Good End to a Busy Day

I was so incredibly busy today at work...it was great! The day went by so fast. I blinked and it was time to eat. I blinked again and it was time to leave--crazy! I was working on so many things at one time: calling back people, taking tour information, working on the art contest, helping with history fair, and working on my February Black History display--whew!

I had my girls' devo again tonight. We are studying the book Lady in Waiting which discusses the characteristics of a woman of God. Tonight we had a great discussion on Lady of Reckless Abandonment. Afterwards I stayed behind and talked with a group of girls. We talked about getting together later this week to get coffee or watch a movie. I'm so excited--I've been devoid of girl company for awhile.

While talking with my mom tonight I found out that my grandmother (my dad's mom) has Alzheimer's. During Christmas we worried about her because she would ask the same question 3 times within a few minutes. So this week she went and took the tests and they came back positive. They don't know how long it will be until it completely takes over. She will be meeting with the doctor to find out about everything. Please keep my grandmother and our family in your prayers. I'm not really sure what to expect with all of this. I've never known anyone with Alzheimer's.

Thought to Ponder

I am reading (and almost finished with) Memoirs of a Geisha, which I highly recommend. At one point in the book the main geisha takes a plane trip and I thought of a very random thing: How is it that a big hunk of heavy metal is able to fly in the air? Feathers fly in the wind. Balloons float up to the great blue beyond. So what makes a plane rise and stay in the air? If anyone knows the answer to this I would love to learn.

On my drive home from work today I saw two deer on the side of the highway...alive that is. They were right near the road eating grass. I was so excited! I've never seen wild deer.

I worked with foam and mat board to create pictures for my education exhibit for February. I really enjoyed it...which is good because I will be making a lot of these in the future. (Katrina, if you read this, I thought of you during this process and all the times I remembered you talking about mat board in your art projects).

Today I had a group of 5th and 6th grade Korean students come to the museum. The fun part with this was that they didn't speak much English. So we had a translator--I've never dealt with a translator before. Luckily, I didn't have to do much talking with the students. Instead of giving them the normal tour, I had them do the scavenger hunt (they were very good at reading English) and then had them spend the rest of the time in the Discovery Room. It was a very interesting experience.

Busy Day

Today I had another meeting at Blinn College in Brenham. The new employee meeting began at 8:30 which meant I had to leave my apartment by 7:30 to get there--ugh! To add to the fun of the day there was a thick layer of fog all the way from College Station to Brenham--thick as in I could only see about 20 feet in front of me. Once again this meeting had very little effectiveness for me, being an employee of the museum. And they didn't even have snack items or drinks for us...thank goodness I grabbed a honey bun before leaving!

Tonight was our first girls' devo. Our first meeting was mainly about getting to know each other in the group. Twelve girls showed up tonight but apparently there are twenty signed up. We are going to be studying with the book Lady in Waiting. Back in high school the "abilene girls" had a bible study using this book. I sort of remember the context but it will be good to study it again. When I first heard about the study I had told Valerie, the one in charge of the devo, that I was willing to use my apartment for the study. So next week we are going to try it out. I think my living room will accomodate everyone...we will see. I'm really excited about this devotional and what opportunities God will bring through the new friendships I make.

Chruch Happenings

I had some interesting events happen at church this morning and evening...all of them quite funny. This morning after the 3's class (which they were very rambunktious) I made my way to the auditorium for service. I tried to find Valerie or Andrei so I could sit with someone I knew. Unfortunatley they weren't in yet so I just sat on an empty pew. Then someone came and sat next to me--I thought it was Andrei but it was some other random guy. During the greeting time we introduced each other. His name was Caleb and he is doing grad work at A&M. I'd have to admit he was pretty cute. Well, the funny/embarrasing thing that happened while sitting next to him occurred during the communion. When the cup was passed to me I just happened to spill the cup all over the tray! I have never done that before...of course it would happen while sitting next to a cute guy. Sheesh!

The other humorous thing occurred later that night. I signed up for a 101 class the church was offering that night from 5-8. When I got there it was mostly senior couples. During the class we learned information about the church and I signed up for membership. Afterwards when we were all leaving one of the older ladies said she wanted my phone number. I thought maybe she wanted more information about where I worked. Completely off base. She said she had a grandson who works out here and goes to the church and she wants to try to play matchmaker. Then another lady came in the conversation and said her son was moving here in February. She said they might make a trip to the museum. I was so tickled by all of this!

Word of advice to all my single friends: get to know the older ladies at your church...they just might have an eligable son or grandson!

The Meeting

I was pretty busy today at work. My boss, Anne, was having a steering committee meeting for Regional History Fair which we are hosting in February. So at 10:45 I drove the museum van to Navasota to pick up the sandwhiches for lunch. It wasn't until I got into town that I realized I left the money on my desk--rats! Once I got back it was time for the meeting. I got to sit in because Anne wants me to know as much as possible about the History Fair in case she is sick on that day I will be able to take over--no pressure! It was interesting sitting in on the meeting. Before now I was always the one who held down the office while everyone else went to the important meetings. I'm still trying to get use to that switch in my mind. I have this salary position but I'm so use to being the student worker. It's weird having more power...I'm slowly getting use to it.

It's official. I signed up for Jitterbug Dancing class! Starting in February I will be going to class on Thursday nights from 7:30-9:00. I'm going to have to get a tape to record the O.C.--I'm so addicted!

Girl's Devo

Tonight at church I signed up for a girl's devo that will be starting on Tuesday nights. One of the girls from my small group (Valerie)works at the church and she is in charge of the devo. I got to talking with her and she told me how she has been meaning to call me to get together. We made plans to have lunch together in a few weeks. I'm really excited about the devo--this would be a good way for me to meet some of the girls here and get to know more about them than just their names. Hopefully Valerie and I will begin a friendship. I really am in need of a friend or two to go do things with.

Tomorrow we are celebrating one of our co worker's birthday. This is usually a fun time of cake eating. Unfortunatly I found out the cake tomorrow is going to have bananas and pineapples in it--blech! I don't do fruit in my desserts...it's something about the texture. So somehow I'm going to have to eat it...maybe I'll chase it down with coke.

Dazed and Confused

The past few nights I've been awakened by my phone. I use the alarm on my phone so when it beeps I'm use to getting up. So Saturday night/Sunday morning my phone began beeping. I was in such a deep sleep that I thought it was time to get up and get ready for church. Luckily I looked at the clock and it was 2:00 am--I had only been asleep for 2 hours. Apparently someone sent me a text message at this time. Then last night at around 3:00 am I received a phone call--a wrong number. Again I thought it was my alarm going off. Sheesh! I'm hoping tonight will be a night without interruptions.

The best dazed story I have happened my freshman year of college. My roommate and I were peacefully sleeping when our phone rang. Neither of us answered but I looked at my watch and saw that it was past 8:00 am. Well, I was suppose to be at the Provost office for work at 8. So I jump off my bed and start frantically trying to get ready and call my office to let them know what has happened. No one was answering so I figured my boss was on the phone. My roommate, Christy, asked what I was doing and I told her I was late for work. She sleepily asked "is it Friday". Then after a few seconds she said "Erin, it's Saturday. Go back to bed!" Stupid me!


P.S. I still want a dog.

Girl's Weekend

This weekend my mom and sisters came to visit me. On Saturday they came up to the museum while I was working. Last time they came to visit they only had 10 minutes to see the museum so this time they were able to spend an hour looking at everything. (Pictures of the museum can now be found on my facebook page). After work we went and had a wonderful dinner at Freebirds.

Sunday I taught my first lesson in the three year old class. It went great! I was worried because I was teaching the tabernacle which is a hard concept. But the kids were very attentive and remembered the word tabernacle! After church we went and ate at TGI Fridays. Man, I haven't been there in a long time...I had one heck of a burger! Later that night we went and saw Fun with Dick and Jane--such a funny movie! After the movie we sort of exited out the door that put us in the back of the theater. So we had to walk all the way around the building...in the rain.

Monday my sisters and I slept in while my mom did some work. Then for lunch we went to Pei Wei which is a fantastic chinese food restaurant (it's part of P.F. Chang's). After lunch I took my sisters to see my new favorite store--World Market. At around 3:30 my company was on the road and it was a little quieter. It was a wonderful weekend! Now back to the grind of work. (By the way: I think I'm going to sign up for the Jitterbug class--thanks Julie and Robin for the advice!)

Tonight I found a website that lists classes that are available to the community of College Station. All of the classes are during the weekdays and at night. This would be a perfect way to spend some of my evenings and possibly a way to meet new people. Some of the possible classes I would like to take include:

* Spanish I
* Sign Language I
* Jitterbug
* Latin Dance
* Ballroom Dancing
* Calligraphy I
* Tae Kwon Do
* Pilates
* Yoga Fitness I
* Tennis Lessons
* Private Pilot Ground School

There are so many to choose between. Registration starts January 17 so I need to choose one...or maybe 2!

Anger

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:19-20

Last night I began reading James and I came upon this passage that really got to me. I'm not good at being mad at people. I'm a people-pleaser. I have to make things right. The last time I didn't talk to someone was freshman year of college when one of my guy friends mooned me. Kind of stupid but I'd never had that happen before and I didn't talk to him for 2 or 3 days.

This passage really hit me because I know it's God's rule that we shouldn't remain angry at one another. The problem is I feel like I have a right to remain angry. I also have a slight stubbornness issue. I feel that if I give in and make things right that I'm admitting I was in the wrong. I'm just a little muddled right now.

Sleep Problems

Since I've been back in CS I've had trouble sleeping. It could be because for two weeks I was use to going to bed around 2:00 and waking up at 10:00 or 11:00. Another factor could be that so much has happened and my mind starts racing over everything--and I can't shut it off.

Work was pretty crazy today. My phone kept ringing and ringing with people wanting to schedule a tour. At this time in the year it's very tricky to fit everyone in. I like being busy though--it keeps me focused.

I had my first job evaluation meeting with Anne. She gave me some very nice complements. She said I have met her expectations and appreciates my effective work and professional attitude. She told me she doesn't regret her decision to hire me at all (which was good to hear because I thought of that sometimes).

Last night I was searching online for places that I could volunteer my time. One that I found was at the hospital not too far from my apartment. They needed people who would be there to visit with/interact with the patients and their families. It sounds like a good volunteer opportunity and a good way to fellowship with people. I'm going to keep searching but this is a good possibility.

My first day in the three-year-old classroom was great! They are so cute. And I am going to be the co-teacher of the class. I will be teaching every other week--whoa! My first lesson is next week and I'm teaching the tabernacle of all things. I'm not sure who thought this curriculum up. It's hard enough to teach it to college students let alone three-year-olds. I will find a way...

Did you know stamps are going up to $.39 tomorrow?

Tomorrow is usually my day off from work but I have a meeting at Blinn in Brenham. They are introducing the new staff members and so I need to be there. I kept wondering if I was suppose to go into work afterwards or not. After seeing my work load on Saturday I realize I need to go in and make a lot of phone calls.

After two weeks with friends and family it's a little hard coming back to College Station. I do enjoy it here, but I really haven't found a group of friends to hang out with which makes it a little hard. But I hope to put my plan in action to start an ultimate frisbee chapter in CS.

My drive home last night was very enjoyable. Even though it is a 4 and a half hour trip it still seems quicker to me than the dull, dreary drive to Dallas. Plus my mom gave me The Da Vinci Code on cd. I've never listened to a book on cd before. I became so engrossed in the story that the miles on the road flew by. When I reached home I was already on cd 4 of 5.

I returned to work today though the majority of my co workers were not there. But it still felt wonderful to be back--I missed being there. My two week absence was illustriously depicted by the amount of work left on my desk. I had about 10 tours to input in the computer and 7 messages on my phone of possible tours that I will call back on Monday. It felt good to be busy again.

On my way to work I bought a Diet Black Cherry with a Kiss of Vanilla Coke (what a name). As I drove away from the store I took a nice swig from the bottle. But something was not right with the liquid swishing in my mouth. There were chunks of something floating within the soda. My mind reeled at what it may be and, out of a normal human reflex, I spit the substance back in its container. I still have no idea what was in the coke. (I think I'm through with Diet Black Cherry with a Kiss of Vanilla Coke)

Tomorrow is my first day to teach in the 3-year-old class at my church. I'm really excited about it. I've decided I want to find a venue to volunteer my time at. I spend too much time in the evenings watching t.v. and surfing the web. I'm not sure what I will do but I am beginning my search.

At this moment I am watching Sense and Sensibility. I love this movie. If anyone enjoys Pride and Prejudice, the new or old version (although I enjoy the old), I believe they will also enjoy this Jane Austen romance.

New Beginnings

My two week Christmas vacation comes to an end. Tomorrow I leave to go back to College Station. It seems like forever since I've been there. My vacation has been nothing like I expected it to be. Of course it was filled with lots of fun with family and friends--lots of movies, girl time, and bird calls. But there has also been tears, pain, anger, and a loss of trust. That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. Quite a true statement. I'm still very angry and hurt by the event that happened this week but truthfully it's only fueled my strong ambition toward independence. This event has only pushed me more to returning to my new home. I'm so ready to get back to College Station and continue to situate my life. I love Abilene but I've never been so ready to leave a place...