Introducing: Suzie Q!

I love dogs. Grown up with dogs my whole life. Dog-sat for co-workers at each of my previous jobs. I love dogs. However, I have not had a dog of my very own. Granted my little Grace was as close to being my own dog as any up to this point, but still she has to live with mom. This past weekend, I adopted my very own dog. She's a sweetheart. Only 4 years old, potty-trained (praise Jesus), past the chewing up furniture (and baseboards) stage, super cuddly, loves to go on her walks, doesn't really bark or lick...she's pretty great. She's got a pretty intense case of separation anxiety, but considering she's lived in at least two other households before mine and she's only 4 years old - can't really blame her. Hopefully, as we get into a routine that will begin to fade a bit. And right now she's not terribly interested in playing with her toys, but again as she grows more comfortable in her new setting, she will likely begin to loosen up and play with the toys. Oh, and I bet you're dying to see a pic of her - so here ya go!

New Apartment (again)

For those eager to see my new digs (...uh, that would be you miss Becca)...here is a picture collage:


I'm really enjoying the faux wood floors - that and the fireplace seem to give it a very homey feeling. Plus, love my brand new kitchen appliances...as you can tell by the kitchen pics, I love to cook but not quite as good at keeping up with the clean up afterward. The bedroom is enormous with a every woman's favorite walk-in closet, which is one of many closets in this apartment...there's an entry closet near the front door, a hall closet between my bedroom and bathroom, a linen closet in the bathroom, and a storage closet out on the balcony...yep my sister is quite envious of all my storage. And did you notice the built in book shelves right as you enter the apartment?! love it! And my sister would like you to know that she was the creative guru who decorated that whole bookshelf.

Overdue

Update, update, update...

I'm still not in the writing mood, but I also know that an update is LONG overdue - especially considering my last post was made when I was still living in Kentucky! Yikes...

For those who may be a little confused, I moved from Kentucky back to Texas, although this time it was destination Dallas. After a year of not quite being able to figure out my role at City on a Hill, it was time for me to take a deeper look at what I wanted out of a job. It became obvious that for most of my adult life I had stuck with jobs that I knew I could do and did not create much of a challenge for me. Up to this point, I did not think I had much room to try anything new in regards to a career because I felt more concerned with just being able to get by in supporting myself financially. As I faced the reality that just because I could do a job well did not mean that I enjoyed doing that job, God used this past year to help me figure out what career might be something that I would actually enjoy doing as well as be a challenge for me. As I conversed with Him on about what this might be, teaching kept coming to the forefront on my mind. For many years I have loved working with students in the youth group. Having led several small groups for middle and high school girls, I have glimpsed at the impact a teacher can have in a student's life. Yet, even in these small groups, I was more of a discussion leader than an actual teacher, which poses part of the challenge that would be in store for me as a teacher. Public speaking has never been my forte and somewhat terrifies me at times, but sharing with students something that I am passionate about doesn't seem quite so daunting. In the next few months, it is my goal to begin working on my alternative teaching certificate which is mostly why I made the move back to Texas. In Texas, there are MANY programs available to those who have already earned a Bachelor's degree to pursue an alternative teaching certification without having to earn a Master's degree.

Why did I choose Dallas over moving back to Houston? For one thing, Houston's allergy quotient does not agree with my sinus cavities. Two, as much as I love my mom - it would not be good for me to be that close to her geographically - physical distance is a boundary that must be in place for our relationship to continue in a healthy direction. I know that sounds odd and contradictory, but in my dysfunctional family's case it is very true. Three, I have family here that I am just now getting the opportunity to connect with - including the great-aunt who allowed me to live with her when I first moved here. Plus, my little sis lives just an hour and a half away, and my Corpus relatives make plenty of trips up here to visit my aunt's in-laws. All-around, Dallas is a great place for me to be geographically and relationally with my family.

That's about all the update I've got in me this evening...oh, wait one more thing - I absolutely LOVE my new apartment in Dallas. I am in this super cute complex that is older, but the interior of the units have been renovated with faux wood floors in all the rooms except the bedroom, ceiling fans in the living room and bedroom with lights (which is big because my apartment in Louisville did not have that feature), and brand new kitchen appliances (which is huge because I love cooking up a storm in the kitchen - and it is a storm because there are typically dirty dishes always in my sink...and on the counter....and probably on the stove top too). After moving here, I've felt a bit like Goldilocks with my previous apartments. The first one was really nice, but a little cramped in my bedroom for my bed and desk and night tables. The apartment in Louisville was a great deal, but ultimately I didn't have need for a two bedroom and was obviously too large. This one is just right for all of my furniture and decorations. Everything seems to have adopted it's place immediately in my new apartment - and it was the quickest I've ever gotten unpacked. In about a week and a half everything was out of boxes and ready for visitors...(hint, hint.....should anyone decide they need to come check it out for themselves - hotel Kristy is open for business :-) ) Granted, I did have some help from my sis, but even she was impressed with how much I had done the week before she arrived to help.

I'm feeling a bit better about being back in the blogging world now......and I know Miss Becca will keep on me (as I asked her) to make sure I keep updating this little 'ole blog with ponderings and just all around general updates like this one.....picks of the fabulous apartment to come, but now I am off to dreamland!

Extras

For those who are unaware, The Office was originally a BBC series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Extras was their second joint venture into sitcom comedic television. At the urging of my friend, Stacey, I finally checked out this second series. It explores the life of Andy Millman - a guy who quit his steady, well-paying job to pursue his dream of becoming a proper actor. Of course, he obviously starts off just getting non-speaking "extras" work - but that's been dragging on for five years now due to the incompetency of his agent. The audience gets to see behind-the-scenes into the world of extras through the lens of Ricky Gervais' pessimistically, dry humor. Cameos galore of major movie stars pop-up throughout the series. Take a look at a clip of Ben Stiller's spot on the show:

Fringe

The fall season of television has started and with it comes a few new programs. Tonight is the series premiere of Fringe on Fox. Fringe, yet another high concept show from creative genius J.J. Abrams - but as entertaining as this show is, it has me wondering why he's recycling aspects from his previous series - most notably LOST.

Fringe begins with a plane, which is highly reminiscent of LOST - you think J.J.'s got a thing for planes?? Plenty of crazy things happened on planes in Alias, too, as Jennifer Garner's character took down nefarious people all around the globe. On this particular plane, we've got what appears to be a terrorist attack with a disgusting, fast acting, flesh melting biological agent (yes, that's right melting - as opposed to flesh eating). Not only that, as we come to find out later the perpetrator of the biological agent was an unwitting pawn as his insulin injection was laced with the mysterious substance. Don't freak out - I haven't revealed anything that will take away from what J.J. is best at - those masterfully creative twists and turns. He still maintains his grasp of the unexpected plot divergence, as well as recruiting a familiar face from...LOST, of course. Although, it also seems as though he's imported the music from LOST, too. I understand this is supposed to be an ominous sci-fi series, but does the music have to be as heavy-handed as it is in LOST - and sound nearly identical?

One of the most fun aspects of the show: Joshua Jackson (of Dawson's Creek fame) is one of the main characters - this makes me very happy. In the midst of all the weird, pseudo-science, government/corporate spy shenanigans - Joshua Jackson excels at his specialty - snarky, sarcastic, quick-witted humor...sigh...it's so good to have him back in prime time again.

Even though this premiere episode proves to be as quick to reel me in as LOST, I dream of a day when J.J. will create another angst driven show like "Felicity" that is void of the sci-fi conspiracy antics and CGI.

Latest Message from Wendy

Just got this via Facebook from Wendy:

Ok so i got internet access again so i thought i would send yall a quick note but I have to copy and paste again cause stinky facebook only allows you to put so many people on message... LAME! Since the last time I wrote it has been crazy, half of our team got a stomach virus so we connected by being sick in the cho (aka the hole in the ground we call a bathroom). I was one of the lucky team members that got sick but we all got through it and God taught us to trust in Him because we luckily got sick before the kids came. We just finished our first week of camp and it was amazing. We had orphans as our first week of campers and it broke my heart to see them leave today, if only I were in a place to adopt there were definetely a couple I would love to adopt. The week was filled with games and bible study. BK and I are roomies and we had the youngest campers and half of them were bed wetters... which was interesting... pray the pee smell will air out soon. The cutest was, BK and I left the room to get ready and came back to see them draging their mattresses outside. Every day these kids start by washing their clothes in buckets with bars of soap so we would stand outside amazed at these kids scrubbing away while we stood watching in the same clothes we have worn for three days... sigh I have become disgusting and dirty, but a cold shower is just torture and no one showers here. These kids were amazing in the knowledge they already have in the Lord so we were stretched in trying to challenge them even more. Also these kids had pretty hard shells when they first got here due to constantly having people come in and out of their lives, so it was a bit of a battle to break through, but by the end of the week they were all hugging on us and sharing their lives with us. Please be in prayer for next week we have our regular campers but they do not know english as well, so we will be even more dependent on our translators.
All but one of the action packers was found, the baby supplies was located... YAY! the action packer that is lost does not have necessay supplies.
AHHH I have to go cause everyone is yelling at me cause we all have to share the computer.
I love you all!!!!
Wendy

Another Message from Wendy in Africa

I know it is kinda lame that I haven't actually written a post in a while, but I assure you that you will soon get your fix of more of my amazing wit and wisdom soon.....but in the meantime here is another message that my sister sent about her trip to Africa (actually she sent it on the same day as the last message - I'm just slow in posting it).


So my first message was ridiculous because i was in such a hurry and could not get myself to calm down and think so let me try this again. Oh and facebook restricts how many people you can send stuff too that is silly. Anyway we are at a girl's school and the girls there are fabulous and just so happy to have us there. They ask us all sorts of questions and love teaching us the language and teaching us to dance. We went to church on sunday and the girls sang to us and it was the most beauticul song I have ever heard. I did not know the words but just to praise God with them was such an amazing blessing. The girls will only be there a few more days and I wish that we were putting on camp for them so we could get to know them better. They love getting their picture taken and want to see themselves because there are no mirrors so many of them have not seen themselves for a very long time. We played volleyball with them and they completely killed us we rematched four times and only won one game. And they are amazing at scrabble and yes we were using english words and they put down words i never would have thought of. Oh and they have such a love for the Lord that I pray I could have that much faith. Today we went to the market and bought way too much stuff but then again I do have a shopping problem. The people there are very aggressive and you have to be careful becuase they will put things on you and then you have to pay for it or somehow get it back into their hands and everything is up for negotiation. The craziest was when we were buying out of the top of our van. Oh the vans we are in are for safaris so the tops pop up so right before our safari we were buying more stuff. I made the mistake of getting out of the van to get my sunglasses from our other van and got completely mobbed and had to be rescued. I thought i was fine but Lucas, one of my teammates got a little worried due to my face issues (aka i don't like my face touched as you all know). As i said before we are at a resort right now so we got hot showers and got to get cleaned. It was the first time since we got here that i got to see myself in a full lenght mirror and it was not a pretty sight, but then again when you haven't showered in four days that is to be expected. This place is just amazing, and beautiful and the people we are working along side with are just so filled with God's love and teaching me so much about loving people well. The team we have is definetly hand picked by God and so far we have such amazing unity and bonding, I pray that continues once we have been together for a couple of weeks and know each others annoyances. I have so much to say. I have so many thoughts going through my head my hands just can't type fast enough 15 min is not enough time!!!! I love this place so much and want to tell you everything. Mainly how amazing these kids are I want to adopt on so bad and bring it home with me. Don't worry Mom, GG, Val and Barbara I am not going to do it, i just want to, they are precious. Plus kenya law doesn't allow me to. You think the airlines would notice if i brought a little boy with me on the plane he could be my personal item. Anyways, Please be in prayer as we continue planning for next week. The kids are finally coming!!!! Also the airport lost a lot of luggage 6 bags and 4 of our action packers and Tiffany's bag and 2 action packer are still missing. Tiffany is the one here with her 9 month old so her bag is vital or we have to get supplies quickly shipped from the states. Also please pray for continued unity as the honeymoon phase ends with this group. oh I have to go because this silly faceboook message thing won't let me send this to everyone. ...(blah blah blah - personal shout-outs to her peeps)...Thank you all for your prayers and I will see if i can find a computer later, but Lances died once we got here. There have been many little blips so i am sure God is going to move in a might way. Ahhh time is almost up!!! I miss and love EVERYONE.