Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
CA Update
So, I have .5 seconds to update you all.
Rich and I arrived in LA shortly before noon yesterday. It was fun to fly in and see the "Hollywood" sign and LA skyline. It's been a while since my eyes have seen them! Since our arrival, we've met with folks in one of our student programs (LA Filmworks) about a possible graduate studies program (focusing on Film) with them and two other CA schools in the area.
After our meeting, we went to dinner on Miracle Mile (a one mile stretch of road here that has many art museums and features a tar pit where the oldest sloth and woolly mammoth was found!) at Johnny's, an Italian restaurant that proved to have tasty food.
Rich and I finally arrived at our hotel at 8:45 PM- 11:45 PM east coast time. I was tired, but feel rested after a nine hour sleep last night!
Today we are headed to Biola University in La Mirada. We'll spend the next day and a half there before we come back to LA and finish up business here. Phew!
The staff and facilities in LA are all wonderful. I'm excited about seeing Biola and getting a taste of their campus life. It's certainly been great to get away from cold DC for a little while!
Rich and I arrived in LA shortly before noon yesterday. It was fun to fly in and see the "Hollywood" sign and LA skyline. It's been a while since my eyes have seen them! Since our arrival, we've met with folks in one of our student programs (LA Filmworks) about a possible graduate studies program (focusing on Film) with them and two other CA schools in the area.
After our meeting, we went to dinner on Miracle Mile (a one mile stretch of road here that has many art museums and features a tar pit where the oldest sloth and woolly mammoth was found!) at Johnny's, an Italian restaurant that proved to have tasty food.
Rich and I finally arrived at our hotel at 8:45 PM- 11:45 PM east coast time. I was tired, but feel rested after a nine hour sleep last night!
Today we are headed to Biola University in La Mirada. We'll spend the next day and a half there before we come back to LA and finish up business here. Phew!
The staff and facilities in LA are all wonderful. I'm excited about seeing Biola and getting a taste of their campus life. It's certainly been great to get away from cold DC for a little while!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Hmm
((For those who may be wondering, we have neither seen, heard, nor caught any more mice.))
The weekend was somewhat uneventful and today has definitely been the same.
Mallory had a friend, whom she'd lived with during her internship, stay for a couple of nights. Friday was one of those nights. It was super cold on Friday and it had been sleeting for a few hours before I got off work. The perfect weather for warm Italian food! Mmm... Bistro anyone??
So, Mal, Amber (friend) and I went to Bistro for dinner. It was delicious. When we finished, we stopped at the store and got stuff for brownies! Yay! From there, we rented A Good Year and Scoop (both of which were great movies). By the time we left Blockbuster, the snow was falling. It reminded me of feathers as they were big flakes that gracefully danced and swirled.
On Saturday, Mal, Amber and Drew went to brunch while I slept. ::insert BIG smile::
Later that night, after Mal drove Amber to the airport, the three of us did what every normal person in the U.S. does to celebrate St Patty's Day- we donned our green and went to eat Japanese! The rest of the evening was just as eventful, because we went home, changed into our pj's and watched Scoop and a movie Drew had rented called Shaun of the Dead (a spoof on zombie horror movies).
On Sunday, Drew and I went to church and then lunch and ANOTHER movie. Seeing a pattern for the weekend? We caught Premonition in the theatre. It was very entertaining and much better than the last Sandra Bullock flick that Mike and I caught- Lake House. If there is ever a movie to NOT watch, it would be Lake House.
And that's pretty much the weekend. Boring, but nice.
Tomorrow night I have my first "observation" hours at the Pregnancy Center. I'll be there from seven to ten with another counselor. I'll be watching every step- from the greeting to the testing and result reading. I was told that the counselor I am observing really shares a lot about the gospel and salvation. Apparently, she shares the gospel more than other counselors. Or at least that's the impression I got over the phone.
Looking a few days ahead, I'm leaving for CA on Thursday morning and will be gone until Monday night.
The weekend was somewhat uneventful and today has definitely been the same.
Mallory had a friend, whom she'd lived with during her internship, stay for a couple of nights. Friday was one of those nights. It was super cold on Friday and it had been sleeting for a few hours before I got off work. The perfect weather for warm Italian food! Mmm... Bistro anyone??
So, Mal, Amber (friend) and I went to Bistro for dinner. It was delicious. When we finished, we stopped at the store and got stuff for brownies! Yay! From there, we rented A Good Year and Scoop (both of which were great movies). By the time we left Blockbuster, the snow was falling. It reminded me of feathers as they were big flakes that gracefully danced and swirled.
On Saturday, Mal, Amber and Drew went to brunch while I slept. ::insert BIG smile::
Later that night, after Mal drove Amber to the airport, the three of us did what every normal person in the U.S. does to celebrate St Patty's Day- we donned our green and went to eat Japanese! The rest of the evening was just as eventful, because we went home, changed into our pj's and watched Scoop and a movie Drew had rented called Shaun of the Dead (a spoof on zombie horror movies).
On Sunday, Drew and I went to church and then lunch and ANOTHER movie. Seeing a pattern for the weekend? We caught Premonition in the theatre. It was very entertaining and much better than the last Sandra Bullock flick that Mike and I caught- Lake House. If there is ever a movie to NOT watch, it would be Lake House.
And that's pretty much the weekend. Boring, but nice.
Tomorrow night I have my first "observation" hours at the Pregnancy Center. I'll be there from seven to ten with another counselor. I'll be watching every step- from the greeting to the testing and result reading. I was told that the counselor I am observing really shares a lot about the gospel and salvation. Apparently, she shares the gospel more than other counselors. Or at least that's the impression I got over the phone.
Looking a few days ahead, I'm leaving for CA on Thursday morning and will be gone until Monday night.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A haiku by Drew
The following Haiku was written by Drew and in response to the events that transpired (and were documented) yesterday morning:
Fiefels- a haiku *
I left her there
her hands still wet
the
drip of murder
the faucet on
A leg broken
a jaw
glued
but
none prepared
for the bath
Their cries
stifled
by plastic
bags
filling with water
and then no
more
An immigrant dream
shattered
cut down
a family
drowned -
by the worries of
two mad
women
* in memory of
those mice who have / will met their end in
apt. 918
Monday, March 12, 2007
Oddly enough, Murder Smells Like Peanut Butter
** WARNING: This post is kind of brutal. Don't read it if you're a major animal lover or squeamish when it comes to pest control. **
We've had an unwelcome visitor in the house since before Mallory and I went on our St Thomas trip. What used to be rare sightings have only increased in frequency since the weather has warmed.
It first began as a nibbled cookie box or bread bag, but has progressed lately into a party. We'd be sitting in the living room and hear our little friend in the pantry. Or worse, we'd be getting something in the pantry and have a sighting. Honestly, it was slightly more entertaining if Mal saw little Mickey than if Drew or I did. Usually the whole block would know if she did.
Mallory and I took aggressive measures yesterday and bought a couple different types of traps- the typical WAY sticky glue traps and the "snap" traps. We set them out last night, enticing our little friend with peanut butter.
This morning, while I was getting ready for work, I heard Drew call from downstairs.
"I hope you're happy! You've caught the mouse and his foot is broken, but he's still alive." Drew has been opposed to our catching the mouse and swore that he'd have nothing to do with the entire situation.
Mallory and Mark (who said he'd "take care of it" if we caught it) had already left for work. Thus, it was up to me to put the little darling out of its misery. And it really was cute. I felt bad for him.
Drew watched as I danced around him, trying best to figure out how to "free" him from his misery. When it became apparent to Drew that I was NOT going to set him free literally, he grabbed his lunch and was out the door faster than I could say, "pass me that bowl."
Thankfully, Mike gave me the tip last night to drown it.
So, I did.
Ick.
After doing death row duty, I finished getting ready for work. I was cleaning the area where the mouse trap had been. There were peanut butter remnants everywhere. I moved the trash can that it sat near and saw ANOTHER one stuck in a glue trap.
Eww.
By now, I was an expert at picking it up and disposing of it. However, it didn't make it any easier to do. Poor kids.
Hopefully, we've caught all of our little friends. I told my horror story to Rich this morning and he told one of his own. He shared that he'd been the hunter for his mother-in-law. He thought there was just one to catch, but caught 11 before hunting season was finished.
Needless to say, we'll be leaving some traps out for quite a bit longer.
We've had an unwelcome visitor in the house since before Mallory and I went on our St Thomas trip. What used to be rare sightings have only increased in frequency since the weather has warmed.
It first began as a nibbled cookie box or bread bag, but has progressed lately into a party. We'd be sitting in the living room and hear our little friend in the pantry. Or worse, we'd be getting something in the pantry and have a sighting. Honestly, it was slightly more entertaining if Mal saw little Mickey than if Drew or I did. Usually the whole block would know if she did.
Mallory and I took aggressive measures yesterday and bought a couple different types of traps- the typical WAY sticky glue traps and the "snap" traps. We set them out last night, enticing our little friend with peanut butter.
This morning, while I was getting ready for work, I heard Drew call from downstairs.
"I hope you're happy! You've caught the mouse and his foot is broken, but he's still alive." Drew has been opposed to our catching the mouse and swore that he'd have nothing to do with the entire situation.
Mallory and Mark (who said he'd "take care of it" if we caught it) had already left for work. Thus, it was up to me to put the little darling out of its misery. And it really was cute. I felt bad for him.
Drew watched as I danced around him, trying best to figure out how to "free" him from his misery. When it became apparent to Drew that I was NOT going to set him free literally, he grabbed his lunch and was out the door faster than I could say, "pass me that bowl."
Thankfully, Mike gave me the tip last night to drown it.
So, I did.
Ick.
After doing death row duty, I finished getting ready for work. I was cleaning the area where the mouse trap had been. There were peanut butter remnants everywhere. I moved the trash can that it sat near and saw ANOTHER one stuck in a glue trap.
Eww.
By now, I was an expert at picking it up and disposing of it. However, it didn't make it any easier to do. Poor kids.
Hopefully, we've caught all of our little friends. I told my horror story to Rich this morning and he told one of his own. He shared that he'd been the hunter for his mother-in-law. He thought there was just one to catch, but caught 11 before hunting season was finished.
Needless to say, we'll be leaving some traps out for quite a bit longer.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Spring!!!!
Yay! It's officially here!
The weather is gorgeous today. I woke up early and went to a Leadership meeting. The ten block walk was exhilerating. People were out running. Dogs were walking their masters. Frisbees were being tossed and kids were taking full advantage of the park's slides. Movement was everywhere.
It's fitting that tonight we go forward in time for Spring. What a perfect day to usher in the season. I love getting an extra hour of daylight and am excited that we get four more weeks of longer days this year.
I've opened some windows, cleaned a bit, and am watching the curtains dance. The air is fresh. It's a new season.
The weather is gorgeous today. I woke up early and went to a Leadership meeting. The ten block walk was exhilerating. People were out running. Dogs were walking their masters. Frisbees were being tossed and kids were taking full advantage of the park's slides. Movement was everywhere.
It's fitting that tonight we go forward in time for Spring. What a perfect day to usher in the season. I love getting an extra hour of daylight and am excited that we get four more weeks of longer days this year.
I've opened some windows, cleaned a bit, and am watching the curtains dance. The air is fresh. It's a new season.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Reflections
I've been really wrestling with some demons that I thought were conquered. They're dark, slimy and make me sensitive. And slightly defensive.
I moved on, having shoved them into a box and stored them in the back of my closet. Or at least I thought I did. I did a little spring cleaning and it wasn't the fun kind. There were no warm, smiling photos. No happy notes or goofy drawings. When I opened my box, all I felt was a gut blow. Man- those demons are tough. They are overwhelming and taunting. They're like tides... slamming me down and requiring me to pick myself back up. Soaked and heavy.
Thank God for grace. I can't keep getting up without it.
According to NIV, the following is a poem. It's poetic because David wrote it "with each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet." I don't know what demons David was wrestling, what negative thoughts were pelting him, or what box he opened, but I took comfort in his words:
I moved on, having shoved them into a box and stored them in the back of my closet. Or at least I thought I did. I did a little spring cleaning and it wasn't the fun kind. There were no warm, smiling photos. No happy notes or goofy drawings. When I opened my box, all I felt was a gut blow. Man- those demons are tough. They are overwhelming and taunting. They're like tides... slamming me down and requiring me to pick myself back up. Soaked and heavy.
Thank God for grace. I can't keep getting up without it.
According to NIV, the following is a poem. It's poetic because David wrote it "with each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet." I don't know what demons David was wrestling, what negative thoughts were pelting him, or what box he opened, but I took comfort in his words:
To you, Oh Lord, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, O Lord,
forgive me my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release me from the snare.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.
Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Psalm 25
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to home I go...
In 15 hours, Mal and I will be loading the car and cruising south!
I haven't been home in a couple of months, so I'm looking forward to seeing the fam (and Michael, of course). I've almost forgotten what driving down 95 is like. I'm sure that will come back to me real quick!
Mal, Mark (our little written of roomie), and I are all taking half days and rolling down the road shortly before 1:00. Mark is doing his thing (visiting family I think), Mal is catching up on some fam/ friend time, and I am doing the family thing and also attending a wedding with Michael (the agenda point that inspired this trip).
The weekend is already full of things to do and people to visit. A regular weekend is always too short. I'm SOOOOO excited!!
I haven't been home in a couple of months, so I'm looking forward to seeing the fam (and Michael, of course). I've almost forgotten what driving down 95 is like. I'm sure that will come back to me real quick!
Mal, Mark (our little written of roomie), and I are all taking half days and rolling down the road shortly before 1:00. Mark is doing his thing (visiting family I think), Mal is catching up on some fam/ friend time, and I am doing the family thing and also attending a wedding with Michael (the agenda point that inspired this trip).
The weekend is already full of things to do and people to visit. A regular weekend is always too short. I'm SOOOOO excited!!
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