Killer Bunnies

This game absolutely beats monopoly in my book. I can't really stand to play monopoly, truthfully. But I really love Killer Bunnies. I usually lose because I kill too many bunnies and then people try and get revenge. But I don't care. It's absolutely worth my time. Check it out and play it with all your friends.

Addition and Food for Thought

My dear friend reminded me that I left something out of my favorite things list. I have no clue how I could possibly not put this on the list...

12. Dancing!! Particularly Swing and Merengue. Just can't get any better than that.

And some food for thought:

"The world in which you were born is just one model of reality.

Other Cultures are not failed attempts at being you:
They are unique manifestations of the human spirit."

Wade Davis

Two more days until I'm with the fam for Christmas!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Things on my favorites list in no particular order:

1. The Alchemist by Paul Cohelo
2. Boundaries by Drs. Cloud and Townsend
3. Experiencing another country and culture
4. Being myself
5. Loving people
6. Chocolate and peanut butter
7. Checking my email
8. Real friends
9. Food - particularly pesto sauces and gallo pinto (not together!)
10. Making graham-cracker houses for Christmas
11. Making mistakes - maybe not my favorite thing to do, but something I seem to participate in on a daily basis. Might as well add it to the list!

Applebees is fun it's true!

Tonight was my last night of server training at good 'ol Applebee's. I've been working there for a bit now as a Hostess, and have spent time working for the kitchen. I'm now officially a server. That is....if I pass my final exam. I really never liked tests, which is partly why I didn't go to grad school. I like learning by doing - not by studying. Tomorrow I will memorize what ingredients create a Perfect Margarita and a Long Island Ice Tea - Top Shelf, of course. Then I take that test so that I can serve my own tables tomorrow night. Please come visit me sometime! I promise you'll get great service. :-) Maybe I'll even give you a free Sunday and sing you the birthday song.

Brand Jesus at Christmas

I finally went to my first Emergent Cohort meeting! I have been waiting three months to be able to go. Today we talked with the author of Brand Jesus. We discussed consumerism and Christianity, particularly relating to Christmas.

I have never thought so much about how my buying choices say something about who I am. Just the way that I dress, even if my clothes were given to me, dictate so much about my personality. The world has created a consumeristic culture, even when donating to charity. Everything about the way we live is related to consumerism. Something to think about when shopping....

Why don't you wear a head covering?

A few weeks ago I went on a spiritual retreat. I needed to get away and have some time, just Jesus and I. I headed out to beautiful Falls Mill for a Sunday, but did not plan very well. I arrived early, around 9:00, to find out that they did not open until 12:30. On to plan B. I started driving and praying that God would show me a place where I could stop and worship Him. I meant a park or rest stop where I would be comfortable in my jeans, sweatshirt, and tennis shoes.

Instead, God sent me to a Mennonite church. Since I'm a member of the Mennonite church, I thought that would be perfect. And it was. Only - this was a traditional Mennonite church. I sat on the women's side, of course, surrounded by women and children with long hair in buns wearing head coverings and simple skirts. The worship service was very simple and traditional. A capela music, only men leading the worship. There were several lessons, which I took notes on. They were just what I needed to hear that day. Also, I showed up on communion day. They only take communion twice a year, it includes public confession and feet washing.

How beautiful to hear individuals stand up and say to the church "I have confessed my sins, should any of my brothers or sisters find something impure with me, I ask that they bring it to my attention. I would like to participate in communion." (that's the best I can remember what was actually said.)

After several reverant prayers and songs, communion, and feet washing, the service ended. Unfortunately, I did not feel that I should stay for the celebration dinner that followed. My fellow believers did offer to make me a plate of food. They were so kind and loving to me, even though I obviously stood out like the terrible burn on my finger right now. I did have the opportunity to explain why I was there, which I'm sure was passed around after I left.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit a Mennonite church, I highly recommend it. I also recommend dressing a little nicer, simpler, than I happened to that day! It was a joyous experience which I am grateful for. Worshiping with other believers and fellow Mennonites was a God-given beginning to my spiritual retreat.

Job Searching

So, I'm in the middle of searching for a "real" job right now. Working at Applebee's as their favorite hostess helps to keep me busy and brings in some money, but I moved here to work with at-risk teens. There aren't many of those at Applebee's, although my coworkers definitely have their issues (don't we all?).

I have sent out only a dozen resumes, and have kind of burnt out the last two weeks. There is a place I want to work for, but I haven't heard back from them yet (and yes, I followed-up). Then there is the place who offered me a job....I should probably pursue that a little more. However, the administrator made it very clear that working there would not be the place for me. Then there's....the third place. A place where I could probably get a job if I chased after it. After visiting the program though, I'm not so sure that it is a program I can support.

Here is where YOU come in. Please leave me a comment and let me know what your opinion is. Should I accept a job because it's a job, and some experience, or should I hold out for something that I can support and be happy doing, even if that doesn't come along quickly?

Moving Woes

I've learned from my friend, Nancy, the benefits of a top-ten list. Here's my first! The top 10 reasons to re-consider moving.

1. Purchasing new auto insurance
2. Changing residency - new Driver's liscense
3. Registering my car in a new state
4. Meeting new people
5. Finding my way around a new city
6. Job search
7. Health insurance
8. Unpacking - or in my case, trying to find what I need that is still in storage
9. Finding a church
10. New budget

It's amazing how much time all of this takes! As a dear friend taught me, just take the list one thing at a time. It will all eventually get done. But if you are considering a move, be prepared to spend lots of time cutting through red tape!

AL/TN update

update 2

My sis in DC

Finally! New Photos!!

Adventure + Decisions

I had quite the adventurous day yesterday. Between an extensive tour of a violin-making shop, an afternoon in a recording studio, and a trip to my next temporary home, I managed to have 3 job interviews. What a day!

So the question of the day is - which is more important: Working for money or working for what I believe in?

This job search process is proving to be a great learning experience. If I get offered all 3 of the jobs, do I take the one that pays me the most or the one that will probably pay me the least but I value the organization more? What if my value judgement turns out to be wrong? It seems that my idea of what I want in a job isn't what others are telling me that I should look into. It's at times like these when I must pass along the wisdom that my dear friend once gave to me.


"If you hear God telling you to do something, and everyone else tells you to do something else, I don't care what they say or how convincing their argument is. You do what you know you need to do. "

Love v. Selfishness

Last weekend, we went to visit my cousin for her 2nd birthday. I'm having trouble uploading the photo, but I'll try again soon.

All last week I worked for a law firm as their secretary. And remembered why I left administrative work. By the end of the week I had sent out 3 more resumes. Now I have 2 job interviews in Nashville! Hopefully those will lead to more interviews and I'll eventually get a job. I'll be in Nashville by early Novemeber. It's been a long transition.

I'm learning a lot about love lately. I'm in this class at church called "motives for living". It's led by a counselor and we're talking about love and selfishness. I'm seeing how selfish I am and ways to change that. Mostly, I'm learning about how to love the unlovable. For me, that means loving people who think they have God figured out, but in my opinion are missing a lot of freedom and life. Then I realize that I'm being selfish/ judgemental in my attitudes toward these people and I'm not any better than they are. This whole life thing is not that easy, is it?

Sweet Home Alabama... for now.

I made it to Alabama! I'm enjoying my Aunt and Uncle's house and relaxing as I try to figure out what to do next. The trip here went great. At least, for me it did. My cousin drove the entire trip! Pictures to be posted later. Thanks to Sam, Carrie, Shea, and Kendria for helping to pack up the truck!

The Countdown

So I leave from Arlington, VA in two days to restart in Nashville, TN. I'm feeling a little nervous - mostly about trying to get everything done that needs to be done in the next 2 days. My cousin will be joining me tomorrow for some final sightseeing. I've been spending time with friends, and yesterday had the privledge of spending the afternoon with my favorite family here. Next week will be full of all new things. Actually getting to know my relatives, job-hunting, house-hunting, new communities, trying to remember the street names, and all of those little things that happen with a move. Here's to change!

Better Photos

My housemmate, Rose, decided to practice her mad hair-styling skills on my new haircut. Here are the results.

Value of a haircut

So I was feeling like something needed to change yesterday afternoon. Less than 20 minutes later I was sititng in the mall at the Hair Cuttery. Another 20 minutes later - 10+inches of my hair was completely gone. This picture doesn't do it justice, but you get the idea.

Off to watch a movie with my housies! Enjoy the photo and the future updates as I grow my hair back.

Facebook

I certainly do love Facebook. I mean, where else can I have 248 friends in one place? Or spend an entire morning in a Poke war with my little sister? Or get jealous that some girl leaves 10 messages a day on the wall of the man I have a crush on? Facebook - what would I do without you?

I'd probably play more music. And finish that craft project. I'd probably start new projects or ...watch more movies.

But I do love that technology has now allowed me to keep in touch quickly and easily with that girl from grade school who I haven't seen or talked to since fourth grade. Relationships are important to me, and how would I be able to keep in touch with 248 people without technology?

In all seriousness, I do love that I can keep in touch with my dearest friends more than the February Christmas letter. So here's a toast to Facebook. Kyla has thrown a fish at you.

Packing, packing oh how I love packing

One never really knows exactly how much stuff they own until they begin to pack it. I've been spending my free time packing up my things into boxes. This means taking things off of the walls, raiding the kitchen for all supplies with my name on them, cleaning out the dvd cabinet. You all know what it's like. Somehow I feel like I have too many things, yet I'm not planning on getting rid of anything. I am even renting a truck so that I can take it all to Nashville with me.

The more I pack, the more I start to realize that yes, I am moving. That means leaving community and familiarity behind for something new and completely unknown. I was pretty confident about this last week, but with only one week to go - my nerves are kicking in. However, it helps when I give myself a pep-talk.

"Kyla, the timing is right. Many pieces of the puzzle are fitting together. God is great and has taken care of the details. Your friends will still keep in touch. This is a new adventure that has been already blessed. Have fun with it!"

Welcome to Blogging, Kyla!

Ok, so I've joined the great wide world of blogging. I really have no idea how this works, and not many people will read my blog site, so I'm just posting this random message to get started. Have a great day!