I just got back from the annual South East Regional Vineyard Worhip Leader's Conference. Wow. Just so much to process. I had a really good time of getting new ideas and refocusing and being inspired just by being around all these other artsy-fartsy creative types. I feel rejuvenated as a worship leader and as a church leader and as a Christian and as a human being in general (that's alot isn't it!).
So now I am left to the task of taking all this energy and momentum I got this weekend and putting into work in a practical and sustainable way. I am in the process of writing down all my action points. I may write a post more about this later, we'll see.
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In other news, the pet sitting mania is starting to die down. I am grateful for this and also a little apprehensive. On one hand, my life has seemed to be spiraling out of control over the last month with all the busyness. There was about a week or two there where I was house sitting for five different people all at the same time. This on top of a full-time job and church responsibilities was just insane, literally more than I could possibly do. Thankfully, Rodger and Angela have picked up the slack for me on some of the church work this month, which helped me maintain some form of sanity. So all this to say that, time wise, I am glad to be down to two pet sitting jobs for the next two weeks and after that, I am down to my one regular dog walk during my lunch breaks.
But I must say that the extra income from all this work has been good. Really good. I am thrilled that I am actually able to save money and not just scrape by! So with pet sitting going down now that the summer vacation season is coming closer to an end, I do have my concerns about what this will mean financially, but c'est la vie. I will figure it out.
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The new roommate comes in about a week and a half!
Now that I am a not soooo busy with pet sitting. I am working on all the final touches of making my apartment roommate friendly and finding the last few furnishings for her room. The main things left to do are:
1. Find a dresser for her room.
2. Assemble the etagere (sp?) for the bathroom. It is a fairly small bathroom and we girls need all the useable bathroom space we can get!
3. Figure out a good shelf arrangement for the kitchen. There sould be plenty of space in the kitchen for the two of us, I just need to rearrange all my junk to give her some space.
4. Rearrange the living room (again). I recently acquired an entertainment center (for free!), so now I just need to figure out how to make my furniture all work together.
5. Get all my junk out of the closets in the extra room and find new "homes" for it all. There should be plenty of space for everything. I just need to work it all out.
So these are my jobs for this Saturday, primarily. I may find some time to get some of these things accomplished in the evening when I get home from work, but usually I am not capable of much mental activity at the end of the work day. So trying to follow the instructions to assemble my etagere is just completely out of the question until Saturday rolls around.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
So Glad It's the Weekend!
So glad it's the weekend and I get Monday and Tuesday off of work so that I can attend a worship leaders conference!
So glad I get to see the Sansbury's tomorrow!
So glad my finances have acutally stablized enough that I am to the point of being able to save money each month and not just have to scrape by from paycheck to paycheck!
So glad I found a boxspring for the bed in my extra room. Now if I can just find a way to transport it. . .
So glad my roommate comes in just two weeks!
So glad I got to hang out with Drew and Carolina and Paul last night, but sad that Drew might be moving to Ashville.
So glad I get to see the Sansbury's tomorrow!
So glad my finances have acutally stablized enough that I am to the point of being able to save money each month and not just have to scrape by from paycheck to paycheck!
So glad I found a boxspring for the bed in my extra room. Now if I can just find a way to transport it. . .
So glad my roommate comes in just two weeks!
So glad I got to hang out with Drew and Carolina and Paul last night, but sad that Drew might be moving to Ashville.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
The Fourth, The Rain, The Change of Plans, The Cheesecake
Independence Day came and went without any fireworks for me this year. It rained cats and dogs on the evening of the fourth here in my little corner of North Carolina. But it was a good time nonetheless. (1) Day off from the law office, (2) time to read and catch some sun by the pool, (3) no pet sitting catastrophies, (4) cook out at Brendan andVicki's, and (5) playing Rumikub.
Saturday I had afternoon plans to meet up with a friend to go with him to do some shopping he needed to do and also to go to Duke Gardens. We had lunch and hit the shopping mall. While at the mall, it started raining cats and dogs again. So we did what seemed the best, most reasonable option given the circumstances. We decided to skip on our plans for Duke Gardens and go to the Cheesecake Factory instead. Mmmmmmm, cheesecake. It was the first time I had ever been to the Cheesecake Factory. I got the Dutch Apple Cheesecake and a latte. It was delicious, but now I feel the need to go out and run, run, run. I have been too spoiled these last two weeks with all these wonderful desserts. I think it is time to cut back on the amount of dessert I'm eating and up the amount of time I spend exercising!
Saturday I had afternoon plans to meet up with a friend to go with him to do some shopping he needed to do and also to go to Duke Gardens. We had lunch and hit the shopping mall. While at the mall, it started raining cats and dogs again. So we did what seemed the best, most reasonable option given the circumstances. We decided to skip on our plans for Duke Gardens and go to the Cheesecake Factory instead. Mmmmmmm, cheesecake. It was the first time I had ever been to the Cheesecake Factory. I got the Dutch Apple Cheesecake and a latte. It was delicious, but now I feel the need to go out and run, run, run. I have been too spoiled these last two weeks with all these wonderful desserts. I think it is time to cut back on the amount of dessert I'm eating and up the amount of time I spend exercising!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
A Weird Pet Sitting Day
Generally speaking, I absolutely love my pet sitting job. It is decent money for a job that is pretty much enjoyable for me, is not stressful, doesn't take much thought, and does not emotionally drain me in anyway. So the only thing I may complain about from time to time is the occasional allergy flare up, due to the fact that I do have mild allergies to dogs and some cats. (It's really wierd, but I am not allergic to all cats just some of them. I can't explain it. It just is what it is.)
With that said, Thursday was the weirdest and possibly most stressful day I have had as a pet sitter, certainly as a pet sitter in Chapel Hill and maybe even in my entire pet sitting career (if you can call pet sitting a career).
1. Thursday afternoon I went to walk the dog that I walk three times/week on my lunch breaks from the law office. The walk was all fine and dandy until the dog goes number two and a stick comes out. Well, the stick didn't come all the way out, just partially and then was just sticking out of the dog's butt. It was so gross and weird and I didn't know what to do. I kept walking her for a bit, hoping that the stick would work it's way out or that she would go number two again and it would come out. No such luck, our walk was coming to an end and the stick was still there. Finally, I got another stick, lifted up her tail, and sort of scraped the stick out. Yuck. It's times like this that I don't at all feel guilty about the fact that these people pay the agency $18/walk.
2. I got an email on Thursday from a client who is out of town for a month and I am looking after her three kitties while she is gone. I go to her home everyday and give the kitties food and fresh water and scoop the litter. Everyday when I come, their food bowls are empty again and, due to the fact that the water bowl is so close to the food bowl, their water is quite dirty from the kitties getting food in their water. Apparently, the client was in town for the afternoon. She stopped by her house and found their bowls empty and their water dirty. She sent me an email basically saying that it didn't look like I had been to her house for several days (which was absolutely not the case). I responded via email and phone. I think the situation is resolved now, but it was very upsetting and stressful for me. (I can't stand it when I feel people are displeased with me).
3. Thursday evening I was to start a new job for a client who had to go out of town quite unexpectedly and in a hurry. So this client hired the agency to send someone to look after her kitty without meeting the actual pet sitter ahead of time. I did get to speak to the client over the phone, but I didn't get to go to the house or meet the kitty ahead of time. So I mapquested the address and went on my merry way. Well, mapquest pretty much botched it up. Long story short, mapquest had taken me about a 30 minute drive from where I should have been and I had to call the client to get verbal directions from her. Then, of course, I missed a street and drove about seven more miles out of my way. Finally, after an hour and a half of driving around, I found the place. I was so stinking frustrated by the end of the night.
After all that, I was very glad to have Friday off from the law office so I could have at least a little extra relax and unwind time. Last Thursday made me very grateful for all the days when things go as planned and aren't too stressful. :)
With that said, Thursday was the weirdest and possibly most stressful day I have had as a pet sitter, certainly as a pet sitter in Chapel Hill and maybe even in my entire pet sitting career (if you can call pet sitting a career).
1. Thursday afternoon I went to walk the dog that I walk three times/week on my lunch breaks from the law office. The walk was all fine and dandy until the dog goes number two and a stick comes out. Well, the stick didn't come all the way out, just partially and then was just sticking out of the dog's butt. It was so gross and weird and I didn't know what to do. I kept walking her for a bit, hoping that the stick would work it's way out or that she would go number two again and it would come out. No such luck, our walk was coming to an end and the stick was still there. Finally, I got another stick, lifted up her tail, and sort of scraped the stick out. Yuck. It's times like this that I don't at all feel guilty about the fact that these people pay the agency $18/walk.
2. I got an email on Thursday from a client who is out of town for a month and I am looking after her three kitties while she is gone. I go to her home everyday and give the kitties food and fresh water and scoop the litter. Everyday when I come, their food bowls are empty again and, due to the fact that the water bowl is so close to the food bowl, their water is quite dirty from the kitties getting food in their water. Apparently, the client was in town for the afternoon. She stopped by her house and found their bowls empty and their water dirty. She sent me an email basically saying that it didn't look like I had been to her house for several days (which was absolutely not the case). I responded via email and phone. I think the situation is resolved now, but it was very upsetting and stressful for me. (I can't stand it when I feel people are displeased with me).
3. Thursday evening I was to start a new job for a client who had to go out of town quite unexpectedly and in a hurry. So this client hired the agency to send someone to look after her kitty without meeting the actual pet sitter ahead of time. I did get to speak to the client over the phone, but I didn't get to go to the house or meet the kitty ahead of time. So I mapquested the address and went on my merry way. Well, mapquest pretty much botched it up. Long story short, mapquest had taken me about a 30 minute drive from where I should have been and I had to call the client to get verbal directions from her. Then, of course, I missed a street and drove about seven more miles out of my way. Finally, after an hour and a half of driving around, I found the place. I was so stinking frustrated by the end of the night.
After all that, I was very glad to have Friday off from the law office so I could have at least a little extra relax and unwind time. Last Thursday made me very grateful for all the days when things go as planned and aren't too stressful. :)
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Lossing Motivation
Does anybody know a cure for loss of motivation? I feel like I am going through one of those little phases where you only have enough motivation to get the bare minimum done. I don't really like that.
Anyhow, just to let you all know, my dinner at Elaine's was very nice. The atmosphere in the restuarant was nice, not the best I have ever seen, but very nice nonetheless. The entree was really good. I got the Alaskan halibut and I can highly recommend that. My date ordered the wine, so I'm not sure what he ordered, but it I do know it was a cabernet sauvignon and it was good. Neither of us ordered a starter so I cannot comment on that. But dessert. . . now I will rave about the dessert, but I must make a comment on the prices before I go on to the dessert. The meal was good, but overpriced. I was able to thoroughly enjoy every bite, knowing that I was not paying for the meal. But when I added it all up in my head after the fact, for 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, 2 desserts, taxes, and tip. . . I am certain that more than $100.00 was spent on our meal. If it was me paying, I would not have felt the meal was that good, with one important exception. . . dessert. I had Elaine's warm chocolate cake. . . it was absolutely heaven on earth. It far exceeded its dollar value. In fact, after one bite of it, if you asked me what I would pay for it. . . I may have said something along the lines of my right hand, my first born child, or my very soul (just kidding, but I am making the point that it really was the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten in my life). So if and when I go back to Elaine's I may stick to a starter, a glass of water, and chocolate cake!
Also, my visit with my sister was good. Lots of girl talk and lying out by the pool. It was fabulous. We had a good time at the show we went to last Thursday night. Me Without You was headlining and they were great. Mary and I missed the first band entirely because we came late, but we caught most of the second band and I really enjoyed them as well. The second band was Maps and Atlases. I enjoyed them at the show and now a friend is letting me borrow their cd and I am enjoying them even more. In concert, they sounded to me like Dave Matthews meets Modest Mouse, but on cd it sounds to me more like Phillip Glass meets Modest Mouse. Anyhow, there is some definite Modest Mouse vibe in there. And I like it. I would not yet say that I love it, but definitely like with the potential to grow into love, given enough time :)
This week is quite busy work wise. I have regular hours Mon-Thursday at the law office (Friday off for the Fourth of July!). But in the evenings and mornings and lunch breaks I am house sitting and dog walking for four different people. And on top of that, the usual church stuff. Which brings me back to the beginning of this post. . . I need to stay motivated! How do I get my motivation back?!
Anyhow, just to let you all know, my dinner at Elaine's was very nice. The atmosphere in the restuarant was nice, not the best I have ever seen, but very nice nonetheless. The entree was really good. I got the Alaskan halibut and I can highly recommend that. My date ordered the wine, so I'm not sure what he ordered, but it I do know it was a cabernet sauvignon and it was good. Neither of us ordered a starter so I cannot comment on that. But dessert. . . now I will rave about the dessert, but I must make a comment on the prices before I go on to the dessert. The meal was good, but overpriced. I was able to thoroughly enjoy every bite, knowing that I was not paying for the meal. But when I added it all up in my head after the fact, for 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine, 2 desserts, taxes, and tip. . . I am certain that more than $100.00 was spent on our meal. If it was me paying, I would not have felt the meal was that good, with one important exception. . . dessert. I had Elaine's warm chocolate cake. . . it was absolutely heaven on earth. It far exceeded its dollar value. In fact, after one bite of it, if you asked me what I would pay for it. . . I may have said something along the lines of my right hand, my first born child, or my very soul (just kidding, but I am making the point that it really was the best chocolate cake I have ever eaten in my life). So if and when I go back to Elaine's I may stick to a starter, a glass of water, and chocolate cake!
Also, my visit with my sister was good. Lots of girl talk and lying out by the pool. It was fabulous. We had a good time at the show we went to last Thursday night. Me Without You was headlining and they were great. Mary and I missed the first band entirely because we came late, but we caught most of the second band and I really enjoyed them as well. The second band was Maps and Atlases. I enjoyed them at the show and now a friend is letting me borrow their cd and I am enjoying them even more. In concert, they sounded to me like Dave Matthews meets Modest Mouse, but on cd it sounds to me more like Phillip Glass meets Modest Mouse. Anyhow, there is some definite Modest Mouse vibe in there. And I like it. I would not yet say that I love it, but definitely like with the potential to grow into love, given enough time :)
This week is quite busy work wise. I have regular hours Mon-Thursday at the law office (Friday off for the Fourth of July!). But in the evenings and mornings and lunch breaks I am house sitting and dog walking for four different people. And on top of that, the usual church stuff. Which brings me back to the beginning of this post. . . I need to stay motivated! How do I get my motivation back?!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Happy Birthday To Me
Today is my birthday. I am now 28. I feel neutral about this, but I have noticed that people over this last year or two are starting to say things to me like "well, that's just aging for you" or "I guess we aren't as young as we used to be", and I must say I find these comments highly annoying. I can say things like this about myself from time to time, but it is kind of insulting when other people say them to you. Alright, enough ranting on the getting older comments. . .
This birthday will, of course, be fun. My little sister is coming into town today. I'll get to see her when I get off work! This evening a bunch of people are coming over to my place to play volleyball and grill out. This will be mostly church people, but maybe one or two other friends outside of church.
After V-ball and dinner, Mary and I will go see Me Without You (Mary's favorite band) at the Cat's Cradle. I will stay out way too late and when we get home we will smoke cigars and drink beer until the wee hours of the morning. The next morning I will go to work and probably be a zombie (because "I'm not as young as I used to be").
Tomorrow evening, I am very much looking forward to a friend treating me to dinner at a very nice restaurant and wearing the cute sundress I bought a few weeks ago. Then we will watch a movie at my place and there is a high possibility I will be so tired that I may fall asleep during the film, but I will do my best to stay awake (especially because we will be watching Juno and I have been wanting to see this movie for ages!).
And that, my friends, is how you turn 28. That is all ;)
This birthday will, of course, be fun. My little sister is coming into town today. I'll get to see her when I get off work! This evening a bunch of people are coming over to my place to play volleyball and grill out. This will be mostly church people, but maybe one or two other friends outside of church.
After V-ball and dinner, Mary and I will go see Me Without You (Mary's favorite band) at the Cat's Cradle. I will stay out way too late and when we get home we will smoke cigars and drink beer until the wee hours of the morning. The next morning I will go to work and probably be a zombie (because "I'm not as young as I used to be").
Tomorrow evening, I am very much looking forward to a friend treating me to dinner at a very nice restaurant and wearing the cute sundress I bought a few weeks ago. Then we will watch a movie at my place and there is a high possibility I will be so tired that I may fall asleep during the film, but I will do my best to stay awake (especially because we will be watching Juno and I have been wanting to see this movie for ages!).
And that, my friends, is how you turn 28. That is all ;)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Help Me Solve A Puzzle
I have a friend who is here from Germany. He is going back to Germany to visit for a couple of weeks and, of course, is expected to bring presents. He is stumped on gifts for children. Here are the "requirements" for the gift:
1. There are several children and he wants to get one (maybe two) gift(s) that they can all share and play with together.
2. The age range of the children is from 3-12 years old. Some are boys, some are girls, but the girls are the older ones and the boys are younger.
3. He would prefer to get something that is more outdoor oriented.
4. The game/toy must be very "American".
Any ideas?
My initial suggestions of jump ropes and sidewalk chalk were swiftly rejected because they were not specifically "American" enough.
1. There are several children and he wants to get one (maybe two) gift(s) that they can all share and play with together.
2. The age range of the children is from 3-12 years old. Some are boys, some are girls, but the girls are the older ones and the boys are younger.
3. He would prefer to get something that is more outdoor oriented.
4. The game/toy must be very "American".
Any ideas?
My initial suggestions of jump ropes and sidewalk chalk were swiftly rejected because they were not specifically "American" enough.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Roommate: Season 1, Episode 3
After lots of thought and careful deliberation and prayer and lost sleep and many emails and several phone calls and a visit or two from different potential roommates and a whole notebook full of charts . . . I made an offer to the girl I felt was the one I was most excited about rooming with. . . and she said yes!
In about a month Ruchita will be flying in from India and moving in with me! I am pretty much excited. Now I just have to get the room ready for her. I just need basic bedroom furniture. Craigslist here I come again!
In about a month Ruchita will be flying in from India and moving in with me! I am pretty much excited. Now I just have to get the room ready for her. I just need basic bedroom furniture. Craigslist here I come again!
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Roommate: Season 1, Episode 2
I have narrowed the twenty down to three. Of course, I have saved the info on all of them, just in case it does not work out with one of my top three for one reason or another. All three of these girls seem like our personalities would be compatible and that they would be completely capable of paying their portion of the rent (which is kind of important) and all of their references had beaming reports on how wonderful this person is as a roommate. Here is a little about my top three in no particular order. . .
1. A 27 y/o girl from India. She is coming to Chapel Hill to do a doctorate in Economics. She likes hiking and to watch movies and she even made a "Friends" reference in one of her emails, which really got her in good with me :). The perks with her: (1) she said she would show me how to cook indian food, (2) I get to experience a little bit of a different culture without having to pay a plane ticket, and (3) if I ever get to go to India I might just have a place to stay.
2. A 24 y/o girl from Indianna. She is coming to study Physical Therapy at UNC. The perks with this one: (1) she has her own car (I mention this because several of the applicants did not have cars, which shouldn't really make a difference for me, but I am a little worried that no car means that they will be asking me for rides on a regular basis and I already get enough of that from people I don't live with) and (2) she has a great sense of fashion and decorating (so her former roommate says).
3. A 26 y/o girl from NY orginally, but living in Greenville, NC currently. She will be studying psychology at UNC. The perks with this one: (1) she also has a car and (2) I actually get to meet this one before I ask her to move in with me (the other two are so long distance that I just have to communicate through email and phone). This one is coming to meet me and see the apartment on Monday evening.
1. A 27 y/o girl from India. She is coming to Chapel Hill to do a doctorate in Economics. She likes hiking and to watch movies and she even made a "Friends" reference in one of her emails, which really got her in good with me :). The perks with her: (1) she said she would show me how to cook indian food, (2) I get to experience a little bit of a different culture without having to pay a plane ticket, and (3) if I ever get to go to India I might just have a place to stay.
2. A 24 y/o girl from Indianna. She is coming to study Physical Therapy at UNC. The perks with this one: (1) she has her own car (I mention this because several of the applicants did not have cars, which shouldn't really make a difference for me, but I am a little worried that no car means that they will be asking me for rides on a regular basis and I already get enough of that from people I don't live with) and (2) she has a great sense of fashion and decorating (so her former roommate says).
3. A 26 y/o girl from NY orginally, but living in Greenville, NC currently. She will be studying psychology at UNC. The perks with this one: (1) she also has a car and (2) I actually get to meet this one before I ask her to move in with me (the other two are so long distance that I just have to communicate through email and phone). This one is coming to meet me and see the apartment on Monday evening.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Roommate: Season 1
I am living my own reality show at the moment. I am calling it "The Roommate".
Yes, I am in the market for a roommate. After a few months to settle into my new surroundings, I feel ready and excited to take on a roommate. This will of course be a good financial move. I also hope it will mean I have a built in friend :)
I posted an ad on craigslist and got what felt like ten million responses, but was actually about twenty. So the last few days have been tons of emailing and facebooking and myspacing and telephone conversations. The next few days will be meeting potential roommates and contacting their references and more emailing and more phone conversations and lots of chart making. (I am a chart geek. I can't help it, I love them.) And little by little, all but one will be eliminated. . . (it sounds like it has the makings for a reality show to me).
Wish me luck!
Yes, I am in the market for a roommate. After a few months to settle into my new surroundings, I feel ready and excited to take on a roommate. This will of course be a good financial move. I also hope it will mean I have a built in friend :)
I posted an ad on craigslist and got what felt like ten million responses, but was actually about twenty. So the last few days have been tons of emailing and facebooking and myspacing and telephone conversations. The next few days will be meeting potential roommates and contacting their references and more emailing and more phone conversations and lots of chart making. (I am a chart geek. I can't help it, I love them.) And little by little, all but one will be eliminated. . . (it sounds like it has the makings for a reality show to me).
Wish me luck!
Monday, June 09, 2008
Enjoying the Ride
The first several months after moving to North Carolina could be simplified into one single word. . . survival. That might be a tad dramatic, but only a tad. OK, no I was never at death's door and at no point (to my knowledge) was anybody stalking me with any harmful intent, but there were plenty of trials and stressful circumstances and loneliness and disappointments, etc.
But for the moment, many of the difficult circumstances have either been resolved or put off for me to deal with at a later date. And to add to the minimized stress in my life, I feel like I am actually making friends here. I have been going out to eat with people, going to the movies, having people over to watch movies, meeting people for coffee, meeting people for beer, having people over to play volleyball, having people over to make cookies, painting pottery with people, and the list goes on. And I love it. I must admit that somedays I get home and, between my full-time job, two part-time jobs, and social life, I am thoroughly exhausted, but is that good kind of tired. At the end of the day, I lie down in my bed and just before I fall dead asleep (within two minutes of head hitting the pillow) I feel really alive. It is a good feeling. Just thought I would share that with you all :)
But for the moment, many of the difficult circumstances have either been resolved or put off for me to deal with at a later date. And to add to the minimized stress in my life, I feel like I am actually making friends here. I have been going out to eat with people, going to the movies, having people over to watch movies, meeting people for coffee, meeting people for beer, having people over to play volleyball, having people over to make cookies, painting pottery with people, and the list goes on. And I love it. I must admit that somedays I get home and, between my full-time job, two part-time jobs, and social life, I am thoroughly exhausted, but is that good kind of tired. At the end of the day, I lie down in my bed and just before I fall dead asleep (within two minutes of head hitting the pillow) I feel really alive. It is a good feeling. Just thought I would share that with you all :)
Monday, June 02, 2008
Wining, Dining, Over the Rhining
My wonderful weekend/Monday in a nutshell. . .
Friday -
Work = boring, boring, boring.
Dinner with my new friend at Mediterranean Deli = yummy.
Painting pottery at Paint the Earth (a shop on Franklin Street), also with my new friend = good times. But we couldn't finish our artwork before the shop closed on Friday night, so we had round two on Saturday afternoon. Our masterpieces will be fired this week and ready for pick-up on Friday.
Beer at Goodfellows, also with new friend = good conversation and good people watching.
Saturday -
Consultation for a new pet sitting client = another job for this coming weekend. Yay for money coming in!
Visit with Rodger and Angela while I was in their neighborhood = a little catch up time with my closest friends in Chapel Hill.
Lunch and Round Two of Pottery Painting = masterpieces completed and more hang out time with the funniest German philosopher I know.
Esther arrives = extreme jubilation for me.
Esther and I see Sex in the City = the movie was just like the show. We were pleased. Why mess with perfection?
Sunday -
Icecream in Hillsborough = yummmmm.
Church = good stuff.
Over the Rhine Concert = the opening act was so good that one of her songs made me cry. OTR was wonderful as always. They did two encores. I could have died a happy woman that night.
Chocolate Chip Cookies = yumm, but I think I gained three pounds this weekend.
Monday -
Work at Law Office = boring.
Pet Sitting Job on Lunch Break = I almost got attacked by a dog. Yikes!
Spaghetti and Wine for Dinner = good food and good wine with Esther while she is still in town.
Bella = great movie. I highly recommend it. Seriously, stop reading this blog and go get that movie.
Cigars on the Volleyball Court = enjoyment of cigars with one of my only cigar-smoking girl friends.
Friday -
Work = boring, boring, boring.
Dinner with my new friend at Mediterranean Deli = yummy.
Painting pottery at Paint the Earth (a shop on Franklin Street), also with my new friend = good times. But we couldn't finish our artwork before the shop closed on Friday night, so we had round two on Saturday afternoon. Our masterpieces will be fired this week and ready for pick-up on Friday.
Beer at Goodfellows, also with new friend = good conversation and good people watching.
Saturday -
Consultation for a new pet sitting client = another job for this coming weekend. Yay for money coming in!
Visit with Rodger and Angela while I was in their neighborhood = a little catch up time with my closest friends in Chapel Hill.
Lunch and Round Two of Pottery Painting = masterpieces completed and more hang out time with the funniest German philosopher I know.
Esther arrives = extreme jubilation for me.
Esther and I see Sex in the City = the movie was just like the show. We were pleased. Why mess with perfection?
Sunday -
Icecream in Hillsborough = yummmmm.
Church = good stuff.
Over the Rhine Concert = the opening act was so good that one of her songs made me cry. OTR was wonderful as always. They did two encores. I could have died a happy woman that night.
Chocolate Chip Cookies = yumm, but I think I gained three pounds this weekend.
Monday -
Work at Law Office = boring.
Pet Sitting Job on Lunch Break = I almost got attacked by a dog. Yikes!
Spaghetti and Wine for Dinner = good food and good wine with Esther while she is still in town.
Bella = great movie. I highly recommend it. Seriously, stop reading this blog and go get that movie.
Cigars on the Volleyball Court = enjoyment of cigars with one of my only cigar-smoking girl friends.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Volleyball Night
Last night eleven church friends came over to my place to grill out and play volleyball. It was really fun. We got to feed burgers and pasta salad to some of my neighbors, and one neighbor even joined us for volleyball. It was pretty cool. I am really loving where I live. It is so nice to be able to host an event like that.
Well, not much else to say right now; however, as I mentioned in my last blog, this weekend has more than its fair share of good stuff going on. So hopefully, I will blog again Monday or Tuesday of next week (more than likely it will have to wait till Tuesday).
Well, not much else to say right now; however, as I mentioned in my last blog, this weekend has more than its fair share of good stuff going on. So hopefully, I will blog again Monday or Tuesday of next week (more than likely it will have to wait till Tuesday).
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Memorial Day/Weekend
Well, I am back to the NC after a great weekend in good old GA. The weekend was sooooo great. Family, friends, and a housewarming party. Who could ask for anything more? There were a few friends I either didn't get to see at all or barely saw at all that I really would have liked to do some catching up with, but it is hard to find time for all your family and many of the friends you made over the course of about 15 years of living in that city. Sigh. But like I said, the time I had with the people I did get to see was great.
My older sister threw me a housewarming party, which was so nice. I got lots of little odds and ends I have been needing/wanting for my place (lamps, sheets, towels, candles, etc.)
Also, back when my little sister and I lived together, my parents gave her and I a TV for Christmas. When we moved out of that house and were no longer living together, I let her have the TV because I'm just not that much of a TV person. But now, she has another TV and gave me ours, which was great because the TV I was using was a tinsy 10" screen and ours is significantly larger (don't know the exact measurement though. So last night I hooked it up and discovered that for some reason this TV picks up way more stations than my little 10" did. With the 10" TV I was picking up about 13 stations consistantly and occasionally I could pick up 2 or 3 extra stations, but with my bigger TV I am picking up like 90 stations! I don't know the hows and whys on all of that, but. . . whatever. Now I still don't like the idea of becoming a TV junkie, but these days my social calendar is not what it used to be and I have to admit that I am turning to the tube a little more regularly. Am I glad about this? Not really. But it is what it is, and at least it's free (well not really, I'm sure the charge is included in my rent but I don't really have a choice about taking that out). Ok, enough rambling about a stupid TV :)
This week/weekend I am looking forward to a handful of events:
(1) A cook out and volleyball with church friends at my apartment on Thursday.
(2) Going to dinner and a paint-your-own-pottery place in Chapel Hill with a new friend on Friday.
(3) Esther coming to visit on Saturday!
(4) The new Sex in the City movie coming out! (I have to admit that Sex in the City is one of my guilty pleasures)
(5) Over the Rhine concert on Sunday night! (I would like to add that I could literally walk to this concert from my apartment. Have I mentioned that I love living in Carrboro?)
So at least my social calendar this week is up enough that I won't be resorting to the TV too much!
My older sister threw me a housewarming party, which was so nice. I got lots of little odds and ends I have been needing/wanting for my place (lamps, sheets, towels, candles, etc.)
Also, back when my little sister and I lived together, my parents gave her and I a TV for Christmas. When we moved out of that house and were no longer living together, I let her have the TV because I'm just not that much of a TV person. But now, she has another TV and gave me ours, which was great because the TV I was using was a tinsy 10" screen and ours is significantly larger (don't know the exact measurement though. So last night I hooked it up and discovered that for some reason this TV picks up way more stations than my little 10" did. With the 10" TV I was picking up about 13 stations consistantly and occasionally I could pick up 2 or 3 extra stations, but with my bigger TV I am picking up like 90 stations! I don't know the hows and whys on all of that, but. . . whatever. Now I still don't like the idea of becoming a TV junkie, but these days my social calendar is not what it used to be and I have to admit that I am turning to the tube a little more regularly. Am I glad about this? Not really. But it is what it is, and at least it's free (well not really, I'm sure the charge is included in my rent but I don't really have a choice about taking that out). Ok, enough rambling about a stupid TV :)
This week/weekend I am looking forward to a handful of events:
(1) A cook out and volleyball with church friends at my apartment on Thursday.
(2) Going to dinner and a paint-your-own-pottery place in Chapel Hill with a new friend on Friday.
(3) Esther coming to visit on Saturday!
(4) The new Sex in the City movie coming out! (I have to admit that Sex in the City is one of my guilty pleasures)
(5) Over the Rhine concert on Sunday night! (I would like to add that I could literally walk to this concert from my apartment. Have I mentioned that I love living in Carrboro?)
So at least my social calendar this week is up enough that I won't be resorting to the TV too much!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Back From a Wonderful Weekend
Well, its Monday again and that means back to work. But at least this week is sandwiched between two great weekends. (D.C. this past weekend to visit Sara and Esther and home to Augusta next weekend to visit family and many friends)
D.C. was great. No traffic problems there or back (woo hoo!) and great girl bonding time. I got in late on Friday evening and Sara, Esther, and I just spent sometime catching up on all the latest. Saturday, we met some of their friends for brunch and ate out on the lawn. It was beautiful weather and we practiced the fine art of throwing grapes in the air and catching them in our mouths (and also throwing grapes into other people's mouths). Then we went to an Asian Festival and just wandered around town for awhile making the most of the gorgeous day. Later, one of their friends made us an awesome dinner (Indian food. . . yummmmm) and we went out dancing (80s Night!!!!!!). I had to leave Sunday morning, but it was still a completely worthwhile visit, especially since both of them will be in Egypt all summer. I'll get to see Esther one more time before she goes (she is coming to visit me in two weeks!), but I won't see Sara again for several months (bummer).
Here is to next weekend. . . may it be every bit as wonderful as this past weekend!
D.C. was great. No traffic problems there or back (woo hoo!) and great girl bonding time. I got in late on Friday evening and Sara, Esther, and I just spent sometime catching up on all the latest. Saturday, we met some of their friends for brunch and ate out on the lawn. It was beautiful weather and we practiced the fine art of throwing grapes in the air and catching them in our mouths (and also throwing grapes into other people's mouths). Then we went to an Asian Festival and just wandered around town for awhile making the most of the gorgeous day. Later, one of their friends made us an awesome dinner (Indian food. . . yummmmm) and we went out dancing (80s Night!!!!!!). I had to leave Sunday morning, but it was still a completely worthwhile visit, especially since both of them will be in Egypt all summer. I'll get to see Esther one more time before she goes (she is coming to visit me in two weeks!), but I won't see Sara again for several months (bummer).
Here is to next weekend. . . may it be every bit as wonderful as this past weekend!
Friday, May 16, 2008
My Downstairs Neighbor's Friends are a Little Scary
In general I really like my apartment complex. Sure, I had a rocky time at first with the apartment management not really being very responsive or helpful, and the guys I moved in after left the place looking like a train wreck. But after those initial annoyances, I had not one complaint. I haven't had overly noisy neighbors or an unreasonable gas bill to deal with, and since I have actually moved in the apartment management has actually been very helpful and freindly (I think it was just the one girl, who was incharge of taking care of my lease, who was not really doing her job). So on the whole, I would say my living experience there has been a good one thus far; however, I did have quite a shocker last Saturday.
I was out running around doing various and sundry tasks that one must do on a Saturday. I realized that I left something at my apartment that I needed, so I went back to my complex. I always listen to music in the car and sometimes when I get out I am still humming the last song I heard. So I hop out of my car humming away and jog up the first flight of stairs (I am on the third floor), but at the second floor a man who doesn't seem to speak english is shushing me. I was a little suprised and slightly offended and asked him why. He doesn't say anything, but points to his other hand which is holding a snake by the head!!!! So I just stood there in a mix of horror and shock and curiousity for about 30 seconds before I realized that I needed to just go up to my apartment and pray that the strange snake handler would leave and take his snake with him.
What was this guy doing? He was just standing outside of my downstairs neighbors apartment knocking on his door. Was he trying to suprise my neighbor? Did my neighbor lose his pet snake and this guy found it? Did my neighbors pet snake die and this guy found a replacement for him? The possibilities are endless. I just hope that it isn't a reoccuring incident!
I was out running around doing various and sundry tasks that one must do on a Saturday. I realized that I left something at my apartment that I needed, so I went back to my complex. I always listen to music in the car and sometimes when I get out I am still humming the last song I heard. So I hop out of my car humming away and jog up the first flight of stairs (I am on the third floor), but at the second floor a man who doesn't seem to speak english is shushing me. I was a little suprised and slightly offended and asked him why. He doesn't say anything, but points to his other hand which is holding a snake by the head!!!! So I just stood there in a mix of horror and shock and curiousity for about 30 seconds before I realized that I needed to just go up to my apartment and pray that the strange snake handler would leave and take his snake with him.
What was this guy doing? He was just standing outside of my downstairs neighbors apartment knocking on his door. Was he trying to suprise my neighbor? Did my neighbor lose his pet snake and this guy found it? Did my neighbors pet snake die and this guy found a replacement for him? The possibilities are endless. I just hope that it isn't a reoccuring incident!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Living For the Weekend
My next two weekends are going to be fan-freaking-tastic. This weekend I am going on a whirlwind trip to D.C. to visit with Sara and Esther K and still make it back to North Carolina in time for church on Sunday evening. There will be dancing and catching up and (as always with the me and the Kauffman girls) lots of giggling and acting like middle schoolers. I cannot wait.
Next weekend I am going home to GA for a nice long weekend (thanks to Memorial Day!). Hallelujah. I miss my mom so bad. I miss everybody else there alot too, but I'm really, really missing my mom. I haven't been home since Christmas and it has been hard. Luckily several people have come up to visit me. All of my family, except my brother and his crew, have come up to visit at some point. My friend Shelley came to visit me twice (she gets a gold star)! Alice, Esther, and Dan have all had at least a brief visit with me as well.
I get lonely sometimes living here with my family so far away and most of my close freinds scattered across the ends of the earth. But I will say that I am getting more accustomed to all the alone time. I am getting used to my social life being a little less eventful. I am growing to absolutely love having an apartment sans roommates. I learn alot about how I like things for myself when I don't have to worry about pleasing or accommodating anyone else. It's interesting. For example, I never realized how much I prefer organization over chaos or even organized chaos, until now that I have my own space that I get to keep just how I like it. Now I am not entirely anal about it, but I have to admit that maybe I am just the tinsiest bit anal about it. :)
Alright, enough rambling about whether or not I'm anal. I'll try to post again next week after my certain-to-be-fabulous weekend with the Kauffman's. Have a great rest of the week!
Next weekend I am going home to GA for a nice long weekend (thanks to Memorial Day!). Hallelujah. I miss my mom so bad. I miss everybody else there alot too, but I'm really, really missing my mom. I haven't been home since Christmas and it has been hard. Luckily several people have come up to visit me. All of my family, except my brother and his crew, have come up to visit at some point. My friend Shelley came to visit me twice (she gets a gold star)! Alice, Esther, and Dan have all had at least a brief visit with me as well.
I get lonely sometimes living here with my family so far away and most of my close freinds scattered across the ends of the earth. But I will say that I am getting more accustomed to all the alone time. I am getting used to my social life being a little less eventful. I am growing to absolutely love having an apartment sans roommates. I learn alot about how I like things for myself when I don't have to worry about pleasing or accommodating anyone else. It's interesting. For example, I never realized how much I prefer organization over chaos or even organized chaos, until now that I have my own space that I get to keep just how I like it. Now I am not entirely anal about it, but I have to admit that maybe I am just the tinsiest bit anal about it. :)
Alright, enough rambling about whether or not I'm anal. I'll try to post again next week after my certain-to-be-fabulous weekend with the Kauffman's. Have a great rest of the week!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Has It Really Been Three Weeks?
I think that is a record for not blogging for me. Sheesh.
My excuse. I only have a computer at work. So all personal computer/internet related matters have to be done either on my lunch break or before my workday begins. To be honest, I sit for eight hours of my day looking at a computer screen, so by the time lunch comes around I am ready to not be looking at the screen. And showing up early to work sometimes happens and sometimes doesn't. All this to say that I haven't found the time for blogging recently. I miss it. I do manage to read other blogs from time to time, so at least I am able to stay current with what everybody else is up to (provided that they aren't blogging slackers like me).
Life in NC is generally good. No significant complaints here. The weather is nice. My job at the law office is going well. My job as a pet sitter/dog walker is going pretty well. Greenleaf is also going pretty well. My budget is going fairly well also. Things I am looking forward to:
1. The swimming pool at my apartment complex opening later this month!!!! Woo Hoo!!!
2. Going to visit Sara and Esther later this month!!!!
3. Going home to Augusta at the very end of the month!!!!!
4. Over the Rhine coming to Carrboro at the beginning of June!!!!
5. Esther coming to visit me at the beginning of June!!!!!
6. Possibly going to Charleston in June to meet up with Mary and Alice! (if my finances permit it).
Other updates are:
1. I am gradually getting more and more furniture. My livingroom really looks like a livingroom now! There are a few more things I would like for my livingroom, but it really is getting there. Other rooms in the apartment are still decidedly lacking in furniture, but still it's getting there. My most recent furniture addition was a sleeper sofa for my extra room. Now when company visits, they actually have a bed of sorts. Sweet.
2. Alot of babies have been born lately, the most recent addition, as far as my friends go, is Owen Lindsey. He was just born yesterday, and he is teeeeninsy. He was born at only 4 lbs and 7oz. (I think). But he is healthy, just itty bitty.
3. Working for a divorce attorney is really getting to me. I am starting to beleive that marriages just don't work. That is not good, but it's how it seems sometimes.
4. I can't think of anything else.
Well, here's hoping I have more excitement in my life soon, so that I'll have something to write about!
My excuse. I only have a computer at work. So all personal computer/internet related matters have to be done either on my lunch break or before my workday begins. To be honest, I sit for eight hours of my day looking at a computer screen, so by the time lunch comes around I am ready to not be looking at the screen. And showing up early to work sometimes happens and sometimes doesn't. All this to say that I haven't found the time for blogging recently. I miss it. I do manage to read other blogs from time to time, so at least I am able to stay current with what everybody else is up to (provided that they aren't blogging slackers like me).
Life in NC is generally good. No significant complaints here. The weather is nice. My job at the law office is going well. My job as a pet sitter/dog walker is going pretty well. Greenleaf is also going pretty well. My budget is going fairly well also. Things I am looking forward to:
1. The swimming pool at my apartment complex opening later this month!!!! Woo Hoo!!!
2. Going to visit Sara and Esther later this month!!!!
3. Going home to Augusta at the very end of the month!!!!!
4. Over the Rhine coming to Carrboro at the beginning of June!!!!
5. Esther coming to visit me at the beginning of June!!!!!
6. Possibly going to Charleston in June to meet up with Mary and Alice! (if my finances permit it).
Other updates are:
1. I am gradually getting more and more furniture. My livingroom really looks like a livingroom now! There are a few more things I would like for my livingroom, but it really is getting there. Other rooms in the apartment are still decidedly lacking in furniture, but still it's getting there. My most recent furniture addition was a sleeper sofa for my extra room. Now when company visits, they actually have a bed of sorts. Sweet.
2. Alot of babies have been born lately, the most recent addition, as far as my friends go, is Owen Lindsey. He was just born yesterday, and he is teeeeninsy. He was born at only 4 lbs and 7oz. (I think). But he is healthy, just itty bitty.
3. Working for a divorce attorney is really getting to me. I am starting to beleive that marriages just don't work. That is not good, but it's how it seems sometimes.
4. I can't think of anything else.
Well, here's hoping I have more excitement in my life soon, so that I'll have something to write about!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Pictures from the CROP Walk
The Greenleaf/CROP Walk GangThe walk itself was great. It was a beautiful sunny day and we walked four miles through Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
I got a sunburn on my hand in the shape of an octagon.
Hunger and Poverty Make Rodger Very Angry!!!
Being Goofy At ChurchFriday, April 11, 2008
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