GBH Party!

What does that stand for!? GingerBread House Party!

Last Friday, it was time for our church group's annual GBH party, the only catch was, WE had to host it this year. Trust me, that is a tall order. Lots of people, lots of candy, and lots of royal icing= lots of noise and a giant, sticky mess.

We spent days cleaning the house and getting ready for our 20+ guests. We assembled all the houses, bought tons of candy, and ordered lots of pizzas. And then, we had a great time!

Here are some pictures:

Assembling the houses

A village!

Hard at work!

Most of the gang...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Turkeys, Traditions, and Too Many Tests

Turkeys: As this past Thursday was Thanksgiving, I felt I should say something about food, or family, or thankfulness, or....something. I picked food because, well, my family likes to eat, and for that, I am thankful. The thing is, we don't eat turkey on Thanksgiving. We used to, but now we don't. We only eat turkey on the 4th of July. For Thanksgiving, Mom and I made our annual trip to Sam's to pick out a prize rotisserie chicken, fresh out of the oven. We loaded it up, along with a giant bag of rolls, and headed down the road to grandma's. She provided everything else, haha...dressing, collards, lima beans, corn, sweet potato pie, on, and on, and on... It was all very good.

Traditions: We took our annual trip to the mountains, caught up with our Charleston relatives, and did some shopping (no Black Friday outings for this crew). It was very cold up there and all the leaves were off the trees. It was kind of pretty in that Winter-y, dry kind of way.

As for the tests: let's not even talk about that right now. I counted it up...I have had 21 tests this semester. That is ridiculous. Exams start next week........no comment.... This week is dead week: when nothing, yet everything, is due. Yay for that!

and you thought i wasn't going to post this month...

Truthfully, this month did fly by. BUT, I vowed to myself to post at least once a month, so, here we go....

Highlights of October:

-The leaves are finally changing

-PC Homecoming (October 17th)

- The recycling bins are finally in all the buildings on campus (GO SEE!).

- Registration for next semester: Immunology, Adolescent Psychology, Drugs and Behavior, Social Psychology, Principles and Procedures of Counseling

-And, that's about it. =)

"Healer," Ten Shekel Shirt

http://www.pandora.com/music/song/10%20shekel%20shirt/healer

GDH-isms (a work in progress)

For those of you not familiar with GDH...it stands for Greenville Dining Hall. It's really not that bad, we just like to analyze it sometimes...Here are some of our favorite quotes. (the list will just keep growing).

- "There's no taste. [like home]" -on the napkin dipensers

- "It tastes better than it looks."

-"Is this FDA approved?":

- "You have to use a knife, but it's really not that bad."

- "How do you stuff a pork-chop with cornbread?"

- "What does it taste like?"..."Vanilla with a hint of stale."...."Oh."

- A five carbon ring (made of rice):

-"That line should be called...'International-Nothing but Asian'"

-"Cinnamon...on squash? Really?"
-"Cheerios go with everything."
-"Y'all, this had a hair in it."

GDH started giving us plums, some of which are very good:

9/22/2010:
Eowyn got THE black tray!

GDH does a luau. 9/25/2010

This was the other option (9/25/2010):

Hmmm:

GDH does paper products because the dishwasher broke one day (12/1/2010):

GDH does Christmas (12/2010):

Snowed in (1/10/11):

Ship-shape (3/10/11): 

In this photo: Captain Earl Grey and his drunken conjoined twin

The naked corn-dog stick, turned tea stirrer, turned plank, turned mast

The armless pirate, saved by the nose of a whale

An inside look at the tray return, from above. (4/27/11):

on evolution...

[T]he human species is by no means the pinnacle of evolution. Evolution has no pinnacle and there is no such thing as evolutionary progress. Natural selection is simply the process by which life-forms change to suit the myriad opportunities afforded by the physical environment and by other life-forms.
-Matt Ridley, author of Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters

      I won't claim to have a true interest/background in the whole creation vs. evolution debate, but I will admit it gets my wheels turning sometimes. A project in my senior Biology II class in high school was a learning experience aimed at examining the various points of both sides of the debate. Since my presentation portion was focused on DNA as God's universal code for life and much of the evidence I found was in support of the Intelligent Design Theory, I did not further my research into the spiritual aspects of the debate.


      A recent conversation with my parents sparked my interest again, and then a few days ago, I ran across this quote [see above]. I am by no means a scholar on the matter, but I believe there is something to be said for the relationship of the spiritual side of the debate to bring evidence against evolution.


       I believe that humanity's purpose on earth is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I also believe that I was created in the image of God, separate and distinguished from other animals. I do admit the similarities in certain aspects of development and composition of other life forms, which coincide with some human characteristics, but I believe this was a specific design by God to show the order of the universe and His control over it. I am not saying that natural selection or micro-evolution does not exist, at least in some form, I am just saying that, when you get down to the basics of Evolutionary Theory, there is no goal other than survival. There is no "stopping point" in evolution, so to speak. There is no room for "purpose" or, perhaps more importantly, for a relationship with God.


        I don't have much more to say while on this soap-box. My knowledge sort of dries up here. The quote just caught my attention.

school days...

room-mate in the futon/tv room

Bed/Desk/Food

Shuckin' and Shaggin'

all done!

The finished product...bird's eye view:

breakfast...it was so pretty, i just had to take a picture

my latest project...

My family decided to dig out an old farm table from my grandparents' shed and I decided to refinish it so we can put it in our dining room.

Some of the legs need some work (hopefully the bottoms can be replaced later)
(getting ready to tackle the sanding)
So far, I have had to buy a belt sander (my grandpa's broke) and have successfully sanded/stained/and applied one coat of polyurethane. There will be more pictures of the finished product to come!

I hope it turns out well!

Well, my job is winding down...this Saturday should be my last day. Seasonal at best, I guess. I made in killing in commission though, thanks to the tax-free weekend. Can't complain about that.

I guess now it is back to re-arranging the bedroom and trying to squeeze in all my furniture.

A few things I learned from this weekend filled with shoes and impatient customers:

1. America runs on cigarettes and Mountain Dew. Literally. I thought this before (after working in a label-packaging factory), but I truly believe it now. These people don't believe in lunch breaks. All they focus on is who is bringing them a drink and when they can step out for a smoke.

2. Wearing dress shoes on a concrete floor for any amount of time over 3 hrs hurts your feet horribly.

3. Because of this pain, one must take significant amounts of ibuprofen for the first day or so just to be able to sleep.

4. Black people will try on every shoe in the store, not put them back in their spots, and then buy one pair on clearance.

5. White people will ask you to come help them find their size. Even if all the boxes are clearly labeled. It is like they can't read or something. It amazes me.

6. Cleaning dozens of mirrors is fun. They don't argue.

7. Smiling always helps.

8. Don't look at the clock.

9. Only right shoes are put on display (except Timberlands) and they must all face the same direction.

10. Corporate holds a significant amount of mental power over their stores. That inspection was scary...and I didn't even have much to lose.

11. As soon as you put all the socks on the rack, somebody will want the pair at the very back.

12. Cutting up with your co-workers is essential.

13. Peanut butter and jelly goes rather well with Doritos.

Thinking on my feet...

so, i got a job (a real one—not cutting grass). at a shoe store. in the podunk rock hill mall.

i literally walked up on it a few days ago. mom and i were in line to check out and i heard the manager telling somebody in front of us she just needed somebody to work for the next few weeks (to get them through the tax-free weekend and back to school). i told her i was willing to work, she gave me an application, and then hired me on the spot. i reported for duty yesterday and worked a few hours to learn the ropes. i worked a full 10 hours today and will do the same tomorrow. after sunday, i don’t know what they will need me to do, but i am fine either way (working or not working).

it has been fine so far…lots of running around and sorting shoes. we have to wear dress shoes, which totally sucks…my feet are killing me. who woulda thunk? such foot troubles…in a shoe store, no less.

it’s all good. it keeps me super busy for now and i get some money.

words, words, words

I recently discovered a new (well, new to me) artist/author. He is a little different...my brother says he draws like a kindergartener. His words, however, are very inspiring. He has a way to sum things up in a sentence or two and I think many people appreciate this. I have posted a few of my favorites (so far) and hope to read some more soon. He is definitely a man who loves his wife and his children, has been through some hard times, and who has a refreshingly unique perspective on life.

Quotes from Brian Andreas:

- "Anyone can slay a dragon ...but try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again. That's what takes a real hero."

- "This is a giant block of whatever is most difficult for you to carry and trust me on this, you'll carry it more times than you can count until you decide that's exactly what you want to do most and then it won't weigh a thing anymore."

- "We sat in the car
the night dropped
down until the
only sounds were
the crickets and
the dance of our voices

for a moment
the world became
small enough to
roll back and forth
between us."

- "You may not remember the time you let me go first.
Or the time you dropped back to tell me it wasn't that far to go.
Or the time you waited at the crossroads for me to catch up.
You may not remember any of those, but I do and this is what I have to say to you:

Today, no matter what it takes,
we ride home together."

- "I read once that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand and the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep and there are no words for that."

- "You're the strangest person I ever met," she said. I said you too; we decided we'd know each other a long time."

- "I wish you could have been there for the sun & the rain and the long, hard hills. For the sound of a thousand conversations scattered along the road. For the people laughing and crying and remembering at the end. But, mainly, I wish you could have been there."

- "I held her close for only a short time, but after she was gone, I'd see her smile on the face of a perfect stranger and I knew she would be there with me all the rest of my days."

- "It is hard to forget, I said, when there is such an empty space when you are gone."

- "I sometimes wake in the early morning and listen to the soft breathing of my child and I think to myself, this is one thing I will never regret and I carry that quiet with me all day long."

- "Waiting for the pen to dry up so he can start fresh with thoughts that are worth new ink."

- "There are things you do because they feel right and they may make no sense and they may make no money and it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other and to eat each other's cooking and say it was good."

Pictures

So, I decided to go through all of our family pictures and scan them. I have posted a few albums on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=72984&id=1151154839&l=212c717079

It was a long project, but well worth it!

Peru pictures...there are more on Facebook...

Children at Casa Josephina

Baby Zoe

The whole group in front of the finished playground

Peruvian countryside

Fabrisio

Surveying the landscape

Melissa and me at Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Peru 2010

Our team of 18 youth and adults spent 10 days in and around Cusco, Peru this June. After flying all day and spending all night in the Lima Airport, we arrived without a scratch in Cusco. Let me paint the picture—very brown and dusty, lots of dogs, crazy drivers, and lots of Spanish flying around.

The team worked in conjunction with Keith and Ruth Powlison (full time missionaries in Peru) building outdoor and indoor playgrounds at the Josephine House orphanage. We used oil based paint, most of which stayed on our hands instead of on the walls. In our extra time, we also worked on projects at their home (dry-walling ceilings and tiling bathrooms---the Powlisons have lived in this home for 12 years and it is still unfinished).

We stayed in a cozy little hotel in the heart of San Jeronimo complete with breakfast every morning (great coffee!) and two of the best staff members I have ever met. Cesar, 15, lived under the staircase of the hotel and was willing to do anything we needed him to do. Miriam, early 20’s, was an excellent cook. We all came to care for these two—a good reminder that mission work is not always cut and dried. Oftentimes it comes up in the most ordinary of places, such as gas stations and hotels, and in forms such as clearing your own dishes or offering a piece of cake to the 15 year old under the stairs. The smiles on their faces would melt your heart. I know that looking back on this trip, Miriam and Cesar will always pop into my mind.

Most of our meals were served alongside the children at the Josephine House or at the Powlisons. Everything was pretty normal (taco salad, pizza subs, black beans and rice), but then came the cuy. Otherwise known as guinea pig. Yes, guinea pig. And yes, I ate it. Lol. Think…dark meat chicken. There was not much meat on it, but there was a claw. Based on the reactions I have gotten from friends and family, I know you are grossed out by now, so I will stop talking about it, haha. Other interesting things to eat came in a Brazilian steakhouse we visited. Again, you had your normal cuts of beef, chicken, and pork. Then came the cow hearts. And the chicken gizzards. Yum. The last weird thing was in a buffet at Machu Picchu—alpaca. I will admit, I felt a little funny eating it, especially after thinking of the soft alpaca blankets I bought, but at least I can say I tried it.

We did get to attend a church service while in Peru. There was some praise music, a message about the 10 lepers, and lots of Spanish. I caught a lot of it, but the thing that stuck out to me the most was the praying. The young man leading the service was very humble and sincere. He kept saying, “Gracias, papa…” thanking his heavenly father for his family, his money, his life and his home. The service was very simple, yet moving. It was a good reminder of the universal nature of worship. We also had group devotions every night discussing the Beatitudes.

Despite the narrow roads and cramped quarters, we also got to visit a mountain school and perform our skit/make balloon animals. We got lost going up, so our trip turned into a 2 hr jeep ride complete with a donkey blocking the road and lots of horn honking (apparently whoever honks first has the right of way and the other person has to back up). Our other big adventure was to Machu Picchu- it was great going up and the actual ruin was amazing. Our tour guide, Sylvia, was hilarious; only a few language differences (wirgins, bysteries, and queers/virgins, mysteries, and squares). BUT, the ride down was a little rough. The train in front of us was “de-railed,” meaning it jumped a little bit off the track, nothing serious. It set us back 4 hours though. We even had to walk through part of the de-railed train and then get off and walk beside the track for a while. We waited for PJ, Andrew, and Melissa (who were a few cars behind us) and met some nice backpackers—one guy from the UK and a girl from Boston. We got back around 2:00 the next morning (Mrs. Beth and Ms. Penny were extremely worried). Cesar and the owner of the hotel had potato soup waiting for us. A few hours later, we boarded our plane to Lima and the group settled into the South American Missions (SAM) House for our last couple of days. I had to leave that night, so we all headed out to downtown Lima and toured around some. We saw the changing of the guard, saw some of the nightlife, and then I said my goodbyes and headed off to meet my family in Boston for our New England vacation.

Needless to say, after 59 total hours of traveling in 3 weeks (21 hrs flying, 38 hrs driving), hitting 4 states, Canada, and Peru, I was glad to make it home.

Continued prayer concerns: The Josephine House is mostly in need of good, reliable staff. Many of the issues that face daycares in the US are also present in Peru. The kids (some of which are handicapped/have Down’s): Moses, Jose, Daniel, Catalina, Veronica, Fabiola, Fabrisio, Zoe… are all wonderful. They are content to just sit in your lap and play with blocks. All they need is love and attention. It is so wonderful that they have a place to stay and good food to eat, but there is always a need for more.

On our last day of work, a new baby was dropped off at the orphanage. She has a severe cleft palate and has to be fed with a medicine dropper (pending surgery). When we left, she was staying at the Powlison’s home because she required so much extra attention. Ruth named her Zoe and we all took turns feeding her. Please pray for wisdom surrounding all the decisions that will need to be made regarding her housing and surgery options.

Also, it is important to keep the Powlison family and another missionary family that we met, Scott and Megan, as they are full time missionaries in this area.

Praises for safe travels and health for our team. It was a wonderful trip and I hope to do more trips like this in the future.

Bullet points from my journal:

- Natalie stuffing the pillowcase in the cold air vent on the van to Atlanta

- Playing Dutch Blitz in the airport with Pastor Roberts and Ms. Penny

- Not flushing toilet paper (the pipes are too small)…and yes, the water spins the other way

- Cramming into the Toyota

- COLD showers

- Blankets so heavy you couldn’t move

- Brushing your teeth with bottled water

- Lots of bread (and coffee)

- Winter Solstice celebration—sacrificing a llama

- Kids are kids, no matter where you go. If you build them a playground…they will still play in the dirt.

- Also, it doesn’t matter what shape the balloon starts out as (a dog, a sword, a hat…usually all three), it eventually becomes a worm.

- Peruvian time—it teaches patience

- Singing Happy Birthday 16 times for Sarah, then 18 times the next day for Andrew (it also teaches patience)

- Tangentines

- Oil paint doesn’t wash off

- The 2 hr drive up to the village. On a one lane dirt road. In a tiny Jeep. With 8 people. We got lost…Scott said he could see Chile, lol

- Singing hymns in the lobby (Amazing Grace, Come thou fount, Turn your eyes)

- Chapstick

- The dead cow on the side of the road and the man with the knife walking a little further down

- Yogurt on French toast

- Zoe- the baby that was dropped off on our last day of work-she is only a few weeks old and has a severe cleft palate

- Machu Picchu and our horror movie checklist

- Domino’s pizza in Lima

- The changing of the guard

- My solo flights from Lima to Miami and then from Miami to Boston

For more information on the Josephine House, visit: http://web.mac.com/kppowlison/iWeb/Josephine%20House/Welcome.html

Smile! and Welcome to my blog!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKAVOl-sXSw&feature=related