I am getting ready for my parents' visit! I'm very excited to see them and keep praying that I'll be able to balance the work and visiting time well. School is pressing as always, but this is beyond me and I'm learning more and more than most things are. Faith plays a large role in this area.
When the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, God provided manna for them. The manna was sustaining and just what they needed. My eyes have been opened to God's provision. He has provided me with the strength, knowledge, books, times, professors, etc. for my daily survival during school. 2 Timothy 3:17 "the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
I believe that God has me in school; it is my purpose for now. It is a huge blessing to be finishing this master's now! I'm excited to see what I'll be doing in the future with my dual degree. There are so many exciting options for me to pursue!
Well, back to the main point. I must do my part and stay diligent. My parents will be here from April 19-29, so I could use your prayers! Back to studying!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
snakes and roses
I can take Guns 'n' Roses, or more so just the roses. Mérida is full of roses right now and they are so beautiful! Dan and I took a nice Easter walk in the sun and enjoyed the roses. He wanted to cut one for me, but I said no...that I didn't think it was allowed.
We were admiring the roman bridge (as always) and saw a big black snake. Ick. I'm crawling as I write this. I just have a phobia (a very unrealistic fear) of snakes. I tried to look up snakes on the internet to see if it was poisonous and got really creeped out looking at the photos. I don't know why my phobia is getting worse. Someday I'm going to have to face my fear and hold a snake or something.
It doesn't really feel like Easter today, but I have taken it a bit easy. My parents will be here in one week!! I'm very excited!
We were admiring the roman bridge (as always) and saw a big black snake. Ick. I'm crawling as I write this. I just have a phobia (a very unrealistic fear) of snakes. I tried to look up snakes on the internet to see if it was poisonous and got really creeped out looking at the photos. I don't know why my phobia is getting worse. Someday I'm going to have to face my fear and hold a snake or something.
It doesn't really feel like Easter today, but I have taken it a bit easy. My parents will be here in one week!! I'm very excited!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
U2 Tickets
I forgot to mention our experience buying U2 tickets. We had two other couples who were interested in joining us for a U2 concert Sept 13 in Chicago. There were a few requests about seating, but Dan and I found out quickly that we were not given many options for being picky.
We both had windows open on our computers and there was a wait every time we searched for tickets. Dan's first option with "best seat available" were in the very top section toward the back. We both didn't like that since we wanted general admission if anything. We searched again and are way in the back on the 4th level, section 429. It is far away, but the tickets were $30 (plus $12 for service fees), so we are happy to be going at that price.
We both had windows open on our computers and there was a wait every time we searched for tickets. Dan's first option with "best seat available" were in the very top section toward the back. We both didn't like that since we wanted general admission if anything. We searched again and are way in the back on the 4th level, section 429. It is far away, but the tickets were $30 (plus $12 for service fees), so we are happy to be going at that price.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Spring Quarter
I know you are expecting me to complain about how busy I am and how stressed I feel. Nope, that's not going to happen today. We came back from vacation and I had to start immediately. I organized all my classes and dove into my reading and work.
We had another Fulbrighter from Madrid wanting to visit, but I told him that I just started the quarter and would not be able to do much for him or have much time to visit. I felt badly, but the quarter had just started. He arrived Friday afternoon and by Saturday afternoon I had all my work done, so Dan and I enjoyed our visit by site seeing and eating with our visitor until he left Monday morning.
The work is not as overwhelming as the past two quarters. I do have a policy class with a paper that is due the week after my parents leave and I have no clue how to write it. I am not politically savvy, so I am a bit nervous about that work.
My parents are coming! Yes, they are visiting on April 19-29th! We will pick them up in Lisbon, spend a few days there, visit Mérida for a few days, and then go back to Lisbon and say our good-byes. I am so excited for them to visit, but am praying that my nose won't be in books the entire time! I'm really hoping to finish my work quickly so we can enjoy some sites, the food, and the culture! I think they will love it!
Praise Report:
I have been praying to not seek praise from men, but to please God. However, I found much favor with my advisor and she told everyone in one of my classes about me and my husband and why I'm a new grad in a master's program. She raved about how smart I am and how great of a student I am and that my work should be used as a template for their work. I was flattered and encouraged. I kept thanking God for all his mercy to have gotten this far.
This was all written on a discussion board and other students (nurses with 15+ years of experience) all wrote in with the most encouraging comments. One even said that she hoped to write as eloquently as I did someday. I laughed and cried since writing is the hardest thing for me to do. I told her that and said that I have improved, but I definitely struggle with each paper. Pretty nice, no?
We had another Fulbrighter from Madrid wanting to visit, but I told him that I just started the quarter and would not be able to do much for him or have much time to visit. I felt badly, but the quarter had just started. He arrived Friday afternoon and by Saturday afternoon I had all my work done, so Dan and I enjoyed our visit by site seeing and eating with our visitor until he left Monday morning.
The work is not as overwhelming as the past two quarters. I do have a policy class with a paper that is due the week after my parents leave and I have no clue how to write it. I am not politically savvy, so I am a bit nervous about that work.
My parents are coming! Yes, they are visiting on April 19-29th! We will pick them up in Lisbon, spend a few days there, visit Mérida for a few days, and then go back to Lisbon and say our good-byes. I am so excited for them to visit, but am praying that my nose won't be in books the entire time! I'm really hoping to finish my work quickly so we can enjoy some sites, the food, and the culture! I think they will love it!
Praise Report:
I have been praying to not seek praise from men, but to please God. However, I found much favor with my advisor and she told everyone in one of my classes about me and my husband and why I'm a new grad in a master's program. She raved about how smart I am and how great of a student I am and that my work should be used as a template for their work. I was flattered and encouraged. I kept thanking God for all his mercy to have gotten this far.
This was all written on a discussion board and other students (nurses with 15+ years of experience) all wrote in with the most encouraging comments. One even said that she hoped to write as eloquently as I did someday. I laughed and cried since writing is the hardest thing for me to do. I told her that and said that I have improved, but I definitely struggle with each paper. Pretty nice, no?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Oh Vacation!
Yes, I love vacation! I suppose my whole married life has been a non-stop vacation from life, but I still like to go site-seeing and not have any school or work to do. We started with a train trip to Madrid to meet our good friend from Cinci. We stayed with his aunt, uncle and cousin and enjoyed great food, wine, and company! We spent a Friday night looking for clubs and only a few were interesting.
The next day we flew to Barcelona. Our WI friend from Fulbright lent us his flat and we enjoyed the city, the art, but not las ramblas. I do not think I have ever seen as many prostitutes in my life...aggressive ones at that. Dan held on to me for dear life. Not fun! The Gaudi work was amazing and so were a few tapas joints, but overall it was not my favorite city.
Tuesday we flew to Granada! What a city! I loved it! Besides the Alhambra being amazing and getting so tired from walking, the city was too quaint and I must go back!
Thursday we were off to Cordoba. We saw a great Flamanco show that night, but our worship leader still beats any singer hands down. There was a male and female dancer which was really cool to see. I hope to post videos! Our friend got sick, so we had to go to the mosque and other places without him. Poor guy!
Saturday it was raining, so we drove to Sevilla to have breakfast and so the guys could see the cathedral from the outside, then drove to Cadiz. It was cold. We still enjoyed sitting in the sand and enjoyed the sun, but brrrr. I ate great swordfish! Our company left on Sunday and Dan and I had the next day alone together, but our hostel owner was a pain, so we had to lug our bags around for the day. We still ate some great crab salad, adobo, and lots of ice cream!
The next day we flew to Barcelona. Our WI friend from Fulbright lent us his flat and we enjoyed the city, the art, but not las ramblas. I do not think I have ever seen as many prostitutes in my life...aggressive ones at that. Dan held on to me for dear life. Not fun! The Gaudi work was amazing and so were a few tapas joints, but overall it was not my favorite city.
Tuesday we flew to Granada! What a city! I loved it! Besides the Alhambra being amazing and getting so tired from walking, the city was too quaint and I must go back!
Thursday we were off to Cordoba. We saw a great Flamanco show that night, but our worship leader still beats any singer hands down. There was a male and female dancer which was really cool to see. I hope to post videos! Our friend got sick, so we had to go to the mosque and other places without him. Poor guy!
Saturday it was raining, so we drove to Sevilla to have breakfast and so the guys could see the cathedral from the outside, then drove to Cadiz. It was cold. We still enjoyed sitting in the sand and enjoyed the sun, but brrrr. I ate great swordfish! Our company left on Sunday and Dan and I had the next day alone together, but our hostel owner was a pain, so we had to lug our bags around for the day. We still ate some great crab salad, adobo, and lots of ice cream!
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