Working hard in the holidays!

What can you do in 24 hours? My most productive day during the holidays consisted of learning how to juggle, building 54 settlements, 18 cities, 108 roads, building a roller coaster, and reading a book! Playing all day is rough, but as my dad would say, "Somebody's got to do it!".

What was Jane Austen thinking?!

Please note: If you have not read Sense and Sensibility, but plan to do so sometime in your life, then you may wish to neglect this blog post.

A pleasant, stress-free day was planned with only one item on my to-do list: to finish Sense and Sensibility. Little did I know that the last few chapters would bring such deep disappointment and frustration into my life! The novel was finished with a scowl deeply ingrained on my face. Elinor was supposed to marry Colonel Brandon! How could Jane Austen create such an irrational and undesired ending as Elinor marrying Edward and Marianne marrying Colonel Brandon? I mean... really! What was she thinking? It's a good thing, I suppose, that I have an appointment with a massage therapist this afternoon!

What is this feeling?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ud21pqKeSuw
My pulse is rushing. My head is reeling. My face is flushing. What is this feeling? Every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30pm, my nerves go crazy within my body and cause my limbs to tremble, my head to ache, my pulse to surge, and my body temperature to raise! All of this nervous stress because of my Anatomy and Physiology class at 1:30. Just the thought of this class makes my nerves go crazy! I become physically ill twice a week as a result of this terrifying class! Studying for Anatomy invokes the same feelings as attending class, so please be praying for me today at 12:00 as I take this final. By 2:00, I will be liberated from this loathsome class!!! Hurray!

Porque, why?!

Last week was the very last week of classes for the semester! So, porque, why...
Why did my phone break the week before all of my friends leave for the holidays?
Why did Microsoft Office get deleted off of my computer when I had four papers and two projects to complete?
Why did my dear brother leave for England when my stress level was already peaked?
Why did I witness a sinful act that burdens my heart?
Porque!?

In the wee, small hours of the morning...

Well... I just had my first all-nighter in my college years. Hoping to rid a treacherous migraine, I went to bed last night around 9:30pm. At midnight-ish, I awoke and could not return to my delicious slumber. So, I got up, straightened my room a little, worked on some school projects, wrote a paper, etc. hoping to tire myself with my activity in the wee, small hours of the morning. My plan failed. I did not tire. I finally got sleepy around 5:00am, but I didn't think that it would be worth going to sleep for a measly two hours.

This night may not be a technical all-nighter. After all, I did sleep from 9:30 to 12:00. I didn't even need to complete an assignment for the following day (as normal college students do).

My temporalis muscle is no longer pounding my eyeball out of its socket! (I'm not sure if the temporalis is the pounding muscle of a migraine headache; I was simply trying to make my newly acquired knowledge of anatomy applicable.) Thanks, Mom, for getting some medicine for me! Like mother, like daughter- caffeine, I suppose, awakes me in the night as well.

Yea for Thanksgiving Break!

Holidays are absolutely amazing! Despite (or perhaps, because of) my neglect of my very long "to-do" list, this Thanksgiving break was wonderfully refreshing! The Thanksgiving meal was the best that I've tasted, Settlers of Catan, Risk, and ping-pong were such fun, the coffee with peppermint-mocha creamer was delicious, each night's rest was at least eight hours, the snow was unexpected and beautiful, and my time with the family was wonderful. The break was a burst of energy to help me complete this academically trying semester. Bring it on!

Leaf crunching is my favorite!

It is officially autumn. I love fall! I love crunching the crispy orange leaves under my feet! I don't know why it gives me such pleasure, but, it really DOES! My walks are windy and inconsistent in attempt to crunch all of the leaves in my path. Acorns are satisfying to crunch, as well! You just have to be careful to crunch them with your heal, otherwise, it may hurt your foot. Crunching leaves brings me so much joy that I even aim for them when driving! (that's a ridiculous confession, because I can't even hear the crunch over the roar of my truck!)

Fo the weally weals!

When I was younga, I was in speech thewapy fo not saying my aws (r) cowectly. Fo the weally weals, I couldn't say my aws. When I decided to be a speech thewapy major, I was still a little nuvous because theh aw some wuds that I can't say. Last week my teacha assigned pwojects fo the class ova diffewent phonemes (sounds of lettas). The only letta I didn't want was aw... and, of cose, that was the letta I was assigned.

Last night, though, theh was a twemendous bweakthwough. Afta confessing my deepest feah to my sista and fwiend of having a client with the name "Woy" oh "Twoy" (those aw two vewy hawd wuds to pwonounce), Amba wequested that I twy to say Woy and Twoy without concentwating. I twied, and what I pehceived as failuh, Amba and Kelli said was nohmal! I can say Roy and Troy afta all! A humongous bawiah was knocked down!

Graduate Schools

Whew! Midterms are over, and I feel good about them! :) I survived! (who knew!)

So, besides the regular academic load, my life has been consumed with the search for the best graduate school of Speech-language Pathology. This weekend I traveled to Dallas/Denton with my friend Lael. It was my very first time to drive in Dallas, and I was super nervous! With the help of my superb navigator (Lael), we made it to our destination and back!

The purpose of this trip was to look at the graduate schools, University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas. UTD really impressed me! :) UNT really did not! I'm refining my list of schools- yeah! I'm also considering Western Kentucky University, University of Tennessee, Texas Women's University, and ACU.

Midterms

This first semester of my senior year was great. Then midterms hit me like a concrete block! No mercy! I turned in a paper, taught a class, and finished a test today. I have a paper and small project due tomorrow. And I have a small project and two tests on Thursday. Ugh! At this time in my life I am seriously wondering if I actually will survive. I'm not convinced that I'll be alive for Fall Break (which is this weekend!!). I may be stressed to tears, but two things hold true:
1. God is good.
2. The sun will keep on rising and setting if I pass geometry or not.

The Fence

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I attend a Tennis class. I walk out to the courts and watch all of the "cool kids" step over a three-foot tall fence. All of the other two athletes (of which I am one) walk an extra forty-five seconds to go through a gate. I have never built up the courage to even attempt stepping over this fence. Three days a week I am faced with the dilemma: "Will I step over the fence today?", and every day I have said no... until today! Today was the day that I would set all of my fears aside and make this bold move! My leg was raised, reached the top of the fence successfully, and slowly traveled to the ground on the other side... (for your information, I have very short legs). Now the other leg. Well, it got caught. I fell immediately on the concrete, scraped my knee and elbow, and landed flat on my back. Instantly the group of guys behind me showed concern for my well-being, and then stepped over the fence. They, too, fell on the concrete and kindly stated, "See, it's so easy to fall! Everybody falls! And now all of the attention isn't on you!"

Threatened Life

Every day my life is threatened! Some days, more than once! I'm innocently walking to my classes and a burst of air brushes my right side, and then my left. Then, a flash of color zooms past me and cuts me off. If I sway only one inch in any direction, I would not be here to tell you this tale. The sidewalks are not safe! The bicycles have taken over!
My advice to the world:
1. Wear a helmet while riding a bike.
2. Wear a helmet while walking to class.
3. Walk on the grass- not on the sidewalk.
4. Walk and twirl, so you can look in all directions.
5. Walk in a group with your backs together, so you can be looking in all directions.
6. Ride bikes- be the "one who threatens" instead of being the "threatened one". (This suggestion is a good option, also, because it is better for the environment and your physical well-being.)

God has kept me safe. I have survived three years on ACU campus with uncontrollable bikes. And, I barely avoided a terrible automobile accident last night. Somebody pulled-out in front of me, and, without thought or conception of what was happening, I found myself with my foot on the brake and my hand on the horn. It is not easy to stop a large Chevy Silverado, but with no explanation other than God extending grace once again to His red-headed daughter, no contact was made with this small car that was inches in front of me and my big truck.

Sweet Surprises!

I love sweet surprises! Today, after having pleasant conversation with a friend, I walked up to the Starbucks counter in the library to say "hi" to one of the workers. While conversing, I observed him with a watering mouth as he combined the tasty ingredients into one delicious substance. He then asked me if I wanted anything, and I confessed that I neglected to bring my money. Regardless of that fact, he took my order. A few minutes later, I enjoyed a scrumptious honey-nut steamer with a bright smiling face and a boosted spirit!

The other day, I was stranded at a convenient store. After filling up my tank of gas, the machine rejected my debit card and demanded cash. Well... I didn't have cash, I had a debit card! Because of my slightly emotional tendencies and my stressful day, I started tearing up and counting pennies. I had $13, some coins, and some Guatemalan currency. The man behind me noticed my dilemma and my distraught state, and he kindly asked how much I needed. Without hesitating a second, he gave me more than was necessary. After several "thank you so much-es", his only request was that I do the same for someone else sometime.

My sister has given me a cute sewing box, my friend has treated me to the Olive Garden, another friend brought me a massive package of M&Ms, another sister wrote me a sweet note, and my uncle helped me fill up my tire with air! There are so many small things that light up my life.

New Interest

Almost a year ago, I witnessed a dazzling performance of Sleeping Beauty as a ballet at the Paramount Theater. Since then, I have had a fervent desire to become a ballerina. I don't care about becoming very good, I just want to try it! I would like to be able to flutter around my room gracefully.


My first attempts have definitely been influenced by my Kajukembo "skills". My arabesque ended up being a lethal back kick! So, I decided that I may need help. I went to the library to check out the video "Ballet 101". Because I am alone in the lobby of Smadams for the first hour of my 5:00-9:00 am shift, that time has become the most ideal for me to attempt this new interest of mine.


I am thoroughly enjoying ballet, and maybe, if my legs ever straddle more than a 90 degree angle, I will consider joining a class!(This is me doing an arabesque!)

The Church

This year is going to be great! It has started off excellently, and I want to keep it that way. Last year was completely exhausting. As a Resident Assistant, my schedule was constant, my body was deprived of sleep and nourishment, and my emotions were exploding out of me uncontrollably. It was difficult for me to have a social life outside of Smadams (my Resident Hall), and that prevented me from spending time with my dear friends.

Already, in this first week of school, God has blessed me with the time and energy to catch up with my very dear friends that I missed excruciatingly last year. My heart is happy, and my face is smiling!

I love friends!
God knows that we need friends.
He knows that we need people.
He created the Church because we NEED the Church.
And my friends are definitely my Church.

Thank You, God, for providing for my needs.

Welcome Week

This week I have been crazy busy with Welcome Week. ACU is unique regarding Freshmen. While most universities abuse the freshmen, the upper class men at ACU serve and love the new students. All week I have led these excited little critters all over campus and all over Abilene. We have had great discussions, we've played mafia, we've praised, we've scavenger hunted, we've run around with dead minnows. Their exhilaration is contagious, and I am so excited for this upcoming year! It will be a good one! And it is my last one as an undergraduate- wow!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy Jig

After just a few hours of sleep, a missed flight, a comfort-cup of icecream, and a long day in airports, Jana and I made it home! It is so nice to be picked up on time by people you love so dearly! I'm glad to be back home, but I will definitely miss Guatemala.

Things that I will miss about Guatemala:

1. Leche Chai from Cafe Portal, served by our friend Carlos.

2. My babies at the hospital. Oh, I love them so much!

3. Magaly, my patient teacher whom I love.

4. A great exchange rate (7.7 Quetzales for every dollar)

5. Mountains and volcanoes all around

6. Reading in Central Park

Things that I love about home:

1. Bathrooms- soft toilet paper, automatic bathrooms, being able to throw tp in the toilet

2. Fitting into the crowd (and not being the only red head in a country of dark skin, dark hair people)

3. English- I can understand what people are saying!

4. Guys opening doors for you, and not just staring or saying crude things

5. My Chi hair straightener

6. The Texas skies

A Beautiful Gift from God

On Wednesday night, right after dinner, our family beckoned us all to the roof of the house to see Volcan Fuego erupt! It was amazing! Never, not even once, did I ever believe that I would get to see such a sight as lava exploding from a volcano! There is no way to express the awe I felt. How can someone put into words such a thrilling performance?
“We were created to love beauty. We love beauty because God loves beauty.” (Ted Dekker, author of Black) God’s beauty is endless. The beauty of the volcano was like nothing I’ve ever seen or experienced before. It was such a gift! It was “something that brought pleasure, like all of God’s gifts.” (Ted Dekker) I’m so blessed! I’m blessed, not just to have seen the eruption, but to be a daughter of such a beautiful, loving, and giving God.

Thank you, Jordan, for these great pictures!

The Kingdom of Heaven Belongs to Such as These

We’ve been volunteering to work with the patients at a Catholic Hospital. This hospital is run solely on donations (mostly from the US and Europe); and it is different than a typical hospital- it is not a place for the ill to get better, it is a home for those with special needs.

Our time there is trying on the body and spirit. Our first day we were asked to go play with the children… but they’re all in wheel chairs. They don’t speak, they don’t understand, they’re fragile. We spoke monologues, we sang, we touched, we fed, we shooed flies from their faces, we wheeled them around.

These children may not know what we are saying, and they may not remember who we are (if they even acknowledged our presence in the first place), but maybe we can make their life more enjoyable by loving on them. Maybe we can give them a reason to smile.

It breaks my heart to see a five-year-old the size of a 10 month old baby (his name is Melvin). It kills me to see a baby cry non-stop for no known reason (Gaspar). It hurts me to see an 8-year-old with a head bigger than his body (Jo-Jo). I hate the truth that these precious children will live their entire lives in this hospital.

But, as much as it hurts to play with these kids, it is worth it! I am so blessed to be with such innocence. I am so grateful to have such extraordinary children to love. Thank You, God, for giving life to these children. Thank You for providing wonderful nurses to care for them so lovingly. And thank You for promising these precious ones a wonderful life in Heaven with You.

El Lago Atitlan

Last weekend we traveled to El Lago Atitlan. This is a lake that is known for its beauty, and goodness, I can see why. We rode for nearly three hours on the windiest, bumpiest road imaginable, and boy did we feel sick! It was terribly nauseating! But, we made it to the lake, and it was gorgeous!

Right next to the lake is the city Panajel, which was filled with more tourists than Antigua (surprising, I know). All along the side of the road were marketplace booths. We were bombarded with Guatemalans trying to sell us their treasures.

Life is a Game!

It seems to me that Guatemalan drivers play several games.

1. How many people can we fit on a trashy bus!? If the bus is made for 40 passengers it will hold 60!
2. How close can we get to the edge of the cliff!? Dad, you know this game well!
3. How many passengers can we make sick!? There is a gas peddle and an accelerator- pick one! And don't push them both every five seconds! They are sure to pick the rode which is the windiest, roughest, and has the most speed bumps.
4. How close can we get to the pedestrians!? The red-head is worth 50 points!

To enjoy our time in Guatemala, we also play games.

1. Guess how many minutes late the bus will come. Last week the bus was 73 minutes late. This week it was 36 minutes late.
2. Guess the number of stares we will receive as we walk to school. Without any attempts to attract attention, we had over twenty stares in about 10 minutes. This one is fun, because it allows us to find amusement in the Shukos instead of complete disgust and disdain.
3. Skip-bo. At school, in a coffee shop, or in a restaurant- we will be playing this exciting card game!

El Dia de Santiago

In Guatemala, the week of July 25 there is a huge celebration for Santiago (St. James, the apostle of Jesus). From what I understand, they believe that Santiago preached the gospel in Spain and that his body was carried to Spain after his martyrdom. Also, they believe that Santiago miraculously appeared in the Reconquista in AD 722 (the battle in which the Christians fought the Muslims to regain Spain and Portugal).

All week we have been enjoying this fiesta! There have been monstrous parades, ear-damaging firecrackers, concerts, and a magnificent fireworks show! Celebrating alongside these Guatemalans has been ever-s0-much fun! I do believe that I will need hearing aids when I return to Los Estados Unidos. The fireworks show was amazing! It may have been the best show I've ever seen! And they exploded right above our heads! Yikes! There was even a man who ran through the park with fireworks shooting off of his back!

It is this type of thing that makes a country unique and special. I'm thankful to have witnessed this cultural celebration!

Climbing Mount Doom

The fellowship was on a mission to destroy the Ring in the flames of Mount Doom. We climbed, and climbed. We fought the orks in our path, and we continued our journey on Mount Doom. We forgot the taste of food, we did not remember the green grass, or the trees of home, we did not remember real life. We had much difficulty destroying the Ring. Smeagol fought us, we fought ourselves; but we made it. The Ring was destroyed, evil was overcome, and we made it safely back to the shire.

Really, Jana, Angela, and I climbed an active volcano, named Pacaya. It was a long and strenuous journey like Frodo’s. The scenery was gorgeous! We did have large obstacles, but we made it! We saw real flowing lava, we felt the heat of the lava below us. And I felt very prepared having seen the Man vs. Wild show on volcanoes! I knew exactly what to do if I got lost or stranded! I even protected my hands by wearing socks! :)

This is a video of the flowing lava. (It is my first attempt at creating a video on my camera- so please excuse how absurd it may seem.)

...And the Poor Get Poorer

Friday Hannah, Jana, Laura, and I went to the coffee farm with our school. There I learned how pathetic dancers the Mayans were, I learned about the Mayan customs, I learned how to grow coffee, and I learned how very little the coffee farmers/workers earn. I was shocked to hear that the people who gather coffee beans all day long every day earn about 60Q a week (the equivalent of less than $8.00).

That afternoon I was discussing this with my teacher, Magaly, and the information about Guatemala kept getting more disheartening and hopeless. Only 60% of Guatemalans are educated at all, and about 20% graduate from high school. Poverty is very real here. Parents have many children, but they cannot provide for them all. So, the children have to quit school and help the family by working (selling things, or helping in the house). So many children are not in schools, and without education, they too, will raise a family that they cannot support. So, their children will have to work instead of attending school. And the cycle continues in a long downward spiral.

Plus, the education in Guatemala is the second worst in the world (Haiti has the worst education system). In public schools there are more than forty children per teacher. The teachers are paid Q 2,000 every month (less than $260). There is no way to provide for a family with that tiny salary! One person could barely survive off of that! The schools are disgusting, filthy, and poor learning environments. The private schools still have forty children per teacher, and the education is a little better- but not much. The teachers are still underpaid, and there aren’t good materials for teaching.

Crime is out of control in Guatemala. Because people are uneducated, they cannot get good jobs. Because they don’t have jobs, they need money. So, they mug people and steal. They join gangs, they rob, they murder. (FYI, Antigua is the safest city in Guatemala, so I’m okay. Tourism is the main industry here, so the police are everywhere protecting the tourists)

Last week a little girl came to the coffee shop where Jana and I were studying. She asked if she could have the rest of Jana’s drink. There wasn’t even 1/5 of the drink left. It’s just so sad. She wasn’t asking for money, or selling anything, she simply wanted to fill her tummy with something.

Here I am, at a loss of what to do. Do I support the children who are selling goods for their family? Will one customer make any difference in their lives? Because I want to encourage education, I don’t want to buy from them (they should be in school- not on the streets selling). But, they can’t get an education unless their family income increases. I realize that one “poor” college student cannot change the lives of all of the illiterate/uneducated people in Guatemala in one month. But, I sure do wish that I could! A smile or kind word doesn’t make any difference in the life of a hungry child.

Shuko (slang for dirty man; aka. "creeper")

From the very first moment Jana and I stepped foot on Guatemalan soil, we have drawn attention from the male species. I am tired of being whistled at (like a dog). I am sick of being grunted for (like a cave man). I have had enough of comments like, “Do you want to go to the dance with me tonight?” or “Hey, sexy ladies”. I’m disgusted every time a guy passes by and stares (4/5 of the guys we encounter stare us down or say something crude). I don't like having guys whisper in my ear as they pass! Seriously, do they think this is flattering? We are not animals, we are human beings! We deserve better than this! I hate it! Where is their dignity? Even males who are driving will watch us until we’re out of sight! It doesn’t even matter how old they are, or how young! Shukos! God created females to be more than just an object of lust. “Thank You, God, for protecting us from harm.”

A Typical Day in Antigua

Every morning Jana, Hannah, Laura, and I awake to eat breakfast at 7:15 am. Breakfast always consists of watermelon, pineapple, and cantelope, and then we sometimes have toast, pancakes, or cereal. After that, we study, shower, and get ready for the day. At about 9:00, we walk 15 minutes into town to read in the park, or study in a coffee shop until 11:45. Then we head back home to eat lunch at 12:15ish. Lunch is the big meal of the day in Guatemala, so it typically includes a meat, vegetables, and bread. At 12:45pm I walk another 15 minutes to school. There I study with Magaly for five hours with about two coffee/brain breaks. In Guatemala it rains just about every evening. Many times we are walking for 20 minutes in the rain and are drenched at dinner at 6:15pm (Dinner is usually some form of pasta with vegetables). At about 7:15pm we usually go back into town to either study or rest our minds with some coffee. Because it gets dark at 7:30, it is best for us to be back at home by 9:00pm (for safety reasons). By 8:30, we're exhausted, so we return to the house and play cards and talk and study. This is what we've done for the past four days. It's a lot of eating, walking, coffee, and studying- and I like it!

El Primera Dia de Escuela! (the first day of school)

Two of our friends, Hannah and Laura, have joined Jana and I here to study. (They are even living in the same house! whoop whoop!) The four of us have enjoyed walking around the city, sitting in the park, watching people, and drinking coffee.

Yesterday our classes started! Yea! Class is from 1:00pm-6:00pm. I'm studying for five hours every day one-on-one with a tutor named Magaly. Magaly is wonderful! She is patient, kind, and very experienced. She has three little girls. She laughs at me often, and I believe she's thrilled at my eagerness to learn. She knows just enough English to make me feel comfortable and not completely confused. The school placed me in level B (which is level 2), so I'm reviewing and learning- which is great! It's exactly where I wanted to be.

During the five hours of class, mi maestra (my teacher) and I talk the whole time. We practice the lesson verbally through thousands of questions and answers. We sit at a table with a white board which aids Magaly in her teaching. Its fun- I love white boards!

The Christian Spanish Academy provides unlimited tea and coffee- amazing! After three hours straight of conversation in a foreign language, coffee was a necessity. We have a thirty minute break in the middle of class which is also a necessity. After class yesterday, my brain was completely fried. My mind hurt so much that my body was achy as well. Whew! Spanish is exhausting!

Where in the world is Caryn?

Antigua, Guatemala is a small town in Central America consisting of about 30,000 people. Nearly half of the population is American. There are nearly fifty language schools in this small town, which makes it a huge attraction for college-age students and tourists.

Volcanoes covered in green trees and shrubbery surrround the city. The town itself reminds me of what I've seen in Mexico: run down houses and buildings, faded- but colorful- paint, and beautifully tanned faces. The streets are cobblestone, which sounds cute and quaint, but it is not! Walking upon these roads is difficult and often painful. The phrase, "You can't judge a book by its cover" is a perfect description of Antigua. The buildings look wretchedly gross on the outside, but inside they can be a 5-star hotel, nice boutique, yummy ice cream shop, or shady store.

The weather is gorgeous! It has rained every day for about ten minutes, and the rest of the time is 70-80 degree weather! It is perfect weather for walking (which is good, since I walk miles everyday going from here-to-there).

I don't know much about the history yet. There are cathedrals and Mayan ruins, but that's about all I know!

The Christian Spanish Academy is the largest language school with ninety students. The building has outside walls, but only half of a roof. So, it feels like we're outside while we're studying one-on-one with our tutor. I will start on Monday! Yikes!

The journey here hasn't been easy, but it's getting better. I praise God that Jana is with me! I am also very thankful for Angela, a girl we met at DFW. She is studying at a different school, but we have been hanging out with her a lot. She is definitely competent in speaking Spanish, she is a Speech-Pathologist (like what we're studying to become), she is a good Christian, and she is super fun! Yea, God!

Once Upon a Time...

There was a young red-headed girl who wanted to learn Spanish in a far away country. She asked her friend Jana if she would like to go with her to a land far, far way, and without any hesitation, Jana agreed.

The day of the flight to the distant country arrived, and the two girls met at the airport (each having had less than three hours of sleep). Sweet Caryn had difficulty going through security because apparently it is the end of the world if mascara, lip gloss, saline solution, etc. enter the airport. This innocent one was a threat to the world, and the cruel security guard practically accused her of being an enemy to the country. After being threatened to lose the privilege of flying far, far away, Caryn attempted to pass through the evil security line again. Whew! She made it!

The two young ladies anxiously awaited their flight. They waited…and waited…and waited. Hark! Their ears perked at the sound of the last call to board their plane. Whew! They made it!

The plane landed safely in this far-off land, and Jana and Caryn quickly gathered their belongings to start their brave journey. After being informed numerous times that someone would be awaiting our arrival and holding a sign with our beautiful names written on it, the reality of having no one to greet us was confusing and disappointing. After ten offers for getting our shoes shined (the girls were wearing crocs and flip-flops), fifty offers for a taxi to our destination, eight hundred lusting eyes looking us over, two short phone conversations with the school, one bag of peanut M&Ms, and four hours of waiting in a disgustingly filthy, uncomfortable, crowded, foreign airport, Jana and Caryn were finally picked up by the a taxi driver sent from the school.

The ride to their new home was thrilling and frightful, but fine. One wouldn’t believe a bus could fit in all the places that this one squeezed through. It was impressive!

In this distant land there are countless green trees, and plants. The new place is surrounded by mountains/volcanoes, which make it lovely. The reckless driver took the charming females through shady neighborhoods, bright buildings, and disheartening poverty. Then, he pressed the brake to drop us off at the host family’s place. The girls’ nerves were shot from the day’s happenings, but hope remained within them. Through the open door they did not enter a house, but a courtyard of flourishing plants and chirping birds. The house just seems to be a part of the outdoors. The place would be a typical home one sees everyday if it had an outside wall, but it doesn’t, so it isn’t ordinary at all. Jana and Caryn were given a pleasant blue room in which to stay, and the “house mom” made them feel as comfortable as she possibly could.

At this point, the difficulties the girls experienced throughout the day were almost worth it, just to live in this beautiful home. But, their time in the foreign land has not yet ended. And the rest of the adventure will wait until another day.

Birthday Blessings

After being a teenager for a gazillion years, I finally reached 20 years last Tuesday! It was anticlimactic for a birthday- Mom and Dad went to work, Keith was out with his friends, and I chilled with the little guys. However, my birthday was filled with simple pleasures that warmed my heart.

1. Mom and Anne gave me a "Happy Birthday" as soon as I awoke, and Dad called me to wish me the same just a few minutes following. I love how my family wishes "Happy Birthday" at every single encounter with me all day long!
2. I received an encouraging email concerning my Assistant Director interview (they like me!).
3. I mutilated Anne and Kevin in two games of Risk.
4. I enjoyed a pleasant Cracker-Barrel lunch with my good friend Nathan.
5. My dear brother, Jon, came over to give me a very special birthday present!
6. My darling sister, Amber, took me to get a sno-cone and give me another great gift!
7. Susan, the precious sno-cone maker, gave me a sno-cone for my birthday!
8. The last night of Avalanch Ranch went super well.
9. Anne gave me a huge bundle of bracelets and anklets that she made for me!
10. And the stormy sky was just gorgeous!

Isn't life fun?! I haven't even had my Birthday party yet, which means more exhilarating times await me!

The Joy of Summer!

There isn't much that I enjoy more than summertime. Anne and her best friend Holli Jolli, are outside "selling" lemonade. Keith is napping on the couch. Kevin and I are playing with our precious dog, Lucy (a.k.a. Lucifer). There aren't any paper deadlines or exams on the horizon. Nope! Just board games to play, books to read, movies to watch, food to eat, and friends to see! I love summer!