33 Days and Counting...
Approximately 33 days until I will board the plane to move to South Korea. I am excited beyond description, and also experiencing mini freak-out moments randomly, as time seems to be passing more quickly than I can keep up with! As I cross off more and more of the to-do list, I am also a bit sentimental about leaving this land that I have come to love dearly... Texas will always be my home state in the U.S. I may not have been fortunate enough to have been born here, but I got here as fast as I could! Alas, as the boxes, suit cases, and disappearing furniture constantly remind me, my time in Texas is almost over. And boy is it a constant reminder, because my apartment is a honkin mess! Literally, the only piece of furniture left is my bed, and it is being used as a desk, dining table, couch, and clothes stand as I pack and re-pack my suitcases. Oh! Speaking of suitcases, I have no idea how I am suppose to be able to pack EVERYTHING in 2 suitcases. Obviously whoever made those rules doesn't love shoes as much as I do... Anyway, welcome to my life! I hope that in the days to come you enjoy following my life journey from the U.S. to South Korea and around the world!
32... Garage Sale!
I spent my past evening sorting through items within my apartment, creating a storage pile, donate pile, and sell pile. Now keep in mind, whatever I am storing must fit in my car after my suitcases are loaded, because I need to store my stuff in Ohio. This limits my storage pile greatly, causing me to really donate a good portion of things that are still in great condition. And of course, in God's perfect timing, the church associated with the preschool that I work at is having a garage sale this Saturday to raise funds for a mission trip. What better cause is there to donate my things to?!?! In all honesty, it makes creating my donate pile enjoyable. So, if your in the DFW area, you should totally check out Northcrest Community Church in Flower Mound on Saturday June 30th, because there is gonna be great stuff for sale, and your money can help spread the love of Jesus around the world!
31... Oh my, where's the floor?!
Thank goodness today is Friday! And what a fun Friday it is! At work it was splash day, and boy did that water feel good since it's working its way up to 101F today. Yesterday evening was spent searching for my bedroom floor. It was quite a task, but I am happy to say that it is now visible, and I had an entire car full of items and clothing to donate to the mission trip garage sale (check it out at Northcrest Community Church in Flower Mound tomorrow!). That's just one more thing to cross off the to-do list. Yay! Hopefully this weekend will be productive as well, since there is now only 2 weeks left in Texas. So bitter-sweet. And on that note, here is to a great and productive weekend!
28... Let the goodbyes begin...
This past weekend was productive! I am almost completely packed, although I did have to make some sacrifices. It became apparent, that with my shoe obsession, I could not pack both my shoes and my kitchen gadgets. So, after much contemplation, the shoes won. And, sad to say, I can't bring all my shoes either, so some major cuts were made in that department as well. However, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and look forward to closing and locking my luggage to call it done, and mark it off my beloved to-do list. (And yes, I do realize that I have 28 days left to pack, but it needs done before I leave Texas, which is in 13 days... and I HATE procrastination!)
Additionally, this past weekend held more goodbyes than to just some shoes. I was so blessed to have spent Friday evening with some great friends, two of which I will not see again before I depart. (Shout out to Young-B Oppa and Oxana :) It was bitter-sweet, but I know that it's not a forever goodbye. And who knows, the next time I see them might just be around the world in Korea!
Additionally, this past weekend held more goodbyes than to just some shoes. I was so blessed to have spent Friday evening with some great friends, two of which I will not see again before I depart. (Shout out to Young-B Oppa and Oxana :) It was bitter-sweet, but I know that it's not a forever goodbye. And who knows, the next time I see them might just be around the world in Korea!
Happy Birthday America!!!
25... God Bless America!
Yesterday was the 4th of July, and it encompassed all the festivities that typically accompany the holiday. With the realization that this will be my last 4th of July to celebrate while in America (for a while at least), I wanted to make the most of it. So, I started the moment I got off of work on the 3rd by visiting a dear friend and her precious new baby. The visit was long overdue, and boy did I enjoy it. From there, I went to Addison Circle for Kaboom Town. This 4th of July celebration is top notch, with an air show involving old fighter jets, Dallas symphony orchestra, and of course fireworks. To top off the festivities, there was also every vendor imaginable present (But no worries, I resisted that wonderfully smelling funnel cake, and opted for a protein style hamburger and animal style fry from In and Out, which believe it or not, is a MUCH healthier option, and a great treat). The air show was really incredible. The picture I took does not do it justice. There were a few moments where the plane was spiraling straight down that I cringed, hoping it would not lead to disaster, but alas, they pulled through every time, leading to the astonishment of the show. The orchestra was also very enjoyable, playing many old patriotic songs. The firework display was almost magical, as most are, and provided the grand finale that everyone anticipates.
All the events led to a very late night, and I was certainly happy to sleep in the next morning. However, after awaking, Romeo and I went to the dog park to meet a friend and her family. We had fun, although it was very, very hot. After the dog park, the afternoon was filled with a lot of running around, and before I knew it, it was time to prepare for work the following day and call it a night. Now, there are many things about America that are disappointing, however, there are also many things to be thankful for in America. On this Thankful Thursday, I am truly thankful for the freedom to choose what I believe, where I want to live, and what I do with my life. I realize that there are places where this freedom is not available. So, I am very, very thankful for the freedom that so many have fought to retain for us in America, and this is what I chose to celebrate the most this beautifully busy July 4th!
All the events led to a very late night, and I was certainly happy to sleep in the next morning. However, after awaking, Romeo and I went to the dog park to meet a friend and her family. We had fun, although it was very, very hot. After the dog park, the afternoon was filled with a lot of running around, and before I knew it, it was time to prepare for work the following day and call it a night. Now, there are many things about America that are disappointing, however, there are also many things to be thankful for in America. On this Thankful Thursday, I am truly thankful for the freedom to choose what I believe, where I want to live, and what I do with my life. I realize that there are places where this freedom is not available. So, I am very, very thankful for the freedom that so many have fought to retain for us in America, and this is what I chose to celebrate the most this beautifully busy July 4th!
24... Fun Friday!
Last night was a fun night... I mean, really, really, really fun! I went on a date with my brother to Red River, where we literally danced the night away. (Did I mention how fun it was?!?!) Although fun, it made for a really late night... or should I say a really early morning. Basically, I am writing this with only 3 hours of sleep. Was it worth it? Definitely! Soooo, this got me to thinking. What is it about the knowledge of drastic change that causes people to begin to really live life to the fullest?! I mean, there are even songs (country songs, of course) that deal with this realization that you need to 'live like you were dying' in order to really experience the fullness that life has to offer. For me, I now regret being content with the mundane routine that I had built for myself over the past few years. I wouldn't sacrifice my 9 hours a night to make memories, and that is something I completely regret now. (Don't get me wrong, I understand in order to maintain a healthy body you must get an adequate amount of sleep each night.) So, this is a realization that I hope helps change me for the better. The realization that relationships are worth many sacrifices, including the sacrifice of sleep to make memories. So, on this Fun Friday, I am celebrating the opportunity to continue to learn and grow, and add more "fun" to my life by making memories that will last a lifetime!
21... Where is the time going?!?!
It's a typical Monday today in every way but one... It is my last Monday working at Kid's Kingdom AND living in Texas. This realization is so bitter sweet. Although the sweet is overcoming the bitter more and more, the fact still remains that this major life change is inevitable. But you know, what I like about this whole process the most is that I have taken my step of faith, and now I have no choice to back out and let fear paralyze me. The funny thing is, fear is so irrational. Really, why do we spend so much energy and time sweating the small details when we serve such an amazing God who has already worked every detail out FOR OUR GOOD?! So, today, on this mountain of a Monday, I am going to choose to simply embrace the journey and let God worry about the details!
20... Yay! for the final stages!
I have finally been issued my visa number! YAY!!! Now, onto the last step, which is sending my passport off to the Korean consulate to get my visa placed inside my passport. huhhhhh. BIG sigh of relief. This process has made me question my administrative skills multiple times, and has also made me appreciate my organization skills more than normal. But, finally, the light is visible at the end of the tunnel, and I am one big step closer to moving to Korea!
19... Can anyone say STRESSED?!
So, I know that much of life is enjoyed during the process of things, and the end result is like the icing on top of the cupcake. With this in mind, I am trying my best to embrace and enjoy the process of moving to its fullest, but to be completely honest, I hate moving! Oh, I love the end result, and I am looking forward to living in many different countries, but I really do not enjoy the 'getting there' process. With that said, even during this season, I love how God takes the time to refocus my attention on what really matters. Such was the case yesterday, when I began to stress over all the details that need to be done before Sunday. My to-do list keeps growing when it should be shrinking, and I was pondering this while driving in pouring rain on flooded roads. To say I was a little uptight would be an understatement. So, it was in this moment that God began to bring my focus to what He has truly blessed me with and how much He has miraculously done for me up to this point. Then, as if to get his point across completely, the radio asked the question 'what makes your best friend so special?'. I began to laugh, because there is no greater evidence of God's goodness to me than in the relationships that I have made. The thing about having great friends, especially having a 'best' friend, is that no distance, no matter how great or small, can separate them from you. And, as if that isn't good enough, no matter how imperfect they are (and you are) you will always be perfect for each other. So, I am grateful this beautiful Wednesday for all that God has done for me, and especially for the dear relationships that He has placed me in, but most of all, for my best friend who may not be near or perfect, but is still close and perfect for me!
8... Down to my final week in the US!
So, I need to back track since more than eleven days have past since I last updated. I said goodbye to all my dear students at Kids Kingdom, and my wonderful co-workers. I am confident that they are going to enjoy the last few weeks of summer and do amazing in the new school year ahead! My students were so sweet in giving me many good-bye wishes in the form of cards and hugs.
I also had to say good-bye to two wonderful ladies, Melanie and Julie. We had such a fun evening by dining at Sweet Tomatoes, being stranded in Central Market while it down-poured (during which time we found a basket of orphan cheese that needs adopting), and visiting at their home afterward. They have been such a blessing in their friendship, and girls nights with them have been moments to cherish. I am looking forward to the adventure of skype girl nights while I am in Korea!
After my girls night with Mel and Julie, I met Cody at Red River to go dancing one last time. It was so much fun, and we enjoyed our night well into the wee hours of the morning. After a few hours of sleep, Sunday was a very busy day. Cody and I went to church, then packed my apartment. We then went back to Habitation service, which was AMAZING and so refreshing! After habitation, we stopped by H Mart, by Cody's request, to eat Korean for dinner before working until 1AM to finish packing my apartment. I was so thankful for his help! At 1AM, I said goodbye to one of my favorite people on Earth, my bubbles. I must admit, I shed a tear as I headed to sleep on the floor of my empty apartment.
Monday morning was started sleepily at 7:30AM, as Romeo and I finished the last minute cleaning in the apartment before we hit the road. The car was loaded the night before, so after the cleaning was done and we were cleaned up, we started our journey at 9AM. The drive was long, and uneventful. We passed the worlds largest McDonalds, saw a really cool storm cloud in the distance, passed the St. Louis arch, and finally made it to our destination at 4:30AM. It's a good thing Romeo is such a good travel buddy! We spent most of the past week visiting friends, and then visiting family. Stephanie and I went to the park and took our boys swimming and hiking. It was such fun! Romeo was a bit scared of the water at first because he dived in after a stick and freaked out that he couldn't touch the bottom. So, it was really funny when he dove in after Jade and drug Jade back to shore by his leash. Such a hero! :) Saturday morning was also filled with farmers market fun as I helped Stephanie sell her delicious baked goods. Seriously, if you live in Ohio, check out her stand at the Mt. Gilead Farmers Market. The best pies I have ever eaten, and I am not a fan of pies. Oh, her cinnamon rolls are amazing as well! Seriously, just go try them for yourself!
And that about catches us up to today. I did receive my passport with my visa in the mail the other day, and my plane ticket yesterday, so I officially have everything I need to fly out. This week is a busy one, with lots on the to-do list and even more memories to be made, which I am sure will be documented on here soon! :)