Mr. Raccoon

So funny. Danny was going outside to start the BBQ and there was a raccoon just hanging out on our deck. He has to climb up some pretty steep stairs to get to our place, but lo and behold he was there. Our deck connects to the deck of the people below us, so after Danny went outside he just hung out cleaning himself on the deck below. It was so funny. I guess I have never seen a raccoon behave the way he did. He was just so mellow, and not the slightest bit scared of us. He saw we were there and just was like, 'whatever.'

I know they can be aggressive, but this guy seemed pretty calm. He was like a cross between a cat and a dog. I ran inside to get my camera, but my memory card was in my computer, and then I ran into to get that, and by the time I got it all set up he was gone. But take my word for it, he was a funny raccoon.

Ski Day!

Danny and I went skiing at Mt. Hood on Monday and it was a blast and a half. I haven't been skiing since I was a kid. I absolutely loved it. What a fun sport. It was Danny's first time skiing and he picked it up pretty quick. We had lessons before we started, which were very helpful.

We had a great weekend, lots of fun activities. We got to see our friends, John and Haley, with Ezra, and their newborn baby Levi. Levi was born while we were in Argentina, so this was our first time seeing him. I am become more and more scared at the thought of giving birth to a baby. I am debating whether I should use drugs or go drug free. My natural pull would be to go drug free, but man, I am not looking forward to the pain. I sound like this is a near future thing (to have kids), but I am planning on having kids around 28-30 years old. I don't really take any decision lightly, so I want to start thinking about it now. Because this will be one of the biggest decisions of my life.

We went to Danny's cousins fiances going away party because he is leaving for Iraq for a year. I couldn't help but cry when she gave her toast because I could feel how sad she was, knowing that he would be leaving in a few days. I would want to cherish every last second with him. What a hard thing to have to go through. The awful thing is that she got her car stolen out from in front of their house. What an uneasy feeling, not knowing if it was a random thief or something planned. The fishy thing is they just got new brakes, detailing...the works the day before it was stolen.

Well, I have to go to DEQ to renew my tags, so I better get going.

One month anniversary

As I posted the last post I looked at the date and realized it's Danny and my one month anniversary of being back in the US. It feels like longer than that. We have done so many things since we have been back, it's crazy to think it all happened in a month. I am currently looking for a job to start when I graduate college, which will be in 7 weeks!!!! Oh my word. I want to take Spanish classes in between my time of finishing school and looking for a job. Oregon currently has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, and I can imagine that finding a job right now will not be easy.

Good quote:
"It is not what life offers up to each one of us that truly matters, but rather, how we respond, that determines what we become."

A couple questions

I wrote an e-mail to some people, and then I thought, "Hey, why not put them on the blog too." So here's my e-mail:

I was reading these questions this morning, and I thought they were good things to ask ourselves, so I thought I would share them with ya'll.

"What do you appreciate most about yourself?" STOP, and really think about that one.








"What are you doing best right now in your life? What needs your attention? What deserves more energy and focus?"

I was also reading a something separate, it was about organization techniques, but I think it can apply to many areas of our lives. This is not a direct quote, but the gist. "You have at least one system, task, thing etc. that works well. Figure out why and build on that."

That's all for today. Hope you guys enjoy your day.

Inauguration Day

Today, as you all know was inauguration day. I can't begin to imagine how exciting it must have been for the people who got to witness it in person. I was in my car driving to school listening to it on the radio. I had to go to class, so I didn't get to hear the whole thing, but thanks to technology I can watch it later on the internet. I am writing to give you the picture of Mt. Hood from out apartment. We have had the most beautiful weather lately. Cold, but beautiful. It's been clear, crisp, and sunny. I love it!

Long time, no write

Hey guys,
I apologize for not writing in so long. I don't know if anyone reads this anymore, but if not it can just be a little journal between me and me. So, we have moved into our new place, you know that already. We got most of our stuff set up this weekend, we just need a bookshelf, which I am going shopping for today. I am going to the Sellwood Antique Mall. Sellwood is apparently the best place for antiques in Portland, so I am pretty excited about that.

We went to Ikea to get some stuff, and it's wonderful for cheaper things, but not so wonderful for quality items, so we are going the antique store route. I love how unique each piece is. A lot of it is hit or miss. Some stores just smell like mold, and look like they really need to be scrubbed down, and others are just fresh, unique, and delightful.

I gave my testimony this Friday, which I believe went well. I was so nervous, and crying beforehand, but once I got up there it wasn't that hard. I think it's easier when you know that the people listening to you love you, even if you mess up. I took a picture of the view from our place. You can see Mt. Hood in it. I don't have a card reader on this particular computer, so I will put it on later.

I started leading a step study group with another woman from Celebrate Recovery last Monday night. We meet every Monday 7-9ish. I have to go finish my homework. I will be writing more often from now on. I just had to get through that time of being really busy.

Most stressful week ever!

I liked the simplicity and laid back pace of Argentina. I need it right now!!!!! I am going crazy with the stress. I need to go back.

First day of school

Oh my word. A lot has happened in the last 5 days, that is why I have not written for so long. We moved into a new place...I don't know if I told you this before, but it's different then the place I originally talked about. It's really a great place. It's in NW Portland. We don't have internet yet, so that's another reason why I haven't written on the blog lately. This week is going to be crazy. I have SO many things I need to get done. One of them being my testimony. It's basically my life story and it is around 13-15 pages, so I need to get cracking on that. I have 2 pages so far. I was sick on Sunday and all day yesterday, so I was unable to work on it for very long. I am still sick today, but functional sick. Before I was the type of sick where you need to stay in bed.

I am not going to write very much more because I should get some lunch and stop procrastinating. I want to fill you in on my life, but I should be good, and do my work. I hope you all are doing great! If you're reading this from Argentina, I miss you greatly. I have not had many opportunities to practice my Spanish because I have been so busy, but I am going to join a Spanish speaking club. I have about an hour and 45 minute drive to school, so I practiced a little in the car today. I was just talking to myself, but at least it was something. K, I really should go now.

PS

I never told you this before, but thanks for your prayers for our flight getting in safely. I was really SO happy with how smoothly that worked out. And, we have made a pretty good adjustment to the weather. I think the gray doesn't affect me as much when I am hanging with my family and friends. When I have community and love it doesn't seem to affect me as much-it's when I get lonely that I think is the problem. OR that could all be bogus, and my body just has so much built up sun love from Argentina, that it's like, "I am not going to get pissed yet, you still have sun reserves." I am sorry, it's late, and I start to speak gibberish when it's late. I love you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year to you all! 2008 was an amazing year for Danny and I. I think it's been probably the best year of my life. It seemed like it was 5 years packed into one. It was a tough year, but so rewarding. One of the most rewarding parts was the awesome opportunity to live in Argentina-meet the lovely people, experience an exciting new culture, and just live it up in a different country.

The start of this year brings some excitement for Danny and I. On Monday, Jan.5, he starts his new job (it's still with Intel, but it's his first day with the final placement he chose.) Tuesday, Jan. 6th, I start school. It will be my last term and Oregon State University, and then I will graduate. Woohoo!!! I am giving my testimony on January 9th, and co-leading a women's small group that will begin on January 12th. I am going to be a busy lady in the next couple weeks.

Something a little more immediate is this Friday, Jan. 2nd, we will be moving into our new place. Can you believe it? I am highly anticipating it. So, the place we decided to live is different, but a good different. It's in NW Portland, on 26th...so, that's a fun, safe, and quieter neighborhood with really good restaurants, and cool shops all around the area. I'll tell you more about it later. I should get some rest. Goodnight, and I really wish you a happy new year!