atmosphere

Well, we've been driving around here a bit more to find food and other daily necessities, and we're starting to get a feel for the place. I grew up near here, but it's still so strange. We are truly in a city; something I've never experienced without also staying in a hotel. It's eerie how close everything is. It's also strange to see such wealth and poverty in such close proximity. Going to the Kroger's here and observing people... I can't tell whether I'd feel safe there at night or not. But it's fine in the day time, and the mix of people is incredibly refreshing. The rich and the poor all shopping in one small grocery store, and better yet... getting along. There is a friendliness that wasn't there in the atmosphere of Miami vs. Oxford where you didn't want to let yourself have the label of "student". I'm not quite used to making eye contact, smiling at people I don't know, and having short conversations... but it'll grow on me. ;-)

from Oxford to "Lullvull"

A lot has happened in the past week. We’ve packed many boxes, said a lot of “please visit!”s instead of “good-bye”s, moved into a new place and now have many boxes to unpack and many new faces and names to get familiar with.

What helps all of this was Sunday evening at Veritas. It was kinda sad to be leaving the closest of my family, but that evening was not about that. There was so much joy, it felt like an overloaded water balloon that if touched would explode. There was chill time, stories, music, prayer, and encouragement. Aside from my wedding, I don’t think there has been a better evening. We were truly sent out. They sent with us letters that we are to open, one each day, to remind us that they are still there for us. They’ve really helped a lot. Thank you.

I also want to thank all of you who helped us move. We had so many more people than we thought and we were packed and unloaded in no time. Thank you Veritasians, Taggarts, Lauren, Ben, Katie, and Matt. You are all awesome!

Our internet is now back and in tact, so I hope to post soon with more of what is going on.

happy anniversary!

Ok, so this is a day late... but happy anniversary, Eric! It has been two years. There have been good and bad times, and we are still strong. It feels like we've been together forever and yet no time at all. Thank you for sticking with me, Eric. I wouldn't change a thing.

Kim's back!

Before...

...After.

(Pictures stolen from Kim's blog)

This weekend, Jason and Andrea moved out of their apartment. They are now living two doors down from Glenn and Cathy. Sweet! The Birchfield family came down to help, which means… Kimmy came to visit! YAAAAAY!!!! We got to have lunch with her the next day and see her at Veritas too. She looks great and is doing well. I’ve missed her a lot, but she’s back with more stories and has made some really cool friends. She was the 5th(?) to finish the trail this year, and the first woman to finish this year. Woohoo!

Thanks, Mom & Dad.

rain

(image compliments of http://www.neystadt.org/john/album)

I love the summer. But, living in an apartment with an extremely loud AC unit located only in the living room has given me new perspective. I now LOVE rain. I've always loved the sound, but now I can appreciate nature's central AC. It can be blistering hot one moment, but when God decides to turn on the AC, everything calms down and allows a drop of anywhere from 5-20 degrees. I would not like to get caught in a downpour... but that's mostly because I have glasses and I would not be able to see. I don't really like to get caught in it with my cello either... that's just bad news. But it's been rainy today and yesterday and all I've wanted to do was to stick my face out the window, watch it all, and catch that ultra fresh breeze. (^_^)

In our new apartment, we have man-made central AC and windows without screens. I hope we can find a way to get screens in there so all the bugs won't try and escape into our apartment when I open the windows to enjoy the rain.