What's going on?

I love this picture, and to me it begs the caption- "What's going on?"

The puppies are all gone and settled into new homes. The other dogs are happy with the additional attention they are now receiving:) Shin and Kibo are still separated because last time I attepted a reunion, Shin took to nipping at the not-quite-healed portion of Kibo's shell again. I rationalize that if I try again once she is fully healed, the outcome may be different.

Not much is going on in my life. I am forcing myself to stay put and BE. Part of me is eager to move on to some new adventure... if it's not nursing, then maybe Grad School, or teaching English in Hong Kong, who knows? But that's the thing, I lack direction and clarity, or even sustained desire in one direction. So I'm trying not to be so impatient. And enjoy today. It's so daily.

I'm also seeking out some outlet for service. I have been waiting too long for a job to establish a schedule and location within Phoenix for me, thinking that then I would find a place to volunteer. But I do not want to wait any longer... my life is not only my job, but I do want my life to involve service. Anyway, I'm still thinking, but considering the Pregnancy Resource Center.

I've been doing a lot of reading lately. Here are some blogs I read: http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/
http://www.stoptryingharder.com/alans-blog
http://rawchristianity.wordpress.com/category/mission/
I've also started reading Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon, most every day I remember.

I've also joined a gym here. I've been going regularly for a few weeks now. I especially like the Body Flow class, which is some combination of Yoga/Tai Chi/Pilates. I'm surprised how much I like it, and the difference I've already noticed in my balance:)

And that, my dear readers, is what is going on:)

2 blogs in 1 day, oh my

today I am grateful for a lot... but after having the opportunity to talk to so many of them in the past few days, I would like to express my gratitude for the amazing (far-away) friends that I have.

It's not that I don't have friends here. I have made some, and am becoming better friends with them. It was a great day last Saturday when I realized I had the night off, and invited friends over for pizza and games. The first event of that kind (my initiating and inviting rather than joining) during my time here, so that was nice.

But as I'm forming and deepening friendships here, and still trying to figure out what is going on in life, it is so nice to still have some kind of "community" with people I know and love... and who know and love me-- friends that I am not as "close" to, but still seem to understand me. It has been such a blessing to have their friendship as a "constant" in my life. Even though I miss them tremendously. That was too many "quotes" for one paragraph. But you get the idea.

seriously though

It has been nice and cool here. The past couple days it has been cloudy, and today it is sunny but only 85. Far cry from Colorado, with golf-sized hail and tornadoes. I must admit, however, that I rather wish I was enjoying the Gulf winds in Panama City, where the rest of my family is visiting my grandparents. I wish I were with them. Funny thing is, I'm not exactly sure why I'm not. Because I can't afford to take a week off work, I suppose. Or a plane ticket. But there has been a lot of questioning in my heart lately, mostly around the question, "Why am I here?(!?!)"

Perhaps a good explanation for my not finding a nursing job despite all my best efforts is that I'm running square into a closed door. Maybe this isn't the "right thing." But man, I sure wish I knew what the "right thing" is. It's so confusing. I still firmly believe God directed me here. And he has provided for me along the way, that is for certain. But now what?

I think of Abraham... God promised he would be the father of a great nation... and then God was silent for years and years, while Abraham waited with no kids and had to trust. God also told Abraham to pick up and leave the land of his fathers... but Abraham didn't see the "why" for awhile there either... I guess Abraham didn't see it at all in his lifetime, really.

I think of him and it's easier for me to trust. Not exactly easy, but easier.

it's late

I just got home from an interesting night of exploring a bunch of free art exhibits in Phoenix. Kind of. Actually spent half the night trying get my part of the group to meet up with the rest of the group. Silly.

But I would just like to say that I am very appreciative of the way things worked out in that... having my car stolen moved me to purchase "comprehensive" car insurance. It's pretty inexpensive given my current zip code. This also includes full glass coverage. The very next day after calling the insurance company, a rock hit my windshield on the highway and left a spot and then quickly a big crack. It was glaring and ugly, and probably not very safe. But now I have a new windshield. And I didn't have to pay anything. I just had quick conversation with the agent, and initialed when they came to my house to replace it. How nice is THAT.

Now, for something not-so-nice... I know I shouldn't feel this way, but I really am tired of it. Especially the looks of "what could possibly be wrong with you since you can't find a job?" that accompany it. But if one more person tells me, "But I thought there was a huge demand for nurses," one more time, I might have an aneurysm.

The end. Time to sleep.

a weekend out and puppy footage

Three videos for you. Two of puppies and one of the beach. :)

I got to visit my friend Linnea in Norfolk, VA last weekend. What a fun time! We went to Busch Gardens, the Outer Banks in Kitty Hawk, Virginia Beach, and got to see the premier of Pixar's UP- all of which were a SUCH good time!! It went by way too fast, but I'm so glad it was able to happen!

Here's Linnea and I in our 3-D glasses... we never got to go on the 3-D ride, but I like the pic:)


And here's me on the beach via Linnea's cool panoramic feature.

NATALIE PORTMAN & RASHIDA JONES Speak Out

NATALIE PORTMAN & RASHIDA JONES Speak Out

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