Colossians 3:17

MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY EVER!!

2007-10-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

In case any of you were wondering who was the most beautiful baby in the world...wonder no more:)

I happen to be related to her.

She is my niece.

Her name is Araliya Grace Heinle...and she is a precious little angel.

See for yourself.

8 Months...wow!

2007-10-06T10:33:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we just passed our 8 month anniversary!!

It's weird cause soooo much has happened in the last 8 months, and at the same time it seems like just yesterday that I was freaking out about him calling me at 1:00 am.

What a crazy, fun 8 months it has been! :)

the progression in a nutshell.

2007-09-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's been AGES since I last wrote. Facebook is just so much easier...

But, I will Post...if for nobody else, for Molly:)

I have put it off for so long cause I took pictures of each of the places we've "lived" since moving out to California and I wanted everyone to see the progress. But, I can't seem to find the first picture....so the story is a little less exciting.

Our first place we were in for a month. A TINY little room with a bed and all our stuff crammed in. We made walking space by propping the air mattress up during the day.

Our second place we were in for a week, it was a nice room with a double bed....but again, very little room for 'us'.

And finally, we are in our appartment (and have been for a month now). It's great! We still have very little furniture, but our apartment mate Mandy has been generous in bringing in her couch and TV, and gone out and bought several shelves and a coffee table...so in time it will actually look like a home. For now, Amanda is on an air mattress and I am on a most uncomfortable mattress on the floor. We went last week to Good Will and I got an Ikea chair for cheap! And I think we might go this weekend to get bar stools for a breakfast bar.

Anyways...the complex we are in has two pools, and two hot tubs, an gym...which has a climbing treadmill (super cool!) and we are right beside a walking/running/biking trail that runs straight through the city.

The coolest of all things is that we are within walking distance of both our jobs!! What a blessing! I actually drive to work because there is not a direct route to the office, but if you were to draw a straight line it would probably be a mile. Plus, we can walk to the mall, movie theater, grocery store, post office, and best of all....Cold Stone Creamery! :)

Amanda is working at Princess Cruises, and I am working at The St. John Companies. It's a good job, the pay is decent, the hours are perfect, and its a super casual work environment so I can keep my nose ring (which Travis was happy about).

This weekend we are going to Cornerstone Festival Orange County (the first ever in California!). Then we will come back up here with Travis' siblings and probably have a semi relaxing day hanging out before another week of work.

The flowers are from last week....Travis surprised me at work on my lunch break with those and a drink from Starbucks....made all the women jealous! hehe.

That's all for now...but I will try to be better about posting. I still need to add at least a few pictures of the trip across...maybe later.

hair cut.

2007-06-28T21:51:00.001-07:00

My sister and I went today to get our hair trimmed. Since I am moving I thought I could get it done cheaper here, and I couldn't even remember the last time I had gotten it done. So, I told the lady I was planning on donating my hair which was the reason it was so unpractically long, and if she could please just get rid of the split ends and clean it up a bit that would be great. Oh, and what about bangs?!

So, she went to town...and had a blast doing it. She was having so much fun I didn't have the heart to tell her she was taking too much off. Before I knew it...she had taken off at least a foot of hair. Oh well, it's just hair...it'll grow back.

sigh...

The Adventure begins...again.

2007-06-14T18:26:00.000-07:00

In exactly one month I will be starting a new adventure. For the uninformed it involves moving clear across the country to a city just north of Los Angeles, California.

Some of you may be sitting there with shock, disbelief, bewilderment, or a big thought balloon with a giant question mark. Others of you are less than surprised, in fact, you were probably beginning to wonder when I would be going somewhere, or maybe even worrying because I still hadn’t come up with anything…until now. But, to relieve any or all of you from the big question…WHY?

Here is the answer:

Aside from the thrill of a road trip across the country, living 45 minutes from Malibu, great weather year round, and the accessibility of not only Yosemite but also the Grand Canyon, there is also the element of a boy. Yes, the one below. No, we are not engaged. No, I am NOT moving in with him. I will be living in the same town (hopefully) and sharing an apartment with 2 or 3 other girls (one being my sister).

So, for those of you who need to visit me…COME!!! For anyone who might be on the way…can we sleep on your floor??? No promises though…we are subject to whims.

The tentative schedule is:

July 14th – Holland, Michigan
July 15th – Somewhere South of Minneapolis, MN
July 16th – 17th – Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, and Amanda’s Friends
July 18th – 19th – Yellowstone National Park
July 20th – 22nd – somewhere between Yellowstone and Santa Clarita, California

I welcome all gas cards, care packages, gift cards, emails, phone calls, and any other expressions of love, admiration, affection and jealousy.

I especially covet your prayers for our trip, the transition, housing, and jobs.

******************************

On a totally different note:

If you are ever feeling REALLY good about yourself, or even just a little good, and you need to take it down a notch. I suggest spending a whole day trying on swimsuits. That is the number one way I know of to get a good dose of low self esteem.

*******************************

Pictures from Travis' last visit.

At Debbie Rupe's house after a great game of bocci ball.

At Antietem Battlefield on the C & O Canal Bike Trip.

At the Altoona Curve Baseball Game.

A date at Jean Bonnet...the best artichoke spinach dip ever!

At Great Falls...the end of the bike trip.
(Good job on taking the picture Emma!)
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada!

Ohiopyle Falls, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Some famous football stadium of some sort.

Look what I got on Saturday:)

2007-05-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

A dozen red roses...from an amazing man in California.

He sends me flowers...

2007-04-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this post is LONG overdue. As most of you know I have been slightly (ok EXTREMELY) distracted from my blogging responsibilities by a boy. hehe. I have a boyfriend. (insert extremely large grin) It's a rather long, and sorta complex story, so I won't go into any details.

I will just say that he asked me out February 4th (superbowl sunday...and my brothers birthday) and we've been dating long distance ever since. Yes, long distance. He lives in California, and I am (for now) living in Pennsylvania. No, we didn't meet through an online dating site! I visited him in March and he visited me just last week.

Want any more details than that...email me and ask!

Otherwise, just enjoy the pictures:)

snow tubing and cracked windows.

2007-01-28T15:35:00.000-08:00

My day included:

*Skipping church.
*A horrible headache.
*2 excedrin migraine pills.
*Snowtubing with Jess and her Dad.
*Pizza at OIP.
*Discovering a crack from top to bottom in the front window at work.
*Spending half my afternoon trying to get someone to help me tape it up.
*Cleaned my room.
*Laundry.
*Shower.
*And FINALLY...studying...what I was supposed to be doing ALL day!

2007-01-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Another sunset...

ME and the beach!

Watch out for those muscles!

Where'd my head go?

Did I mention I love the beach?

2007-01-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

Molly stylin' some hot sunglasses OVER her glasses.

The sunset with my Aunt Debbie.

I heart the beach.

...and pizza.

ummm....

2007-01-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

Shannon Miller Monuement - Edmond, Oklahoma.

Lindsay's house in Follett, Texas - Population 411.
Directions: Turn right at white house, drive two blocks, turn left. House with round windows and big orange cat in yard.

Freezing to death at the KOA in Needles, California. The backpackers tent is not free standing and tent pegs don't work very well in sand and rock.

Somewhere in Southern California (I think).

the holy spirit and conviction

2007-01-18T18:06:00.000-08:00

yesterday on my way home from work, aside from being frustrated about situations i've been dealing with there, i was frustrated with my life in general. i have a huge school bill due in a week and no clue how i'm going to pay for it.

i arrived home to find a letter from a dear friend of mine who i have not seen in some time. enclosed with the letter was a check which she told me God told her to send me. while the money wasn't a huge amount, it wasn't small either. i was just a reminder to be that i have such little faith. i admit it. if it takes a mustard seed of faith to move mountains mine must be smaller than an atom.

God is good....nothing else need be said.

Westward...

2007-01-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow after work I am heading to Pittsburgh to spend a lovely (unfortunately short) evening with my friend Jess. Early Tuesday morning I am flying to Chicago where I will be picked up by my friend Molly. From there we plan (subject to change at any moment) to head to Oklahoma City where we will spend the night with one of my friends from YWAM (Kristin). The following day I think we plan to meet up with one of Molly's friends from YWAM in the Texas panhandle, and from there slowly make our way to Santa Cruz, California. We hope to see Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and anything else that grabs our attention along the way. The hope is to reach Santa Cruz by Friday night. I will spend the weekend there helping Molly move into her new place, and Monday I fly back to Pittsburgh.

PRAY -

-for good weather
-for safety
-for molly's car
-for amazing times

Pictures will follow shortly after my return.

If anyone is anywhere near where I will be, or would want to meet me in any of the above mentioned places. Email me ASAP, and I will send you my cell number.

FINISHED!!

2006-12-17T19:50:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished this semester. YES!!! My one professor decided to still post homework for this week (even though it was on that syllabus that it was due LAST week) so I just got finished with that.

I also go my grades back on my term papers! A's on all of them. I'm shocked. I didn't think they were that good.

Still waiting on my exam grades....

Now I'm off to enjoy the tree and some hot beverage. yum.

2006-12-03T18:58:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly the cutest child I've ever seen!!

2006-12-03T18:48:00.000-08:00

The new Dakota Fanning?

2006-12-03T18:24:00.000-08:00

Me and Jessica after eating Mrs. Lucas' great mexican food. yum!

2006-11-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

Anyone recognize this rock star....the one of the right?:)

i love pittsburgh

2006-11-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Because I LOVE the city of Pittsburgh SOOO much, I am going to contribute $25 to help improve their parking.

Maybe you should too.

the man of my dreams...has returned.

2006-11-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

He's back everyone....

I'm falling in love with him all over again.

His latest work comes out in the US of A November 14th.

DAMIEN RICE '9'

EVERYONE go out and buy it and support one of the most amazing artists ever!!!

You can check out some of his new songs on myspace.

www.myspace.com/damienrice

good tunes.

2006-11-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

I'm going crazy listening to the SAME songs EVERYDAY at the coffee shop.

So, this is a little audience participation here.

PLEASE list your top 5 ideas for good coffee shop tunes/arists.

yippee skippy!

2006-11-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

I got an 'A' on my Macroeconomics Mid-term!!

Now for that Philosophy paper....

2006-10-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

Watch out for this.

2006-10-29T06:03:00.000-08:00

A pro soccer player from Zambia (Africa) that came (with 9 others) to get jiggy at our coffee shop.

2006-10-29T06:01:00.000-08:00

She likes to think she's a little cat....the fatty.

2006-10-29T05:58:00.000-08:00

Lil' homey 'B'....

One 'A' two more to go...

2006-10-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

I got an 'A' in my Literature Research class.

Two more to go....not sure I can pull it in the other ones.

PRAY!

2006-10-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Don't you wish you had your own little people to play with?! haha.

2006-10-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

They created "The Little Rascals" after this one!

2006-10-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

She found her calling...

2006-10-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

She likes her whiskey bottle!

2006-10-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

oooohhh dawlin'!

2006-10-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

I got a 96.5 on my Literature Research Finals!!

Wooohooo!!!

Now if I can just get this Debate written this weekend I can relax for a bit...

depressed.

2006-10-13T19:41:00.001-07:00

Today we recieved word that one of my brother's best friends sister died. She was young (23?). She went in over a month ago for a lung transplant (due to cystic fibrosis) and has been fighting infection ever since. We thought she was getting better, but I guess these things can change quickly.

This depresses me greatly.

God got another good one.

Pray for the Pratt Family.

2006-10-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Isn't she so beautiful?

the lessons i learn at work.

2006-10-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

I see him coming every morning.

I watch as he walks down the side walk and waits for the traffic to change so he can cross. The traffic changes and he crosses in his duck like awkward strut across the street. He waits again. The light changes and again he crosses.

Every morning he stumbles up the steps and walks clumbsily across the room to where I stand.

Every morning. If it weren't so I would worry.

He is one of our 'regulars.' His name is Bill.

There are many things predictable about Bill. Like; he always orders a Large. Yes, he does want whipped cream on that, and Bill is always "great!" Our conversations don't consist of much although they happen frequently. The usual, "How are you today Bill?" followed by, "Have a great day, come back tomorrow!" Are pretty much the norm.

Sometimes Bill comes alone, and on those days he's always a bit more awkward, a bit more clumbsy, and a little more uneasy. Most days he's with his Dad, or his Grandfather, and sometimes a nice lady who occasionally will order something as well. He's lucky on the days when its his Dad...cause he always pays, to which Bill always replies, "Thanks Dad!" In his always energetic and friendly manner.

I look forward to those 5 minutes when Bill is in the store. His energetic, always happy no matter the situation, genuine smile are what keep me in check for the rest of the day. When Bill walks in the door each morning something else comes in with him which I'm sure he is unaware of. Bill brings with him this convicting spirit that attacks me every time and tells me of how ungrateful I am to the God who made me, it reminds me to be thankful for this day, for my hands, arms, feet and eyes. Especially for my eyes. And, as Bill walks away and says (as he says most every day),"See you tomorrow!" I stand there perplexed, and in awe and wonder.

Perplexed because Bill is blind.

In awe because Bill knows whats important in life.

And I wonder, what would the world be like if everyone was blind? Or, what would the world be like if there were more people like Bill?

my brain is in knots.

2006-09-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

If anyone has any amazing insight into the philosophies of David Hume, enlighten me. He's tying my head up in knots.

2006-09-18T15:46:00.000-07:00

reunited for a brief time....till....God knows when.

Indian food and dollar theaters.

2006-09-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

The longer I live, and the more I travel, the more I want to just live in a cabin in the woods.

*********************

Saturday night the five of us girls were reunited for a brief time of reminiscing over old videos. It's always interesting to see how incredibly stupid we once were...and ugly? and yet how 'cool' we thought we were.
Conclusion: Time has been good to us.

Sunday was spent in Pittsburgh. Indian food is always good, some would wonder if it's only because you can eat it with your hands and people won't stare at you as though you are some archaic barbarian. Dollar theaters are good too. Though, I'm not too sure about the big hispanic looking cop with his 50 gold chains standing behind the counter, or the 50 people at the other counter yelling at each other about a refund....who asks for a refund at a dollar theater?! 'You, Me and Dupree' was....humorous? I'm a sucker for Owen Wilson...and even more of a sucker for a cheap movie.

I have been made even more aware about how terrible of a friend I have become when it comes to communication. To my girls from PK....I miss you terribly. Seriously. I told Ali (Miss Broomfield to you!) that if I could handle my studies and working there at the same time (and financially) I would come in a heartbeat. I will try and get better about writing.

long lost....loser?

2006-09-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

So, tonight Amanda got me all into the myspace stalking. It's so addicting.

We started out looking for all our long lost childhood friends. It would have been nice and encouraging to know that they were still walking the direction I know most of their parents prayed they would. Sadly, about 90% were drunks and sluts. Yes, about 90% had walked away from a faith they once held to live a life that one day they will realize let them down. As my friend Cate once said "Who wants to drink anyways, it makes you FAT!"

Enough said.

i like my ipod

2006-09-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

At first I wasn't so sure i fit into the whole MP3 player image. I wasn't even sure I wanted to. But, now I'm sure!

I want running with it for the first time today. It's changed my life. It's taken my running life to a whole new level. I feel like I could run forever, or at least until the battery dies.

I felt like I was on a movie...the birds were flying, the grass was green, and there was me...running with music in the background.

2006-09-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

The beautiful bride and groom....along with a few ragamuffins.

2006-09-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

warming up at the fire.

2006-09-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

hanging out at the fire.

2006-09-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

The WHOLE family...

dropped class

2006-09-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today I had to drop a class. I'm totally bummed about it. I couldn't afford it, so it had to go. Even still I'm going to be living the poor life once again...gosh I hate money.

I knew this girl years ago that met some guy from her church that was paying for her to go to school. I always wished that would happen to me. Alas, I have to scrounge up my own. Hopefully next term Financial Aid will kick in....

****************************************

Matt and Rushi were here this weekend. It's always nice having them around. Even if I didn't get to spend tons of time with them, and the weather wasn't the greatest. They are such a cute couple.

Which reminds me....pictures from the reception. I will post them.

****************************************

I am currently addicted to Sudoku's. Yes, I'm a geek. I bought a whole book of them for $0.99 and my little brother photo copie them and we race.

Yeah, I know, I need a life.

****************************************

I have finally unpacked my things from Pakistan. I know....it's been awhile. I think I secretly didn't want to think I would be staying that long. January. I just have to make it to January...

Sleep calls.

I'm replying...

randomness

2006-08-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

This is just be some random comments until I have time to sit and write a proper blog.

Evidence that my younger siblings have a totally different childhood than myself -

In Chicago my sister Bekah (age 9) asked," Why are all the houses so close together?"

And when Daniel (age 11) when told they had to walk a couple blocks to get to the shop he asked,"What's a block?"

I am now a student of the University of Maryland. I will be taking 4 classes with them, my Philosophy class being the one I am looking forward to the most; this semester and working full-time at HeBrews Coffee Company. I am also contemplating enlarging some of my photo's from overseas, framing them and selling them.

I miss community.

I talked to my friend Rich from my year in Canada. He's such a sweatheart. I miss him so much. Being home makes me miss that home so much more.

That's all for now. I have to be up for work at 5:30, and since I have slept in 4 nights...I'm going to bed early.

Check back later this week. I hope to post pictures of my brother reception.

2006-08-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

I need a vacation from life.

I'm tired.

2006-07-29T18:00:00.001-07:00

AFTER - - she donated her hair.

2006-07-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

BEFORE - - she donated her hair.

2006-07-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really wish I was a cat. Life for them is so easy and simple. sigh....

Ice cream for breakfast.

2006-06-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today I pretty much had the house to myself. I would have been able to sleep in if it weren't for those stupid chickens outside the window that wouldn't shut up! For breakfast I made myself a blueberry and strawberry smoothie which led to ice cream and chocolate chips. I couldn't help it!

After cleaning the kitchen for three hours I met up with my friend Emily to go biking on the old turnpike road. You know how when driving on a road with a tunnel they will usually remind you to take off your sunglasses? Well, this tunnel no longer had those signs. Stupid me, I didn't think of them. So, Emily and I were biking through the tunnel at about 20 mph. It was pitch black! The tunnel is about a mile long so all I could see was the light at the opening. I had no feel for where the sides were. I was even having trouble balancing. Needless to say, I managed to run right into the side of the tunnel and have a pretty nice battle scar to prove it. Hopefully it actually turns into a bruise. I never bruise. Right now it kinda looks like a mini firework...in red. Very patriotic if you ask me.

After our bike ride (12 miles) we stopped off at Starbucks(where I used to work) and I got my Green Tea Lemonade. One of the guys I worked with was in there and he gave me a nice discount. Then Emily and I stopped off at her parents resteraunt and I had a bowl of clam chowder and fried fish. I checked in at the coffee shop I am now working at to see about my schedule for next week. I live such a small town life now. sigh.

Now I am home alone.

I think I will go talk to the cat now.

2006-06-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

My battle wound.

2006-06-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

Emily and her cool nalgene after our nice bike ride.

2006-06-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

So, I'm back home now with the family. I've been enjoying walks in the evenings, ice cream, and a cold. I hardly got sick the whole year in Pakistan but I managed to get sick my second day home. Now I'm looking forward to starting work at 'The HeBrew' this week where I will be working this summer. Whats after that?! Don't know where...but school and a good job hopefully.

2006-06-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

watch out for this.

"I have lived"

2006-05-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have lived…or so they tell me. I have been to Lahore, Pakistan. According to everyone here,” You’ve never lived until you’ve been to Lahore.” Sorry everyone, I guess you need to take a trip out here. I’ve been telling you all year to come visit….well, you’re running out of time if you plan on doing it while I’m still here.

Anyways….Lahore…shopping and eating galore!

I spent last weekend there with some friends from the church. It was wonderful. We shopped till we dropped, ate till we could’ve popped, and then we stopped. Like my rhyme?

Lahore is the second oldest city in Pakistan, and what used to be the capital before they planned out Islamabad. Because it is so hot there most of the year the city really doesn’t come alive until after dark. Then….it’s mass chaos! Cars, trucks, donkey carts, motor bikes, bicycles, camels…any mode of transportation crowd the streets.

Lahore is located about 30 km from the Indian border. Every night they put on a show just before sundown. It is basically a yelling match between India and Pakistan as they see who can cheer the loudest for their country while the soldiers go through the routine of lowering the flags. It is a prerequisite for Punjabi’s in the Army at the border to be at least 6 feet tall so as to tower over the Indian Army. They spend about 15 minutes marching and doing all kinds of fancy salutes acting like horses to impress and intimidate the Indian Army. My favorite part of it all was watching this little old man carrying the Pakistan flag yelling non-stop to lead the cheers. He had non teeth and a long white beard. I just wanted to pick him up and put him in my pocket.

We ate dinner one night over-looking a huge mosque/temple/fort. It’s amazing to me that there were built so close to each other. We ate in this place called “Cocoo’s Den and Café” in the red light district of the city. It was started by an artist who is trying to bring attention and something good to that part of the city. He has paintings all through it of prostitutes and up on the roof (about 5 stories up) you can eat dinner with an amazing view of the mosque all lit up.

Lahore is a city I would love to go back to visit again. But, living there I think I would go insane.

2006-05-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

What color would you like?

2006-05-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Cloth shopping/designing my own clothes has become my new favorite thing. Can I just have one of these shops imported to my house, please?

2006-05-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

Me at Cocoo's in front of the Mosque with one semi invisible arm.

2006-05-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

Lowering the flag.

2006-05-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

Onward Punjabi Soldier...

2006-05-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Little Pakistan.

My 1st Architectural Accomplishment

2006-05-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Climbing wall is near completion. Yeah, I know, it’s about time. Things here take much longer and are always ten times harder than you think/plan it to be.

It’s a small little wall. But, to the kids it will make a world of difference…especially in the cold winter months when there is little else to do inside but watch movies and huddle around heaters to keep warm.

We have a few kids already that have that natural balance for climbing, and some with the drive and passion to make up for their lack of skill. My dream is to return a few years down the road and see to ‘Phase 2’ which will traverse to another wall and extend another 20-30 feet. For now, the kids will have to be happy with this.

2006-05-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

Jr. High PE on the climbing wall...a bouldering game known as 'moves' back in my days in Canada

Jr. High Formal

2006-05-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the big day for dressing up. The Sr. High Banquet and the Jr. High Formal. I was invited to the Jr. High Formal.

After 3 hours of hair, make up, and nail polish I quickly wrapped my sorry (very poorly done, I was so embarassed!) over 30 Jr. Highers and a few random teachers and dorm parents made their way to the PC (Pearl Continental) for an amazing dinner followed by games and a slide show of the past year of school activities. It was so much fun and all the girls looked so BEAUTIFUL!!

2006-05-13T23:48:00.000-07:00

Me with my 9th Graders (minus 1).

2006-05-13T23:36:00.000-07:00

Aren't they BEAUTIFUL?!?!

2006-05-13T23:26:00.000-07:00

I'm really gonna miss these kids....sniff sniff.

2006-05-13T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Jr. High Girls plus their dorm parents.

Heaven on Earth.

2006-05-13T23:15:00.000-07:00

So, now for my trip up north. WOW. Words are so confining when it comes to drescribing the feel, smell, awesomeness and beauty of the place I went to on April Holiday. I think I will just have to resort to Spicer's method of blogging...top ten, and some pictures. For a bit of background info. I went up north near the Chinese border for a week of break. It took two days of driving to get there and a 1 hour flight to get back. I went with 5 other staffers and one student.

Hunza Top Ten

10 – Eating breakfast in a Chai shop over-looking the Indus River.

9 – Standing on the spot where the Himalayan, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram Mountain Ranges meet.

8 – Hunza Tea (Tomoru Tea)…the best in the world.

7 – Our nightly Skip-bo sessions.

6 – Waking up every morning to some of the highest mountains in the world!

5 – The near-death experience of riding on the KKH (Karakoram Highway) and dragging our gas tank for about two miles till the driver figured out that it wasn’t a flat tire!

4 – Picking up Garnets beside the road….yes, that’s real semi-precious stones…by the handful!

3 – Being invited in to a village house for lunch and a lesson on how to make chapatti’s

2 – Doing a day trek up to a glacier meadow then walking across a water channel carved into a sheer rock face 400 ft. high! An architectural phenomenon built over 200 year ago!

1 – Going across and Indiana Jones style suspension bridge!! Whoohoo!!

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Ultar Basecamp - with Lady Finger and Ultar 1

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More Village people....

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Waterfall on the KKH.

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Breakfast overlooking the Indus River.

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Tomura Tea (Hunza Tea)...the best in the world!

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Junction Point of the three mightiest mountain ranges in the world! The Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush.

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Nanga Parbat - 8,125 meters (26,656 ft.) Pakistan's Second highest mountain and the worlds 9th highest mountain!

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Tying the gas tank up with an old ragged rope.

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Lunch and a lesson in how to make Chapatti's at a village family's house.

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At Ultar Basecamp (roughly 10,000 ft.).

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Just call me Mrs. Indiana Jones.

Track and Field

2006-05-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

According to Molly it's about time I blogged again. I don't know how far back you've read Molly, but it's really hard to blog from this side of the world! The site is banned which means it's a very long and frustrating process to get onto the site and actually blog, not to mention the unrealiable internet! BUT, for you Molly - ANYTHING! haha.

I have been waiting on pictures from my Holiday up north before I posted anything new, but now that I have them I also need to write about our awesome track and field team!

So, first things first.

TRACK AND FIELD!

We kicked butt...to put it lightly. Seriously! After training for over a month we went down to I'bad for two days of competition against three other International schools. Let me stress that last fact. International schools. These kids are 'rich kids.' The schools they go to are 'top-notch.' Lots of money going on there...nice fancy equipment, well paid coaches. Against our piddly little school. Equipment from about a century ago...and some equipment that is even non-existant (Long jump pit). Just goes to show that you can have everything going for you but if you don't have the commitment and perseverance you won't get anywhere.

The Stats.

Boys and Girls 11 & 12 years old - 3rd place (I think)

Boys and Girls 13 & 14 years old - 1st place (these were my kids....they did awesome!)

Boys and Girls 15 - 18 Years old - 1st place

Overall school - 1st place.

We double the points of the second place team!

Yeah....my kids are awesome...they even broke a few school records.

I'm proud.

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One of our Senior guys bringing up the rear on the 4x400 relay. Another win....

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My Girls after the 4x400 relay. YEAH....we won.

my thailand holiday...

2006-03-29T08:32:00.000-08:00

Because of tensions in the country during the month of February due to the infamous Danish cartoons, with the added upcoming arrival of President Bush; our school holidays were looking bleak. The idea of spending a week shut up indoors was far from appealing. I felt as though I would burst if I could not escape it.

So, myself, along with three other staff members here at school decided to leave the country and go to Thailand.

What a blessing it was.

My original thought was that a week of just sitting and reading on the beach would be the medicine for the soul. That lasted about 1 hour. We got bored. I don’t know if we just couldn’t stop that quickly after going so hard so long, or if we were just overwhelmed by all the opportunities to play around us and enjoy complete freedom.

Freedom to wear what we wanted.
Freedom to eat what we wanted.
Freedom to talk to whomever we wanted.

It was a bit of a culture shock to see Thai women doing construction.

Now I am going to copy my good friend Chris Spicer and do a “Thailand Top Ten”…in hopes of making this post somewhat interesting.

1 – I don’t eat McDonalds on the best of days, in fact I think it’s been at least 3 years since I stepped in one (other than to use the bathroom) but for some reason McDonalds for breakfast seemed like heaven when we were in Bangkok our last day. Unfortunately they didn’t have a breakfast menu, so a double cheeseburger, fries, a coke, and a McFlurry were the meal of choice.

2 – There’s something exciting about just figuring things out as you go. And, that’s just what we did in Thailand. We would jump on a taxi and get to the next place….ferry, or bus station and figure things out from there. It was so adventurous!

3 – Arriving on Koh Chang with no reservations and having never been there before was a bit of a risk. We had a general idea of where we wanted to be and from there walked up and down the beach stopping at each resort to find the best deal. In the end, a 4 person room complete with hot water, AC, and a beautiful porch was the deal of a lifetime. No roughing it there!

4 – One of the beautiful things about Thailand is the little family run restaurants and pancake shops. We had a favorite place that we went to at least once a day. The lady reminded me of the lady who runs the little coffee shop place in ’50 First Dates’….so loveable. She was sad to see us go.

5 – I had a great desire to go to Cambodia…just for a day. You know, another stamp in the passport…and just to be able to say I’ve been there. But, as I began to realize how much of a hassle it would be I traded in that dream to go snorkeling. WOW!!! We joined a ferry trip that took us to three different islands. It was spectacular! So many colorful fish just swimming all around!

6 – The last time I was in Thailand we did the typical tourist thing…an Elephant Ride. Once again I found myself on the beloved beast. I really do love elephants…there’s something so soft and clumsy about them.

7 – 1 km off our beach was a deserted island which many people had rented kayaks to go check out. After talking to some of the locals about the possibility of swimming out and being told we would die. I decided I didn’t care, I was going to try it anyways. So, off we went…if it weren’t for that, we never would have met the Rock Stars! (see #9).

8 – Being able to share so openly what we believe was so refreshing. The conversation we had with the Germans was by far the coolest as they had a lot of questions about our faith, what we believed…and just life.

9 – One of the wonderful things about being in Thailand that only people who work in countries like this would understand – being able to talk to men. Now, don’t go thinking we were running off talking to every man we could. It was just nice to strike up conversation with those we shared a taxi with or sat next to each other in a restaurant. One of the coolest memories was meeting up with German Rock Stars!! No joking. Real, bonifide #1 on the charts German Rock Stars! Not just meeting them, but having a full meal with them. Yep, we met them for dinner…and have the pictures to prove it.

10 – Drum roll everyone……..mopedding. I think I just made up that word cause it has little red squigglies underneath it. Anyways, I have always been the type of person who is quite content to sit on the back of a motorcycle and enjoy the ride. No desire whatsoever to drive. Well, when the opportunity to rent mopeds presented itself…I jumped aboard. Charity and I took off one morning and drove around the whole island, through a torrential downpour, hail, and even off-roading! Yes, I have caught the bug. Though…I think I would be quite happy with a little Vespa. Bean, don’t laugh!

And that my dear friends in my Thailand holiday in a nutshell. I didn’t know how I was even going to pay for it, but trusted God would provide…and he did. While I was in Thailand I got an email from my Dad who was going over my taxes and figured out I would be getting just that amount back. Isn’t that cool?!

Thailand is cool, I definitely recommend it for a holiday.

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On the plane to Thailand....FREEDOM!!!

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A beautiful sunset on our beach...

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Getting on the ferry to our island.

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Searching for the perfect bargain for a bungalow for a week.

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The advertisement beside the road for our resort which actually features a picture of the bungalow that we stayed in.

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The outside of our bungalow, surrounded by a lovely garden.

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The inside of our lovely bungalow.

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The island on the left is the one we swam to....and the rest is history!

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The lookout above our beach.

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After dinner with our Rock star friends Mark and Olli. Check out their websites at: www.wirsindhelden.com and www.olli-schulz-online.de

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Ali and I on our adorable little elephant which was actually 18 years old!

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An example of the some of the roads we went on the mopeds.

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One of the beach stops on our day of snorkeling.

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The ferry off the island.