."
I think that is one of my all time favorite movie quotes.
Remember that scene in Apollo 13 where the character Blanche Lovell (Tom Hank's character's mom) says to Hanks' wife, "Are you scared? Don't you worry. If they could get a washing machine to fly, my Jimmy could land it."
I think that is one of my all time favorite movie quotes.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Huh?
Health.
Family.
Wedding.
Scheduling.
House.
Moving.
Job.
Employment.
Interviews.
Travel.
Distance.
Time.
Money.
Dreams.
School.
Panic.
Anxiety.
Relaxation?
Family.
Wedding.
Scheduling.
House.
Moving.
Job.
Employment.
Interviews.
Travel.
Distance.
Time.
Money.
Dreams.
School.
Panic.
Anxiety.
Relaxation?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Etch-A-Sketch Syndrome
If life hasn't been chaotic enough, why not throw in about a dozen other life-striking events?
I'm sitting at work, totally worn out from this last week, and trying to focus my thoughts into something remotely organized so that I can get rid of this raging headache. Apparently, it isn't to be.
As I was surfing online today though, I found an article about a couple that met on Flickr, a photo-sharing website. The article itself was written from a cynic's point of view. How could someone meet like that? Can you really fall in love online? Is it even real? One comment was even along the lines of how could these people be real? Who really is that attractive and how do two stunningly attractive people find each other and be extremely talented at the same thing?
Color me a skeptic, but I'm borderline challenging it myself. It almost seems too romantic to be true. Then again, I consider myself to be extremely lucky and while I'm not exactly talented at the same things he is, my Love and I have a lot of those moments where we realize how much we are actually in sync.
Then I fade into the hopelessly romantic side of myself and dream of all the love and struggles I know I'll share with my Love. We're all going through some tough times; emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. We all pray that we'll get through it and I know we will. It all just takes a little time and lots of love.
I'm sitting at work, totally worn out from this last week, and trying to focus my thoughts into something remotely organized so that I can get rid of this raging headache. Apparently, it isn't to be.
As I was surfing online today though, I found an article about a couple that met on Flickr, a photo-sharing website. The article itself was written from a cynic's point of view. How could someone meet like that? Can you really fall in love online? Is it even real? One comment was even along the lines of how could these people be real? Who really is that attractive and how do two stunningly attractive people find each other and be extremely talented at the same thing?
Color me a skeptic, but I'm borderline challenging it myself. It almost seems too romantic to be true. Then again, I consider myself to be extremely lucky and while I'm not exactly talented at the same things he is, my Love and I have a lot of those moments where we realize how much we are actually in sync.
Then I fade into the hopelessly romantic side of myself and dream of all the love and struggles I know I'll share with my Love. We're all going through some tough times; emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. We all pray that we'll get through it and I know we will. It all just takes a little time and lots of love.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Seriously?!
Who the hell gives you movable objects as directional landmarks?
The response when asked was, "Well! Those CARS were there when I called to have you pick me up!! If you wouldn't have TAKEN 30 MINUTES to get here, you would have seen them!!!"
So then, why was there a 30 minute delay?
Because some State Trooper with NO LIFE was chilling out on the old highway at the town line and his radar picked us up GOING 30 MPH IN A 25 MPH ZONE!! AND proceeded to pull us over. I was laughing so hard, he must have thought I was on drugs.
Who really does that? It's after midnight, on a road that no one uses, we were going 5 miles over the limit.
Someone CLEARLY has nothing better to do.
The response when asked was, "Well! Those CARS were there when I called to have you pick me up!! If you wouldn't have TAKEN 30 MINUTES to get here, you would have seen them!!!"
So then, why was there a 30 minute delay?
Because some State Trooper with NO LIFE was chilling out on the old highway at the town line and his radar picked us up GOING 30 MPH IN A 25 MPH ZONE!! AND proceeded to pull us over. I was laughing so hard, he must have thought I was on drugs.
Who really does that? It's after midnight, on a road that no one uses, we were going 5 miles over the limit.
Someone CLEARLY has nothing better to do.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Africa: Take 2
Back in November, I'd gotten word from the Peace Corps Placement Office, that although I had recognizable skills, I just didn't have the experience they were looking for. My understanding is this had something to do with funding, or lack thereof.
I guess I'd kind of resigned my thoughts to the point that it just wasn't in the cards for me right now. I went to the side of it that I'll have plenty of time and the Peace Corps might be something I can do later in life.
Then, to my surprise, a woman from church sent out a letter detailing what she wants to do for her next mission. See, she has gone a few times to a village in Kenya to work with women and children that have been orphaned, abused, and homeless. She has helped with many other projects from creating jobs for women, find educators for productive farming, and matched American sponsors to orphaned children. There is so much more than that, but those are just a few.
When I first moved back to Wisconsin, I was using the church's wireless to hang out on my laptop, and while I was there, this lady came in looking for help. She needed to create a powerpoint presentation about these African missions, but didn't know how. Seeing that I had all the time in the world, I said I'd help her out.
Now she thinks that I'm completely computer talented and wants me to go to Africa with her to help with the administration and technical aspects that this expanding project needs. I must say, I think she's got more confidence in my computer capabilities than I deserve. Apparently, I come across to everyone as a techie, but they are totally wrong. If my computer doesn't work, I fuss and whine, and ask my Love to fix it. Granted, I guess I can fix most things on my own, but yeah... We'll see.
The other thing is that she wants to get a book/calendar published using writings from someone that's been there and using photos taken by volunteers. I took a picture when Love and I went to Colorado that countless people have loved and at an auction for the church it sold for upwards of $70. Knowing that, she wants me to be the photographer. So, not only would I get to go to Africa, but I would be PUBLISHED! For some reason, I can't find a single bad thing about that. Haha.
So here are the negatives:
I guess I'd kind of resigned my thoughts to the point that it just wasn't in the cards for me right now. I went to the side of it that I'll have plenty of time and the Peace Corps might be something I can do later in life.
Then, to my surprise, a woman from church sent out a letter detailing what she wants to do for her next mission. See, she has gone a few times to a village in Kenya to work with women and children that have been orphaned, abused, and homeless. She has helped with many other projects from creating jobs for women, find educators for productive farming, and matched American sponsors to orphaned children. There is so much more than that, but those are just a few.
When I first moved back to Wisconsin, I was using the church's wireless to hang out on my laptop, and while I was there, this lady came in looking for help. She needed to create a powerpoint presentation about these African missions, but didn't know how. Seeing that I had all the time in the world, I said I'd help her out.
Now she thinks that I'm completely computer talented and wants me to go to Africa with her to help with the administration and technical aspects that this expanding project needs. I must say, I think she's got more confidence in my computer capabilities than I deserve. Apparently, I come across to everyone as a techie, but they are totally wrong. If my computer doesn't work, I fuss and whine, and ask my Love to fix it. Granted, I guess I can fix most things on my own, but yeah... We'll see.
The other thing is that she wants to get a book/calendar published using writings from someone that's been there and using photos taken by volunteers. I took a picture when Love and I went to Colorado that countless people have loved and at an auction for the church it sold for upwards of $70. Knowing that, she wants me to be the photographer. So, not only would I get to go to Africa, but I would be PUBLISHED! For some reason, I can't find a single bad thing about that. Haha.
So here are the negatives:
- This trip would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2500 dollars or more.
- It would take place shortly after Love and I get married.
- Love WOULD be able to go with me, BUT he's going back to school, has his full time job, and since we'll have taken time off for the wedding, he might not have time off to go to Africa
- I might not be able to get time off, depending on the job I get.
The pros:
- Mission to Africa. (Nuf' said)
- Create an administration program. (Can we all scream EXPERIENCE!)
- Having writings and photos published for distribution. (Wicked exciting)
- Strong probability for fundraising to knock down costs. (Isn't there some sort of tax deduction for mission work overseas?)
- One hell of a honeymoon story to tell our grandkids. "Yeah, we skipped out on the private Caribbean island to volunteer our time and talents to women and children from a war-torn country."
I'm sure there are way more for both the pro and con list, but I just wanted to throw this out there. I'm hoping God will provide some answers. This is a second opportunity to go to Africa and one that would allow my Love to go too, and if it still isn't right, I'll believe him, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
On a different note, I have really gotten into quilting. I've made a baby blanket and pillow for a certain Baby B that we're all excited for, a piano music bag for my sister for her birthday, a decorative pillow for my Mom-in-Law (future), and have started a bed quilt to give to my Love as a wedding present. I have my crafty days.
P.S. I'm really hoping Africa works out in some way.
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