If you want to get married....

It's probably not a good idea to live where I live. Interesting!

Front Row

Riverdance

Last Saturday night, I was so blessed to attend RIVERDANCE. I had wanted to see this show many times, and have watched the videos. I love the music, the dancing, the costumes...EVERYTHING!

My friend Bonnie had extra tickets and offered one to me. She got them from her boss. When we got there, we discovered that our seats were in the frontest of front rows. No one was in front of us. I was overwhelmed, and the show was incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was amazing to know that WE were the people feeding energy to the performers. THey look to the audience for energy and encouragement. It was our faces, screams, and applause that set the tone for the evening. When I get pictures, I will forward them along.

Brethren Neighborfolk Bedfellows

I guess I thought no one ever read this....I just kind of documented my little misadventures here, but Noel's comment hit a funnybone with me...she said it must be a long camping trip. It wasn't really, but two funny things did happen.

I spent a long time choosing a sleeping bag to take with me to Prince William National Forest. I bought a 0 degree mummy bag, anticipating a camping trip like the thousand others I have been on. A thick, stuffed sleeping bag is beautiful and warm and snuggly on a cool night. I loaded up the very few sweaters, jackets, and thick socks I owned. We struck out on our adventure, and started the drive deep into Virginia.

About 30 min. later, I asked "where's the mountain?" Elizabeth veered her eyes from the busy freeway.... "Mountain?" she asked, "We are only ten minutes away. there's no mountain." She chuckled at me. Ten minutes later, I stepped out into the National Forest....all 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity of it. My mummy bag was definite overkill and useless on that outing. And the only cool clothes I brought were on my back.

Part II. There were about 20 cabins to rent per night. We had one (4 people). A group from University of Maryland had two (8 people). A group named "ETHAN" had 10 (40 people). I grew concerned, because my mind conjured up every Fraternity Brawl in the Forest I had (never) seen. We had a three year old with us, and were all concerned about this "ETHAN" group.

The Univ. of Maryland group ended up being either a Math Club or Sierra Club, or some other unglamorous thing. They were decently behaved. The ETHAN'S never showed. At 11:00pm-ish, we decided to kill the fire and head to bed to be swarmed by the heat and the bugs. As we readied for bed, the ETHAN group showed up. All we saw were men in their 20's and 30's...but they were quiet.

They behaved peculiarly, however, because they were dragging cots from one cabin to another....suspicious!!! But off to sleep we went (or try to sleep, that is). I woke early to read and sit in the one cool moment of the day. Around 6:30, the men slowly left the ETHAN tents to get ready for the day. They were all wearing suspenders and plain wool clothes....hmmmm....was it a cult? Then I saw the women, with their long sleeves and netted hair.

The ETHAN'S were not a brawling fraternity fiasco....they were Plainfolk!!! Amish, Mennonite, whatever.....and 40+ of them lived at Prince William National Forest with us. What are the odds?

I'm going CAMPING!!!

So it's not Yosemite, and not Pinecrest, and not Dinkey Creek...but it is Virginia, and a whole new world to me. Funny enough, my coworker's family owns a cabin in Long Barn (I remember staying in a red cottage/inn there years ago), and a guy from church has family in Dinkey Creek (go figure).

But next weekend, my wonderful friends and I are packing up for the night, and driving an hour away to the National Park in Prince Edward County, Virginia, to camp overnight in a cabin/tent.

I am just nervous about starting a fire, because Daddy always took care of that in the past!

Ellllmmmmmeeeeerrrrr...........
(Only the Guaglianone's and Cardoso's would get that.)

My teacher writes this about me:
"I have to admit that I am a little worried with regard to the comprehensive exam, although I am confident that you can pass it after more study."

This didn't help my nerves. Since I moved to DC, I have been extremely anxious and nervous about school. Although the Lord has helped me through a lot of the anxiety, I have never had a "good" feeling about my courses. Oftentimes I dread going to class, because it is intimidating, and I am able to comprehend such a surface proportion of the literature.
My main stressor of the year are the looming "comprehensive exams." I need to determine at which point to take them, and my professor strongly suggests that I do my schoolwork "full time" instead of half working, quarter studying. While this is a fair point, I cannot afford to "not work" nor would I wish to sit at a desk for 8 hours of my day.
I will be praying for opportunities to study full time, and to go back and revisit the arguments present in the vast literature in my field. I do not want to work at an incredible institution. I merely wish to work at a state university, influencing students, and pursuing foreign policy interests on the side.

I am really scared that I am spending so much energy, time, and MONEY on this education that I may not be able to complete. My teacher said I am "plenty smart" to get through it, but I don't feel so confident, especially because he doesn't know me outside of my mediocre work.

I am so scared. Lord walk me through this valley!

When Mr. Kent spent days and days discussing the shooting at Columbine when I was in 8th grade, I realized how despicable school shootings can be. In November, I was honored to meet a young man who was a senior at Columbine when the shooting happened. I live in Arlington, VA, less than an hour away from the site of the worst mass slaughter at a university in US history, Virginia Tech. This morning, I see my own precious Fresno State on national television, not for its stellar football team, but for its own campus shooting. It is unbelievable, and horrific, and sad, and scary.

Shadow Puppets

I am so sick of people without personalities, without spirit. I feel like I am surrounded by them. No individuality, no opinions, no convictions, no willingness to stand up for someone else, or to challenge someone on principle. Where are all the real live humans in Washington DC?

A SUPERNATURAL PLEA

I have been at work since 8:00 am. It is 5:30 pm. My stomach is in knots because tomorrow I have to be at work at 8:30am to take a final exam that could determine much of my future. I don't care so much about the final for the final's sake, or the grade in the course, but I do care about how it reflects my preparedness and dedication and ability to complete my chosen course of education. I know I have a long road ahead of me, and I often doubt that I can complete it. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord has called me to this endeavor and this struggle, and I therefore should be able to rest assured in his pulling through for me. I know that of my own strength I am incapable to succeed in this. My brain has about hit its ceiling in terms of being able to juggle life, work, school, and the future at this point. I need the grace and peace of Christ to cover me like a veil and give me the mind of Jesus Christ, like He promises in His word. If anyone reads this (I doubt anyone will) before or during my test on Saturday, May 5th from 9am-6pm (YES; nine hours), please send me a little note of encouragement, and most importantly, send a prayer up to the Lord for my peace of mind. I love you all.

Stuffed with Fluff

I have not created anything in a long time. I haven’t created anything in over eight months. I am no longer creative. I am scared about this. My imagination has been stifled into 14 hour days, where I get up at 7am and go to sleep at 11pm. I do work at work, I do school at school, and my mind is limited within these parameters.

Samba party!!!!

This is my wonderful buddy, Beth, who works at the White House.

some old and new pics

WHITE HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Thanks Giving!!!!

Hope you had a grateful day. Here's some pics of mine

Jars

Jars of Clay has a new CD called "Good Monsters"

It looks fantastic, but I haven't heard it yet....will check it out asap and get back to you with my reviews They are always fantastic. Especially "Who We Are Instead"

LOVED that CD.

And, by the way, I want to be Sydney Bristow. Duh, you say. Yeah, but she is so poised and smart and goes through the most ridiculously difficult things and remains steadfast on her mission and her life.

my new PILLOW!

I can't believe this made my front page news story!

Mommy and me at G-Dub (I HATE that name)

Updates

This is a blanket apology to those I love and have left behind...in California, that is. I have been unable...NOT unwilling...to make the calls I so desperately wish to make to you all. The time difference, for one, puts a horrendous strain on my ability to reach you. And the length of my work day and extreme hours of availability seal the no-communication deal.

Life if pretty hectic...so hectic, in fact, that my schoolwork is taking a back seat for the first time in...FOREVER... I get up at 7am, work until 6pm then go to school. Friday nights and Saturdays are the only days I have to myself...

Anyway, here's some pics from last Friday night, and then Sunday when Mommy and I went about the town.