avoidance

There really isn't a lot to update on. Nothing exciting has really happened to me it seems like or at least nothing that's extremely exciting and news worthy to share. So I guess I'll just give a random quick update because I feel like I HAVE to write something.

-Work is still not the greatest and it almost feels worse. I am really glad that I am almost done.
-I went to Andrew and Erika's wedding last weekend in Ohio. Loved it and loved them. Congrats!
-I've been sooo close to home but yet not home several times in the last few months. BOO!
-I've been watching old episodes of The Office. They bring back good memories.
-I have really enjoyed getting to know some of my co-workers better.
-I wish I didn't feel depressed when I should be happy.
-I wish it wasn't so bloody hot outside or in my room.
-Summertime always makes me think of country music loud and windows rolled down, and maybe some Cowboy Up please. Maybe just more country folks in my life!
-I wish and desire more hugs. The more unexpected, the better! (Even if I'm hot and sweaty)
-Physically ready to be home home, but not mentally prepared yet.
-My new favorite co-worker who I need to write about but don't because of lack of motivation is Antoinese (Toni) Watkins. She listens to me complain. And constantly answers every ridiculous question I have because I don't really know what I'm doing at work.
-I think about home home more often because of Miss Kara Mishler. Love ya chica.
-There are certain events in life that I wish I could replay over and over again and Boulder, CO 2010 would totally be one of them.
-I've been told I get a queen size bed in my room here (for the next 1.5 months, yippee!

Welp, it's past my bedtime. I'm always tired and wake up at the crack of dawn because if I closed my curtains, my room would be even worse than it is now....boo!! Goodnight!
Love from Baltimore

new favorites

I Don't Feel It Anymore by William Fitzsimmons and Priscilla Ahn

Hello Seattle

So this one time, I went on two different trips in two weeks.  It was the greatest.  First was Colorado with Lindsey and MVS Retreat, then a week later, I went to Seattle.

My trip begins in the airport.  It was a crazy zoo while I sat there waiting for my stinking flight to leave.  There were people everywhere.  I should have taken a picture but it was just overwhelming.  I sat there and started reading but then I couldn't focus (yes I'm easily distracted by shiny things and constant people), so I decided to text and was texting my friend Lindz explaining my situation and how bored I was.  I also mentioned how I should do a scavenger hunt, so she quickly texts me "find a person with a mohawk, watch a couples interactions, and find 3 guys with a beard."  It took a while, but eventually found the 3 guys with beards, there were several couples interacting and I was lucky enough to even sit by one and on my flight back, they were on my plane again.  During that time when I couldn't find any of those people, I saw tons of Marines getting shipped out to somewhere in their white crisp uniforms, a pastor with the collar and all, a creepy guy walking back and forth checking out other women and he had a ring on his ring finger (tisk tisk), 2 dogs that were going to be carried on board a flight, a creepy kid who stared at me several different times at different places, and tons of other people.  It was quite the experience in itself.

After the long flight, I finally arrived in Seattle and randomly saw a friend from college in the airport.  I definitely wasn't expecting it.  But yet it was good and strange at the same time.  We finally got to the MVS house and ate, and went to bed.  I was pooped!  We woke up and checked out a local coffee shop and made our way down to downtown.  We checked out the market and then shopped til we dropped.

Pike Street Market

Miss Courtney, my friend, fellow MVSer

The Gum Wall

Beautiful flowers all over the market

Sunday, we checked out Folk Life and that was the defining moment for me.  After listening to all the stories Beth had about Seattle, the time that Courtney and I walked around that festival, Seattle was defined and portrayed all at once.  It was beautiful sight and absolutely amazing.  I loved every minute of it.  I may not be able to fully describe my thoughts out loud, but it was still great and amazing and I'm glad I got to go to Seattle that weekend or Seattle would have not been as great.

the Conjugal Visits

Monday we checked Gasworks Park and The Troll where they filmed a few scenes from 10 Things I Hate About You and then while we were there, we tried to figure out which house was filmed in the movie Sleepless In Seattle.  The view of the city was the greatest.  Then we made our way back to the city and went to the Space Needle, and thanks to Mama Yoder for letting us both go up, I got another spectacular view of the city and landscape.  Then late Monday evening, I made my way back to the East Coast for an early morning and work.  Boo!  It probably wasn't the wisest of decisions but yeah I did it, I'm crazy I know!  Well now I'll leave you with some lovely times in the wonderful city of Seattle.
Take care and Love from BMore

Some famous car wash with a pink elephant sign

Space Needle

Jimi Hendrix

The Troll

Court and I up on the Space Needle

The view

Lawrence Welks SNL Skit

No need to explain, Betty White was great on SNL and this one is probably one of my favorite ones right now.  Throw it on the ground is another good one too.  Gotta love SNL.

"Colorado Sunrise"

Boulder, CO

Me and Lindz

At the Rockies Game

Coors Field

Where I stayed at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp

Edelweiss

A view from the Top, didn't hike it but others did. Photo Credit Lindsey Reinford

My Buddies (Lindz, Ben, and I)

Not quite sure what we're doing

So I may or may not have had a lot of fun with some friends.  Thanks for a great week guys!  You're the greatest.

Safely in BMore

Mountains and Colorado

These 9 days have been the greatest 9 days of my whole year.  Yeah I went home for Christmas Break, but nothing can compare to this week.  I had the greatest time ever.  I met some new people and talked to old friends.  I caught up on life, and I completely ignored others.  I had a grand old time and I was perfectly fine with my decisions.  I didn't care.

We got back from retreat at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp today and I became acclimated to civilization again.  Having no cell phone reception made it difficult to function sometimes but it's ok, most of all my important people were in one place.  We had a great time, fellowshipping, discussing, and even realizing what we truly believe or maybe that was just me.  

This week, a lot opened my eyes.  I've considered having a series of blogs focusing on this one particular event in my life but it felt too overwhelming (or it may still happen).  I've realized so much about the Mennonite community.  FYI people, you can't change this stuff overnight.  And you people who aren't truly Mennonite, I don't think you truly understand, it's going to take a long time to change these people.  It can't happen in a matter of moments/minutes.  It's going to take time, maybe not until our generation becomes that age which sucks to say, but it may be the God's to Honest Truth.  It's a shit life, let's just be honest!!  I would love to change a Mennonite's viewpoint also, but I don't know when that will EVER happen, but I guess it's something that can be worked on.  Anyways, I don't know, I just know, that I wished it would happen but you can't exclude others who don't agree with what you believe in, what kind of Christian are you?  Hypocrite!!!!!!  (I might not have room to talk, but think about what you're talking about/doing, yeah I may be talking to you or I may not be.)

This week, a lot has ran through my mind.  Like even the simple definition that I have to explain a lot, what's a Mennonite? How do I even define it?  I don't know....we're pacifist?  We strive to live simply?  We're frugal?  Yes, all true, but what makes me a Mennonite?  I don't know.....tough question.  I'm not the hippie.  I don't always fit the stereotype of a typical Mennonite child.  But sometimes, I like to believe that I do.  Sometimes, I DO!!  I know, hard to believe but it's true, but I can't go too extreme, I've gone as far as the Chacos but thats it.  And the scariest part is that I know others who haven't gone that far, who haven't gone past the front door in a sense.  Those are the people that I'm scared to be around, will they challenge me to be the person I am?  Will I stick to my grounds of being the person I want to be?  

My challenge for the year I move home is staying true to myself, sticking up for what I believe but the true test will come when I have those discussions....scary!!

Well it's late, I should really sign off.  

And as for the evening,

Love from Boulder, Colorado (my new favorite place and a place I wish I would never have to leave)

"Let the Wild Rumpus Start" --Where The Wild Things Are

well I guess I'm a little late.  But this weekend was the start of my Away from Baltimore month:

April 30-May 1--Baltimore unit retreat, The Poconos
May 4-5--DC for the evening to hang with friends
May 7-8--Flower Mart in Mt. Vernon, come out and join us!
May 14-22--Colorado for Miss Lindsey and National Retreat
May 28-31--Seattle with Miss Courtney

Let the good times roll!  Can't wait!

Love from BMore or where ever I may be

(Pray for safe travels, Thanks!)