Some Important Numbers

15.65 pounds I’ve lost since November 29, 2008

4.35 pounds I still want to lose before I return

46 days til my feet touch American soil

11 more workouts until I run 5k

6 weekends I have left overseas

4 times I’ve cooked this entire month :D

5.5 books I’ve devoured this month

2 days left of solo living

2 birds I am pet sitting

2 months I’ve had my braids in (can they make it another month and a half????)

27 days out of 35 that I’ve worn the same pair shoes

40 days until I run in my first ever 10K

Mr. Yellow

I have a new roommate. He’s a bit messy. But so far we’re not getting along to badly. His small yellow body barely takes up any space. It’s nice to hear the sounds of him hopping around, and when he sings; well it’s a most pleasant sound.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a pet (perhaps 20 years), and my most sincere wish is that I can keep him alive. I’m proud of myself for bird sitting. As someone who’s not always so fond of animals, this is a huge step for me.

I tried to get him to sing on camera but he's a little shy. Here's a wee bit of him chirping and hopping around.

Top 10

I started a list of the top ten reasons I'm looking forward to 2009, then I realized, that most of them were reasons why I was looking forward to being back in America. Either way, here's my top ten for 2009 in no particular order.

1. Seeing my family and friends again.

2. Worshipping corporately with like-minded believers.

3. Shopping...sigh....(Hobby Lobby, Ross, Old Navy, Walmart, Target, Nordstrom's Rack, Mardel, Barnes and Nobles, Big Lots, Costco; need I say more?).

4. Going to Restaurants I love, and discovering new ones (Tex-Mex food, Mexican food, and Asian food, not to mention home food).

5. Driving. Driving. Driving. The independence that comes with driving.

6. Discovering a new career....whatever it will be.

7. Continuing to live a healthy lifestyle.

8. Thanksgiving with my family.

9. More traveling adventures.

10. Living confidently, loving lavishly, and knowing Jesus more!

Together Again

For a few sweet hours, mom and daughters were reunited again. Good times!

Getting to Know Me

The past year and a half it's been neat to slowly grow in confidence of who God has made me to be. One thing that I have realized is that I am a creative artsy person (no big surprise here). No matter where I am, I'm going to find something creative to do, because that is who I am. I've been hard on myself because I felt like I'm always jumping from one artsy thing to another.

I love photography, but I can't tell you the last time I went on a shoot.

I enjoy scrapbooking, but the last thing I did was a hastily scrapped together birthday card (pun intended ;).

Now I'm into making jewelry making. I really do enjoy it, but I sometimes wonder in the back of my mind how long this new hobby will last. Just last weekend I had a FABULOUS time teaching some women of all ages how to design and craft their own pieces of jewelry. Later that evening when I propped my feet up at home I thought of how I'd felt this same satisfaction and fulfillment before.

Three years ago at a summer camp, I loved teaching kids photography and watching their little eyes light up as they considered all the possibilities of what they could do with the camera in their hands.

Earlier this year, I positively glowed as women who thought they had no ounce of creativity churned out scrapbooking cards for Valentine's Day.

Yes, I'm a creative artsy sort, but more than that, I love sharing my passions with others. When I'm teaching others, time flies, I mostly forget about food, and I LOVE the moment when they get it and realize they too can do whatever it is.

Hmmmm, so where does this leave me? Do I have a career now in teaching artsy stuff to others? Do I have a life-giving hobby that can generate revenue? I'm not too sure. For now, I'm content with the glimpse God has given me into myself. I'm sure the rest will come in time.

On your marks, get set, RUN

I signed up for my first ever 10k run today. It's in early March so I have my work cut out for me.

Let the training begin!

Junk in the Trunk Part 2

So I've been ridding myself of excess baggage I have in my life. I must say there have been some sweet moments in the process. I'm not nearly done; but I'm very encouraged to continue on stronger and harder!

I was showing a friend some of my jewelry supply and I gave her some earrings that were really low cost to make, and didn't sting at all to give away. Then I noticed that this necklace I'd just made, went REALLY well with the sweater she was wearing. I felt a little nudge that I should give that to her too.

I ignored it.

After all, I'd just made the necklace and I was positive I could sell it at a decent price.

The prodding continued.

Well I thought, maybe it's not her style. I bet if I offered it to her, she wouldn't even accept it.

I held out the necklace, "would you like this?" "Oh thank you she explained; you are so generous."

Hah, if only she knew.

I wish I could say that I felt so much better after giving it to her, but I have to admit, it took a little while to feel the freedom of letting go. During the rest of our hang out time, I kept eyeing the necklace wondering if she'd mind me taking a photo of it so I could make the same pattern again. However, seeing how excited she was about it, I let it go. And yes, a while later, it did feel good.

It really is more blessed to give than to receive.

God continue to help me to live with an open hand!