too nice outside to blog… August 31, 2006

My ipod is very tempermental…some days it works, some days it sounds like the music is being played underwater. The day I left for Jordan was an underwater day, so it stayed home, and in essence I took a 3 week break from listening to music like a soundtrack to my life. The last couple days I’ve been rediscovering my collection.

The same goes for clothes. After wearing the same grubby shirts I’d been handwashing in the sink for 3 weeks my “old” clothes at home seem new and fun and I’m glad to be content with what I have and not yearning for something shinybrightnew I don’t need.

And as the title would suggest, it is such a perfect day (67F and mostly sunny) that I’m going to turn off my computer and go outside. Last fall was a drag with mom being sick…all I did was go to school and drive to Muskegon. So, I am determined to relish every blessed day of this fall and to my mind as soon as school starts it’s fall. So if you are looking for a friend to walk (dogs and kids) with, go to the farmers market, apple orchard, make jam and tomato sauce with give me a call. I’m your girl.

an answer to Jim’s question… August 26, 2006

What three countries would I like to visit? Just 3?? For the record, there isn’t a country that I don’t want to see, but these are top of my list.

Ireland: verdant landscapes, the sea, football, pubs and boys with Irish accents.

China: the NW specifically…mountains, fascinating minority groups and Lagman.

Afghanistan: The city of Herat in the southwest was once the seat of Persian culture.

My friends are saavy people, interested in the world…where do you want to go?

19 countries and holding August 25, 2006

I’m sitting in my living room fighting to stay awake…must…make..it…till.9pm..

News regarding my trip will be forthcoming via email…I don’t want to discuss it here.  However, I will comment that I cut my stay in Europe short by two days because my cold turned into a sinus infection and being sick, by yourself, in Frankfurt is not as much fun as it sounds. So I did not make it to Belgium or Luxemburg.  I believe that 19 puts me one up on Mary Anne, but it is not the decisive lead I was hoping for. sigh.

I’m glad to be back.  for now.

who likes surprises? i like surprises*! (the conclusion of the passport adventure) August 6, 2006

Blessings on Rebecca who picked up my passport from Fedex yesterday. I get to leave the country. Tomorrow. I am certain of 2 things regarding this trip: I don’t truly know what I’m getting myself into (I have an idea. an inkling.), and I have got to do a better job packing than I did for Portland (I forgot: a jacket, toothbrush and toothpaste, pajamas, towel, face wash. I remembered underware just in the nick of time. not kidding.) So I’m going to finish my cheerios and blackberries then pray for a bit and then make a packing list (novel concept for me).

I don’t intend to email or blog while I’m gone, so I’ll catch you in September.

with love, ~e

scraped, bruised, sunburned… August 4, 2006

and completely happy.

Mary Anne and I spent the day picking blackberries down by the railroad tracks, walking around campus, playing in the Willamette river (I’d never gone rapid jumping before), and I played volleyball for two hours.  This morning I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.

I love MI for many reasons but I’m ready to jump ship.  Oregon rules.

how do i always forget? August 2, 2006

I get to see my sister Mary Anne today and I’m excited about that, but suddenly I remembered this requires me to get on a plane. shit.

I don’t like to fly. I find it necessary and I do it, but I’m the white knuckled girl sunk back in her seat, eyes closed, praying during ANY turbulence. It helped a little that Becky’s beau, Air Marshall Jeff, told me that turbulence has never taken down a big plane… but I’m still a bit leary. How do I manage to forget about this EVERY TIME until the day of and typically not till after take off?