Loren Dearth:

I thought she was the answer to my prayers - a prayer I had not yet even prayed. If you follow my blog, you should know that I am leading an IWU World Impact team to Cambodia in May. We are leaving together on May 1, and after my team leaves on the 23rd, I will remain in Phnom Penh on an internship until June 13th. Although the missionaries, Greg and Resie Fernandez, will remain - I will feel quite "alone." Well, there was discussion about the possibility of one teammate, Loren - also an Intercultural Studies major, staying with me for internship credit. Her advisor just reviewed her degree audit, and decided that she is not far enough in the program, and therefore not ready for an internship. Being rather nervous about three weeks of "flying solo", I'm rather disappointed. I will be stretched - and it will be a big leap of faith. I'm a little unsure of what my emotions will do to me in the 4th, 5th, and 6th week of the trip. ALSO, I'm rather nervous about the 12-hour layover which finds me in Seoul, South Korea at 2:00am. I've experienced enough to know that God is big and God is good and God is faithful, BUT my human nature says "I don't want things to be hard!" and I feel like they're going to be...

2nd semester :: Sophomore year

I am just realizing that when this semester is over.. I am halfway through college. HALFWAY. I have grown and I have learned alot, but where will I be in two or two-and-a-half years? I don't even know where to look.

Classes are going well -- as well as they can when I would rather be doing many other things. I'm taking badminton at 8:20 twice a week. I have been forcing myself out of bed at 7:30 to bike 4 or 5 miles before class. Badminton ends at midterms, so it will be nice to have those extra hours in the morning, but I would like to continue my routine at the gym - probably extended hours there.

I'm taking economics from Ivan Pongrasik, a late-60s man from Yugoslavia. I haven't heard him say a good word about America, but I imagine he is happier here than in communist Yugoslavia. Thus far it has been a class of lectures based upon his opinions and predictions of our soon-to-be-doomed nation via the poor economy, via our corrupt government.

I am taking Intercultural Relationships with Dr. Jolly Beyioku, a middle-aged man from Nigeria. Last semester I had him for Nonprofit Essentials Management, and I'm enjoying Intercultural Relationships much more.  Like, I can read my two INT220 books for enjoyment!  These are things that I WANT to apply to my life.

Of course, I'm still continuing Spanish with "Conversation and Composition".  Last semester was the best Spanish semester of my life, (next to soph & jr year with Sra Swan in high school ;D) and it's been difficult to adjust to a new prof.  Profe M last semester was increíble and he really cared about me.. and this semester is different.  I'm working really really hard to advance my Spanish, and looking for an opportunity in the community to be involved with Spanish speakers.

Another class I am really enjoying is Inductive Bible Study with Dr. Lennox.  I have learned so much, and I never thought I could make thirty observations from one verse of Scripture.  

Finally... Dr. Pettis. =)  I love that man.  He is my Intercultural Studies advisor, and I have had him every semester.  This semester I am taking Theoretical and Theological Foundations of Cross-Cultural Leadership.  It is a bigger class than I am used to having with Dr. P, but it's good.

Jewel + needs = ?

Just because I saw this on another blog tonight, I'm going to give it a whirl!  Here's the idea: Google your name + needs and share what you come up with.

Here were my top hits::

JEWEL Lyrics - NEED A PIECE OF YOUR LOVE MACHINE

This Coastal Jewel Needs Polishing - Los Angeles Times

Jewel Needs a Home - Utah Dogs

d2jsp Forums -> All Your Jewel Needs


--Let me know with a comment if you decide to follow along on your blog.

Three day weekend?

I'm sitting here at 11:38 on Thursday evening hoping that my weekend has begun.  Rumor has spread across campus that, due to the predicted drastically low temperatures for tomorrow, tomorrow's classes may be canceled.  *Crosses fingers* A day off would be much appreciated!  I stocked my fridge with 1 ham and cheese hot-pocket and 1 Starbucks frappe, so that if classes are canceled, I need'nt venture to Baldwin for lunch.  If classes are canceled, my list of things to do includes (but is not limited to):

Sleeping past 10am!

Watching Dr. Greg HOUSE

Watching Glory Road

Watching something else?

Calling Apple

Calling George and Sheree Wuertz

Finishing prayer support letters

Making a list for Wal-Mart and not going to Wal-Mart

Drinking 2-3 Nalgenes

and (possibly) working out...

It is already in the plans that Jessie calls me in the morning as soon as she wakes to check her email, and giving me the "yes classes" or "no classes" update, because I am still without internet in my room.  Now that I have my hopes up I'm going to bed...

Pete the Penguin

One of my mom's nursing students made these cute little pumpkins, and because I am the best student secretary the IWU Nursing Division has ever seen -- I got one too!  He sat a couple too many hours on my desk before I put him in his natural environment (the fridge) so the icing drooped off a little, but he is cute right?  I believe his head is a donut hole, his beak a Starburst, his fins are chocolate cookies, and I'm not quite sure what the white patch on his stomach is.  Notice he is holding a Swedish fish!

1/2 -a-year old!!

My niece is six-months-old December 6. For more pics click HERE.  The coat and hat is my favorite!!

MAC problems...

Last semester I started having problems with my laptop, a MAC book, which are supposedly problem-free.  I have something like "macros" corrupting Microsoft Word.  It isn't a huge problem, only a nussiance.  I can still write and save papers, but when I re-open a paper there is an option to open or ignore "possibly virus-causing macros."  I always ignore, and my documents still open.  But when I chose to end and save, because of "formatting errors" or something-a-rather, I am forced re-name the document.  Which is annoying, because I may have the same document saved five times, under five different names.  ALSO, since moving back to the dorm on Sunday, my MAC refuses to open Safari internet browsers.  I can however connect to the internet, but without browsers.. the internet is basically worthless.  I took my computer to my friend Norm at IT Express (computer help on campus) and he has had it for three days.  He asked for my MAC applications disk, which I have no knowledge of even existing, to re-install Safari.  So.. until I find this mystery disk, I am likely without Safari or a laptop.  Oi vey!  You might think because I am without a computer, I would be AHEAD on my homework schedule.  Not true.  I'm not blogging, messaging, Facebook-ing, or emailing.. but I am however scrapbooking!

Scrapbooking!!!

My older sister Joni bought me lots of scrapbooking things (stickers, paper, embellishments, asian-printed cardstock...) for Christmas and I have really really enjoyed FINALLY making my Cambodia scrapbook.  Dad thinks the time I have spent is absolutely ridiculous -- whatever Dad.  I've enjoyed reminiscing... remember funny or touching moments that I had forgotten.  I have also begun re-reading my journal, and I am so excited to return to Phnom Penh in four months.  To return to familiar faces like Chamnol, Tess, Vandy, Pholla, and Theavy; to worship again in Kratie, Kampong Speu, and Siem Reap; and re-visit Angkor Wat, A New Life Wesleyan Church, Freedom Hotel, and the WBI.  Cambodia 2008 was an incredible experience, and I am thrilled about another opportunity to return.

Anyways... I move back to IWU tomorrow and I know I am going to be very busy again soon, but I will continue working on my scrapbook.  It isn't something I can start and not finish.

I'm not ready to start classes and schoolwork, but I do find hope in the truth that the beginning of the semester is much easier and less stressful than the last few weeks.

Painting Pastor Vandy's nails at Freedom Hotel in Siem Reap

(Khmer men usually do NOT paint their nails, but with an American girl's prompting (and assistance).. Chamnol and Vandy were both willing!)

Our team with missionary Tiffany, Pastors Chamnol and Vandy, and

three actors at the Cultural Village in Siem Reap.