Please click the pictures to visit my other blogs:
Jewel in Cambodia Scarves for Cambodia Journals for the Journey

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Reunion With the Girls

I had so much fun with Zoey, Ashton, Hannah, and Angela last night.Together with two more girls, we spent three weeks together in Cambodia back in May, and we hadn't all been together since. We were up until 1am reminiscing and talking about Cambodia mostly, but other fun things too. Like boys. :] And classes too. Oh, and professors! We played the M*A*S*H game. Determining our future spouses, occupations, cars, number of children, residences.. which is so much fun. HA! Only Hannah and I were lucky! :]
We stayed in a quaint little lake house off Chapman Lake in the county of 1000 lakes. Hannah and I shared a bed, which brought back more Cambodian memories (where all 7 of us shared 1 hotel room, with 3 beds, 3 pillows, and 3 towels.)
Around 8:30 we left and went to a café for free wifi and we used Skype [I love love love Skype!] to call our missionary host in Cambodia, Pastor Greg [who we call Baby Bird] and also Pastor Vandy. I talk to both occasionally, but they were excited to hear from the team together.
It's so funny the things different people remembered from the trip that others had forgotten about. Things like when we jumped on the hotel beds on our knees.. and when Pastor Greg almost left two of us during a pit stop.. and the fact that Limang looked like a squirrel. hehe.

My MASH future:

Behold... My Future
I will marry Titus.
After a wild honeymoon, We will settle down in Kratie in our fabulous Shack.
We will have 3 kid(s) together.
Our family will zoom around in a silver Lexus.
I will spend my days as a Pastor\'s wife, and live happily ever after.
whats your future

Friday, October 30, 2009

October's Last Friday's Fave Five

Happy “Friday’s Fave Five” blog, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. Click on the linky to see what 5 things other bloggers found pleasurable this week!

1. Learning Khmer script
Khmer script is the written language of Cambodia. There are something like 33 vowels and 26 consonants. It's hard stuff na, but I've been working hard to teach myself. The above is a letter I wrote to 3 friends in Cambodia.. my face is beaming with pride! Thank you to those who are encouraging me!

2. Aimee, Ashton, Loren, Hannah, Angela, and Zoey. I love these six girls. The seven of us traveled to Cambodia together this summer, and I think all we agree we became sisters as we shared beds, pillows, and towels for three weeks. We laughed, cried, and shared together and came away from an unforgettable experience with many memories (mostly good!) Tonight, for the 1st time since May 23, we will all be together again (ok, Loren can't come, but it's close to everyone!) I'm so excited! We will be staying the night in a small lake cabin -- laughing, reminiscing, playing games, and wishing we were back in Cambodia.

3. The changing seasons
While I don't like the increasingly cold temperatures, I do think that there is great great beauty revealed as the leaves change colors and fall, and again as the trees and flowers bud, and the grass returns to green in the Spring. I will miss this when I am in Cambodia; for there are only 2 season in Cambodia.


Rainy and not rainy!

But still, our Creator is God and our Creator is good!

4. Psalm 139:14-17
I made this earlier this week, and I have it printed as 8"x10" on my desk.

5. Peanut Butter
This morning I had peanut butter Captain Crunch cereal, but usually I have peanut butter on a bagel. After lunch, I had peanut butter on a rice crispy treat, and I have peanut butter crackers in my bag for a snack at work. Yum! I like pb&j sandwiches, pb&j pizza, peanut butter cereal, peanut butter cookies, peanut butter on my ice cream, peanut butter on bagels, peanut butter Oreos, peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Khmer script

Oh baby, I have exciting news for you!! I have started teaching myself the khmer script, and I have a little samplete for you. My face is BEAMING WITH PRIDE. Yes, I did say teaching myself. It's hard stuff na! I would love love love to have a teacher, but the Marion area seems to be low on immigrants from Cambodia. There is a Khmer family who runs a Chinese restaraunt in Upland [The Happy Buddha], and I regret that I haven't made my way over to meet them yet. Anyways, see below.



In this letter written to my 3 friends Titus, Vandy, and Rolitess:
Sur sdai. Kyom sang khoem tha neak s'bai na. Kyom nirk neak na. Kyom chang khern neak, niyei ji-mouy neak, neung loo neak. Kyom chang ros nov knong Kampuchea ji-mouy neak, neung t'wer bai bai chaa som-rup neak. Neak ra-boh kyom la-or jee-ung gay meut. Kyom nirk neak na. Soum ta, geu bpra-yeut. Srolange, Srey Amelek

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wednesday's Random 12 :]

I'm happy to participate in another random Wednesday meme, hosted by Lid at 2nd cup of coffee. Trace the link above to visit Mr. Linky and read the randoms of other bloggers.

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.
Favorite elementary teacher? High school? University?
We’ll go with right now.. Dt. Pettis, or Dr. P – he’s a professor of Intercultural Studies, and also my advisor. He’s kinda cheesy, but I enjoy his company. Why is he my fave? I’ve laughed in his office, dreamed in his office, cried in his office, and gone to his office angry, only to leave laughing and rolling my eyes. Last year we went through a long phase of trading music. I gave him Shawn McDonald, he gave me the Beach Boys, I gave him Jack Johnson, he gave me the Righteous Brothers. I’m sure we’ll make more memories when we go to Mozambique together in May. Yes, we’re co-leading a missions team of 8 students to Mozambique next May. Good times. :]

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.
When I was very little, 3-years-old, I asked Jesus to live in my heart. Two years later, I did again. I remember it being so real, even at age five. I was in kindergarten and it was after morning chapel [I think Jamie Stargel’s mom had spoken], and my teacher, Mrs. Curtis, was offering to us the sinner’s prayer. We were sitting Indian-style on the carpet at the front of the room by the chalkboard, and my best friend Garrett Bireline was sitting on my left. Everyone says they can tell you where they were, what they were wearing, when they heard about the attack on the Twin Towers, or Kennedy’s assassination. I can do the same for this moment. Halfway through the prayer I decided that I wanted to make the commitment, so I caught up and I got saved. Inside I felt very different, but I’m not sure how much in changed my little five-year-old spirit.


3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?
Green has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. I have also loved purple since my grandpa Reed died when I was in junior high; his favorite color was purple. I wasn’t super close to him, but liking purple was a way of keeping him alive in my eyes.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?
All my friends are getting engaged, and married, and having children! My best-friend-from-high-school's son is 8-months-old now!



5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?
I certainly wouldn’t feel incomplete if I didn’t celebrate Halloween like I would if I skipped Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, but it certainly makes 1 night a little more fun than others!

6. What's your favorite musical?
Fiddler on the Roof (If I were a rich man, ya ha deedle deedle, bubba bubba deedle deedle dum). I haven’t seen too many though.. I’ve been in both The King and I and The Sound of Music and I’ve still never seen either.



7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?
I would hate to choose either extreme, so I’m going to say town mouse! Or village mouse. :]

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn."
I would definitely appreciate it for its whimsy and romance.

This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.
9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't. (Paula, you do know that this blog is rated G, right?)
Driving.. eating.. studying.. sleeping.. bathroom stall.. watching movies.. playing Scrabble..

10. "It's not a party unless _______."
…there is laughter and food!

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.
I would talk to the driver (because I prefer the passenger seat). Oh, I’m alone? Then I would jam to the radio and text. If I’m in a waiting room, again, I likely have a friend or sister with me, or again, I would text.
I remember once being stuck in traffic for almost 2 hours in Florida on family vacation. My dad made friends with an old lady who had also gotten out of her car.. it was only fun for about 10 minutes.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?
I would be! Not only am I likeable [hehe], but I have a couple friends that are alot like me in many ways.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Are you kidding me??

Ok, so I might have THE LAMEST excuse you have ever heard for being low on sleep...

After being blissfully awoken at 1am by call from Cambodia [PLEASANT SURPRISE], I had the hardest time falling back to sleep because I couldn't stop my brain from practicing my numbers 0-1000 in Khmer... dop, m'pai, saam seup, sai seup, haa seup, hok seup, jeut seup, bpait seup, gao seup, moy roy, roy moy, roy bpee, roy bai, roy bpoun, roy bpram, roy bpram moy...

Seriously... numbers.. over and over and over again.. for an hour!
Re-dic-u-lous!


Don't let it keep you up at night (oh, you aren't WEIRD you say?).. but if you're interested in actually hearing the numbers, here's a video. I do love the way they sound!

The Story of Samuel con't...

Ok, if you thouht the story was too long to read, then you should watch this video. :]

Monday, October 26, 2009

Mom to Three

The following story should should should be read! It's so sweet. My dear friend Jade wrote this after just returning home from Uganda, where she met her son, Samuel, at Sanyu Babies Home. Cute cute cute. The story made me cry. You might too, even if you don't know Nathan or Jade.

After over 24 hours of traveling, Nathan and I arrived at Entebbee Airport in Kampala, Uganda on October 17th. We were shell shocked and overwhelmed with everything from the speed at which people drive (crazy fast) to the conditions people live in daily. After an hour or so drive we arrived at Sanyu Babies Home. We were greeted by a half dozen eager faced kids at the gate. After settling in later that afternoon and evening we played, fed, changed and tucked in lots of children. It was chaotic, overwhelming and awful all at once. When we lay down to go to sleep that night Nathan and I looked at one another and said, “What are we doing here?”

We wanted to go home. We were scared, felt inadequate, and completely exhausted. We knew one thing…the devil was going to do whatever he could to cause us to second guess our decision to adopt. We prayed and asked Jesus to give us strength, rest, and the right attitude when we woke up.

Sunday morning we woke up feeling refreshed after a full night’s sleep (12 hours actually) and were ready to find our son. God reminded us of everything He had done for us to get to Sanyu. He reminded us of the prayers, the miracles, the donations, and the path that He had laid so clearly. He reminded us that He never promised that it would be an easy road, but that His strength was all that we needed.

Sunday we spent all day with the children. By that evening we had still knew we had not met our son. We were frustrated and felt overwhelmed because we did not know which children were adoptable (a rule there…they want you to bond with the children on your own without knowing if they are available for adoption). I remember praying that night before I went to sleep that God would show me the son He had for us the next day. I believed He would.

And He did. Monday morning we decided to go (the Lord lead us) to the babies’ class at 9:30am (we had not played with the babies yet, only the walkers). The physical therapist asked me to massage some of the babies that needed extra care. Nathan went with me and was asked to help walk a little boy who was behind a bit. His legs were turned in slightly and because of his enlarged belly (from malnutrition) he had trouble walking. While Nathan walked him down the sidewalk several times one of the momma’s (Ugandan woman who helps care for the kids) said to me, “you should adopt Samuel.” She told me about his heartbreaking story and as soon as Nathan brought him into the room I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him. I told Nathan about what the momma had said. We played with him for a while, massaged him, and was blown away by his sweet personality and amazing smile.

We loved him and knew he was ours.

Later that day we asked the administrator for permission to adopt him (which was something that I was so scared of doing…I kept asking myself …“how do you ask someone for a child?!”). God filled us with His spirit and we boldly walked into her room and told her that we loved Samuel. After lots of tears…the administrator said yes and gave us his file to take to our lawyer. I cried and cried in thanksgiving to God.

After years of praying, God brought us all the way to Kampala, Uganda to meet our son. He gave us a son that is perfect for us. He gave us a son that is strong and tender all at once. He gave us a fighter and a warrior. He gave us a son with the most brilliant smile and gorgeous eyes. He gave us a son that has changed our lives forever…a son that has opened our eyes to the strength and power of God like we have never seen before.

The rest of the week was spent getting to know Samuel. We went to class with him every morning, fed him, played outside with him, and prayed over him while tucking him in every night. Some of the most amazing times with him were rocking him to sleep, patting his back while he was falling asleep, and giving him the first hot bath he most likely had ever had.

The last day with him was amazing and heartbreaking all at once. I was in tears most of the day, cherishing every moment with him. Nathan prayed over his bed…that God would restore him and give him strength to get through the days there. Right before we left I prayed with him and told him that I would not leave him an orphan and that I would come back for him soon.

God is faithful. I know He is going to bring us all together and a family soon. That day is coming and it will be glorious.


I can hardly wait to see him take a bath with his sisters…or to make dinner with him…to watch him sitting on his daddy’s lap watching a football game…to hear him pray out loud like his big sisters do…to cuddle with him every morning when he wakes up.

On the way home I was reminded that I once was a orphan. I was a lost and in need of a Savior. I cried out to God and He saved me. He adopted me. Now I have a Father and a family. I have a Father that cares about my every need and loves me more that I could ever imagine. I have a Father that heals, restores, and delivers. I have a Father gives power and strength to his children.
I have a Father that made a way. He made a way for our son. He heard his cries and heard our prayers and has made us a family.

I am changed forever.

…And now a mom to three.

Glory to my amazing God!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Faith Like Potatoes and wasting a good Fall Break on the couch..

So the verdict is this: Apparently my sickness made me vulnerable to getting other sicknesses.. AND I woke up Thursday morning, after spending Wednesday evening in the ER, with the flu. Swine flu or man flu, I don't know, but it was the flu, and it hasn't been a fun week. Remember I was supposed to go to a conference Thursday afternoon, and return late-late Saturday night, but an arm band and hospital slip got me out of that one. Unfortunately, these aren't the circumstances in which I would have CHOSEN to spend my Fall Break.
My sister has been wonderful to me, and took amazing care of me Monday through Thursday, but finally Thursday night I decided that home would be best for me. So my mom, who is a nurse, picked me up and nurse me for 2 days before she brought me back to school this afternoon.
Between Thursday morning and this evening I watched:
aaand 2 specials on TV.
Movies -- it's what I like to do!

I just started getting up and moving around this afternoon. I was a little too overambitious with my own expectations, and after about an hour of attempting to clean the mess I had left with my roommate all week, I was exhausted and needing a short nap before dinner in the cafeteria - where I was hoping for some good chicken noodle soup, but was disappointed to find cream of mushroom. Yuck! Who eats that stuff anyways?


Movie trailer for Faith Like Potatoes::



It is an exotic, heart-wrenching drama, and faith-building too.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Please doc, take my appendix!


I'm finally, hopefully, on the road to recovery. After waiting out those awful lower-right-side stabbing pains, I finally drug my booty to the emergency room. The Dr. asked me why I had been waiting since Monday morning if my pain was so strong, I said, "I'm a full-time college student and I've had things to do." He appreciated my humor.

Deep inside, I was actually really hoping that it was my appendix because I knew it would be a quick fix and I wouldn't ever have to worry about it again -- especially when I'm in Cambodia. It wasn't. After what I felt like wasn't enough tests, they diagnosed me and drugged me.

Mom and I were given these wonderful swine flu masks in the waiting room. The Dr. said 80% of everyone else had flu-like symptoms. Oh joy!

I was supposed to leave this afternoon for a conference with my development theories class. It looks like instead I will be enjoying a nice 3-day-weekend. (4 days actually if you consider today because I skipped both my practicum and class). Of course I use the word enjoy lightly, unless you're the type that enjoys staying in bed, achy, nauseous, and exhausted.

I'm going to open my second Gatorade and start my second movie..



on a side note...

Monday, October 19, 2009

The sickies are goin around!!

My mom has the fu. Dad had the flu, and just started to feel better today. My baby niece Leah is sick (but cuddly!) My sister and 2 suite-mates haven't felt well since Thursday. Finally, according to webmd.com, I have appendicitis, which I doubt. My idea is that I'm just stressed, and I'm going to wait out these stabbing right-side-only pains in the lower abdomen one more day.

Another day.. another paper.



In the mean time, enjoy this::




Update:: (As of 11pm) - Apparently besides the pain, the 2 main symptoms of appendicitis are fever and nausea. I am nauseous, but have no fever. If the pain is only stressed-related, and the nausea is flu-like or other, then I am ok (and better probably) to apply heat. If it's appendicitis with a slow-developing fever, then heat could rupture my appendix. So what do I do??
I wait.
Still stressed.
Still in pain.
But I'm not complaining, because this week is Fall Break! Even if Fall Break only means we have only Friday off... and even though I will be leaving Thursday afternoon to go to a conference... and not returning until early Sunday morning... and of course the conference is a class assignment, by the way.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Rapping Flight Attendant

I'm reposting this after I saw it on another blogger's fave five list. I'm sure it isn't proper blogging etiquette to not give credit to whomever posted it first, but honestly friends, I can't track where I found it. If it was you, feel free to call me out and I'll link you and send bloggy traffic your way!
I think this is hilarious. Is it real? I don't know, but I enjoyed it and I wish I could experience flight attendants like this. I have flown enough to have accumulated stories, (Korean Airlines is the best, by the way), but I haven't seen anything like this.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I keep missing out...

Happy weekend! I love the weekends, and I'm always anxious for them to arrive.
Then it gets here, and what do I do? Alot of this:
Studying.
Which can be fun. Sometimes. But usually never. HA. This has been the busiest semester I have ever had. Hands down. No debate. Re-dic-u-lous. Every weekend for the past month I have been too swamped with papers and exams to really enjoy myself for more than a few short hours. (By the way, a few means three at the most!)

Last weekend my entire suite went to Laura's house (a suitemate) for an annual Fall party. We had had it planned for weeks, and I bummed out five minutes before they packed the van because I was too overwhelmed with homework (I remind you that last Sunday night I studied through the night and slept only 25 minutes, studying a total of 29 hours for my first Theology exam.)
Well here are pictures of them having fun without me::

Chelsea (orange), Jenny (black), Laura (grey), Kara (black), Bethany (Cubs 1), twin sister Jessie (Cubs 2), and my roommate Traci (orange).

Have I mentioned before the uniqueness (or lack-there-of) in our suite? I live with Traci, who has a twin sister named Staci. My twin sister, Jessie, is my suitemate. Jessie lives with Laura, who is twins with Jennie (both pictured above). Pretty sweet right? Poor Bethany doesn't have a twin, or a sister.

Here is my roommate, posing with her absent roommate - me!

I missed out on:
1. Pumpkin carving
2. Games
3. Prizes
4. Homemade spaghetti
5. A road trip with the girls

And meanwhile, this is what I was doing:
1. Studying for a Theology exam
2. Writing a Globalization paper
3. Studying for a World Civ exam
4. Studying for a Speech exam
5. Researching for an Evangelism presentation
6. Eating ramen
7. Not leaving my room for an entire day

Last night I was able to enjoy a night away for a World Impact retreat with 12 other missions leaders and a few directors. We did some bonding activities, and activities to strengthen us for addressing issues such as disunity, culture shock, fear, communication, etc. Then after lunch I returned to the dorm and I'm writing a Theology handbook for Monday, then I should start studying for a Development exam on Tuesday, and preparing for a demonstration speech on Wednesday.

Lame!

Friday, October 16, 2009

An Exciting Friday's Fave Five.

Happy “Friday’s Fave Five” blog, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. Click on the linky to see what 5 things other bloggers found pleasurable this week!


1. Spinach Wraps
At least 3 meals a week I have a wrap from our campus deli. If
I order something different than the usual, it's a rarity, but unfortunately, sometimes 42nd Street Deli doesn't have my usual. So, one day, I had to try something new. My favorite shell was the tomato basil shell, but one day, I had to try something new. Now the usual has become the spinach shell. As I write this, I am eating a spinach wrap with chicken salad, white american cheese, extra lettuce, spinach, and onion.



2. Baby Jack
I love this baby. Jack's mom was one of my best friends in high school. After graduation 3 years ago, we went separate ways, but we have reconnected in the last few months, and now Baby Jack calls me 'Aunt Jewel' (okay, he doesn't yet, but he will!) I watched him once when he was just 3-wks-old, again for the entire weekend a few weeks ago, and last night for a couple of hours. We played with mirrors, bowls, and spoons; watched 4 episodes of One Tree Hill, and studied together for my speech exam (mostly, he was a distraction while my books laid open on the sofa.)


3. Christmas music
Yes, I said it -- Christmas music. I started my Christmas playlist earlier this week. My 3 favorites are 'N Sync, Michael W. Smith, and Clay Aiken. Of course, All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey and Let it Snow by Michael Bublé are classics!
Christmas is, of course, only 2 months, 1 week, and 1 day away! Are you ready? Have you started your Christmas playlist? What are your favorites?



4. Vandy & Tess' wedding pictures
Finally, Titus uploaded these pictures from Vandy and Tess' wedding in Manila on September 30th.
Vandy's best friend Titus, the best man & Vandy and Tess

The wedding party in the Philippines

You might remember them talking about them here or here and probably quite a few other blogs that I'm too lazy to search. :)

5. My 93%
I'm currently taking Basic Christian Doctrine at 7:50 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. It was the class I was dreading the most, because I never could understand Theology, I heard it was hard, and it started before 8am, but, it really is my favorite class! Last Sunday night I stayed up the entire night (ok, I did accidentally fall asleep for 25 minutes at 5:30 Monday morning) studying for my first Theology exam. I got a 93% and no one got an A, so I felt really good about it! (By the way, out of 50 students, there were many under 60%.) I can't commit to studying 29 hours for the next exam, but I certainly gave my grade a soft cushion to land on if I don't do as well on the next 2 exams.

[Yes, I was this excited.]

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wednesday's Random 12

I'm happy to participate in the 7th random Wednesday meme, hosted by Lid at 2nd cup of coffee. Trace the link above to visit Mr. Linky and read the randoms of other bloggers.

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive? (Keyboard is not a choice.)
Cursive. I have pretty cursive too. ☺ Though I get a lot of “My Grandma writes like this…”
In the last package I sent to Cambodia I included about 1.5 dozen letters to my friends that the missionaries had to translate from cursive English into printed English because I too egotistical to realize that they can’t read cursive!

2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?
I used to be hardcore 100% realist, but now that I have truly found my innate passions (I say innate because I know I was created to love Cambodia – otherwise I wouldn’t so much!) I am dreaming much more, and dreaming bigger na.

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?
Tough decision... Billy Joel!

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not limited to horror flicks but also includes ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.
When A Stranger Calls (shivers) – Jill is a young teenager babysitting two already-asleep children in a big, dark, unfamiliar, isolated house. Soon after the parents leave she begins receiving weird calls that she assumes are pranks. Then it gets ominous. Sometimes the caller doesn't say anything, but when the menacing voice asks, "Have you checked the children?" Jill checks on the two and returns only to have the caller phone again knowing she had gone upstairs. Jill calls the police and they say they will trace the call if she can keep him on the line for more then a minute. Of course, the creeper calls again and when the police trace the calls, it is discovered that they are coming from INSIDE THE HOUSE. (Oh boy!) Then there is a struggle for survival as Jill protects herself and the children.
Why is this so stinkin scary?? I feel like I have babysat in that house! Big, dark, and isolated!

5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?
Before yesterday when I was absolutely convinced that the encircling helicopter (which by the way was flying quite low) was going to fall on my head…
Summer of 2008 – Kratie, Cambodia – the rainy season
We had left our hotel early in the morning after a horrible rainstorm in the night. The roads were dirt and deeply flooded; they were also built high for purposes of irrigation. Our five-hour journey home quickly became nine hours when we hit mud, which took our '92 Camry all over the road. It was comparable to a terrible snow/ice storm in Indiana, except... it was ridiculous and terrifying. The roads were built on dirt mounds with deep ditches to prevent flooding in the rainy season. I was really nervous for our drivers, Tim and Jun. Yet I was more worried about the children (covered in mud from head-to-toe, some also naked) who thought it amusing to chase our car and push our bumpers. I remember the missionary telling her husband [I think attempting to not let us hear her], "Tim, you can't let our car slide into the ditch.. because you know that no one will be able to get us out." It was a high stress situation.






6. What word do you misspell without fail?
I typically don't misspell... but apparently: my name.. Is it not logical to spell 'Jewel' with only one'L'??

7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at.
Singing!

8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?
Being around people definitely, but there are things that I can do like music to really pump me up.

9. Have you ever been on TV?
No. I don’t care to be either.

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)
Pumpkin pie (or pumpkin pie chai!)

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?
1: Relevant Magazine - covering God, life, and progressive culture; after my 1st year, I just re-subscribed for 2 more years.


12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?
More things that I would like to admit...
- God's timing
- Going to bed early is rewarding
-

Saturday, October 10, 2009

'Cause I needed a break from studying...

* More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.
* Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk. [I did this yesterday]
* I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

* Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

* How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

* I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

* The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

* Lol has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

* I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

* Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

* Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart," all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart."

* How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

* I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a doofus from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

* MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

* Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

* I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

* I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

* Bad decisions make good stories.

* Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

* There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

* I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishingwe weren't watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'

* I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

* I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

* Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Friday's Fave Five -- Props to Adam Nash

Happy “Friday’s Fave Five” blog, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. Click on the linky to see what 5 things other bloggers found pleasurable this week!

This week, I chose five pictures. My friend Adam is doing a 1 year missionary internship with Global Partners in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is ministering through soccer and English, and his ministry is flourishing!


This is Adam in front of the Royal Palace, in Bangkok.


1) This is the Cambodia I love -- the countryside -- though I'm more likely to end up settling in the rusting, bustling city of Phnom Penh. Traditional architecture of the Khmer includes the stilt house, built with a wooden frame and a steep thatched roof overhanging the walls. These stilt houses are up to three metres off the ground to protect against floods, while providing shelter for the family's domestic animals below the house.

2) Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Siem Reap, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. The above picture was taken at Bayon, one of my favorite temples at Angkor Wat. The temple complex is a photographer's dream, and if you're ever in Cambodia, don't miss Angkor Wat!

3) Like in any nation, life in the city certainly contrasts life in the country. This is typical Phnom Penh. Where houses are built small, but upwards.

4) Khmer sunsets. I have a few shots similar to this, but none with this coloring. When I lived at the Bible College, I was blessed with an incredible view of the West and was amazed to see the sun set every evening before 8. I miss it. :(

5) The joy in this face. I love the Khmer people -- friends and strangers alike.