It's been a busy couple of days here in Vacation Land. For all of you keeping track out there, here's the scoop.

Day 1: Tricks arrived late. And after enjoying Christmas in March with me (thanks EVERYONE for the goods!), we headed off to sleep.

Day 2: What better way to get rid of jetlag and to be initiated into this city than...to shop. We spent the entire day at the largest mall in the world outside of North America. (Correction: Trix just said that we were "probably only at the mall for 5 hours." Apparently that's not a lot of time!) Afterwards we waited in traffic for what seemed to me an equal amount of hours. Uggh. Our attempt at finding the horse racing was to no avail but we did manage to see some camels and eventually made it to another location where we watched "Flashdance" on the big screen under the stars. The movie wasn't the greatest but it was so fun to be outside, sitting on a rooftop in bean bags, enjoying the amazing weather!

Day 3: Sunshine and surf. Ok, not really, because I was too afraid of the freaking jellyfish that were lining the shore to actually get in and swim much. I kept having memories of that "Friends" epidsode--the one where Joey gets stung by a jellyfish and someone has to urinate on him to make the sting go away. Yeah. No thanks! We did manage to enjoy lots of sunshine..a highschool dance off (picture in your mind "West Side Story")...and the lack of gawking men thanks to the fact that it was "Ladies Day."

Later that evening we went to the Hard Rock Cafe and enjoyed the live music. Check out the "Rockstars" pictured here. (Don't look too closely or you might notice that our signs are a little off.)

Day 4: It started out with a leisurely morning hanging around the house. Trix napped and I did laundry. (Special K sent over Tide AND Downey Simple Pleasures!!! I'm in heaven!) We hit McDonald's for lunch and then headed off for a desert safari.

A few highlights from that adventure include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Dune Bashing...driving sideways, straight up, and straight down and any other way the driver could take us to get a squeel.
2. Camels & Sunset
3. Knee injury from trying to climb a steep dune to see the last of said sunset. (see photo)
4. Crazy Indian dancers
5. Henna tattoos (nasty, according to Trix)
6. Shisha Pipes (AKA "henna pipes" according to Trix)
7. A much calmer ride back to the house

And now lots of laughs as we've relived these memories trying to share them with you. :)

Isn't life grand?

Vacations...Vacations.
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...

*Sunshine
*Starbucks
*Cute clothes
*Freedom
*Late nights
*Sleep
*IKEA
*Shopping
*McDonald's
*Laughter
*Outdoor dining...napping...and anything else I want to do
*The Ocean (well, Gulf)
*Fresh pineapple and strawberries and avocado...oh my!
*Swimming
*Rest
*And in just a few short hours....

TRICKIE!! :)

And THIS is why I love this show...

"We all think that we are going to be great.
And we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met.
But sometimes our expectations sell us short.
Sometimes the expected simply pales in comparison to the unexpected.
You gotta wonder why we cling to our expectations.
Because the expected is just what keeps us steady…standing…still.
The expected is just the beginning.
The unexpected is what changes our lives. "

~Grey's Anatomy (Episode: Great Expectations)

A Photo and Memories

All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget.
In this - as in other ways - they are the opposite of paintings.
Paintings record what the painter remembers.
Because each one of us forgets different things, a photo more than a painting may change its meaning according to who is looking at it.
~John Berger

Above you will see an image of my sweet friend and I hanging out last week. Just looking at it brings a smile to my face and reminds me just how very much I love that girl.

Although it had been over a year since I last saw her, it seemed like mere days upon our reunion. The hours that we shared ran together with laughter...conversation...new music...coffee...God...men...dreams...apple pie...and Apple computers. Dad has led us on quite the journey since our days teaching across the hall from each other at KIA. And while I'm still waiting for HIM to place us back together in the same location (Remember your email J!), I'll take any moment I can get to enjoy the blessings of this sweet friendship.

Now, I'm not sure what you see when you look at this picture. But if the quote above holds true, then I'm guessing the meaning for you is something different. Now, I'm not really into telling people what they should see or think. But I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

You see, The Crushing One and I challenged each other to blog about our day and see who could get the most comments. Of course, neither of us are really that into rules, and so it's not really clear as to how we will determine the winner. All I know is that, in the end, the loser owes the winner a dinner out on the town. (I'm pretty sure we just wanted an excuse to go out!)

So...click on her name above and see what she had to say about our time together. Then leave a comment for whoever you thought said it better. :)

I know what I think when I look at this picture. And I also know that no matter how much time passes between our visits, I won't forget. I couldn't. This girl has left her mark. And I'm a better person because of it.

Thanks J!!!

I don't remember whose idea it was to go by bus from the north central region of the country to Ktown (read: my own stupidity), but I was pretty sure I was going to die before I actually arrived. (Obviously that didn't come to pass.) I made it. After 3 slips on the ice and 1 semi-accident which involved our bus sliding off of the road and hitting the wall of the mountain tunnel (just a bit)...Ktown never looked so good. Who knew 10 hours could feel like eternity?

But I made it. PTL! And for the next few days that followed, I enjoyed good friends, fresh snowfall, and lots of coffee in the city that I once called "home." Ahh. Good times.

So here are a few pics from my time in the north.
*The kid in the picture above has the most amazing eyes.
*The ladies that you see with me were also attending the seminar. Their nationalities are Irish, Kazakh, German/Romanian, & Korean. We went out for dinner that evening and around the table sat 9 people--8 different nationalities and the ability to speak 13 different languages. It's moments like that which give me a true picture of His very culturally diverse Bride. I love it!
*And lastly the picture to the right is of a man outside the mosque. I'm not sure if it's his job, but he sure had a way with those birds.

Now I have one picture left to share from my last 2 weeks, but I will save it for a post all its own. Maybe tomorrow?

4 more days until I get to see Trickie!!! :)

“Everything you love is what makes a life worth living.”
~John Eldredge

Things I Love…
Rainy days
Sunshine
Green, green grass
Gerber Daisies
The Ocean—the sound, its vastness, the smell, etc.
Ice Cream
McDonald’s
God
My family
My friends
Children—everything about them—esp. Little D, H, C&C
Music of all kinds
Going fast
Motorcycles
Concerts
Dancing
Flip-flops
Baseball—and everything associated with it
STL Cardinals
The changing of the seasons
Snow
Chick Flicks
You’ve Got Mail
New York City
Starbucks
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
The Gap
Shopping
Pink
Blue
Green
Blue Skies
Fireside chats
Star gazing
My Macbook
My ipod
Skirts (with no pants underneath)
Bookstores
Magazines--InStyle, Real Simple, US Weekly, Time
Convertibles
Scrapbooking
Margaritas
Downey Simple Pleasures
Clean Sheets—hung on the line
Twizzlers
Charleston Chews Minis
Grilled pork chops & steamed asparagus
Laughing/ laughter
Candles
White twinkle Lights
Christmas
Dreams
Movie Star Sunglasses
Photographs
My nose ring
Bubble Baths
Hot Showers
Long drives—either alone or with friends
Gilmore Girls
Grey’s Anatomy
Dawson & Felicity
Deep Conversations
Doing Laundry—in a real machine
Pottery Barn Catalogues
Mountains
Art
Italy
Pepsi over ice
Good writing
Life
Grilled cheese & Campbell’s Tomato Soup
Packages sent from home
Staying up late
Spending all day on the water—in a boat or on jet skis or swimming
Lazy Mornings
South America
Central Asia
Starting out a story with, “Back in ‘Nam”
Traveling—seeing the world
Thinking outside the box
Acoustic Guitars
Children’s Books
Wireless Internet (the faster the better)
Wearing my hair down and not covering my head
Electricity
Playing tennis
Slumber Parties
Daring my friends (and vice versa)
Chili's
Staying up late
Sleeping in

This list was brought to you by a very bored Strawberry Blonde sitting hours on end in a training seminar.
This post was based on an idea seen by a fellow blogger
and
has successfully taken the author's mind off of her current situation.
THANK YOU!

It’s snowing here today. I’m in a different city. It hardly ever snows here in this particular place, but there seems to be a trend. Whenever I travel within this country… snow happens.

I’m not complaining. It has reminded me that it is still February. I just wish I wasn’t cramped into this small room and very bored with my 8 hour-a-day training. Uggh. Where’s Starbucks when you need it?

BUT apart from my lackluster training experience, I am enjoying seeing another part of this country. This city is what I would picture for a Central Asian nation, with a large influence coming in from its northern neighbor. The people look more Asian. Horses are used for the transportation of both goods and people. A delicious, round style of bread is sold on nearly every corner. And while I’ve only seen a small portion of this place, it's reminded me how incredibly diverse this country truly is.

It’s been a blessing to spend some time with some dear friends from my early days in Ktown who have been living in this city for a few years. They are always encouraging…always challenging…and great at asking good questions. I’m now praying that Dad will direct them to the Ancient City!

I’ve also been staying with a couple that, before now, I had only heard about from others. They are gentle spirits and hospitable beyond words. They are people who have lived through being held captive for 6 months, a massive attack of grenades and bombers, and the list could go on. Still they choose to live here. Still they choose to love the people who have caused them an infinite amount of pain and hardships. I’m humbled in the midst of these faithful saints and so very grateful for this time to learn from them.

Then on Thursday I’m hoping to go by road from here to Ktown with my Kazakh co-worker. There’s a bus that leaves early in the morning and depending on the weather and road conditions, we should arrive within 7-10 hours. I’ve heard it’s a beautiful trip and a fun little adventure. My thought: Why fly when you could have the possibility of being stuck in a snowed-in pass for several hours on a bus with hundreds of other nationals? Imagine the fun!

Stay tuned for more stories…

Last night a group of us were hanging out. It was Barista N's last night in the city, K had unexpectedly landed here for 24 hours on her way to Ktown, and I was successfully avoiding some guests we had staying at our house. (That's terrible, I know. But I don't feel like explaining the situation.)

Anyway, we started talking about food and restaurants we were missing from the States. (This kind of conversation occurs on a regular basis.) I made the comment that, very soon I would be eating McDonald's. I proceeded to say that, "Unfortunately, the McDonald's where I'm going does not serve Shamrock Shakes."

And that's when the crowd turned on me. First in disbelief. Then in laughter. Nobody in the room had ever heard of such a treat!

I went on to explain that every year, from mid-February to the end of March, McDonald's serves this incredible "shamrock shake" that's green and mint flavored. I told them this tradition has been dated at least as far back as my freshman year in college. The mob (aka my friends) then pointed out that that was a long time ago. I believe one person even went so far as to say, "You remember this because you were in college. We only cared about what came in our Happy Meals at that time!"

So, I'm old. Older than everyone in that room, at least. But I WASN'T making it up!

As this discussion continued, I forced A to get online and google "shamrock shakes McDonald's." I thought then my point would be made.

Wrong.

Then THEIR point about my age was only made stronger as this is what was written on some website...

In days past, when the world was young and light of heart, old and young alike could walk down Main Street in early Spring with the birds singing and the flowers just starting to bloom. Invariably, those walks would end at the quaint burger shop on the corner, the local McDonald's. And on those days in March, a special treat would await those who braved the drizzle: a tasty, frothy, Shamrock Shake. Oh yes, and what a treat it was. Peppermint flavored and colored green, the Shamrock Shake was a celebration of Irish heritage at its best. No green colored Budweiser or stupid pilgrim hat painted green for the change of season could compare to the purity that was the Shamrock Shake. So delicious, the whole family would climb into the wagon (or minivan, whatever) and each get a large scrumptious taste of St. Patrick's Day.

Alas, those carefree days are gone. McDonald's is no longer the 'shop around the corner' serving up a wholesome burger and fries while you hang with your high school gang. It's now some faceless, greedy, multibillion dollar, 39 cent hamburger factory. No, those days have past, and we must move on. The Shamrock Shake has gone the way of the poodle skirt and the Hammer pants. But we shall never forget thee, you taught us what St. Patrick's Day was all about and announced the coming of Spring to all who would listen.

---

Yeah. I lost the argument.

I did, however, prove that Shamrock Shakes do indeed exist. Mainly in Ireland and to this day in a limited number of locations. I guess, lucky for me, IL was just one such state!

SO the moral of the story is this...

Eat, drink and be merry.
For you never know when McDonald's will stop serving your favorite treat!

I hate cilantro. Hate it. And don't tell me that I should give it a try. I lived in South America for over a year. It NEVER grew on me.

Today we had cilantro in our lunch. I tried to pick around it but it was to no avail. And now...an hour and a half later, that flavor lingers on. Uggh.

So I just want it to be known that this is me. The Strawberry Blonde. Lover of coffee...all things creative...chick flicks...Cardinal's baseball...McDonald's...etc. Hater of cilantro.

Take me or leave me.

My thoughts are muddled right now as I've sat down to write about my experiences of this past week. I am not really sure how to begin or where to end. I feel as though every day has been full and worthy of expressing and sharing, yet somehow...words seem insufficient in this moment.


This week...
I spent 4 days out visiting 10 different villages with my 4 other national staff.
Man, I wish you all could see this place...these people. (And those of you who have only been in Ktown…there’s a whole other world that we’ve missed out on!) I found myself wanting to take a million pictures as we drove off into these seemingly uncharted territories. I refrained for cultural and relational reasons, but I just kept thinking how National Geographic would kill to get a glimpse of what I was seeing. But I am also confident, that even if I did get some shots, a camera wouldn't do justice to the beauty that was before my eyes.

Seriously. The landscape of this country continues to take my breath away. Of course, there’s the obvious beauty found in its rugged and desolate terrain. The way the mountains cut into the sky…the clouds that cover the road at a certain altitude…the river that rushes by as the snow melts from the beginnings of spring. But I tell you; it’s the faces of these people that have captivated my heart. Their espresso eyes…lines on their faces…toothless smiles. I found myself mesmerized a million times over this week.

This week…
I watched women hope--most for the first time in who knows how long.
After a thousand and one greetings and a mile long list of needs (clean water, doctors, medicine, education, jobs, cars, etc.), our team shared with these ladies the hope of empowerment. Instead of bringing a doctor to this village for one month or two, we’ll figure out the root of the problem (i.e. what’s causing them to be sick in the first place) and learn how to stop it. It’s education in its simplest form. But in the period of our hour-long conversation, I saw their countenance change and their spirits lift. There IS a way out of their suffering. There IS a reason to hope once again.

This week…
I moved to a new house.
This is the fifth time I’ve moved since November, and I’m happy to say that I think this is it for a while (barring any major outside issues that may arise). Lord, let it be so.

This week…
We moved to a new office.
Yes, that’s right. Not only did we move houses, we also pretty much simultaneously moved office buildings as well. Needless to say, things have been a bit chaotic and un-orderly for the past several days!

This week..
Our team has been wrestling with how to help a brother who has come to us because his life is being threatened because of his beliefs.
Man, they don't teach you about this stuff in college. There are no pat answers. But oh, how I wish there were. My heart aches at the realities of this nation. But I am also encouraged, because I know that HE is working in this place.

So that's a brief overview of my week. I'm exhausted and would appreciate your prayers.

Tomorrow we will be hosting a national couple for the remainder of the week and on Thursday, Lord willing, I will head out to another city for a week of training and then on to Ktown and then to see Trix in the desert region! :)

Yesterday.

I don't know what it was, but the world seemed to be against me. It probably all centered around the fact that I didn't have my morning coffee, but that's neither here nor there.

I was frustrated.
No electricity. Nosy government workers. No clean laundry. A dust storm in FEBRUARY. Interruptions.

Yesterday was just one of "those days."

And just when I had pretty much resigned myself to a day of accomplishing absolutely NOTHING and remaining frustrated in spite of my mental "10 Things For Which to be Thankful" list I made while walking home from the office, everything seemed to change upon opening my front door.

It was his excitement. His adorable face. Hearing him yell "LoLo!!" Those big blue eyes. The way he came running out with open arms to greet me. Sigh. It was exactly what my heart needed in order to remember that the world really wasn't/isn't all that bad.

Little D. The cutest 20 month old I know. And all the reason a person needs to smile.

So after asking permission from his mom, I took Little D down to the coffee shop (yes, we have one of those here). He went crazy for the donut holes. I went crazy for the double shot caramel macchiato. We sang "The Wheels on the Bus." We visited with N, our amazing barista. :) We looked at pictures in National Geographic. And on our way home, we bought naan. (The D's favorite!)

So what if I didn't accomplish anything? I had a date with Little D. And that...that made all the difference.

So I've been trying to figure out a way to post a new photo in the "About Me" section, but have been unsuccessful up to this point. I'm going to try it here and see what happens. Sorry to disappoint if you thought I had shared some great, exciting news on life in this place. :)

It's February, people! Can you believe it? I can't. Maybe it's because these past 2 weeks have felt more like March or April, what with the 70 degree temps and abundance of sunshine. Perhaps my brain just skipped past the last part of winter?

Nope.

It's back. Today the rain is pattering quietly outside my window and the temperature is a bit colder. I have Joe Purdy playing in the back ground. (If you're not familiar with him...you should be.) His song, "I Love the Rain the Most" is perfect for a day like this. If only I didn't have work and language lessons today. I could curl up with a good book...a steaming cup of coffee...and I might possibly be ambitious enough to make some homemade chocolate chip cookies. It would be great. If only.

I think I am in a dreaming mode as of late. Both day-dreaming (as my mind is full of random distractions) and big dreaming. And this disposition was only encouraged when, on Wednesday, our team spent the entire afternoon together reflecting and praying over questions such as the following:

If the Kingdom of God were to come to this city, what would it look?
How would things look differently?

It was a wonderful time. And one I hope that we continue in the future.

Visions and dreams are how He often works in this place. I wonder how come I rarely ask Him what His are for today?

News

Did you people know that my *ex* Harry just came out with a new album??? The same day as my friend Norah J too.

Now, I knew about Norah's upcoming premiere, but Harry? ...Well, I think he's still heartbroken and bitter about the break up.

It's ok. It takes time to heal. I understand.

(If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can find the answer in my September 2005 archives.)

Also, I just got an email from Derek Webb. How come when I see his name in my inbox, I think that he's somehow *personally* emailing me? Really. They need to change that.

Randomness

I'm back.

I'm sure some of you didn't even notice that I was gone, but I've been unable to sign in to blogger the past several days due to low power in the office. I really hadn't planned on leaving you all with that last post. I'm sure the few men that read this will be glad to see I've moved on. :)

SO...not a lot is going on. I don't have anything profound or funny to share. But here's the randomness that's happening in my world:

*I'm moving this next month...AGAIN. I'm pretty sure one person shouldn't move as much as I have in one year, but I guess that's life. Our lease is up in March and since there are all sorts of problems with the current location, we've decided it's best to look elsewhere. We've found one house and we'll probably know by this week if it's ours.

*Monday is a national holiday. This time we are on mandatory *lock down*. (Last year, this city went a little haywire with riots and shootings and what not.) I'm actually excited. Not about the potential for violence, of course, but about having a whole day to stay in and do nothing! ...Unless of course we get evacuated or something. That would put a damper on my "pajama day."

*The Crushing One has made it back to Ktown and soon she is going to come visit me here!! I can't wait! I miss her. Welcome *home* J-jan!

*In 42 days I will be hanging out with this person . Spring break, BABY! (In the M.E.! Who would have thought?)

*I've been hanging out on my rooftop (per my "To Do List in 2007") a lot this past week. It's been gorgeous here, weather-wise, and the sunshine was calling my name. A good cup of coffee...the warmth of the sun...the sounds of the city below. It does a heart good. I guess I'm making up for the Vitamin D deficiency of winter.

Now, the only thing better would be if I could go play tennis. :)

Ahh. Dreams.

MEN: Beware of the following contents!

OK, men, if you are still reading this, don't say I didn't warn you!

So I just had the funniest conversation with one of my national (female) co-workers.

I was walking back up the stairs to my office after talking with a couple of them, when I hear, "L, Do you have any good things?" "Good things?" I replied. "Yes, good things," she said while motioning to her abdominal area. "For females?" I said. "Yes," she responded.

Never in my life have I thought of feminine hygiene products as "good things" but I guess that's what they're called over here. :) It made me smile.

Afterwards, she asked me what I called them in English and then we proceeded to have a conversation about the personal woes of the female monthly visitor. We joked about PMS and how our backs hurt or how we get emotional. I told her sometimes I find it easy to cry. She said sometimes she likes to fight. We carried on with this conversation for about 5 minutes and afterwards I thought what a funny, bonding moment I just had.

Isn't it interesting how some things are the same...no matter geography or age?

Say What?

Language Learning. ...I'm at it again.

My tutor is amazingly gracious and our 2 hours a day together just seems to fly by. She speaks some English--which can be helpful and funny all at the same time.

Take for example, yesterday. During our lesson, she would say a word in English and I was supposed to translate. Then we came to this point:

Tutor: Sex.
Me: What?

Tutor: Sex.
Me: Sex?

Tutor: Yes. Sex.
Me: Ummm...Do you mean "sex" as in "gender--female or male?" (Me thinking in my mind--I hope she doesn't mean the other.)

Tutor: No. I mean the number.
Me: OOOHH. (With a sigh of relief and a giggle.) "sIx!"

Tutor: Yes, sex.
Me: ShIsh. (The number)


And besides all the fun conversation, I'm learning to read and write again. And I say "again" because I started this a couple years back, but I didn't get very far and I've forgotten most of it anyway. Today I was reading my first grade reader book and cracked myself up because I was totally sounding out each letter like a little kid.

I'm pretty sure I could do a commercial here for "Hooked On Phonics!"

No more "whole language" for me, Tricks! ;)

Anyway, you can click on the picture above to zoom in and see my new skills! Be impressed, people. Be very impressed. :)

I remember a professor of mine from college saying that there are certain books that he re-reads on a yearly basis. Spiritual classics, if you will. They were titles like: A Celebration of Discipline, The Pursuit of God, etc.

Well, this week I re-read "Blue Like Jazz" and I was thinking that that's a title that should be added to my list of annual reads. It was like catching up with an old friend. One who makes you laugh and think all at the same time.

I was also thinking that Donald Miller and I should get married. Of course, he'd have to change his name. (The first one.) Either that, or let me call him "D." He seems like the kind of guy who would be OK with that.

I'm sure if he knew me, we would make a great match.

So D, if you are reading this...call me. :)

I've been walking to work the past few days. As I walk, I like to imagine myself in that beginning scene of "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are on their way to work. Of course, I don't have a Starbucks within which I can stop and pick up my morning latte. And instead of being dressed in a cute little skirt and scarf, I'm covered from head to toe in a black chador. But other than that...the scene is EXACTLY the same.

The Cranberries' song plays in my head. The shopkeepers are pushing up the large metal doors to open their stores. I smell the scent of fresh, hot bread as I pass the breadmaker. A little boy almost runs into me as he has his nose in a book and is hurried on his way to somewhere. The sun shines brightly and warms me in spite of the cold air. I stop by the fruit stand to pick up a banana to snack on before lunch.

And in my mind...I am Kathleen Kelly. If only for the 12 minute walk to the office.

Today is my little sister's 28th birthday.

And here is a list of 28 things I love about her...
1. I love her naturally rosy cheeks and beautiful complexion.
2. I love her love of all things "reality show."
3. I love her impeccable sense of style...especially when it comes to shoes.
4. I love that she loves the Cardinals!
5. I love her flare for the dramatic.
6. I love that she can appreciate the "finer things" of life.
7. I love the secrets that we share.
8. I love that she radiates heat while she sleeps (opposite of me).
9. I love that when she was little, she could make friends within 5 seconds flat.
10. I love it that, at a young age, she learned that it was OK to be different than her big sister.
11. I love how well she knows pop culture.
12. I love the blackmail that we have on each other. (i.e. powder puff girl, past boyfriends, etc.)
13. I love her blog. (If only she'd write more! :)
14. I love that, even though she could be settled for the rest of her life, she's not afraid to keep running after her dreams.
15. I love that she's happily married to a wonderful man who cherishes her.
16. I love how she makes me laugh.
17. I love that she can cook and sew, and has known how to do both for a very long time. (I'm still learning.)
18. I love her sensitive heart and ability to cry.
19. I love that she didn't tell on me to mom and dad (all the time) when we were kids.
20. I love how we've moved from just "sisters" to "friends."
21. I love that she loves to dance...esp. at family weddings. :)
22. I love how she's not afraid to speak her mind.
23. I love the fact that she often knows what I'm thinking with just a look.
24. I love it that she stinks at math...just like me. :)
25. I love how smart she is any so many other ways.
26. I love how naturally beautiful she is.
27. I love how her eyes get lost in her smile.
28. And most of all, I love that she's my sister--a bond that can never be broken.


I still remember the day that mom and dad called from the hospital telling me you were born. I wanted to name you and I think they humored me a bit, until obviously their name won out.

I remember them bringing you home...your thick, dark hair, pink cheeks and beautiful blue eyes. I was mesmerized.

I remember teaching you how to ride a bike for the first time...or at least pushing you down that hill at the end of our street and hoping that you'd figure it out before you were hurt too bad.

I remember watching you fall off that slide and break your arm. Sheer terror had struck. (1.) Would you be ok? (2.) How much trouble would I be in?

I remember our family vacations...playing in our play room on Noleman St...swimming together in the summer...getting you all ready for your first dance...watching you graduate college...

I remember your wedding day and how stunningly beautiful you looked.

And for all of those memories listed (and the ones that didn't make the cut) and to the millions more to come...I just want to say thanks.
What an amazing gift I've been given to have you as a sister.
I love you, L. More than you'll ever know.

Happy 28th Birthday!!!!

Confessional: Every now and then I pull out an article of clothing that I have yet to wear in this country.

I put it on to find that it still smells like Downey Simple Pleasures.

And Downey Simple Pleasures smells so good...so comforting...so much like "home," that I want to take it off and put it away so that it smells that good...that comforting...that much like "home" forever.

…And just like that, it’s Saturday again.

It’s been a crazy week. I’m not going to lie. Last night I went to bed at 8:30pm and slept until 7am this morning. For those of you who know me, you know that’s not normal! I’m a night owl by nature, but lately (especially this week) I’ve been exhausted.

And you know that “To Do List” I had posted for 2007? Well, I’ve decided it’s a lot easier to write about things than it is to really live them. The first thing on my list was tested yesterday, when I was invited to a national co-workers brother’s wedding.

I wish I could tell you that I was thrilled to be invited and couldn’t wait for the opportunity to invest in these people and learn more of their culture. …I can’t. I didn’t want to go. After dropping H off at the airport that morning, all I wanted to do was unpack my things and finally settle into my own room. The introvert in me was screaming for some alone time, but the list I had written was telling me there’d be time for that later.

The list was right.

A few of us girls went to the wedding around 12pm and stayed until about 4pm. We even got to see the bride and groom (which doesn’t always happen unless you stay 7-10 hours). We danced for the small number of female guests (around 250 or so--I'm pretty sure they were impressed--Ha!). We ate a nice meal. We enjoyed the “fashion show” of the female attire. And I even learned two valuable lessons about this culture.

1. When at a wedding, the key to looking your best is this: Reapply…Reapply…Reapply! Your makeup that is. As if you weren’t wearing enough, it’s important (especially after you eat) to pull out your mirror, hairbrush and full-on makeup kit and reapply and re-do yourself. It’s even good if you bring a change of clothes and change after lunch into a second dress. This is your time to shine, ladies! Make a statement!

2. I figured out that this country’s motto, should they ever need one, should be this:
Without tea, the people will perish.
Seriously! My friends and I are always laughing as these people bring their tea thermoses EVERYWHERE! (As if you will ever find yourself somewhere without tea!) On the plane…to a wedding…wherever you go, don’t forget your tea!

All-in-all, I was happy that I went, but I was also happy to get home. I'm guessing I need a little bit of both in my life to keep me sane. Some going out and some coming home. One helps me appreciate the other.

Making a list...

2007
To Do's:
(I'm sure there are more to add, but this is a start.)

*Take every opportunity to invest in, & learn from, these people…even when you don’t “feel” like it.

*Kneel more. Bow more. Remember that you’re very, very small.

*Make one day a week “yours” and “His.”

*Live on less.

*Learn to make national food. You may not be here forever and there may be a day that you’ll come to miss it. Maybe.

*Take more photographs. (This place is too “photo-rich” to miss things.)

*Make a fool of yourself with language. It’s ok. You’ll have stories to laugh about later.

*Memorize one verse every week. Remember you want to be like Mary who “treasured up all these things in her heart” and not like the crazy old lady at the nursing home who can only remember curse words.

*Laugh everyday.

*Hug more. (Except the opposite gender. This culture won’t allow it.)

*Seek humility. Admit mistakes.

*Learn to live in the Ancient City. Enjoy it. This is the answer to your prayers.

*Make it a point to hang out on your rooftop. You can see the mountains...the stars…the
neighborhood….and for a bonus, you can even spy on your neighbors. ;)

*Don’t get mad at rickshaw drivers. They may very well be trying to take advantage of your foreign-ness. Remember: they have far less than you.

*Remind yourself regularly that it’s worth the risk. Always.

*Play hide & seek with a 4 year old at least once a week. You’ll laugh. They’ll laugh. The troubles of your day will seem meaningless in the end.

*Create. Create. Create. ...And then create some more. (Pictures, writing, scrapbooks, etc.)

*Be vulnerable. With others. With God. With yourself. You can do it.

*Find purpose in each day.

*Remember, you're going to be OK.

So what's on your list?

And the answer...

To all my friends who were concerned I may be moving to South America...or getting beat up...

Here's the answer to my year's theme.

2007=The Year of the Pinata

Also known as...."The Year of Undiscovered Contents--the surprises that come after life's kicked you around a bit."


(Thanks Felicity, for your inspiration.)

2007

2007
"The Year of the Piñata"

Any guesses as to why this theme?

Last Post of 2006

"It's been a long December and there's reason to believe
maybe this year will be better than the last."
~Counting Crows, "A Long December"

It's December 31, 2006. This time last year I was claiming 2006 as "The Year of Clarity." It's funny what hindsight will teach you.

If I could have known what was to come, I probably would have claimed 2006 as "The Year of the Rollercoaster." But I didn't know. I guess we never really do. And that's the amazing thing. I look back now and think of the uncertainty, doubt, frustration, joy, hopefulness, restlessness, sadness, elation, and all the other things that I experienced in 2006 and I just think, "wow." I don't think there's ever been a time in my life when I've been more up and down. I questioned when the "year of clarity" would actually begin and just like the people who wandered in the desert so long ago, I continued wandering...often missing the clarity and provision in each new day. Boy, I have a lot to learn!

Now I find myself on the cusp of 2007 and I finally feel as though I've gained some clarity. And when I say "clarity" I don't mean: this is what your life is going to look like until you take your last breath. But "clarity" in the sense that, I know I'm right where I'm supposed to be...no matter what rollercoasters I have to ride.

Of course my mind races to my new work...life in this place...personal growth, etc. and I'm struck with the fact that I'm definitely in over my head. Then again, maybe that's all the clarity I need?

So thank you, Father, for "The Year of Wandering" in 2005 and "The Year of Clarity" in 2006.

"What will this year's theme be?," you ask. Oh, I'm not really sure. But there's reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last.

Happy 2007!!!

You know you are getting old when...

You can predict rain by the pain in your knee.

It happened to me. Yesterday. In the morning I told the girls that my knee was hurting and that it was going to rain. By about 8pm last night, the rain had begun to fall.

Maybe I should go into meteorology?

PS--Bearded: I think I have you beat on this one.

Eid Mubarak!

So this is me and what I typically (OK, always) look like in the reflection of my front door. (Yes, our house is basically mirrors.) Now, what wasn't typical about today was what I saw upon opening my front gate to leave. This...

2 Cows

So today marks the first day of Eid-e QorbAn (The Festival of Sacrifice).

According to research, Eid-e QorbAn is the most important holiday of the Muslim calendar. It marks the end of the Hajj or Pilgrimmage to Mecca. This Eid lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabs. According to the Koran, Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead.

The feast re-enacts Ibrahim's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram...and I even saw a poor camel that was probably going to be sent to the slaughter. It's a sad day for these animals. They have no idea what's to come.

So, as I sit here freezing in the cold, silence of the office, my mind is drawn to these sacrifices...and mainly to the sacrifice that was made for me so long ago. Gratitude overwhelms me.

The next few days will be filled with visiting our national staff...drinking lots of tea...and also celebrating our western New Year. There is much to take in at this time.

So wherever this finds you...I wish you the very best in 2007. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas everyone!

It's after midnight here in CA, so it's officially December 25th. I'm back in Ktown for a few days to celebrate the holiday and my friend H's 30th birthday (also on the 25th). It's been snowing heavily here for the past 12 hours and it doesn't look like it's going to be letting up anytime soon. (And to think one of my biggest disappointments about leaving the States was due to the fact that I hadn't seen any snow!)

So, no dreaming here...it's definitely a White Christmas! I think we may even try to go sledding. :) Whoot Whoot!! (Have I mentioned how much I love snow before?)

Well, I should head to bed. Santa won't come if we don't go to sleep. I have plenty to share about the last couple days and will probably add to that tomorrow.

I miss everyone there and hope that your holiday is filled with much love, joy, and celebration of Our King.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all...a good night.

Proverb #1: Yak roz dIdI dost, dega roz dIdI brAdar.

(Translation: The first day we meet we are friends, the next day we are brothers.)

I first met “Hannah” when I visited the Ancient City in February. She was (and is) the cook at the office. If I were to guess her age, I would say she’s in her early 40’s. However, I’m also aware of how life in this place takes its toll on the appearance of a person so I really can’t be all that certain. Hannah hails from the capital city and is a welcomed blessing when it comes to speaking the local language…as that’s the accent and vocabulary with which I’m the most familiar up to this point. Still…I have a long way to go before I reach the level she “believes” me to be. But bless her heart, she has a sweet spirit and as the proverb above states, after just a few weeks here, she has welcomed me in as her “sister.”

Today I was the last to finish eating lunch (no surprise) and everyone else seemed to have work they needed to rush off and accomplish. That left Hannah and myself alone to converse. It didn’t take but a minute before this sweet lady began to tell me a story. A story that lasted for about 30 minutes. A story about her family…her hardships. A story questioning God’s presence in the midst of these trials. “She’s not getting any younger,” she said. “If God is supposed to be helping, then ‘When?’” Tears were streaming down her face and before long, they were streaming down mine as well.

It’s interesting...this place. It doesn’t take much for a woman to cry. I’ve seen it many times. Whether it be from a burqa-clad beggar on the street asking for medicine money or from my neighbor sharing about the struggle of her day. Here, those tears being shed are her honor. It’s such a contrast to our western/American mindset. Just this week one of my female friends from the States said, “Crying is a sign of weakness.” Hmmm. At its core I disagree with that last statement. But I have to confess, there’s still a part of me that wrestles with its cultural ramifications. For I am one female that finds it difficult to cry. Especially in front of other people. But not today. Today was different.

Today my heart broke for Hannah. Today the tears flowed freely as I tried, with my limited language skills, to comfort her…to tell her not to give up. Today there is hope. While God may not take away hardships…He’s there in the midst of them. After all, His name is Immanuel.

For me it comes down to another lesson in vulnerability.

Vulnerability. God’s been teaching me a lot about it this past year and I’m guessing He’s not finished. Through trials and triumphs, conversations and conflict…allowing myself to be vulnerable is hard. I may get hurt. I may get bruised. I may get laughed at. I may get…hey wait! I may get another opportunity to be like the One who left everything to become one of us.

Vulnerability. There’s nothing more vulnerable than a baby, right?

“So the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -Jn. 1:14

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” -Lk. 2:6,7

Vulnerability. Tears. Risk. Emotion. Sacrifice.
Learning. Compassion. Love.

These are the words He is speaking to me today. This is the life He is calling me to pursue. May His presence fill us, and them, as the tears fall and the laughter resounds.

He is here. Immanuel. God with us.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It’s 9pm and I’m already snuggled into bed. My head is a bit fuzzy this evening. I’m not sure if it is due to language study this afternoon or the propane gas fumes which are filling my house this evening. Perhaps it’s a combination of both? Either way, I’m feeling “off.”

Right now the voices of men fill the air, kids are yelling down the alleyway, Persian music is muffled in the distance and dishes clank in the background. The neighbors threw a party this evening.

Currently things seem to be winding down next door (at least that’s what I’m hoping is taking place). At this point in time, it’s probably a pretty good assumption that I wasn’t invited to said party. I have to admit, though, that part of me is tempted just to walk over there and see what’s going on. But since this is CA (and the Ancient City, at that), and the party may very well consist of only men, I think I’ll just enjoy the festivities from the comfort of my own room. I’m pretty sure there will be other days for parties…ones to which I’m actually invited. Until then, may the sugar plum fairies dancing in my head lead me softly and sweetly into my dreams.

Good night, World. Good night.

Even though I know that these temps are in Celsius, there's still something about seeing "3 degrees" that just makes me feel colder. Why did I not learn the metric system???

Sunday, Dec 17

More Details/AccuPop™

Sunshine and patchy clouds. Winds from the NNE at 46 km/h.

Realfeel®: 3 °C

High: 11 °C

One may wonder what there is to do for fun in this place after dark. Typically, that answer would be: Stay inside and keep warm with your housemates. Maybe watch a movie. Maybe read. Usually go to bed early.

However last night's answer read like this:

1. Invite all the singles over for naan pizza.
2. Chill out to some good music, good food, & good conversation.
3. Answer the door to hear the same singles who just left your house, singing "We Wish You A Merry Xmas" and holding a plate of frosted Christmas cookies.
4. Decide that we are going to collectively "don our gay apparel" (i.e. the long black sheet-like capes we wear on a daily basis) and head to our other foreigner friends' homes for caroling and the spreading of holiday cheer.
5. On more than one occasion, realize just how "odd" and comforting this feels, and that by spreading "cheer" to others, you've somehow just brightened your own spirit as well.

Even though I'd like to think of myself as a pacifist, this morning I was ready to kill.

Not a person, of course, but a rooster that has randomly joined our neighborhood. I've been here almost a week now, and I've never once heard it before today. My guess is that it came in on a flight from the States and is extremely unhappy about jetlag, seeing as how it's been making obscene sounds since about 4:30am!!!

Really I have no idea what it's problem is. All I know is that, lucky for "it," everyone here lives behind gigantic concrete walls and I have no way of accessing that foul creature.

Home Sweet Home...

As I type, the warmth from the afternoon sun is against my back. We just finished a yummy lunch of beans, chickpeas, yogurt, and pasta shells here at the office. My laundry is finished and hanging on our rooftop to dry. And H & I are already half-way finished with preparations for tonight's team dinner. (We are making a breakfast casserole with homemade sausage, my "wicked" french toast, a fruit salad, and homemade hot chocolate. Mmm!)

It feels good to be here and to be able to settle in a bit. A girl's got to have her place to nest.

And speaking of nesting....I think I may be a bit too in love with my computer. I know that the cold can be hard on the battery life and I can already tell that it's affecting mine. It makes me sad and I really don't want to have to buy another one by spring. But the truth is, I really don't have much of a choice here. My room is a balmy 45 degrees when I get up in the morning and it doesn't get much higher than 50 in the heat of the day. So what's a girl to do?

CONFESSIONAL: For the past 2 nights I decided that I would try to keep my computer warm....by putting it in bed with me. (I'm staying in the home of a couple who are out of the country, so I have this queen bed and there's plenty of room!) Last night I even filled up two hot water bottles--one for my feet and the other for my side. I kept the one by my side in between me and the computer and I'm pretty sure "Mac" was happy. The battery seems to be lasting longer already!

I know, I know...I've obviously lost my mind and this probably is a for sure sign that I need to get a husband before I go completely insane. But for now, I can't think of a better plan. Can you?

Fire & Feces

• Taxi ride across town=120 afs
• Pumpkin Soup at the French Restaurant=250 afs
• Coffee to warm up from the freezing temps=100 afs
• Falling into frozen feces up to my knees=PRICELESS

So I'm still here in Ktown. (We're hopeful that we may get out tomorrow, but there are no guarantees.) Today has been an interesting day to say the least. It started out at 6:30am...freezing cold in our room. The gas for our heater was empty and there was no way to warm up. I quickly got dressed and made sure my things were all packed up (just in case we were to leave). We ate breakfast and began the wonderful routine of calling the airlines every 30 minutes in hopes of an answer. At about 8:30am this morning we were told there would be no flight today. (Lucky for us, that was about 3 hours earlier than usual.)

We decided to head over to the coffeeshop, knowing it would be warm and in an hour or so we would be able to check email. Much to our chagrin, upon arrival we discovered that the fire in our favorite wood stove had not yet been lit. I decided to take it upon myself to start that baby. Well...that was until the cleaning lady saw me take out her MASSIVE piece of wood (along with a large number of other pieces of wood). She quickly came running over, yelling at me for taking out her wood...what am I doing...I'm not from here...I don't know how to light a fire...and other things of the sort. I tried telling her that she needed to start with the smaller wood and work her way up, but she was quick to prove me wrong. AND...after about 5 trees worth of cardboard...she did just that. The funniest part of the whole thing, was that after the fire was going, the lady tried telling me to put my hand in the fire...and then she grabbed my hand and tried to FORCE it into the fire...proving that I'm not accustomed to such a task. H, S (one of the workers) and myself tried to maintain our composure as I fought to keep my hand from being burnt. I sooo wish you all could have seen it!

And as if that weren't enough....

At about 11:30am, H and I headed into the city. Upon arrival to our destination, I got out of the taxi and within two steps I had come face to face with my greatest fear in this country. NO, it's not a suicide bomber. NO, it's not a landmine. NO, it's not a plane crash. And NO, it's not getting worms (I've already had those).

My greatest fear in this country is falling into the ditch (which, in this language, is called a "jew-EE") and is usually filled with raw sewage and trash.

YEP...within two steps from the taxi, I had fallen into one of the deepest "jew-ee's" in the city. It was covered in ice and dirt and with first glance, looked completely full. WRONG! I was knee-deep in "frozen feces" and had no idea how it even happened! H helped me out and the taxi driver and other bystanders got a good laugh. Lucky for me, I'm still new enough to this place that I was able to laugh as well. But unfortunately we had some other stops to make before heading back that afternoon, so for several hours I walked around with my bottom half wet, cold, and dirty. Yuck!

Would someone please cue Daniel Powter's song "Bad Day" now?!

Fashion Police

So I haven't been here that long. Not even a full week, when I think about it. But yesterday at the coffeeshop I saw this girl wearing a skirt over her khakis and thought it looked cute.

This morning, I put on a skirt that falls at my calves and...jeans. I looked in the mirror and thought, "Should I really think this is cute, just 6 days after my arrival into this country?" I asked H and she said she didn't even think twice about it. Hmmm.

I'm thinking I should write "InStyle" magazine and see what they say.

Winter

“In the winter it was easier for me to believe in God…” Donald Miller

It’s definitely winter here in CA. Last night, as we walked the slushy street trying to find a taxi home, the snow fell like feathers from the sky. The beauty of the night was in contention with my cold feet and heavy bag, but I’m positive that the glory of creation won out in the end.

After a few minutes’ walk, we were able to hail a taxi. Before reaching home, H & I stopped to pick up some kebabs for dinner. (Nothing like eating food from a street vendor to initiate your stomach to a new location.:) And as we waited for the meat to cook, the taxi driver and I conversed. We discussed the weather (it’s going to be cold and wet this year), how we heat our house (both in agreement that wood is the best), where I’m from (his guess was Germany—as is most people’s—I just like to remain a mystery), and the best location to buy kebabs (obviously the one we were at, since he had just purchased some there himself).

We arrived home 10 minutes later (after H had fully submerged her feet in a huge puddle of slush—ugggh!), to find that our hosts had not yet eaten. We ended up sharing our kebabs and they shared their re-heated soup and it wasn’t long before our stomachs were full and our bodies were warm. I even felt adventurous enough to take a bucket bath before bed, so I’m finally a little cleaner!

This morning it looked as though another foot of snow fell over night but right now the sky seems to be clearing. We still aren’t leaving Ktown today, as the radio tower “issue” has yet to be fixed. (Some are saying we may not leave for a week while others are saying December 31st!) So I find myself sitting here in the stillness of my room, looking out over the city street—with layers of glistening snow clinging to the otherwise bare limbs of the tree tops…smoke billows from the chimneys…men are shoveling their roofs…children, bundled in layers of clothes, excitedly walking to who knows where. I can’t help but reflect on D. Miller’s quote above. Personally, I’m not really sure that it’s any easier for me to believe in God in the winter, but right now I certainly see Him.

And right now I’m wondering if that’s not why I love winter so much? While others see winter as a time of darkness, I find it easier to see His light. And right now I'm asking that the people here will feel much the same.

Reality Bites?

Living overseas can be quite humorous at times. I'm definitely in the semi-honeymoon stage of arriving back to this land. And I say "semi" because it doesn't take long for me to remember the challenges as well. Things that, my first year here, may have seemed like fun, now are just re-adjustments back to the simple realities of life.

Realities like...

• Getting high on the gas fumes from the propane heater you use to heat your room.
• The slushy, muddy, unpaved streets that try their best to take you down if you're not careful.
• Not bathing for 5 days because (1.) it's just too darn cold (2.) the water is freezing (3.) why would you want to get undressed?
• Thinking you are going to fly out to your new home city on Sunday but receiving word 2 days later that flights are cancelled country-wide indefinitely. (The first day being because of snow....the second day being because they lost all radio contact and they have no idea when it will be fixed.)
  
• Extremely slow internet. (I'm currently wondering if I'll ever be able to download a song again.)

It's a choice here. Everyday I have a choice. I can laugh. I can cry. I can get frustrated. I can take it in stride. This is life. The choice is mine. Today I can't help but laugh.

The snow is falling hard and fast outside these coffeeshop windows. It hasn't let up for over 24 hours. It is wet and thick and beautiful. And besides the fact that our plane to the Ancient City wasn't able to leave today, I have nothing to complain about. (Except maybe for the fact that the internet has been problematic today and I can't upload pics for you all to enjoy the beauty with me.)

Snow...coffee..Christmas decorations...wood burning stoves. I'm pretty much in heaven.

The past few days here in Ktown have been full, but it's funny how I'm not quite sure how. I've visited with some old friends. Sorted through things that I had left behind and some things I will be taking with me to the west. Had a meeting at the head office. Decorated D's coffeeshop for Christmas (he's out of the country). Made dinner with some friends that included hamburgers and homemade french fries that rivaled McDonald's. And other than that, I've just pretty much been hanging out.

We're hoping that the "ceiling will lift" and our flight will actually take off tomorrow. But we'll see. It won't be long now before I reach my destination. It won't be long.

Almost There: Part 3

I arrived into Ktown yesterday afternoon. Fittingly enough, it was also the arrival of the first snow of the season. Welcome back to winter...and home.

Man, it feels good to be here. In some ways it feels like I never left. The Call to Prayer...the smell of kebabs cooking on the streets...the crazy traffic...the greetings from random children...the mountains...the reunion with old friends. It does a heart good. And even though the journey to this point has been long, it's definitely been worth the wait.

May I never forget His faithfulness or the joy I feel in this moment.

....With Jet Lag: Part 2

Uggh. It's 3:30am here and I woke up about an hour ago and couldn't sleep. I did everything "right" to fight jet lag--no naps, lots of sunlight, stayed on schedule...but it was to no avail. Now, in the middle of the night, I find myself doing a load of laundry and catching up on email. Hmmm. So much for that!

Some observations from my journey thus far:
1. Mat Kearney and Joe Purdy are perfect when traveling by subway into NYC. Perfect.

2. Emirates direct flight from NYC to this desert city is the ONLY way to go. I got on the plane in NYC and got off the plane at my semi-final destination. 12 1/2 hours...TONS of movies (and by "tons" I mean about 30 options of newer movies, 20 options in the "all-time favorites" category, and the list could go on), tv, & game options...great service...decent food....a foot rest. I'm convinced I will never be able to fly another airline again. Unless somebody sent me business or first class. :)

3. You know you are in another country when the waitress asks you if you want ice in your Pepsi. (Is there any reason you wouldn't?)

4. I love it that I am independent and adventurous enough to find my own way to the Consulate's office today. ...I hate it that I have to be.

5. There are a lot of things about this culture with which I struggle. An entire day when "ladies only" are allowed at the beach is not one of them. What's not to love about that?

6. It's crazy how one day I'm roaming the streets of Manhattan, checking out the Christmas lights in a sea of holiday tourists, and the next day I'm laying on the beach in the Persian Gulf. When you stop and think about it, it's really pretty amazing.