Win-Win

Ahhh, my favorite place to be during a category 1 or tropical storm...is the lake. If the flood gates are closed, the adventure comes from climbing over the levee. If they're not closed, then you get to drive to the middle and get splashed by the enormous waves, which are nonexistent any other time of the year. My two favorite waves of the night include the one that moved the car and the one that made the kid disappear. (I have it on video if you need proof) :)

It's a Win-Win!

Plus, we got of school Monday in case it flooded, and it never even rained. Yay for days off!

More to Life

Thought for the day:

Don't settle for just achieving "the good life," because the good life is not good enough. You can have a lot to live on and still have nothing to live for.

Aim instead for "the better life." Figure out what you love to do--what God gave you a heart to do--and then do it for his glory.

(-Rick Warren)

I Love NOLA...

Do you ever have those days when you just really love where you are? You love the city, the people, the culture? I feel that way about New Orleans a lot. I've had more and more of these days lately, and today was one of them. It's funny because I actually feel sorry for people who aren't here. Don't get me wrong--life is not always easy here. It's hard sometimes to find good friends or to find good parking :) But overall, I love it. Yes, I've talked about leaving from time to time, but the problem is that as soon as I come back, I'm immediately addicted again. Other cities also have cool things to do and gorgeous architecture and things that are unique to their city, but there's something different about NOLA. It has a culture that you can't find anywhere else, and I love it. Plus, there are always new and interesting things to do.

I love that I get to drive by the Superdome every morning on the way to work.

I love Uptown and the Garden District. I love the huge oaks that make all streets into little tunnels and how their branches dip down to a few feet off the ground at times as if they're providing extra seating :) And I love the streetcars and the new "lil easy" bus line-haha.

I love the random entertainment, like Bag of Donuts (the best coverband ever) and the random musicians that can be found on almost any street corner. I love the little theaters that show the classics at 12 everyday, complete with Looney Tunes special features, a host who was around when the movie originally released, and intermission halfway through the movie. (Hello Dolly was the show for the day, by the way, and it was such a fun experience.)

I love that the city feels like a team with frequent pep rallies, despite the fact that there are so many people with so many differences. For example, every year the city picks artistic project and there's a city-wide effort make it happen. This year, the theme was streetcars, so there are over a hundred streetcars placed around the city painted by local artists, each representing the area where it's place. Or what about the fleur de lis? It's always been a symbol for New Orleans, but since Katrina, it's turned into a symbol of rebuilding and rebirth. Every house, car, and article of clothing in the city has it at some point, making us all feel as though we're connected somehow. We're all joined by the fact that 'we are new orleans.'

Yes, this all seems pretty cheesy. But if you've ever had a sports team or been a part of something that you were truly passionate about, then you know how I feel. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, then you should definitely come spend some time in New Orleans. I promise you won't regret it :)

Looking Up

Things are going much better than last week. As I said the kids are slowing catching on to how things are going to work this year, so hopefully they'll keep getting better and better. (I can hope-haha) As promised last time, here are the pics from the past few weekends:

Rock climbing=good times :)

Taking a risk - climbing without the harness :)

For Labor Day, we grilled out in the park, which was an experience in itself. It all started with us buying a cheap grill on the way, so you can only imagine where the day went from there. But it turned out surprisingly well. Despite the off and on rain, we hung out, ate, and played ultimate frisbee - so the day was pretty good overall. We even got to hang out with some new friends.

Us "monitoring" the grill - haha

We also got to go see our favorite cover band of all time - Bag of Donuts.

Also, I went home for my sister's birthday and got to hang out with my nephews for a while. Notice Grady is ALWAYS wearing his football pads, gloves, helmet, or some type of sports equipment. He's so funny :)

As if this weren't enough, I got to hang out this week with my best friend Court while she was in town for a seminar. Hopefully, we'll all be grilling out again in a little bit. And even more importantly - I finished doing progress reports! yay! Now on to finishing lesson plans and prepping for the next week. I have to get everything done before Friday, when I fly out to see more friends! I'm always up for something to look forward to - haha.

So, as Kidd Kraddick says, keep looking up, 'cause that's where it's at :)

Not Doing So Well

So, I'm not doing a good job at all of keeping up with the blog now that I have a job where I never sit down and then come home exhausted - not that I'm giving excuses :) Don't get me wrong. School has been good. Slowly...very slowly...the kids are getting into a routine. Plus, it's been a challenge because every class I teach was previously taught by people that let the kids just have free time. And since I'm not giving free time, you can see how this would be a challenge :) But the kids will either catch on soon or they'll be in EXCELLENT shape due to running laps and doing jumping jacks when they don't follow instructions the first time they are given :)

I will say that weekends have been fun when I have enough energy to function :) Between rock climing, movies in the park, fun cover bands, grilling out, and ultimate frisbee in the park, the weekends have tried to make up for the weekdays when I have no life :) I'll post pics soon of some of the fun weekend activities. Plus, I got to go home last week and see the family, which is always fun.

So until the pics are posted and until the next blog...PERSEVERE. (That's mostly for me-haha) This too shall pass...and/or get better.

Conventiently, the memory verse for my class last week was John 16:33 - "In this world you will have many trials. But take heart, for I have overcome the world." :)

The Summer Remix

So, now that I've officially had a two-month hiatus, I guess it's time to get back into a regular routine and give an update on the summer. The best and biggest part of the summer was, of course, SuperWow. Here's a small taste:

Admin Booth Dress Code :)

The Pier Photo Shoot :)

Next up was the family vaca in Chicago - which I absolutely fell in love with. We hit the zoo, children's museum, Cubs-Cardinals game at Wrigley Field, Navy Pier, ferris wheel, boat tour, Sear's tower, Buckingham Fountain, tons of great restaurants, rode the El, and lots of other random stuff...all in 4 days. It was basically non-stop but absolutely amazing. It was a great time with family and friends...exception of the longest ride ever there and back.

I got to check something off my life list...riding an ostrich. It didn't have a little bridle in its mouth the way I always pictured, but close enough :)

Us on the glass balcony of the Sears (Willis) Tower - 103 floors up

Last up, the best missions camp ever - Merge. It was a great week, and God moved in amazing ways. One student who has been resisting a relationship with God for several years finally overcame his hatred for Christians and started his walk with the Lord. The week was long and extremely hard, since it was a week of manual labor and high energy kids when we had already had a long summer of camps and trips. But in the end, it may have been one of the most exciting times of the summer. It's the most laid back camp ever, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Way to go Eagle's Brook Baptist

The group with Ms. Gracie at the end of the week

After recovering for a few days in Atlanta and then making my way back to New Orleans, it's now time to start the year off. We had teacher orientation last week and this week, and then kids start next Monday. It's going to be a great year, and I'm really excited about the diversity of things I get to teach this year. Good times...here we come! :)

So basically, I'll miss you summer. It's been good, but I guess it's time to come to an end.

Good Friends, Good Times

It's been an emotional but fun week. Between birthday parties and friends coming into town, it's been a little bit stressful but also a lot of fun. Friday was my last day at work, but they gave me had a really fun going away party and we even got most of the faculty to wear hollywood sunglasses - not an easy feat--but sooo funny if you knew them.

Then to continue the celebration, we hit up the Melting Pot, which is always ah-mazing. Great food, great fun, a few good sword fights with our fondu forks, and lots of laughing.

And that was just Friday. The rest of the weekend flew by. To sum it up, there were break dancers, the second line of a New Orleans wedding, street car rides, crepes, Rivertown, reunions, Camellia Grill, sore feet, dancing, movies, and travel planning. Good times, good times :)

Now it's time to finish up SuperWow planning before heading to training Thursday. But yea for SuperWow!

Yet Another Crazy Weekend

2 weekends in a row of craziness and endless hours in the car, but again it was very worth it. My nephews had their 3rd and 1st bday parties - so much fun, as usual. They had their own little cakes, lots of friends, and mucho fun.

Grady on their new big kids playground :)

The football monkey was a big hit...

...but he felt the same way we did when it was over - exhausted!

We also got to hit the beach at Gulfshores with our friends. We go far too long without getting to see each other, so it's always lots of fun to catch up, play, and learn new fitness tips (thanks Rudy-haha).

Us trying to get Sadie to dance at the Hang Out

The good news and the bad news, however, is that next weekend will again be the same. I LOVE having fun and getting to see everyone, but it also reminds me that I'm getting old - haha. Or, maybe it's keeping me from getting old :) Either way, bring it on!

End of the Road

It's always bittersweet to come to the end of a stage in your life. That's where I find myself now. I'm sad to leave behind the friends and coworkers I have now, but I'm also excited to see what the next year will bring. Friday will officially end my era of coming to the seminary campus everyday. Since moving to New Orleans (and then re-moving here after Katrina), the seminary has been a major part of my life. I've been here everyday, whether it's for class or work. Even this past semester when I only had one class, I still spent 45 hours a week on this campus, if not more. I remember when I started. I didn't know anyone or where to find things or the minute details of seminary workings. Now, I know those things. I know the in's and out's of the campus and everything going on behind the scenes. It's really hard to leave a comfort zone and start over again in an unfamiliar setting with new faces, new rules, and new challenges, but it can also be an adventure.

And as usual, God is faithful. He has changed my heart and prepared me for this time in every way possible. I've learned so much about who I am and what I can do, as well as about life and people in general. I've met people who will forever influence my life and who have helped shape me to be the person I am today.

And as with every major change in my life, I am ready when (and only when) it is time to move on. And that's where I am now. While it is definitely sad and strange to be leaving, I'm ready and very excited to be moving on to a new challenge and a new adventure. I'm sure the ride will be bumpy, but the best ones always are. Plus, I'll officially be a true New Orleanian, seeing as I'm no longer attached to the city by school or work but rather by choice. A favorite quote at the seminary comes from one of our past presidents, who talked about New Orleans by saying, "First it gets in your hair, and then it gets on your nerves, and then it gets in your heart." And that's exactly how it is. No matter what happens, you're drawn to it and end up loving it more and more everyday, despite all of its problems.

I'm definitely going to miss the life and challenges I have now. But as I said before, I'm excited for the new challenges and for the future in general. For everything there is a season, and this one has been pretty good. I've definitely had my ups and downs, but overall the ride has been pretty good.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away" Ecclesiastes 3:1-6

A Day in the Park

This is backtracking a little, but last week was Mari's last week in town before moving to Virginia. But before she left we did get to hang out in one of my favorite places in the city...Audubon Park. The evidence is below:

Hangin Out and Chasing the Ducks

Then, we finished the day with a little run in the rain (interrupted by a job interview) and then some amazing pizza at Slice. 'Twas a fun day, indeed. If only more Saturdays could be like this. :)

Weekend Craziness

Once again, I said I was going to do better about blogging more often, but I haven't. Instead of catching up all at once, I'm just going to start with this past weekend, and then I'll work backwards-ha.

Last week was definitely busy. I left Wednesday and made the 10-hour drive to Jekyll Island, chilled there Thursday, drove to Atlanta on Friday and back to NOLA on Sunday. Needless to say, after over 30 hours in the car I am pretty much worthless today. To hit the high points, Jekyll was fun, even though it was strange being there without the SuperWow team. But at least since it was stormy, there were major waves, which I have honestly never seen at Jekyll.

And congrats to Lauren and Brian!! The wedding was sooo much fun and absolutely beautiful. Plus, it was great to hang out with some friends I didn't expect to see and those that I did.

The newlyweds

Fun Friends

Fun Surprises

Our Groomsmen Pic - ha

Our Engagement Pics-haha

Then, as if I weren't tired enough, I spent Saturday helping Court & Ike make a patio - literally. Five hours of moving 1700 pounds of rock around to fit like a puzzle and then grouting with mortar sand. Good times :) haha But it was a good workout and turned out surprisingly well. I'm not going to lie, though--I was glad it started raining, because otherwise we also would've installed a pondless waterfall in the side of the mountain. I'm not sure I would've made it.

It was a long weekend, but it was fun. However, I'm not sure if I'm ready to do it again next weekend. But it looks like that's how it's going to go. Maybe I'll try to sleep a lot this week getting ready for it. Now that sounds like fun! haha