Quote of the Day

Me: "Do you know why Jesus was nailed to the cross?"

Seven year old: "So he wouldn't fall off."

On another note...

I just finished reading through the last year of my entries. It is interesting to rememeber all those little things that happened that seemed rather insignificant at the time but are what made up my life. I am realizing that I did a lot in T. I don't do much here. In T I was always taking off on my scooter to explore, adventuring when I was bored. But here there is no where to explore. No adventure seems to await me. I traversed the whole town a long time ago. I think I'm bored with it. I must admit, much of it probably has to do with the fact that it has been super cold and snowy here for the last five months. Those two things don't really make you feel like you want to go out much.

But this is not to say that I'm not having fun or that I'm not content. Yes, sure, I'd love to hop on my scooter right now and go to the down town of a city. I am seeing that life here is just different. I don't DO as much stuff here but I am often equally amused and entertained by life.

Entertainment of the last eight months:

• Shower Battles: a competition amonst my friends to see who can spend the least amount of time in the shower while still looking and smelling good. I won't tell you what my fastest time was because i might give you the wrong impression of me.
• Running: i've done a fair amount of running since arriving here. I ran a 10k race in September that I trained pretty are for with a friend. It was fun to work towards something as a team. Our time was 56.37. We were thrilled!
• Friends: my new amusing friends who crack me up!
• Cold: learning how to survive and thrive in the snow and cold. I think I braced myself for the worse and in the end, it didn't seem as bad as I thought it was going to be.
• Car: i bought my first car! It was an exciting day. I named her Scooter or sometimes Cherry Girl Scooter.
• L: brings me great joy and delight. She makes me want to have a little girl just like her! I look forward to being with her everyday. She is my favorite "job."

And that is all for now because it is late and I have to go to bed...

Saalam

Snow

Snow is coming tomorrow!!!! There is nothing that I can do to stop it. I can only embrace it because whether I like it or not, it is coming. My friend P said to get a long ultra warm coat, big thick socks to fit into big thick boots, to always wear a scarf, and never go out without big rabbit fur mittens and a hat. She would know. Sh used to live in Russia. I have none of those things, yet. "Can it really possibly get that cold?" I ask myself. The answer I know is true in my head is "yes." But my doubtful heart still wonders, "Really?" I can't even comprehend what being that cold feels like.

I think I'm about to find out.

I smell french toast.My tummy is growling. It is amazing how far the smell of food, good or bad, can travel. Up four flights of stairs, around many corners, and seeping into my little confined office. Oh! how I wish it were dinner time right now! Oh, how I want to taste syrup. Fourteen minutes... and counting.

It's Thursday but if feels like Friday in my world. No school tomorrow so the kids have Friday night curfew and no lights out. Most are gone so it's pretty quiet around here. Right now it is just me and the internet radio coming through the computer speakers. The desk is scattered with various reminders of responsibility, a book that I think I'll have time to read tonight, two cell phones- pink and red, a couple small pumpkins, a vase of small useful rocks, and a collection of random post-it notes.

I'm still waiting for the french toast and syrup...

Later... Supper met all my expectations! French toast = comfort food. I feel comforted and comfortable.

A friend of mine, who just moved to a new land, started a blog. He writes well and is hilarious! Needless to say, after finishing reading his blog, I was inspired to keep at mine. I haven't written in a while and thought my xanga days may be over. But, I'm going to give it another try. My entries may not be that funny but hopefully they are somewhat entertaining or at least interesting.

I've relocated from my Island in the Sun to Small Town, USA. The leaves are just beginning to change here and the air is cooling off. More later... life is calling my name!

Isaiah 40:27-31

Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the EVERLASTING God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He GIVES STRENGTH to the weary and INCREASES THE POWER of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who HOPE IN THE LORD will renew their strength. THEY WILL SOAR on wings like eagles; THEY WILL RUN and not grown weary, THEY WILL WALK and not be faint.