So. I've been avoiding my blog. The reason: guilt. I meant to become a steady blogger. I really did! But it's been hard to fit it in with everything else that's been going on lately. I can't believe how fast November has gone by. We had the campaign, Zack's been auxiliary pioneering, we photographed a wedding, oh, and I did NaNoWriMo, writing about 50,000 words of a new novel in my "spare" time.
I need a vacation.
Haha, I'm not getting one, though. We have our CO visiting this week, and I should be out in service every day. Oh, a cool thing that happened this month: a good friend of mine threw a pioneer party at the beginning of the month, and I got officially initiated as a pioneer of the Fircrest congregation. The initiation involved a game, but I can't say anything more because it's a secret. It was really fun, though. The same friend who threw the party, Leslie, who lives two doors down, got really, really sick afterward, and missed the second half of the campaign. She volunteers at a local hospital in the bloodless medicine program, so I'm guessing that's where she picked up her bug. Zack and I brought her flowers, a get-well card, a pack of Night Time Airborne, and a bunch of funny movies, while other people supplied homemade soup, more movies, groceries, etc. etc. She's doing much better now, I'm happy to say.
So this week should be pretty busy. Zack's taking Wednesday off and we're going to be working like crazy to get the rest of his hours in. We have the CO starting tomorrow night. I've heard that on Thursday the talk he gives is AMAZING: seriously, about 5 different people from other congregations have told me that over the past couple of months. So I'm really eager to hear it, now. I hope it's as good as I've been led to expect! I will report on it next time.
In other news, Pongo is doing very well. He likes barking at the neighborhood dogs in the evening. Because he only hears them from a distance, he does very quiet, far-away sounding barks. It's so funny! My mom gave us a new book on African Greys and with it, Zack is determined to get him rehabilitated, sane and happy. Also, we are hoping to spring for a roomy new cage in the new future. He needs some space to stretch his wings, poor guy.
OK that's it for now. Got to get up early tomorrow.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Only Two Days Left of October...
I really can't believe how time flies. 2008 is almost over! Where did this year go? I can't believe it's already been 8 months since I got married. Almost a YEAR since the day Zack proposed to me at Sunnyside Beach. One year has brought so many changes to my life. I got married, moved back to the city, attended pioneer school, made so many new friends...
Life is full of good things. I am very blessed.
So, the tract campaign is still going really well. I love being outside all day long, especially with the beautiful weather we've been having. After that one day of rain last week, it's been uniformly gorgeous. The mornings are cold and crisp, sometimes gray and misty, but pretty soon the clouds burn off and the afternoons are sunny and mellow. It feels sooo good just to be out, enjoying it, shuffling your feet through the leaves, smelling the woodsmoke in the air, spending time with your friends - and doing tons of door-to-door! I'm really loving life these days. I wish we had campaigns more often!
I finished two of my territories today, as well as working 2 that belonged to other people, so I'm feeling pretty pumped. It was a long but fun day. For lunch everybody met up at Mikie Burgers, which is a popular little burger stand on the corner of Center Street and Orchard. It's been closed for a while because of construction going on closeby - we'd been planning this lunch break for a while, and had to wait impatiently for the stand to reopen. Today was the day, and I finally had my first Mikie Burger and an extremely thick chocolate malt shake. We had to wait ages after placing our orders, because there were only a couple of people working the stand, and a lot of eager customers had shown up, needing their Mikie burger fix. But the wait was totally worth it.
Zack is going to auxiliary pioneer in November! It will be his first time, so we are both pretty excited. With the campaign and our circuit overseer's visit coming up, this is an awesome month to sign up. There will be tons of support, and I anticipate lots of good times ahead.
Other than service, I've been gearing up for NaNoWriMo, which starts on Saturday! I can't believe it's almost here! I've got my very first Nanomail from Chris Baty (the NaNoWriMo founder, guru, and number one enthusiast) waiting in my inbox. I haven't read it yet because I've got a little headache, so I'm waiting till later when I can really savor it. Those emails are the best - packed with inspiration and encouragement to cheer you on as you pound out your novel. I really, really can't wait - I've got my first few chapters all mapped out, and now I'm itching to begin. I've got only the haziest notion of where the story will take me - a scattering of ideas for the middle, and a definite plan for the end. The rest will be suprises, which is what makes writing (for me), so much fun. I can't wait!!!
More soon, I promise.
Life is full of good things. I am very blessed.
So, the tract campaign is still going really well. I love being outside all day long, especially with the beautiful weather we've been having. After that one day of rain last week, it's been uniformly gorgeous. The mornings are cold and crisp, sometimes gray and misty, but pretty soon the clouds burn off and the afternoons are sunny and mellow. It feels sooo good just to be out, enjoying it, shuffling your feet through the leaves, smelling the woodsmoke in the air, spending time with your friends - and doing tons of door-to-door! I'm really loving life these days. I wish we had campaigns more often!
I finished two of my territories today, as well as working 2 that belonged to other people, so I'm feeling pretty pumped. It was a long but fun day. For lunch everybody met up at Mikie Burgers, which is a popular little burger stand on the corner of Center Street and Orchard. It's been closed for a while because of construction going on closeby - we'd been planning this lunch break for a while, and had to wait impatiently for the stand to reopen. Today was the day, and I finally had my first Mikie Burger and an extremely thick chocolate malt shake. We had to wait ages after placing our orders, because there were only a couple of people working the stand, and a lot of eager customers had shown up, needing their Mikie burger fix. But the wait was totally worth it.
Zack is going to auxiliary pioneer in November! It will be his first time, so we are both pretty excited. With the campaign and our circuit overseer's visit coming up, this is an awesome month to sign up. There will be tons of support, and I anticipate lots of good times ahead.
Other than service, I've been gearing up for NaNoWriMo, which starts on Saturday! I can't believe it's almost here! I've got my very first Nanomail from Chris Baty (the NaNoWriMo founder, guru, and number one enthusiast) waiting in my inbox. I haven't read it yet because I've got a little headache, so I'm waiting till later when I can really savor it. Those emails are the best - packed with inspiration and encouragement to cheer you on as you pound out your novel. I really, really can't wait - I've got my first few chapters all mapped out, and now I'm itching to begin. I've got only the haziest notion of where the story will take me - a scattering of ideas for the middle, and a definite plan for the end. The rest will be suprises, which is what makes writing (for me), so much fun. I can't wait!!!
More soon, I promise.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tract Campaign: Day 1
So today we started delivering the new tract! I love tract work - it's fun and exciting, and it feels like you're on a special mission. I really like the fact that we cover so much territory so fast - it gives a really awesome sense of accomplishment. This is a never to be repeated work, and I feel so blessed to have a share in it.
That said, I woke up early this morning to the sounds of howling wind and rain, and thought, "What a way to start the new campaign!" I wanted to pull the pillow over my head and sleep till noon. But I knew I couldn't do that, so finally around 8:00 I dragged myself out of bed. The morning actually started out pretty good for me, because the first thing on my agenda was a 9:30 Bible study. I didn't get back to the KH till around 11:00, and by then the worst of the rain was over. We did some apartment territory until 12:30, when the last of the sprinkles ended, and the sun came out. I was loving the sound of the rushing wind, and all the red and yellow leaves on the trees. The air always smells so good in autumn, and it made me really glad to get to spend the day outdoors.
While the sun shone, we did some regular door-to-door, and I encountered a lot of really friendly people. Finally, at 3:00, we headed back to the hall, and I ran home to have a sandwich and take a quick break. At 3:30 I was back at the hall. Bryson and I took 3 of the kids from our congregation, Briana, Shamika, and Javier, out to do some more territory. It was really great working with them and getting to know them better. By the time 5:30 came around, I was pretty tired, though! I was totally ready to go home and take a nap.
So all in all, day 1 has been a great success! I've got about 9 people written down to make return visits on, so that makes me pretty happy :) And now Zack is making macaroni and cheese, and we will cozy up on the couch and watch a little TV - if I can keep my eyes open, that is.
That said, I woke up early this morning to the sounds of howling wind and rain, and thought, "What a way to start the new campaign!" I wanted to pull the pillow over my head and sleep till noon. But I knew I couldn't do that, so finally around 8:00 I dragged myself out of bed. The morning actually started out pretty good for me, because the first thing on my agenda was a 9:30 Bible study. I didn't get back to the KH till around 11:00, and by then the worst of the rain was over. We did some apartment territory until 12:30, when the last of the sprinkles ended, and the sun came out. I was loving the sound of the rushing wind, and all the red and yellow leaves on the trees. The air always smells so good in autumn, and it made me really glad to get to spend the day outdoors.
While the sun shone, we did some regular door-to-door, and I encountered a lot of really friendly people. Finally, at 3:00, we headed back to the hall, and I ran home to have a sandwich and take a quick break. At 3:30 I was back at the hall. Bryson and I took 3 of the kids from our congregation, Briana, Shamika, and Javier, out to do some more territory. It was really great working with them and getting to know them better. By the time 5:30 came around, I was pretty tired, though! I was totally ready to go home and take a nap.
So all in all, day 1 has been a great success! I've got about 9 people written down to make return visits on, so that makes me pretty happy :) And now Zack is making macaroni and cheese, and we will cozy up on the couch and watch a little TV - if I can keep my eyes open, that is.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Service, Shopping, etc.
Zack and I had a pretty awesome day today. This morning we got to work with Luke and Ron in service. Luke is one of the young pioneer brothers in our hall. As soon as he got done with school, he went to Bethel. He was there about 6 years, I think, and just got sent home this past spring. Now he's going to nursing school and pioneering. Ron is his Bible student, a funny guy with a very courtly manner of speaking. He is in his 50's, highly educated, and likes to wear bow ties. At bookstudy, he always gives very heartfelt comments, and it's so cool to be able to see a new person take their first steps in the truth. Today he was really nervous about going in service for the first time. He went to the doors with Luke and just observed. Anytime I was getting in and out of the car, he would open and close my door for me. A little after 11:00, we took him to Starbucks for coffee break. There were already at least a dozen witnesses there, and we had a nice time.
It was so cool, getting to be there with Ron on his first day. Zack and I came home feeling very happy, and wanting to work with Ron again soon.
After service, we went shopping. I got a cute hat and and a very snuggly, warm sweater at Target. We went to a couple of thift stores so Zack could look for an old Polaroid camera (Polaroids are very in now on Flickr). We didn't find any, but I got a turtleneck and a brand new pair of gloves for only $3.50, so the trip was a success.
At home, Zack ate dinner and I read aloud to him from The Thirteenth Moon. He has never heard the entire story, and I need to get him up to date before I begin Spindle's End. Zack is the perfect audience, because totally gets into the story, and when I get to the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter, he goes nuts wanting to know what's next. Which is exactly the sort of encouragement a writer needs! I feel so lucky - I could not have found a guy more perfect for me :)
So now it's 9:00 and I still need to do some aerobics. I've done really well with my program so far, and I'm feeling pretty good, although it's hard. My legs are very sore today, and I feel like a stiff old lady whenever I sit down or get up. But it's a good kind of sore, and makes me feel proud of myself.
Anyway, so that was today.
It was so cool, getting to be there with Ron on his first day. Zack and I came home feeling very happy, and wanting to work with Ron again soon.
After service, we went shopping. I got a cute hat and and a very snuggly, warm sweater at Target. We went to a couple of thift stores so Zack could look for an old Polaroid camera (Polaroids are very in now on Flickr). We didn't find any, but I got a turtleneck and a brand new pair of gloves for only $3.50, so the trip was a success.
At home, Zack ate dinner and I read aloud to him from The Thirteenth Moon. He has never heard the entire story, and I need to get him up to date before I begin Spindle's End. Zack is the perfect audience, because totally gets into the story, and when I get to the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter, he goes nuts wanting to know what's next. Which is exactly the sort of encouragement a writer needs! I feel so lucky - I could not have found a guy more perfect for me :)
So now it's 9:00 and I still need to do some aerobics. I've done really well with my program so far, and I'm feeling pretty good, although it's hard. My legs are very sore today, and I feel like a stiff old lady whenever I sit down or get up. But it's a good kind of sore, and makes me feel proud of myself.
Anyway, so that was today.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Plots and Plans
The Plan for Today:
Do my workout even if it kills me, and it probably will
Eat vegetables. Lots of vegetables.
Do laundry
Wash hair
Study for meeting
etc. etc.
I wish it was November, so I could start my NaNoWriMo novel. It will be a sequel to my 13th Moon trilogy, called Spindle's End. The plot concerns the rise of Miss Trevelyan, Desmond Daggerheart's archnemesis. Miss Trevelyan aspires to rule the Pirate League, left leaderless since the untimely disappearance of the Pirate King. But first she needs a fortune in gold. Which is where my heroine, Foria Spindle, enters the picture. Or, rather, where her father enters it. He is an inventor, and he's created a machine that spins sunlight into gold. He will, of course, be kidnapped, held hostage, and possibly brainwashed. Foria and her brothers will set out on a perilous quest to rescue him. Along the way they will encounter pirates, shipwrecks and at least one murder plot. They will be helped by a collection of cool gadgets invented by their father, such as the Night Glass, which allows them to see in the dark.
I really, really can't wait to start writing this story!
Do my workout even if it kills me, and it probably will
Eat vegetables. Lots of vegetables.
Do laundry
Wash hair
Study for meeting
etc. etc.
I wish it was November, so I could start my NaNoWriMo novel. It will be a sequel to my 13th Moon trilogy, called Spindle's End. The plot concerns the rise of Miss Trevelyan, Desmond Daggerheart's archnemesis. Miss Trevelyan aspires to rule the Pirate League, left leaderless since the untimely disappearance of the Pirate King. But first she needs a fortune in gold. Which is where my heroine, Foria Spindle, enters the picture. Or, rather, where her father enters it. He is an inventor, and he's created a machine that spins sunlight into gold. He will, of course, be kidnapped, held hostage, and possibly brainwashed. Foria and her brothers will set out on a perilous quest to rescue him. Along the way they will encounter pirates, shipwrecks and at least one murder plot. They will be helped by a collection of cool gadgets invented by their father, such as the Night Glass, which allows them to see in the dark.
I really, really can't wait to start writing this story!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Service Day
I don't know how I got up this morning. My head was all foggy, and my eyelids were all heavy, and I swear the covers kept trying to drag me back in. I really tried to be ready to go by 6:55, but if the sun's not up yet, I get stuck in slow mode, like walking through a swamp, and everything takes 3 times longer. I almost left home without my service bag, so I had to run back and get it, and then I finally pulled into the KH parking lot just as everyone else was about to drive away. But I just barely made it, and got a seat in Sister S's van.
We had a pretty good early morning group. Sister S. told us how her daughter got attacked last night at the hospital where she works, by a crazy man who tried to kill her. I am not making this up. He shoved her against the wall and choked her so she couldn't scream, and somehow broke her arm in the struggle. But she managed to escape (she must be one tough girl), and is apparently ok. Sister S. said, "I told her, 'Jehovah didn't make us stupid.' You better sue that man for trying to kill you, and sue the hospital for sending you in there. You've always wanted to pioneer - here's your chance."
Meanwhile, Art DeLisle (the ex military spy), got out at a bus stop and talked to a kid who'd just gotten out of jail, and was waiting for the bank to open. Apparently, when they lock you up they take your money, and write you a check when they let you out. So he was waiting to cash his check and take the bus back home to Gig Harbor, and in the mean time Art was able to show him the Bible Teach book. He ended up inviting the kid to go warm up at Starbucks (just down the street). It was very cold out, and the kid only had a tee-shirt. So Art bought him a cup of coffee, and was able to demonstrate a Bible study. The kid seemed very interested in the book, and said that he was Catholic but that he doesn't learn anything at church, because they don't even use the Bible. He gave Art his address and phone number, and it turns out he lives practically across the street from Art's house in Gig Harbor. So that was pretty cool.
As we continued on our way, I had a hard time staying awake in the van. I didn't buy any coffee at Starbucks because I am extremely broke. And so I put my sunglasses on and just kind of dozed in and out, when it wasn't my turn to get out. I felt sooo tired I didn't see how I was going to make it through the day, but I really needed to get in at least six hours.
Fortunately, I ended up going on studies with Shirley and Leslie. It was a nice break from door-to-door (although the weather was nice today). Next week, while Leslie's on vacation, I'm going to conduct two of her studies for her, so I'm pretty happy about that.
Not much more to report, other than that my parrot is trying to split my eardrums. He thinks its really funny to imitate the smoke alarm. It's not funny.
The End
We had a pretty good early morning group. Sister S. told us how her daughter got attacked last night at the hospital where she works, by a crazy man who tried to kill her. I am not making this up. He shoved her against the wall and choked her so she couldn't scream, and somehow broke her arm in the struggle. But she managed to escape (she must be one tough girl), and is apparently ok. Sister S. said, "I told her, 'Jehovah didn't make us stupid.' You better sue that man for trying to kill you, and sue the hospital for sending you in there. You've always wanted to pioneer - here's your chance."
Meanwhile, Art DeLisle (the ex military spy), got out at a bus stop and talked to a kid who'd just gotten out of jail, and was waiting for the bank to open. Apparently, when they lock you up they take your money, and write you a check when they let you out. So he was waiting to cash his check and take the bus back home to Gig Harbor, and in the mean time Art was able to show him the Bible Teach book. He ended up inviting the kid to go warm up at Starbucks (just down the street). It was very cold out, and the kid only had a tee-shirt. So Art bought him a cup of coffee, and was able to demonstrate a Bible study. The kid seemed very interested in the book, and said that he was Catholic but that he doesn't learn anything at church, because they don't even use the Bible. He gave Art his address and phone number, and it turns out he lives practically across the street from Art's house in Gig Harbor. So that was pretty cool.
As we continued on our way, I had a hard time staying awake in the van. I didn't buy any coffee at Starbucks because I am extremely broke. And so I put my sunglasses on and just kind of dozed in and out, when it wasn't my turn to get out. I felt sooo tired I didn't see how I was going to make it through the day, but I really needed to get in at least six hours.
Fortunately, I ended up going on studies with Shirley and Leslie. It was a nice break from door-to-door (although the weather was nice today). Next week, while Leslie's on vacation, I'm going to conduct two of her studies for her, so I'm pretty happy about that.
Not much more to report, other than that my parrot is trying to split my eardrums. He thinks its really funny to imitate the smoke alarm. It's not funny.
The End
Friday, October 3, 2008
Insomnia, Novels, etc.
So. The idea when I started this blog was to become one of those super-dedicated blogging types who do a post Every Day. The kind of people who are disciplined. They wake up extra early, make a cup of coffee, and sit down at the computer to write. I have always wanted to be one of those people, and be able to say casually in conversation, "I just can't sleep in, you know? If I didn't get up at 5:00, I'd just never get it all done!"
I really, really want to be like that, but mostly I just want to be a steady blogger. I want to be able to look back after a year and have a bunch of memories preserved. I just thought that would be cool, especially since this is my First Year of Marriage, and everything is all special and new, and I have this feeling inside like I'm not appreciating it enough. Like I'll look back in about 50 years and go, "What was it like? Why didn't I savor it more? Why was I such an idiot?"
I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I don't know why. I think I worry too much about stuff like money, and no health insurance, and how much time I waste doing stupid things, or nothing. Anyway it's been getting worse, the lack of sleep, over the past couple of weeks. Wednesday I just couldn't even get up for early morning service. There was no way. I had gone to bed very late, then woken up around 2 am, fallen asleep again around 5. When the alarm went off at 5:45 I felt like I was stuck under a cement truck. I just couldn't move.
So I took the day off. And then I took Thursday off, too, because whenever I thought of going places or talking to people, I wanted to cry. Being tird does that to me. So I told myself I would take naps (something very hard for me lately), and get a little caught up on sleep, but what I mostly got caught up on was laundry, window washing, etc. Also, I started reading through one of my old novels that I never finished. I want to do National Novel Writing Month this year. I really, really want to. I will never forget the winter of 2005, stuck at home with mono, all bored and tired and lonely. Every morning in November I woke up and started a new chapter of my book, The Thirteenth Moon. It was an amazing thing, to start a book and actually write it all the way through. I really, really loved it, and I want to do it again. It'll be different this year, though. I'll be getting up and going in service, coming home, getting some laundry going, etc. and then sitting down to write. I'm not sure if I can pull it off, but the challenge is part of the attraction.
And then, of course, I'll need some characters and a plot. But I can worry about that later.
Bye for now.
I really, really want to be like that, but mostly I just want to be a steady blogger. I want to be able to look back after a year and have a bunch of memories preserved. I just thought that would be cool, especially since this is my First Year of Marriage, and everything is all special and new, and I have this feeling inside like I'm not appreciating it enough. Like I'll look back in about 50 years and go, "What was it like? Why didn't I savor it more? Why was I such an idiot?"
I've been having trouble sleeping lately. I don't know why. I think I worry too much about stuff like money, and no health insurance, and how much time I waste doing stupid things, or nothing. Anyway it's been getting worse, the lack of sleep, over the past couple of weeks. Wednesday I just couldn't even get up for early morning service. There was no way. I had gone to bed very late, then woken up around 2 am, fallen asleep again around 5. When the alarm went off at 5:45 I felt like I was stuck under a cement truck. I just couldn't move.
So I took the day off. And then I took Thursday off, too, because whenever I thought of going places or talking to people, I wanted to cry. Being tird does that to me. So I told myself I would take naps (something very hard for me lately), and get a little caught up on sleep, but what I mostly got caught up on was laundry, window washing, etc. Also, I started reading through one of my old novels that I never finished. I want to do National Novel Writing Month this year. I really, really want to. I will never forget the winter of 2005, stuck at home with mono, all bored and tired and lonely. Every morning in November I woke up and started a new chapter of my book, The Thirteenth Moon. It was an amazing thing, to start a book and actually write it all the way through. I really, really loved it, and I want to do it again. It'll be different this year, though. I'll be getting up and going in service, coming home, getting some laundry going, etc. and then sitting down to write. I'm not sure if I can pull it off, but the challenge is part of the attraction.
And then, of course, I'll need some characters and a plot. But I can worry about that later.
Bye for now.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Hanson
So, Monday night, my sister and I went to the Hanson concert in Seattle. My sister actually surprised me with the tickets, which was really, really cool of her.
It was a super exciting event because Hanson has not played in Seattle in 5 years. I was there the last time they came through, on the Underneath Acoustic Tour, in 2003. They are the best Best Band That Ever Lived.
It's weird to think that I have been listening to their music for 10 years now. I remember way back when Mmmbop first came out, and it was playing all over the radio. I thought it was some woman singing, and then I found out it was a boy, and I assumed he was black. And then I saw an article in the newspaper about the Hanson brothers, and how they were these amazingly talented young musicians who, at the ages of 9, 11, and 13, respectively, had written a song that would eventually hit #1 on the charts. Around the world. Beating out Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. I thought it was a cool article, and eventually I got around to buying their album, which I instantly loved.
I have so many memories tied up with this band. Road trips, work out mixes, a loop of songs playing so endlessly in the background of homework, art projects, chores, etc. that it became a soundtrack to my life. For me, there will never be a song as happy as Mmmbop, a song so capable of cheering me up, making me smile. I have listened to it while dancing all alone in my bedroom, while journaling, while daydreaming, while crying, or instead of crying. It's part of my memories, woven into the fabric of my life. The sort of song that whenever I hear it, a part of me says Oh. My song!
This was the most enjoyable Hanson concert I've been to, if not the most exciting. The first time, the band was still caught in the grip of teen mania, and although I loved being at the concert and hearing them play, I was really scared of the other girls in the audience. They were rabid and insane. There was a girl in a wheelchair who got a special spot all to herself in front of the stage, and even though she had these little toothpick legs and couldn't walk, everyone felt jealous of her because she was beautiful, with a tres chic haircut, and had a bumper sticker on the back of her wheelchair that said I Got Beat Up in the Hanson Mosh Pit. That bumper sticker was not a joke. During the concert, I saw a little girl in the row in front of me get punched in the eye by a much older girl who was probably in high school. And although a bouncer came over, the crowd was so thick, he couldn't get close enough to the high schooler to kick her out. (Also, he looked scared to get too close to us).
The second concert was better, but only because I was smart enough to stay out of pit. My sister and I stood on the second level and enjoyed the concert in relative peace. But it was incredibly loud and insane, and I still felt a little afraid of the rest of the audience.
This time around, we walked up to the Moore and were happy to see that for the first time there was no line stretching around the block. We could actually walk up to the doors with our tickets and go right in. Ishi got us awesome seats. They were in the balcony, so the view was excellent. It's such a small venue that no matter where you sit you're never very far from the stage, and we were second row, so we could see perfectly.
We clapped, we screamed, we sang along. It was another acoustic show, which was awesome, and they played quite a few brand new songs, but with a nice mix of old stuff, too. They seemed just like their same old selves, but at the same time older and more mature. It wasn't just that Zac had a 5 o'clock shadow, or that Isaac looked like his wife had dressed him (and he had by far the best outfit of the three), or that Taylor has gotten to be truly amazing at the piano. 5 years has done a lot. They more serious than before. They've done a lot of traveling, and seen a lot of things, and it's made them older. They are passionate about Africa, about trying to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic. When they sang their song, Great Divide, you could tell they were trying to communicate to us, in the audience, some sense of the huge hurt in their hearts for the orphans they met, whose parents are dead and who are dying themselves by the thousands. How do you get a theater full of screaming girls to stop and think about orphans half a world away? And yet it was so plain in the band's faces and in their voices that they felt compelled to try. They had to do something to help.
The task is so huge, and so impossible. That, more than anything, I think, is what made the boys seem older. There was a determination, a seriousness, almost a sadness about them that I had never seen before. I could tell, when they walked out on stage, that they were nervous. Zac and Isaac didn't say a word in between the first two or three songs, and whenever Taylor spoke, he sounded sort of tense. But when they sang, they put all their heart and soul into it. At times the music felt so personal, like reading someone's diary.
It was a super exciting event because Hanson has not played in Seattle in 5 years. I was there the last time they came through, on the Underneath Acoustic Tour, in 2003. They are the best Best Band That Ever Lived.
It's weird to think that I have been listening to their music for 10 years now. I remember way back when Mmmbop first came out, and it was playing all over the radio. I thought it was some woman singing, and then I found out it was a boy, and I assumed he was black. And then I saw an article in the newspaper about the Hanson brothers, and how they were these amazingly talented young musicians who, at the ages of 9, 11, and 13, respectively, had written a song that would eventually hit #1 on the charts. Around the world. Beating out Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. I thought it was a cool article, and eventually I got around to buying their album, which I instantly loved.
I have so many memories tied up with this band. Road trips, work out mixes, a loop of songs playing so endlessly in the background of homework, art projects, chores, etc. that it became a soundtrack to my life. For me, there will never be a song as happy as Mmmbop, a song so capable of cheering me up, making me smile. I have listened to it while dancing all alone in my bedroom, while journaling, while daydreaming, while crying, or instead of crying. It's part of my memories, woven into the fabric of my life. The sort of song that whenever I hear it, a part of me says Oh. My song!
This was the most enjoyable Hanson concert I've been to, if not the most exciting. The first time, the band was still caught in the grip of teen mania, and although I loved being at the concert and hearing them play, I was really scared of the other girls in the audience. They were rabid and insane. There was a girl in a wheelchair who got a special spot all to herself in front of the stage, and even though she had these little toothpick legs and couldn't walk, everyone felt jealous of her because she was beautiful, with a tres chic haircut, and had a bumper sticker on the back of her wheelchair that said I Got Beat Up in the Hanson Mosh Pit. That bumper sticker was not a joke. During the concert, I saw a little girl in the row in front of me get punched in the eye by a much older girl who was probably in high school. And although a bouncer came over, the crowd was so thick, he couldn't get close enough to the high schooler to kick her out. (Also, he looked scared to get too close to us).
The second concert was better, but only because I was smart enough to stay out of pit. My sister and I stood on the second level and enjoyed the concert in relative peace. But it was incredibly loud and insane, and I still felt a little afraid of the rest of the audience.
This time around, we walked up to the Moore and were happy to see that for the first time there was no line stretching around the block. We could actually walk up to the doors with our tickets and go right in. Ishi got us awesome seats. They were in the balcony, so the view was excellent. It's such a small venue that no matter where you sit you're never very far from the stage, and we were second row, so we could see perfectly.
We clapped, we screamed, we sang along. It was another acoustic show, which was awesome, and they played quite a few brand new songs, but with a nice mix of old stuff, too. They seemed just like their same old selves, but at the same time older and more mature. It wasn't just that Zac had a 5 o'clock shadow, or that Isaac looked like his wife had dressed him (and he had by far the best outfit of the three), or that Taylor has gotten to be truly amazing at the piano. 5 years has done a lot. They more serious than before. They've done a lot of traveling, and seen a lot of things, and it's made them older. They are passionate about Africa, about trying to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic. When they sang their song, Great Divide, you could tell they were trying to communicate to us, in the audience, some sense of the huge hurt in their hearts for the orphans they met, whose parents are dead and who are dying themselves by the thousands. How do you get a theater full of screaming girls to stop and think about orphans half a world away? And yet it was so plain in the band's faces and in their voices that they felt compelled to try. They had to do something to help.
The task is so huge, and so impossible. That, more than anything, I think, is what made the boys seem older. There was a determination, a seriousness, almost a sadness about them that I had never seen before. I could tell, when they walked out on stage, that they were nervous. Zac and Isaac didn't say a word in between the first two or three songs, and whenever Taylor spoke, he sounded sort of tense. But when they sang, they put all their heart and soul into it. At times the music felt so personal, like reading someone's diary.
When every eye is on the fortune
It can only breed contempt
They say blood is thicker than oceans
Still we box our brothers in
(From Great Divide)
And so I have to say that, exciting and exhilarating as the evening was, to me it all felt permeated with a subtle melancholy. I admire the Hansons because they want to change the world. They reach out to people who can give them nothing in return. They bare their hearts in front of girls who seem like they couldn't care less, and only want to lick the sweat off their faces. I admire them for standing up, for trying to make a difference, for even taking a stab at a problem so huge that its solution is beyond fundraising, beyond money, beyond the whole scope of human endeavor.
I think, despite all their insistence on hope conquering all, they sense the futility of it, too. Because for the first time, that night, I heard them sing a couple of songs in pretty, three-part harmony about their faith in God, and their hope for things to change. An almost-acknowledgement of their own defeat. It was a new direction for Hanson, and it made me feel like crying. If only, if only they knew the truth! They wouldn't have to hurt and struggle any more over problems they can't fix, and children they can't save.
I went out in service the next day with a fresh perspective on my ministry. Because I can make a difference in the world. And I owe it to all the people like Isaac, Taylor, and Zac, to tell the truth and to share my hope.
And what do you know? I found a girl named Rachel sitting on her front steps, who wonders if she can ever feel close to God. I'll do my best for her, and hope that someone, somewhere, has a chance to do their best for the Hansons. They deserve it.
And so I have to say that, exciting and exhilarating as the evening was, to me it all felt permeated with a subtle melancholy. I admire the Hansons because they want to change the world. They reach out to people who can give them nothing in return. They bare their hearts in front of girls who seem like they couldn't care less, and only want to lick the sweat off their faces. I admire them for standing up, for trying to make a difference, for even taking a stab at a problem so huge that its solution is beyond fundraising, beyond money, beyond the whole scope of human endeavor.
I think, despite all their insistence on hope conquering all, they sense the futility of it, too. Because for the first time, that night, I heard them sing a couple of songs in pretty, three-part harmony about their faith in God, and their hope for things to change. An almost-acknowledgement of their own defeat. It was a new direction for Hanson, and it made me feel like crying. If only, if only they knew the truth! They wouldn't have to hurt and struggle any more over problems they can't fix, and children they can't save.
I went out in service the next day with a fresh perspective on my ministry. Because I can make a difference in the world. And I owe it to all the people like Isaac, Taylor, and Zac, to tell the truth and to share my hope.
And what do you know? I found a girl named Rachel sitting on her front steps, who wonders if she can ever feel close to God. I'll do my best for her, and hope that someone, somewhere, has a chance to do their best for the Hansons. They deserve it.
I Don't Mean to be Gross, But...
I have just been sitting here thinking about how weird it is to have two such large holes in the back of my mouth. Where my wisdom teeth used to be. I keep reaching in there to feel them, and I can hardly look in a mirror without opening wide to check on them. Great big, gaping black holes. Whenever I eat, food gets stuck in them (painful) and I have to clean them out by squirting water into the holes with a syringe (also painful). The one on the right has been hurting a lot. It's what they call a "dry socket", although I have no idea why because it certainly isn't dry. More like bloody and spongy and wet.
The End
The End
Thursday, August 28, 2008
As much as I was looking forward to taking a week off, getting to sleep as much as I want and eat ice cream for lunch, I have to say this hasn't been as great as I expected. Monday was pretty good - Zack was here, and I was pretty numb and happily out of it. Then, Monday night, the injections wore off, and the pain set in. Also, my face swelled up.
Tuesday I napped, changed ice packs, edited photos from Mackenzie and Daniel's wedding for about 6 hours straight, and in general felt pretty lonely and yucky and miserable. Also, I discovered that I am allergic to Percoset. I started itching all over, and my feet got very fat. Go figure. Tuesday night was terrible. Restless sleep, pain, bad dreams.
Yesterday my mom came to take care of me for the day, which was very nice. She folded laundry while I slept on the couch, fixed my liquid meals, and brought me heat packs for my face. We watched While You Were Sleeping.
In the evening, I made the mistake of thinking about my job at the clubhouse. Panic has set in. The school year is starting again, which means I'll have to start coming up with activities for Girls' Day week after week after week. I feel sick at the thought of so much pressure. I'm ok with small groups of kids, but with Harrison Prep having just moved into our building, I'm not sure how many girls will be showing up on Monday. Expecting Things of Me. I can't take it! I never, ever wanted to be a teacher, ever ever ever.
Arg, this is making me sick to my stomach. I'm going to go now. I need to take a shower. A shower and a nap.
My face hurts.
Tuesday I napped, changed ice packs, edited photos from Mackenzie and Daniel's wedding for about 6 hours straight, and in general felt pretty lonely and yucky and miserable. Also, I discovered that I am allergic to Percoset. I started itching all over, and my feet got very fat. Go figure. Tuesday night was terrible. Restless sleep, pain, bad dreams.
Yesterday my mom came to take care of me for the day, which was very nice. She folded laundry while I slept on the couch, fixed my liquid meals, and brought me heat packs for my face. We watched While You Were Sleeping.
In the evening, I made the mistake of thinking about my job at the clubhouse. Panic has set in. The school year is starting again, which means I'll have to start coming up with activities for Girls' Day week after week after week. I feel sick at the thought of so much pressure. I'm ok with small groups of kids, but with Harrison Prep having just moved into our building, I'm not sure how many girls will be showing up on Monday. Expecting Things of Me. I can't take it! I never, ever wanted to be a teacher, ever ever ever.
Arg, this is making me sick to my stomach. I'm going to go now. I need to take a shower. A shower and a nap.
My face hurts.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Nande Goes Under the Knife!!!!
So I had my wisdom teeth out this morning. Which meant no breakfast today, and nothing whatever to drink. And my appointment wasn't until 10:40 am. Torture! I chewed gum to keep my throat from getting all dry, and my stomach from getting all upset. But I really, really wanted actual food and water. I felt like a mildly crazy person, especially when we went through the Wendy's drive-thru so Zack could order his breakfast sandwich, hashbrowns, and orange juice.
The most interesting part was getting put under. They gave me laughing gas first, which made me feel like one of those shiny helium balloons at the grocery store, all floaty and happy. Then the surgeon (a great big, jolly man who looks uncannily like the captain of the ship in Wall-E; he even coasts around the room on a stool with wheels, rather than walking), gave me an IV, and he and the assistants talked to me to see how the anesthesia was taking hold. I don't remember much of our conversation, only that it was incredibly witty. We laughed and laughed. All the while, a lady in pink scrubs was hovering around me with leather straps, "securing my limbs" to the chair. For my own safety, people. She was super sneaky about it, too. I'd look down and realize, my goodness, I can't move my legs.
After that, everything suddenly went away, and then I was waking up in pain. Lots and lots of pain. I think I moaned a bit, but that is not my fault. I was not in full control of my faculties. Another lady in raspberry scrubs helped me walk into a room with a comfy little bed, where I laid down and she covered me with a blanket. I was shaking all over incontrollably, from the anesthetic.
Zack came in to receive instructions from the nurse. I communicated to him through mumbling and gestures that I needed meds. The nurse gave me something which soon made me feel better.
After that, it was off to the Fred Meyer for my percoset and ibuprofen. Then home, to tuck me up on the couch with ice packs and narcotics. I soon felt as comfy as could be, drowsy and happy, like I could drift cozily in and out of sleep for the next hundred years. Zack has been the absolute best caretaker I could ever ask for - kind, attentive, eager to supply my every need. He makes me smoothies and scrambled eggs, brings me ice water, changes my ice packs, gives me my meds. He has endless supplies of patience. I truly could not ask for a better husband.
I should go now - time for fresh ice packs. I only wish Zack could stay home with me all week, but alas, that isn't possible. Someone has to earn the money around here. I won't forget this, though. I've actually enjoyed myself today, and I feel very loved. Best Feeling in the World
xoxo
The most interesting part was getting put under. They gave me laughing gas first, which made me feel like one of those shiny helium balloons at the grocery store, all floaty and happy. Then the surgeon (a great big, jolly man who looks uncannily like the captain of the ship in Wall-E; he even coasts around the room on a stool with wheels, rather than walking), gave me an IV, and he and the assistants talked to me to see how the anesthesia was taking hold. I don't remember much of our conversation, only that it was incredibly witty. We laughed and laughed. All the while, a lady in pink scrubs was hovering around me with leather straps, "securing my limbs" to the chair. For my own safety, people. She was super sneaky about it, too. I'd look down and realize, my goodness, I can't move my legs.
After that, everything suddenly went away, and then I was waking up in pain. Lots and lots of pain. I think I moaned a bit, but that is not my fault. I was not in full control of my faculties. Another lady in raspberry scrubs helped me walk into a room with a comfy little bed, where I laid down and she covered me with a blanket. I was shaking all over incontrollably, from the anesthetic.
Zack came in to receive instructions from the nurse. I communicated to him through mumbling and gestures that I needed meds. The nurse gave me something which soon made me feel better.
After that, it was off to the Fred Meyer for my percoset and ibuprofen. Then home, to tuck me up on the couch with ice packs and narcotics. I soon felt as comfy as could be, drowsy and happy, like I could drift cozily in and out of sleep for the next hundred years. Zack has been the absolute best caretaker I could ever ask for - kind, attentive, eager to supply my every need. He makes me smoothies and scrambled eggs, brings me ice water, changes my ice packs, gives me my meds. He has endless supplies of patience. I truly could not ask for a better husband.
I should go now - time for fresh ice packs. I only wish Zack could stay home with me all week, but alas, that isn't possible. Someone has to earn the money around here. I won't forget this, though. I've actually enjoyed myself today, and I feel very loved. Best Feeling in the World
xoxo
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sunny Saturday
Yesterday was very hot. The sun was bright in the sky when Zack and I woke up. We did not feel like getting out of bed and going in service, (especially since most people are off on vacation right now, camping at the lake or by the ocean), but we knew we had to. When we arrived at the KH (a few minutes late), we remembered that this was the weekend they had decided to resurface the parking lot. So we had to park on the hill, at the end of a long line of cars, and walk down. We were so late that we didn't know if we'd missed the group, or if anyone besides ourselves would be out at all. (Most of the other cars on the street belonged to the Spanish brothers, or to the parking lot crew). Then we saw Michelle, who had come to meet Jamie Eaton. Val Robinson was there, too, so we had a group!
Michelle said, "I'll drive. And my first stop is Starbucks." Zack said, "Ah, Starbucks. My favorite call." We all got cold drinks (me: my new favorite, the strawberry banana Vivanno). Then we did a bunch of calls, mostly Jamie's. Michelle was down in the dumps, because about a month ago her fiance broke up with her. It was supposedly a temporary thing, while he worked on getting stronger spiritually. But then, when I was at a door with Michelle, she whispered to me what had happened on Thursday. She texted her ex, feeling lonely and blue after not having heard from him for weeks: "Do you think if you don't talk to me I'm just going to go away?" He texted back: "Yes. Go away."
So she was very, very blue.
Zack wants to kick the ex-fiance in the head. I second that.
By noon it was quite hot, and we all headed home. I wanted to go shopping and get Zack some new shirts (we were late for service because he had a hard time finding one to wear). Zack was not very enthusiastic about that idea. Neither of us really likes shopping, especially trying on clothes. Getting dressed, getting undressed, getting dressed, getting undressed, standing in a cramped little cubicle with bad flourescent lighting, while your hair gets messier and messier.
So we went to Target and got some accessories for his new desk instead. Also I bought some stuff to decorate our kitchen. I am new to decorating, so I'm taking it one room at a time. The kitchen is a snap: Zack's mom gave us beautiful new dishes with an old-fashioned provincial pattern in red. And since red is very in for kitchens these days, it was easy to find stuff to go with them. The kitchen feels much more homey now and much less institutional.
When we got home, someone texted Zack about football in the park, so he went off to hang out with the guys, and I went to the library. I checked out Nicholas Nickleby, an old favorite, which I haven't read since 2005.
Later Zack came home almost ready to collapse with heat stroke, and said he'd had fun playing football, but it was very, very hot. He took a cool shower, and then we ran a few more errands. We bought Pongo a new toy, and watched the hamsters in the pet store fight over their running wheel. They were very cute and I wanted to buy one. But I didn't.
The End
Michelle said, "I'll drive. And my first stop is Starbucks." Zack said, "Ah, Starbucks. My favorite call." We all got cold drinks (me: my new favorite, the strawberry banana Vivanno). Then we did a bunch of calls, mostly Jamie's. Michelle was down in the dumps, because about a month ago her fiance broke up with her. It was supposedly a temporary thing, while he worked on getting stronger spiritually. But then, when I was at a door with Michelle, she whispered to me what had happened on Thursday. She texted her ex, feeling lonely and blue after not having heard from him for weeks: "Do you think if you don't talk to me I'm just going to go away?" He texted back: "Yes. Go away."
So she was very, very blue.
Zack wants to kick the ex-fiance in the head. I second that.
By noon it was quite hot, and we all headed home. I wanted to go shopping and get Zack some new shirts (we were late for service because he had a hard time finding one to wear). Zack was not very enthusiastic about that idea. Neither of us really likes shopping, especially trying on clothes. Getting dressed, getting undressed, getting dressed, getting undressed, standing in a cramped little cubicle with bad flourescent lighting, while your hair gets messier and messier.
So we went to Target and got some accessories for his new desk instead. Also I bought some stuff to decorate our kitchen. I am new to decorating, so I'm taking it one room at a time. The kitchen is a snap: Zack's mom gave us beautiful new dishes with an old-fashioned provincial pattern in red. And since red is very in for kitchens these days, it was easy to find stuff to go with them. The kitchen feels much more homey now and much less institutional.
When we got home, someone texted Zack about football in the park, so he went off to hang out with the guys, and I went to the library. I checked out Nicholas Nickleby, an old favorite, which I haven't read since 2005.
Later Zack came home almost ready to collapse with heat stroke, and said he'd had fun playing football, but it was very, very hot. He took a cool shower, and then we ran a few more errands. We bought Pongo a new toy, and watched the hamsters in the pet store fight over their running wheel. They were very cute and I wanted to buy one. But I didn't.
The End
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Great Office Clean-Up
This has been a very, very, verrrry long day, but a good one :)
I cleaned out our office. Tate helped. It was a Herculean Labor, one which I have been studiously avoiding ever since we moved in and the office became a Room In Which to Stash Things. Anything and everything. If there wasn't a place for it, and we didn't want it cluttering up the front room, overflowing the coffee table or blocking our view of the television, we shoved it into the office. Donated furniture, crates of books, filing cubes, electronic equipment, etc. etc. Since the only way out onto the patio is through the sliding doors in the office, I made a little tunnel through the mess. Whenever anybody showed up unexpectedly at the front door, I would have to make sure the office door was closed before I answered.
The office became our guilty secret, an obstacle to dinner parties, an annoyance which we shoved to the back of our minds and tried to ignore. But it was always there. And today I just couldn't take it anymore. So I tied on an apron, turned on some music, and dove in. It was a big, big job. Happily, Tate showed up around 2:00 in the afternoon, just as I was starting to lose steam. We shifted furniture, emptied boxes, sorted odds and ends, took out trash and recycling, tidied shelves, and cleaned bookcases. We ended up finishing with it all barely 20 minutes before Zack got home from work (I had been wanting to surprise him).
Needless to say, he loves our new, tidy, almost-clutter-free office. In fact, the first thing he did after taking a look around and marveling at all the work we had done, was head off to Target to buy a new desk. He and my brother put it together, and then we had pizza and root beer to celebrate. Oh, and Zack presented me with a box of chocolates and a thank you card, which was very sweet. While we ate, we watched an episode of The Andy Griffith Show ("Barney's Replacement"), and then Tate had to go home, Zack had to try out his laptop on his brand new desk, and I had to fold laundry and wash my hair.
I am so tired now, my brain is full of fog. And so, off to bed with me.
xoxox
I cleaned out our office. Tate helped. It was a Herculean Labor, one which I have been studiously avoiding ever since we moved in and the office became a Room In Which to Stash Things. Anything and everything. If there wasn't a place for it, and we didn't want it cluttering up the front room, overflowing the coffee table or blocking our view of the television, we shoved it into the office. Donated furniture, crates of books, filing cubes, electronic equipment, etc. etc. Since the only way out onto the patio is through the sliding doors in the office, I made a little tunnel through the mess. Whenever anybody showed up unexpectedly at the front door, I would have to make sure the office door was closed before I answered.
The office became our guilty secret, an obstacle to dinner parties, an annoyance which we shoved to the back of our minds and tried to ignore. But it was always there. And today I just couldn't take it anymore. So I tied on an apron, turned on some music, and dove in. It was a big, big job. Happily, Tate showed up around 2:00 in the afternoon, just as I was starting to lose steam. We shifted furniture, emptied boxes, sorted odds and ends, took out trash and recycling, tidied shelves, and cleaned bookcases. We ended up finishing with it all barely 20 minutes before Zack got home from work (I had been wanting to surprise him).
Needless to say, he loves our new, tidy, almost-clutter-free office. In fact, the first thing he did after taking a look around and marveling at all the work we had done, was head off to Target to buy a new desk. He and my brother put it together, and then we had pizza and root beer to celebrate. Oh, and Zack presented me with a box of chocolates and a thank you card, which was very sweet. While we ate, we watched an episode of The Andy Griffith Show ("Barney's Replacement"), and then Tate had to go home, Zack had to try out his laptop on his brand new desk, and I had to fold laundry and wash my hair.
I am so tired now, my brain is full of fog. And so, off to bed with me.
xoxox
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Early Morning, Blackberries, etc.
I really did not want to get up at 6:00 for early morning service. I had to drag myself out of bed, and as I sort of wandered around in a fog, getting ready, I felt very, very grumpy. It's a good thing Zack was asleep, because I would not have been very nice to him.
It was a dark, cloudy, windy, wet-but-not-rainy morning, everything still dripping from the storm last night, and little yellow leaves sticking to my car and to the roads, giving our neighborhood a depressingly autumnal look, despite the fact that this is still August, with more than a month of summer left to go. I saw Leslie Eaton behind me at a traffic light, looking bright and chipper as ever, and I thought gloomily to myself that I was going to have to make an effort at cheerfulness, for the sake of the car group.
Yesterday morning, as we pulled into Starbucks at 8:00 am for our first coffee break of the day, we saw Leslie and her mom just leaving, off to Seattle for their Annual Mother-Daughter Day. They looked so happy and energetic that I envied them, out for a day of shopping, restaurants, and the art museum. Today Leslie had a new umbrella that she got in the SAM gift shop, decorated like one of Claude Monet's paintings. She told me all about their day out, and I found myself cheering up as I listened, and thought about the fact that Zack and I both love impressionist painters, and we have never yet gone to the city together.
It Is About Time.
It ended up being a very cheerful morning indeed. I bought Leslie coffee with my Starbucks card, which felt so good, being able to give her something, even though she is well-to-do and I am poor.
I placed two sets of magazines, with two very nice people. Back at the KH, Leslie made me photocopies of her August OKM, (we were so out of the loop while I was in pioneer school that somehow Zack and I missed getting ours, which has made Tuesday night meetings rather difficult). Now all is well and we can study for the Oral Review next week. I am happy about that.
Now it's about 10:00, I'm back home for the day, and I had a delicious breakfast of blackberries, yogurt, and granola. We picked the blackberries yesterday, while Tate was here. We had gone out for a walk up and down the hill, and the berries were so tempting along the way that we ended up going back home for a tupperware container, so we could pick some. Zack had put out our garbage a day early, by mistake. "Oh well," I said, as we walked past our garbage bin, all lonely at the side of the street, "at least it's done, so you won't forget tomorrow." Tate added, "The early bird gets the worm. Or, in this case, garbage." And then we laughed about the early bird getting the garbage.
All in all, it's shaping up to be a pretty good day. I have plenty of chores to keep me busy, and Zack is coming home for lunch.
I am happy :)
It was a dark, cloudy, windy, wet-but-not-rainy morning, everything still dripping from the storm last night, and little yellow leaves sticking to my car and to the roads, giving our neighborhood a depressingly autumnal look, despite the fact that this is still August, with more than a month of summer left to go. I saw Leslie Eaton behind me at a traffic light, looking bright and chipper as ever, and I thought gloomily to myself that I was going to have to make an effort at cheerfulness, for the sake of the car group.
Yesterday morning, as we pulled into Starbucks at 8:00 am for our first coffee break of the day, we saw Leslie and her mom just leaving, off to Seattle for their Annual Mother-Daughter Day. They looked so happy and energetic that I envied them, out for a day of shopping, restaurants, and the art museum. Today Leslie had a new umbrella that she got in the SAM gift shop, decorated like one of Claude Monet's paintings. She told me all about their day out, and I found myself cheering up as I listened, and thought about the fact that Zack and I both love impressionist painters, and we have never yet gone to the city together.
It Is About Time.
It ended up being a very cheerful morning indeed. I bought Leslie coffee with my Starbucks card, which felt so good, being able to give her something, even though she is well-to-do and I am poor.
I placed two sets of magazines, with two very nice people. Back at the KH, Leslie made me photocopies of her August OKM, (we were so out of the loop while I was in pioneer school that somehow Zack and I missed getting ours, which has made Tuesday night meetings rather difficult). Now all is well and we can study for the Oral Review next week. I am happy about that.
Now it's about 10:00, I'm back home for the day, and I had a delicious breakfast of blackberries, yogurt, and granola. We picked the blackberries yesterday, while Tate was here. We had gone out for a walk up and down the hill, and the berries were so tempting along the way that we ended up going back home for a tupperware container, so we could pick some. Zack had put out our garbage a day early, by mistake. "Oh well," I said, as we walked past our garbage bin, all lonely at the side of the street, "at least it's done, so you won't forget tomorrow." Tate added, "The early bird gets the worm. Or, in this case, garbage." And then we laughed about the early bird getting the garbage.
All in all, it's shaping up to be a pretty good day. I have plenty of chores to keep me busy, and Zack is coming home for lunch.
I am happy :)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Pioneer School, Day 1
I was so nervous this morning! I had butterflies in my stomach as I put on one of my new outfits, curled my hair (which I just got cut specially for pioneer school), got all my books together. When I arrived at the KH I sat in my car and called Zack for a little moral support, because I was afraid to go in. Even after the hours I'd spent studying the night before I felt so unprepared, and unqualified to attend. Then Trixy drove up and parked next to me, so I had someone to walk in with. That made it a lot easier.
There was a seating chart, putting us all in alphabetical order. I was pretty happy about that, expecting to be next to Trixy, but a couple of people didn't show up, we got juggled around, and I ended up in a different row with Larry and Carol Smith. That was just fine, too :)
Bruce Smith opened the session by telling us what to expect the next two weeks, and kind of putting all our minds at ease about the homework. About 2 hours a night, he said. No more than that. Which was very, very nice. He also got us all excited about the lunches. Apparently some congregations go to greater lengths than others to completely spoil the pioneers. "Y'all better look out, because if Carpenter Hills is catering today, they gonna mess you up," he said. "Don't expect the other congregations to live up to Carpenter Hills. They gonna mess you up." Everybody cracked up.
Surprisingly, once we got into the group discussions, I had no problem raising my hand. My nervousness sort of dissolved as we got into the material, which was extremely interesting and upbuilding, all about drawing closer to Jehovah. I found that I was really enjoying myself, and I felt happy.
Tacoma Narrows provided our lunch, and it was awesome. I was so happy to see little Gabby Pankaskie, the most beautiful girl in the world, and I promptly got her phone number and told her she has to model for me, while I try out my new camera (which I haven't actually got yet, but will soon). I can't wait to get some pictures of her. She is gorgeous!
I had fun at lunch, sitting next to my new sister-in-law, Courtney. She's really funny and nice. I found out, much to my suprise and joy, that her husband is the nephew of the brother who gave my wedding talk. I couldn't believe it! I am distantly-by-marriage related to the Raves now! There are tons of Raves out in Eatonville, and they are just the nicest ever. I used to want to marry a Rave, but there were none left. So I was very happy to find out that I now have a connection to the family anyway.
Anyway I've got to go pick up Zack, so I guess that's all for now. It was an awesome day and I'm super happy!
There was a seating chart, putting us all in alphabetical order. I was pretty happy about that, expecting to be next to Trixy, but a couple of people didn't show up, we got juggled around, and I ended up in a different row with Larry and Carol Smith. That was just fine, too :)
Bruce Smith opened the session by telling us what to expect the next two weeks, and kind of putting all our minds at ease about the homework. About 2 hours a night, he said. No more than that. Which was very, very nice. He also got us all excited about the lunches. Apparently some congregations go to greater lengths than others to completely spoil the pioneers. "Y'all better look out, because if Carpenter Hills is catering today, they gonna mess you up," he said. "Don't expect the other congregations to live up to Carpenter Hills. They gonna mess you up." Everybody cracked up.
Surprisingly, once we got into the group discussions, I had no problem raising my hand. My nervousness sort of dissolved as we got into the material, which was extremely interesting and upbuilding, all about drawing closer to Jehovah. I found that I was really enjoying myself, and I felt happy.
Tacoma Narrows provided our lunch, and it was awesome. I was so happy to see little Gabby Pankaskie, the most beautiful girl in the world, and I promptly got her phone number and told her she has to model for me, while I try out my new camera (which I haven't actually got yet, but will soon). I can't wait to get some pictures of her. She is gorgeous!
I had fun at lunch, sitting next to my new sister-in-law, Courtney. She's really funny and nice. I found out, much to my suprise and joy, that her husband is the nephew of the brother who gave my wedding talk. I couldn't believe it! I am distantly-by-marriage related to the Raves now! There are tons of Raves out in Eatonville, and they are just the nicest ever. I used to want to marry a Rave, but there were none left. So I was very happy to find out that I now have a connection to the family anyway.
Anyway I've got to go pick up Zack, so I guess that's all for now. It was an awesome day and I'm super happy!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Three Day Weekend
I am worn out today. Work was long and stressful. I didn't even want to get up this morning, because I knew that as soon as I got out of bed, the long, glorious weekend would be over.
Friday we got up early and had breakfast at Starbucks, and then headed off to the Point Defiance Zoo. It was the perfect way to spend an unexpected day off (neither Zack nor I had realized until last Monday that it was going to be a three day weekend). We watched puffins divebomb off the rocks into a pool, saw polar bears sunning themselves, a tiger growling discontent at the sound of air force planes overhead. We watched beluga whales and walruses swimming endless laps in the aquarium, pitied the huge, beautiful raven tethered to his perch, laughed at the playful otters.
Around four o'clock we finally left and drove down to Owen Beach, where tons of people were gathering to watch the fireworks that night. I snapped a few pictures of some African children playing on the sand. One of them, a little girl about ten years old, wore a blue velvet dress. She sat on a driftwood log with her arms folded around her knees, and stared silently out to sea. I wanted to paint her picture.
Saturday was a day to catch up on sleep. Then, at three o'clock we attended the memorial of a dear old friend, Gene Smith, who died on June 25th, at the age of 87. I have fond memories of Brother Smith driving us out in service in his little yellow car. He always stopped at 12:00 to eat a sandwich and listen to polka on his favorite radio station. Gene smith was a pioneer for 22 years, from the day he retired until the day he died. I know that Jehovah will never forget his faithful service. I will miss him very much.
Sunday we went to see the Tall Ships Festival. It was incredibly lame. The ships were cool, especially the H.M.S. Bounty, which I really wanted to tour. But the lines were so incredibly long that it would have been impossible. So we just strolled down the waterfront past tents selling pirate costumes and greasy food, and sat on the edge of the boardwalk for a while, looking out at the view. There were tons of strange people dressed as pirates, including a particularly weird guy in a Jack Sparrow costume. As we passed him I heard a father tell his teenage girl, "Go take your picture with him!" and she said, "No!" in tones of disgust. I completely shared her sentiments. The guy was weird.
After meeting my sister invited us over for spaghetti. We went, and it was delicious. Afterwards there was "healthy" (south beach-approved) ice cream with blueberries on top. We watched Zack's Jim Gaffigan dvd, and then we came home and went to bed.
The End
Friday we got up early and had breakfast at Starbucks, and then headed off to the Point Defiance Zoo. It was the perfect way to spend an unexpected day off (neither Zack nor I had realized until last Monday that it was going to be a three day weekend). We watched puffins divebomb off the rocks into a pool, saw polar bears sunning themselves, a tiger growling discontent at the sound of air force planes overhead. We watched beluga whales and walruses swimming endless laps in the aquarium, pitied the huge, beautiful raven tethered to his perch, laughed at the playful otters.
Around four o'clock we finally left and drove down to Owen Beach, where tons of people were gathering to watch the fireworks that night. I snapped a few pictures of some African children playing on the sand. One of them, a little girl about ten years old, wore a blue velvet dress. She sat on a driftwood log with her arms folded around her knees, and stared silently out to sea. I wanted to paint her picture.
Saturday was a day to catch up on sleep. Then, at three o'clock we attended the memorial of a dear old friend, Gene Smith, who died on June 25th, at the age of 87. I have fond memories of Brother Smith driving us out in service in his little yellow car. He always stopped at 12:00 to eat a sandwich and listen to polka on his favorite radio station. Gene smith was a pioneer for 22 years, from the day he retired until the day he died. I know that Jehovah will never forget his faithful service. I will miss him very much.
Sunday we went to see the Tall Ships Festival. It was incredibly lame. The ships were cool, especially the H.M.S. Bounty, which I really wanted to tour. But the lines were so incredibly long that it would have been impossible. So we just strolled down the waterfront past tents selling pirate costumes and greasy food, and sat on the edge of the boardwalk for a while, looking out at the view. There were tons of strange people dressed as pirates, including a particularly weird guy in a Jack Sparrow costume. As we passed him I heard a father tell his teenage girl, "Go take your picture with him!" and she said, "No!" in tones of disgust. I completely shared her sentiments. The guy was weird.
After meeting my sister invited us over for spaghetti. We went, and it was delicious. Afterwards there was "healthy" (south beach-approved) ice cream with blueberries on top. We watched Zack's Jim Gaffigan dvd, and then we came home and went to bed.
The End
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
:)
Well Pam never came. I don't know what happened! Rawr, and I knew all along that I should have gone out in service. Oh well, he house is nice and cleany clean, though! I even swept the patio, weeded the border, and picked a few cherries from the tree. Then Pongo and I had a little photo session. I used Zack's camera, which I almost never touch, but it looks like we're going to be doing a wedding in August, so I think I better start getting familiar with it! My first session turned out overexposed and blurry, but I had a lot of fun and I'm going to post a few shots anyway.
Progress Report
2 loads of laundry done
dishes washed
couch and living room febrezed
will continue tidying up, vacuum living room, and mop kitchen. Pongo is in the office, safely out of the way of the febreze fumes. (I wasn't sure if it would be poisonous to him or not, and I don't want him to die!) I would have put him outside, but it's kind of cloudy and cold.
Zack will stop by in an hour or so, and I will ask him if it still smells.
P.S. Mom called. The fam is planning to go to the Crosses' weekend campout. I went last year and it was super fun! Nature hikes, frolicking on the beach, giant meals, tons of new friends, guitar and songs at night, etc. I kind of want to go again, but at the same time I'm afraid it won't live up to the superb wonderfulness of last year. Especially since Abby won't be there, and Devin probably won't be, either. Will ask Zack what he thinks...
dishes washed
couch and living room febrezed
will continue tidying up, vacuum living room, and mop kitchen. Pongo is in the office, safely out of the way of the febreze fumes. (I wasn't sure if it would be poisonous to him or not, and I don't want him to die!) I would have put him outside, but it's kind of cloudy and cold.
Zack will stop by in an hour or so, and I will ask him if it still smells.
P.S. Mom called. The fam is planning to go to the Crosses' weekend campout. I went last year and it was super fun! Nature hikes, frolicking on the beach, giant meals, tons of new friends, guitar and songs at night, etc. I kind of want to go again, but at the same time I'm afraid it won't live up to the superb wonderfulness of last year. Especially since Abby won't be there, and Devin probably won't be, either. Will ask Zack what he thinks...
Something's Rotten in Here...
I'm staying home today to clean house. More specifically, to try and discover the source of the mystery stink. Lately Zack and I have been noticing whenever we come home that we walk into a cloud of really yucky stench. And we don't know where it's coming from! It's not a bathroom sort of smell. Garbage, maybe, but I've emptied the garbage, cleaned the can, and cleaned under the kitchen sink, and yet the smell persists. I bleached the toilet, cleaned out the vegetable drawer in the fridge, and threw away some old zucchini. But still it smells in here. We are stumped. Today I'll try taking Pongo's cage outside, and wash as much of the laundry as I can. It's not really an old laundry kind of smell, though. I can't even describe it except to say that it stinks.
I was planning to go out in service this morning, but Pam (our landlady) will be dropping by in the afternoon to pick up the rent. And I don't want it to smell when she gets here! I would be very, very super embarrassed. So I stayed home to clean. But I am not happy about it.
Rawr.
I was planning to go out in service this morning, but Pam (our landlady) will be dropping by in the afternoon to pick up the rent. And I don't want it to smell when she gets here! I would be very, very super embarrassed. So I stayed home to clean. But I am not happy about it.
Rawr.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
*rawr*
I am so angry right now, I want to kick somebody. Seriously. I want to kick somebody and then I want to burn down the world.
We went to a softball game at the park. Zack didn't want to go, but I was all excited about it. I thought we could hang out and make friends. I convinced him to go. He ended up having a really good time. Me... not so much. The game was really competetive, with a lot of guys being all macho and stuff. I am no good at sports, really. I like playing and having fun if it's a not-at-all serious game with my friends. But I didn't really know anyone there, and I knew that if i did anything stupid I would be really embarassed, so I just decided to watch. It was really, really hot and the game went on for hours. Zack was doing pretty well and having a good time. I was sitting in the shade feeling hungry, but kind of enjoying watching everyone else play. I thought maybe next time, if it wasn't so hot, I would join in.
After a while i got kind of bored, and so i went and picked one of the tiny daisies growing in the grass. It was so small and yet so perfect. Each tiny petal was an almost glowing white, and on the underside had a little spot of dark pink. The spots were so beautiful, but probably never even seen. I had never really looked at one up close before, and I was thinking about how those little flowers never really get noticed, just mowed down whenever the maintenance people come. And yet nobody on earth could make anything like it, no matter how sophisticated the technology, no matter how delicate the material.
Anyway so I was thinking about all of that, and no longer paying attention to the game. I heard some yelling going on but didn't focus any thought on it. Then all of a sudden the ball lands about 3 feet behind me. This guy comes running to get it and he yells at me. He's like, "Hey! You almost got hit! You need to pay attention!" He didn't add "idiot!" but his tone clearly implied it, all irritated and scornful. I didn't say anything, but I felt this flash of complete embarassment and humiliation, because everybody was looking at me and here I was crouched on the ground in lala land, looking at a tiny flower, and I probably did look like a total retard.
But he still didn't have to yell at me. He was really rude about it. I would never have spoken to anybody that way, especially someone I don't even know. The most I would have said, probably, is "Oh my gosh, that was close!" and like, laughed it off. I wouldn't have gotten angry at the person, or tried to make them feel stupid.
He was one of the super competetive people who were the exact reason I didn't want to play.
I wanted to go home after that but at the same time I wanted to stay, because that guy was a jerk and because Zack was having a good time.
I know I am being way too sensitive about this but I can't help it, it's just how I am. I am very self conscious and I guess my feelings get hurt easily. But at the same time, I think I'm a pretty kind person, and I try to always be nice to everybody. Probably that's partly why I get so mad when people are rude or mean to me.
Anyway, he's the one who's the idiot, not me, and I need to let it go. I know Zack thinks I'm mad at him because I've been so quiet, but I just have been in a bad mood and didn't want to talk.
We went to a softball game at the park. Zack didn't want to go, but I was all excited about it. I thought we could hang out and make friends. I convinced him to go. He ended up having a really good time. Me... not so much. The game was really competetive, with a lot of guys being all macho and stuff. I am no good at sports, really. I like playing and having fun if it's a not-at-all serious game with my friends. But I didn't really know anyone there, and I knew that if i did anything stupid I would be really embarassed, so I just decided to watch. It was really, really hot and the game went on for hours. Zack was doing pretty well and having a good time. I was sitting in the shade feeling hungry, but kind of enjoying watching everyone else play. I thought maybe next time, if it wasn't so hot, I would join in.
After a while i got kind of bored, and so i went and picked one of the tiny daisies growing in the grass. It was so small and yet so perfect. Each tiny petal was an almost glowing white, and on the underside had a little spot of dark pink. The spots were so beautiful, but probably never even seen. I had never really looked at one up close before, and I was thinking about how those little flowers never really get noticed, just mowed down whenever the maintenance people come. And yet nobody on earth could make anything like it, no matter how sophisticated the technology, no matter how delicate the material.
Anyway so I was thinking about all of that, and no longer paying attention to the game. I heard some yelling going on but didn't focus any thought on it. Then all of a sudden the ball lands about 3 feet behind me. This guy comes running to get it and he yells at me. He's like, "Hey! You almost got hit! You need to pay attention!" He didn't add "idiot!" but his tone clearly implied it, all irritated and scornful. I didn't say anything, but I felt this flash of complete embarassment and humiliation, because everybody was looking at me and here I was crouched on the ground in lala land, looking at a tiny flower, and I probably did look like a total retard.
But he still didn't have to yell at me. He was really rude about it. I would never have spoken to anybody that way, especially someone I don't even know. The most I would have said, probably, is "Oh my gosh, that was close!" and like, laughed it off. I wouldn't have gotten angry at the person, or tried to make them feel stupid.
He was one of the super competetive people who were the exact reason I didn't want to play.
I wanted to go home after that but at the same time I wanted to stay, because that guy was a jerk and because Zack was having a good time.
I know I am being way too sensitive about this but I can't help it, it's just how I am. I am very self conscious and I guess my feelings get hurt easily. But at the same time, I think I'm a pretty kind person, and I try to always be nice to everybody. Probably that's partly why I get so mad when people are rude or mean to me.
Anyway, he's the one who's the idiot, not me, and I need to let it go. I know Zack thinks I'm mad at him because I've been so quiet, but I just have been in a bad mood and didn't want to talk.
Friday, June 27, 2008
It's Official!!!
After an agonizingly dull hour and a half wait at the department of licensing, I am now the legally documented honest-to-goodness Mrs. Zack Sjoden. Yay!!!
(Well, technically it was legally documented when we signed the marriage certificate, I believe, but now I actually have my new last name on my driver's license. Which feels more official to me :)
(Well, technically it was legally documented when we signed the marriage certificate, I believe, but now I actually have my new last name on my driver's license. Which feels more official to me :)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Busy Weekend
I stayed home sick today. I feel slightly guilty about this, but I needed a break. Yesterday I had to come home after early morning service, and I just laid on the couch and felt achey and horrible. I thought I was getting a flu or something, but by 5:00 or so I was feeling better. Didn't feel like going out today, though. So I'm home in my comfy robe, doing laundry and watching taped episodes of old TV westerns.
Now I am not an old TV western kind of girl, really, but we don't get TV here, and so I asked my dad to lend me some of his old videos (he is a TV recording fiend). He gave me some of his favorites - Bonanza, Gun Smoke, etc. I was kind of groaning inwardly when I got them, and I put them in the video drawer for a rainy day. This morning I got them out on a whim. I like having the TV on when I'm home alone - it makes me feel not so lonesome. To my surprise, I'm enjoying a day with Ben Cartwright, Little Joe, Matt Dillon, etc. The shows aren't half bad.
This weekend was pretty busy. Sunday we went out to Kirkland to celebrate Nick and Sandy's wedding eve. We had dinner at the Olive Garden (where I had some very tasty Tuscan apricot chicken), and then went down to the water front, which was beautiful.
Earlier that day, I had headed out to Eatonville for the meeting. I ended up getting there late, so I missed the talk, which was by John Rave (who gave our wedding talk). Marge Rave (his mother) had died earlier that morning, but he decided to give the talk anyway, and everyone says he did a really good job. Marv Smith announced Marge's passing after the Watchtower study, and durning the song a lot of people started to cry. Then John came up to give the closing prayer. I stood there with tears in my eyes, listening to his beautiful prayer and wondering how he could keep it together so well. At the end his voice started to break down a little. It was very emotional.
I talked to Leah after the meeting and she told me that they had all been with Marge when she died. She was in a lot of pain (cancer), and needed to go to rest. Brother Larson had called her earlier in the week from Bethel, Leah said, and afterward Marge seemed very happy, and often had a smile on her face. It was her last coherent conversation. At one point, Tom admired the beautiful homemade quilt she was wrapped in. "How long did it take you to make that?" he asked. "Oh, about an hour," Marge replied, dreamily. "That's pretty fast," Tom said. "I suppose so," said Marge. I talked to John a little, and gave him a hug. He is such a dear brother.
I wished Zack could have been there, but he was at a baseball game with Nick. He'd won VIP tickets to a Tacoma Rainiers game, which included a free tour, box seats, free food and drinks, and a goody bag. The Rainiers won and they had a really good time.
While they were at the game, I went and visited my little friend Meagan. She was so happy to see me! When she came out of her bedroom she gasped, "Ma-onday! Are you Ma-onday? Did you come to see me?" I said "Yes, I did!" She ran and jumped into my arms and said, "Do you want to play with me?" I said I definitely did. We colored together, and she told me all about her favorite dinosaurs. "Are you never going to leave me again?" she asked. So I had to explain to her that I had moved to Tacoma, but that I would come and visit her from time to time. I asked her to color a picture for me, and she said, "So you will always remember me?" and I said yes.
Monday was Nick and Sandy's wedding day. They had the ceremony at the court house in Kirkland. It was done in a snap, less than 5 minutes, I'm guessing, and the judge took off while everyone hugged and cried. I couldn't believe how quick it was, and yet there was something romantic about it. They held hands, facing eachother, while they said their vows, pledging each other their deepest love and devotion. There was nothing said about forever, though. No mention of God. So I don't think it would have worked for me. But I enjoyed the ceremony, all the same.
Tuesday evening when I went to pick up Zack I brought a picnic dinner, and we ate down by the waterfront. Afterward we took a walk. It was very romantic.
That's all for now, I guess
Now I am not an old TV western kind of girl, really, but we don't get TV here, and so I asked my dad to lend me some of his old videos (he is a TV recording fiend). He gave me some of his favorites - Bonanza, Gun Smoke, etc. I was kind of groaning inwardly when I got them, and I put them in the video drawer for a rainy day. This morning I got them out on a whim. I like having the TV on when I'm home alone - it makes me feel not so lonesome. To my surprise, I'm enjoying a day with Ben Cartwright, Little Joe, Matt Dillon, etc. The shows aren't half bad.
This weekend was pretty busy. Sunday we went out to Kirkland to celebrate Nick and Sandy's wedding eve. We had dinner at the Olive Garden (where I had some very tasty Tuscan apricot chicken), and then went down to the water front, which was beautiful.
Earlier that day, I had headed out to Eatonville for the meeting. I ended up getting there late, so I missed the talk, which was by John Rave (who gave our wedding talk). Marge Rave (his mother) had died earlier that morning, but he decided to give the talk anyway, and everyone says he did a really good job. Marv Smith announced Marge's passing after the Watchtower study, and durning the song a lot of people started to cry. Then John came up to give the closing prayer. I stood there with tears in my eyes, listening to his beautiful prayer and wondering how he could keep it together so well. At the end his voice started to break down a little. It was very emotional.
I talked to Leah after the meeting and she told me that they had all been with Marge when she died. She was in a lot of pain (cancer), and needed to go to rest. Brother Larson had called her earlier in the week from Bethel, Leah said, and afterward Marge seemed very happy, and often had a smile on her face. It was her last coherent conversation. At one point, Tom admired the beautiful homemade quilt she was wrapped in. "How long did it take you to make that?" he asked. "Oh, about an hour," Marge replied, dreamily. "That's pretty fast," Tom said. "I suppose so," said Marge. I talked to John a little, and gave him a hug. He is such a dear brother.
I wished Zack could have been there, but he was at a baseball game with Nick. He'd won VIP tickets to a Tacoma Rainiers game, which included a free tour, box seats, free food and drinks, and a goody bag. The Rainiers won and they had a really good time.
While they were at the game, I went and visited my little friend Meagan. She was so happy to see me! When she came out of her bedroom she gasped, "Ma-onday! Are you Ma-onday? Did you come to see me?" I said "Yes, I did!" She ran and jumped into my arms and said, "Do you want to play with me?" I said I definitely did. We colored together, and she told me all about her favorite dinosaurs. "Are you never going to leave me again?" she asked. So I had to explain to her that I had moved to Tacoma, but that I would come and visit her from time to time. I asked her to color a picture for me, and she said, "So you will always remember me?" and I said yes.
Monday was Nick and Sandy's wedding day. They had the ceremony at the court house in Kirkland. It was done in a snap, less than 5 minutes, I'm guessing, and the judge took off while everyone hugged and cried. I couldn't believe how quick it was, and yet there was something romantic about it. They held hands, facing eachother, while they said their vows, pledging each other their deepest love and devotion. There was nothing said about forever, though. No mention of God. So I don't think it would have worked for me. But I enjoyed the ceremony, all the same.
Tuesday evening when I went to pick up Zack I brought a picnic dinner, and we ate down by the waterfront. Afterward we took a walk. It was very romantic.
That's all for now, I guess
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Begin
Zack is sleeping on the floor
There are pink roses on the coffee table, and a plate of cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles
Pongo is preening his wings, getting ready for a nap
I feel tired but restless, anxious but secure
I want to dance
There are pink roses on the coffee table, and a plate of cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles
Pongo is preening his wings, getting ready for a nap
I feel tired but restless, anxious but secure
I want to dance
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