Lunch for 3

So here I was enjoying lunch at a place close to my job.

I chose the restaurant for the yummy food, and the amazing view.


The sun was shining, I had a good book to read, a great view, and a good meal. Everything was perfect........except for some uninvited guests.




I am not a fan of stray animals, cats in particular. They are far too accustomed to being fed from the table by patrons at restaurants. I was annoyed by them especially since they seemed determined to interrupt my meal and were resistant to my "skat, psst, and shoo-ing" attempts. I decided to ignore them.

I was really into the chapter I was reading; eating without looking at my plate.....bad move. I glance up and one cat has JUMPED onto the table and is 2 inches away from my plate of food!!! I was incensed, and slightly amused that my tunnel vision almost cost me my meal. I ate in a hurry and left the table under the cats hungry eyes, but I couldn't resist a backwards glance. Here's what I saw:


Ummm, yeah I think I just enjoyed my last meal there.

And so it begins

Today I was riding the bus reading a book about a teacher’s experiences overseas. At one point that wasn’t really nostalgic I felt my throat clam up and I started blinking fast to keep the tears at bay…… Yes, friends it is that time again.

I’ve been so at peace with where I’m at and what God is doing in my heart. Yet I’ve also known that it’s time to start saying good-bye. I’m so looking forward to so many things back in America (can we say clothes that fit, and getting my hair DONE!!!), but I’m going to miss life here like nothing else! Snaps I can’t even type a sentence without taking a break to grab a Kleenex.

So yeeeeaaaah, I’m a bit sad, and the tears have started to fall. I know they’ll continue to fall for quite some time. I’m one of those emotional ones who just kind of lets it all hang out when I cry. No polite sniffling behind Kleenexes for me! So, bring on the Kleenex, and I’ll let the tears fall. I’m happy that there are people I love enough to cry over when I leave them. I’ve been really lucky and blessed to have led the life I’ve lived for the past few years. It’s been a crazy journey I never thought I’d be on, yet here I am, cruising down the highway at incredible speed realizing that all the memories and moments from the past two years are quickly fading in my rearview mirror as my exit rapidly approaches. For a while I fought the inevitable. I didn’t want to leave, felt rejection and wondered what I’d done wrong. I know now I’m where I’m supposed to be, and I’m excited about the next stage, but I’m also sad for what I’ll be leaving behind.

Bittersweet, life is so very bittersweet.

I know that God is good, and He’s in control and it will all be okay, but it doesn’t make the grieving process any shorter. So I’ll throw my arms wide open and embrace it! Here’s to letting the tears fall, unashamedly!

25

1. I am the least picky eater in my family

2. Somehow I have managed to not get “my black card” revoked even though I have never seen the movie: The Color Purple.

3. The basement of my building at work has become a storage for a large amount of pumkin/squash-ish things…..produces a rather peculiar odor.

4. I don’t like anything but clear polish or a French manicure on my finger nails.

5. Two stores I really love, Ikea and H&M, I’ve never shopped at in the US, only overseas.

6. I could eat a peanut butter jelly sandwich every day.

7. I’ve got an awesome set of bedroom furniture that I will sadly have to sell when I move

8. I don’t have a middle name

9. I love bananas, peaches, and watermelons but hate anything with those artificial flavors

10. I love getting a seat on the bus

11. I’ve always wanted to join a book club but never have.

12. Outside of the bathtub, I hate getting wet; no dancing in the rain for me!

13. I love making impressive looking desserts/meal that are easy to fix!

14. I am not afraid or ashamed to take myself out to dinner and either read a book or work on my laptop alone.

15. I eat a little bit of chocolate nearly everyday

16. I freak out if I spend more than $20 at one time

17. I rarely leave the house w/out wearing earrings.

18. I love clothes with pockets

19. I dream of the day when food will not be an issue for me.

20. I am a plant person, not a pet person.

21. I’m really looking forward to “getting angry” when I see my brother again and he tries to pick me up or tickle me :)

22. The only piece of furniture I own is a bookshelf

23. I eat all parts of an apple, seed, stem and all :)

24. Laila Ali used to be my secret hero

25. I once passed up the chance to buy a 1 carat diamond ring for $100, because I didn’t have $100.


I think I'm supposed to tag someone else now, but I just might be the last person I know to do this......so if I tag you and you've already done it no worries :)

Kim, Erin, Ashley, Katie, Matty, and Derya; tag, you are it!