Marvelous Monday 3.9.09

You can't go wrong with fabulous weather, good friends (old and new), the Saucer, Indian music and lots of laughter. Another Marvelous Monday...

Perfection

I could not have enjoyed the weather more this weekend! From sitting outside with girlfriends to taking an extended ride with Dad on the motorcycle, it has all been perfect! Going back outside to paint some more and listen to some tunes by Aireline.

Oh happiness!

Missing

I miss China.

Transitioning is strange.

The first few months in America were miserable. I talked about going back. I thought I made a huge mistake. I wanted to go back to that familiar little piece of the world that I had made home. Then, I got a job doing something I love, found a church that challenges and inspires me, spent more time with a group of people more like-minded about life,and found a routine which was comfortable. My "need" for China slowly started disappearing.

My life is full of happy things. I am super blessed and do not lack. However, lately I find myself dreaming more about Yichang and the people. I wish I could spend evenings with Peach in the kitchen, walk with Felix around town, eat on Snack Street with the Monday night boys, listen to crazy Daniel play the guitar, cook for a Tuesday night crowd, and be with a very small, but amazing group of Family on the weekends. We are so blessed to have the communication technology we have, but it isn't the same. We can't even talk about everything. To hear Amy and Brad talk about their last semester... I just miss it. It is a different kind of missing than my first few months. Can't really explain it even.

It is a beautiful Saturday morning here in Nashville, Tennessee, but I am wishing that I was at the market outside of my apartment in Yichang.

1 Thess. 4:11-12

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life

to mind your own business

and to work with your hands,

just as we told you,

so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders

and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

-1 Thess. 4:11-12 (NIV)

It's Coming...

Mule Day is coming!

March 30- April 5, Columbia, Tennessee is hosting their annual Mule Days. The festivities include: mule shows, seminars, riding lesson, pulling contests, parades, clogging, bluegrass jams, gospel singing and church services. All things that make the redneck in you "Hee-haw!" with delight.

I am a little stoked. ;)

Mini-Break: Cincinnati

On Saturday after mailing in my research paper (sigh.), Amy and I headed to Cincinnati. My heart just felt lighter with every mile away from Nashville. It was so nice to have a small break!

The weekend was spent mostly just talking and catching up. There were trips to Skyline (yum.), church with family, birthday celebration of Willis (yea.), Greaters Ice cream (yum again.), a Yao Ming documentary, Brad's life planning session, and lots of naps for me. I seemed to fall asleep everytime we sat down. It was a little hard to get used to Brad's manners again. (His mother did a great job of raising him.) It was so good to be together again with both Amy and Brad.

Of course, we could not leave without doing something ridiculous, so we went to Northern Kentucky University to catch Barnum and Bailey's circus. Sadly, it was not the greatest show on earth. (Maybe I am biased because I did have a whole circus for my birthday!) The ringmaster did not have a moustache and there was a trained porcupine. Guess times have changed... It was very colorful and fun to take photos of.

Now, it's back to reality and work again. So thankful for this mini-break!!!! Spring break is right around the corner and with that come trips to Dallas and Washington DC. :)

Father Daughter Dance

On Friday night, my school hosted a Father Daughter dance. I was as excited as my kiddos... maybe even more. My dad drove down from Hendersonville for the big shindig. Dances sure have changed. I felt like I was clubbin' with my dad and a bunch of elementary kids. "Party Like A Rock Star" and some peanut butter song were the tops hits. My father was way out of his element and frankly, so was I. We had a good time though. I got to dance with my father for the very first time. :)

My other dates :)