Luck of the Straw

SO, do you ever think that someone is watching out for you? Yeah yeah...I know someone really is, but I mean the days when you can really feel it! Well, here's just some of the small things that have shown me that this week.

Meredith (roommie) and I were having an OCD attack on the house Thursday. We knew we weren't up to cooking so we headed out for some cuisine. I don't know how she does it, but she lands into free stuff all the time. We headed off to Bahama Breeze and she had a $10 gift certificate to use - for no reason. That in itself was a nice treat. Then we knew we needed some dessert. We opted out of ice cream and such and just stopped by the local Winn-Dixie. M&M's, Twix, Oreos, Nutella, we couldn't make up our mind. We opted for the quick pick of a simple candy bar in the check out line. She grabbed Skittles and I searched for Take5 (if you haven't tried one - you need to!). (Caramel, peanute butter, pretzels, peanuts, and chocolate - perfect combination of sweety and salty.) Well, we then realized that they were on sale - buy 2 get 1 free! We grabbed extra chocolate. We checked out and they didn't pick up the sale. Meredith spoke up and the lady tried to fix it. SHe hit the wrong button and only charged us $.44 for three candy bars! We tried to pay her more, but she refused. :) Chocolate and cheap. Can't beat that.
So, Saturday is my usual Panera visit to plan and chit chat with all the Brits. I feel obligated to buy a drink or something since I'm using their internet. I like coke, so don't complain about free refills either. Well, I waited behind a couple ladies for a few minutes and another girl stepped uo and said "I could help you over here." (Her name is the same as mine.) I just ordered a regular drink and waited to pay. She tried to push total or something and I could just hear the rejection beap. She was getting a little flustered and then just said "Go ahead." Look of confusion ran across my face. Again she replied, "Don't worry. You're ok. You can go." After a few moments of hesitation, I walked away with a cup in hand and filled it up with a fizzy pepsi. Satisfaction and the American ideal of the customer is always right.

Yea yea yea...I know this is boring. I will leave you with a small exhortation that has already been posted on a comment section of another blog. Enjoy.

::ahem:: As I completely agree with our dear friend Ed (who I'm disappointed has failed to make an appearance in your blog), I would like to add a strong suggestion for those in full-time ministry as well and would be curious to see what others in similar situations have to say as well. After CCC, for 2 years, I love the mission, values, and determination it holds. However, I am also becoming more convinced of the wisdom to step away and see the secular world in its reality for at least a year before continuing in ministry full-time as a career. I'd like to take the time to ask B and the other viewers how much of their life, friends, and relationships are surrounded with other Christians? As I noticed, at least 90% of my life was circulating with brothers and sisters and it was a rarity to be encompassing the lost in my every day adventures. If this is something you have not struggled with, I would like to know your secret. On the other hand, those in the secular world find themselves surrounded 90% of the time with non-believers and have to search out God alone to get them through each day. A wonderful adventure. Brit, my vote is to return to the US and to undergo the transition. To seek out a longer term vision of returning to the UK or some other far off land later. If, in fact, you are debating about returning to southwest Ohio, I would encourage you to look else where for a home away from home and to find a place with deep fellowship and accountability while wading in the waters of the secular world. Thinking logically, I would broaden my scope and look for positions that fit into where you feel God leading you. Look throughout the States, wherever you know even one or two sisters or a solid church where you could live and taste the work of serving those who you love, underpriveleged children or the like. I think this is the longest post! ps I hear Florida has some great opportunities for nonprofit organizations, lots of internationals, and a sun that you've been missiong out on for 2 years. :) Cheers!

WIL-MA!

So, the time has come for me to experience my first natural disaster. Although I have had friends that have set a goal of experiencing all of the greatness of God through natural disasters, this has not been a dream of mine. Although I have been visiting Florida for nearly 20 years now, I have never been during the hieght of hurricane season and avoided them at all costs. Well tomorrow friends, this will end. Wilma is headed straight for the Florida coast and in a matter of hours the entire state will feel the effects (or affects?). (This is where Brittney would be handy.) On one hand, I actually saw the drawbacks last night. As hurricane precautions, you always have a full tank of gas. I went out on a solo mission last night to top-up and found petrol pumps empty. I did manage to find a place for pretty reasonable gas after being lost for 20 minutes in a new part of town. Another note, my school was canceled for tomorrow. With that, I have a 3 day weekend, but little to enjoy. Now instead of having a 5 day weekend for Thanksgiving, I will only have 4 days off. I will possibly be losing power and cell phone towers may be damaged so do not fret if I am unavailable for a few days. In the meantime, I have bitter sweet emotions about this treacherous formation. We will be locked down tomorrow and holding a game day for all to join in fellowship and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We have left ofer desserts and crisps to enjoy as well. I will try to keep you posted as the events unfold. I will probably encounter a tornado or two, some 70 mph winds, and lots of rain. With the tornadoes, does that count as 2 natural disasters: hurricane and tornado?

I'm baa-aaack....

So I'm not exactly sure why it has been over three months since I have posted nor why there has been a nonexistent demand for more. Although, I do have to admit that writing is not my strength. You see, especially relating to Brit, I crunch numbers. My vocabulary, spelling, and imagination don't seem to exist. I recall one interesting night in Liverpool where me and Brit were sitting at the dining room table - the normal positions for 16 Hereford. Brit always seemed to be super busy at Ashley's computer, but she wasn't necessarily talking to me. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked what she was up to. She was in the midst of an IQ test. She was plowing through the lengthy questions and fully concentrating on her response. Some time later, she stops and glares at me. Meanwhile, I had begun picking up to take my own IQ test. I didn't make it very far as I had to ask her what the words in the questions even meant. It started with English. ahhh-yes yes. Brit had reached the math portion and was pausing for brief moments of hesitation. I never finished mine. I couldn't force myself to track through the English part and find myself entertained by number crunching. I'm not sure how Brit did. I can asure you that if me and Brit were able to make one person out of the both of us, we would be pretty stinkin' smart and a well educated individual. See some people would refer to this as offspring, but I just don't see that as an option. Does this mean I should be looking for a mate (did I really just use the word mate) who excels on the other end of the spectrum? Interesting...

As I find myself, I am over a fourth of the way through my first year of teaching. I think I have identified this as the hardest year of my life. As a first year teacher, it's great to know my boss and coworkers can relate to all have their first year of teaching. With that, they know each day is based on survival, especially with my students. Teaching takes up a LOT of time, especially as a first year with no curriculum guide and designing everything from scratch as you go. I hope to include more interesting stories from the classroom.

I have a pretty big macho football player in one of my classes. He likes to be the centre of attention - always. A couple weeks ago, he was out of his seat walking around (when he wasn't supposed to be) and his pants dropped clear to his ankles. Even through his African skin, I could see a great deal of red plump cheeks. Satisfaction guaranteed!

As another note, 13-16 year olds LOVE to color! You may think I'm kidding, but let me asure you, I'm not. I've been trying to get my kids to practice basic math facts: multiplication, addition, subtraction, the like. Nothing worked and I am usually lucky to get half the assignments back. Monday I was out visiting the fam and had to leave sub plans. Upon returning, my kids were demanding to continue the assignment I had left for them. What was this miracle? Addition, subtraction, and multiplication worksheets. Once you reach and answer, you search for that number in the box and shade it accordingly. The end result, some random design. The kids loved it! I wonder if this is why Brittney went on a mad scavenger hunt to find coloring books last year?! Does the excitement of coloring ever go away?

Did you know bees and dogs can smell fear?

It's remarkable the scars that can be left behind. A firm house of four: aging 3 months, 24 years, 32 years, and 37 years. A simple storm -rain, lightning, thunder. The irony - the 3 month old sleeps soundly. You would think the loud cracks of thunder would startle the helpless babe, but no such reaction occurs even as she awakens to eaten, the weather making no difference in her day. The 24 year old - frightened and too prideful to really say anything. She know's there's no safer place to sleep. She slips away to be alone and tremble resting in the comfort that can be found in God alone - feeling ever so vulnerable not onlyat the height of the house, but also in the very room where two loved dogs took their last breathes just over a year ago. The 32 year old -awakens to her daughter crying out in hunger. She sits feeding her, hearing the thunder and watching the lightning. She scurries to take any precautions possible - unplugs the big tv's, computer, etc. Rallies up flashlights to be bedside. Wakes her husband. 37 year old- his anxiousness heightened, his sleep deprived. Lies awake until 330 waiting for the storm to end. The sound of thunder only implies lightning. The flashing bolts a dreadful reminder of the fascination that engulfed their house 14 months prior. A loss of everything they had ever known. A new house, a new baby, a new life begins to unfold. The scars - deeper than one could ever shared. Fear - it's what drives us. Fear - its what stops us. For this, I am fearful.

I don't know how entertaining this will be to anyone else besides our team. But I do have to say, that every single one of you should be peeing in your pants, probably laughing of this akward night, except for Ed who is still probably terrified and scarred for life. 

Return from the Dead

So, after a months time I have returned. You'll never believe my story of over the past few weeks so I spare you the details and creativity in story telling. I just can't be bothered to explain myself and will simply begin from this weekend. No worries, I'm ok. I have survived the fiercest storm and near death experience. The doctors simply say it's a miracle and they've never seen anything like it.

OK, so I plan a trip to Italy to surprise Mike for his birthday. That stupid curiosity and intuition of his ruins the surprise, but we discover an absolutely free weekend for us to enjoy together while siteseeing southern Italy. It was canceled a week before hand and half of his team plans to disappear to other parts of the country. Things fall more into place and I find this pretty cheap airline to fly direct from Manchester to Naples - the best local for airports. Plus, they also leave first thing in the morning which allows me to maximize my day off in Italy.

Problem - ITALY! Less than 24 hours before my flight leaves, the baggage checkers plan a strike. They schedule it, CONVENIENTLY from 1000-1800. My flight is due to arrive at 1125. Oh yes, I'm safe though because I was planning on only carrying on one bag. Oh, but that would be too easy. You see, the airlines CANCEL flights during this time and reschedule if possible. So, Now my new flight will not arrive until 6pm leaving me less than 48 hours on Italy soil. So, in case you are wondering, I did say they SCHEDULED a strike. Yea, after 6pm everything would be back to normal. Just some time off. I'm not really sure what this proves or how this works, but it happened. Excitingly, my flight arrives 20 minutes early. I am ready to go and even reserved a seat as close to the front as possible to get off in a hurry. The problem, not only did the baggage experience a strike, but also the bus drivers. Oh yes, Mr Bus drivers that drive you from the bottom of the stairs of the plane to the doors of the terminal. The pilot entertains us and tells us we must wait until their strike is over as well-1800 hours. We wake our seats and wait. We asked to walk, but they refused. At exactly 1800, the workers are back in full swing and we deboard the plane to step onto the bus. We load - anxiously. As the last person enters between the doors, the driver starts the bus and closes all the doors. He pulls away, immediately turns left, and comes to a complete stop. He opens the doors and we exit the bus. In total, the bottom of the stairs to the terminal, 20 yards. Adding in the walk from the stairs to bus and bus to terminal - we my friends gained at most 10 yards. Why my friends - ITALY. There's not much else to say besides that.

As for the rest of the weekend, it was wonderful. Enjoyed a BEAUTIFUL sunset Friday night. Had a great Greek meal topped with some of the best Gelato. Relaxed at the beach Saturday afternoon and an engaging date in downtown that evening. As spectacular weekend, well worth the time and money. Saying goodbye is becoming harder each time, but the Truth we are learning is far more valuable.

PS You should check out Brits blog at britmlen.blogspot.com

I am now a proud aunt! Ella Nicole Gregory born on March 31. I can't wait to meet her. 

the black hole

So, I'm happy to be back to normal with Brittney. I've enjoyed our time together - table talk. We like to join one another at the computers, side by side. I've missed our late night chats. This is why:

Tonight Brittney informed me of an incident that occurred at home one fine day. Her dog, Winston the Wonder Dog, was contemplating at the top of the stairs. Brittney decided she wanted to be a little cheeky and went to nudge him forward with her foot. Behold - her foot entered his butt! She was hoping it was a figment of her imagination, but after smelling her toe and it wreaked of rancid poo, she confirmed the entry.

So, this is number 2537 why I love my T-Brit.