miscellany monday

Location: Brighton Park - Chicago, IL

1. My oral surgeon is amazing. I had my wisdom teeth extracted on Saturday and everyone warned me that I would be in a lot of pain and heavily reliant on the narcotics. It didn't happen. My biggest problem is some jaw stiffness which makes it difficult to open my mouth very wide or talk, probably a good thing for me ;) I have to admit though the food choice leaves a bit to be desired but I'm not going to complain.

2. Annie is back from Spain!!!!!!!!!! This makes me so happy because I've missed her a ton! Also I can't wait to hear all about her time over there and what God did in and through her. 

3. I leave for overseas in 31 days :) That's one whole month. This seems so insane to me, mostly because I don't feel prepared in the least bit. However, God is faithful. He has been providing step by step and guiding me through this process. If you want to know more about this trip send me an email.

4. I'm managing to stay on top of my to-do list every week. I don't know how it's happening with my hectic schedule but God is giving me the wisdom of how to manage my time wisely. As a result my to-do lists are no more than 1 or 2 post-its on my computer. This may sound like a lot but usually my to-do lists are 4 to 5 post-its. Let's hope it stays this way for the rest of the summer.

5. I've got to watch a couple movies this weekend as I was recovering from the anesthetic, What's Your Number?, In Time and This Means War. I liked them all and I'm nervous that my movie addiction will soon be returning.

How was everyone's weekend? Any big summer plans coming up?

miscellany monday

Location: Old Town - Chicago, IL

1. Remember last week when I said I aimed to cross everything off these to-do lists?

Take a look at this...

They're empty...YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. I got to have another Skype conference call with some of the teachers I'll be working with this fall. This time we focused more on getting to know each other. I'm getting more excited if that's even possible :)

3. Look what came in my email today...

My diploma is on its way :)

4. I've officially installed a countdown on my dashboard :)

5. I've found a new British TV show...

It's all about being the ultimate bluffer...David Mitchell is hilarious!

How is your Monday going?

miscellany monday

Location: Irving Park - Chicago, IL

1. I HAVE A TEACHING JOB!!!!!!!!!! I'm going overseas to teach ESL officially and I can't believe it. I'm actually going to do what I've been studying for the past four years. I'm in a bit of shock and for security reasons I can't post too much about it. But if you would like to receive my update letters via email let me know :)

2. That being said I have until August 22nd to get all my stuff in order. More moving and reorganizing, but for a very exciting reason. I'm sure my friend Annie will give me all sorts of grief as she always does when I leave for overseas. Never mind that she's going to Spain soon!!!!!

3. I had a really fun weekend :) Both Friday and Saturday I only had to go to one of my jobs and got to spend some time relaxing. It's been awhile since I haven't had multiple jobs in one day. I wonder what it will be like when I just have one full time job instead of four part time jobs.

4. I've spent more time in Starbucks that past couple weeks than anywhere else. The place I'm staying doesn't have internet and since I'll only be there until August it's not worth it to try to get it installed. However, I'm still keeping my caffeine addiction at bay by ordering iced tea. We'll see how long that lasts.

5. As mentioned in #3 my friend Annie is leaving me for Spain. Head over to her blog if you want to know more about it and would like to support her! We managed to spend over 3 hours on the phone on Saturday and I can honestly say I'm going to miss that girl like no other!

How was your weekend? Any exciting summer plans?

Happy Monday!

miscellany monday

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

1. The packing process has begun again. It's only a partial movie, hopefully only for the next two months. Then I might be doing it all over again! One day I'll be an expert :)

2. I'm back in the Chicago area and can't wait for my new job schedule to start. Things are going to be less chaotic and I'll probably be able to get into a rhythm.

3. The reading assignments will begin this week. I'll have to put my fun reading on hold as I try to complete my requirements as an appointee. I'll try to make sure I get some leisure reading in at the same time. 

P.S. I'm still working on the "Suggest a Book!" Page :)

4. I'm still waiting to hear about possible opportunities to go overseas. God is teaching me a lot of patience.

How is your summer going? Any big changes coming up?

miscellany monday

Location: Richardson, TX

1. I can't believe I only have until Saturday in Texas! God has been teaching me so much and I love the people here. We had a new group of people come in last night who are a few steps ahead of us in this process and getting ready to leave. I'm so excited to get to know them and hear about their journeys.

2. I'm turning into a bit of a geriatric. Last night I managed to stay up until 9:45 before I fell asleep. Granted I get up around 5:00 to go workout :) I guess I'm turning into a morning person.

3. I forgot how much I love reading, for fun. I've enjoyed all the school books I've read over the last four years but being able to read what I want to read, when I want to read it is so refreshing. I'm trying to make my way through the reading list. My dear friend Annie tried to fix my book suggestion page because as of right now you can't suggest a book. It gave her a hard time so I'm going to try when I have a bit more free time. Until then if you have a book suggestion send me a quick email :)

4. This past weekend was relaxing and fun. The pictures will explain it better than any story I try to tell so:

The weekend began with nap time

Then picnic time!

Then Saturday in Dallas...

At the Ketchup Burger Bar

Mushroom Burger

Brie Burger

Blue Burger

Chicken Sandwich with Pepper Jack Cheese and Avocado

Then FroYo at Yumilicious :)

Silly brother and sister

Sunday after church we had lunch...

And played ninja!

I would love to hear about your weekend :)

miscellany monday

Location: Evergreen Park, IL

1. I leave for Texas TOMORROW!!!!!!! I will be getting up at the crack of dawn to head out. The family I'm staying with is currently in Puerto Rico but luckily a couple from my church has agreed to pick me up and take me out to the airport. My procrastination tendencies are taking over a bit so I still haven't packed but I'll be ready by tomorrow...promise :)

The food at the training center is AMAZING!

2. I've found a place to live! I'm going to be in an a basement apartment in the house of a woman from church. This is such a blessing from God. I'll be closer to work. I'll be closer to church. I'll be in a Christian home. I don't have to sign a lease! It's anything I could possibly ask for in an apartment.

The neighborhood where I'll be living

3. My new obsession is Mock the Week, similar to Whose Line is It Anyway, only there's less chaos, a ton of British humor and they focus on popular culture. There are full episodes on Youtube and I can't stop watching it!

BEST TV SHOW EVER!

4. I'm debating on whether or not I should get a Kindle. I asked my friend Annie and it's obvious you will have to pry hard copy books out of her cold dead hands. However, I welcome other opinions about e-Readers as I make my decision.

The Kindle :)

5. I went summer clothes shopping this weekend and had the wonderful surprise of being able to buy closes one size smaller. I guess going to the gym every morning and not eating college cafeteria food will do that for you.

My new dress!

Have a wonderful Monday!

miscellany monday

Location: Old Town, Chicago, IL

1. 8 more days until I go to Texas. I can't believe orientation is already here! I get to visit everyone I met last year during internship training. Now I'll be training as one of their fellow missionaries :) God's sovereignty still amazes me. He is still working out plans and I'm leaning to be patient and wait for everything to fall into place.

2. I love working as a pool attendant, especially in the mornings. I usually get an hour to an hour and a half by myself to set up, clean and then relax. I get to enjoy God's wonderful creation around me and spend time reading, thinking and writing.

3. I might have found a place to live! Everything is still tentative but I'm pretty sure this is the place God planned for me. It's short term (in case plans change), close to church and closed to my jobs. I'm so thankful for my pastor and his family's hospitality.

4. There may be some overseas travel coming up sooner than expected. I don't have enough details to talk about it just yet but look out for coming posts.

5. Sunday School is going really well with the kids. We're hoping to get a couple more teachers soon but it seems that the kids are learning so much. I keep praying that God will continue to encourage the parents to be involved in their children's lives spiritually.

View from the pool deck: