Kabul

Dad said that a suicide bomber attacked their base today, attempting to blow up the airport, but luckily didn't make it. Some German tanks were there, and NATO suffered only injuries, although some Afghanis died. I almost wrote, "but none of our people died". How narrow-minded. It's a tragedy when anyone dies, no matter "whose side" they are on (unless of course, they are Taliban, I do make exceptions there).

I'm glad Dad is safe. That is some scary stuff. Very sobering.

The West Bottoms

Update: I'm working in the West Bottoms (I think that sounds so cool!) And actually, the neighborhood has some beautiful architecture. It needs to be kept-up a bit, but I like it. It's a good deal Hispanic, so I see a lot of Spanish signs, etc. I really need to learn that language already!

Monica and I have started car-pooling when possible, which is lots of fun. Yesterday we stopped at Fritz's, a local burger joint from Monica's days of gymnastic competitions. Good greasy food and a cool train that carries your food to you! I thought it was going to fall on my head, but I was wrong. And you call in the order from your seat. Craziness. ; )

The job is going well. Nice people, gorgeous building, and I have Tuesday afternoons to tutor. Good stuff.

I'm reading Monica's book, Mountains Beyond Mountains, about a man named Paul Farmer. If you are into inspirational books, I would highly recommend this one. The author writes about Dr. Farmer and his amazing life and outlook, and describes him as "an extreme definition of a term like 'doing one's best'." It will make you think.

My eyes are getting better slowly, but the right one is still like looking through a contact with the wrong prescription. However, I still find it absolutely amazing how well I can see compared to where I could see. I keep thinking, are these really MY eyes? hee hee! Thanks, Dad!

Hope everyone is well!

Dad left today. He called me from Atlanta. Then he was headed to Amsterdam, then Dubai, then Kabul. So he'll be traveling for approx. two days. We had such a great visit and I really loved having him here, so letting him go was hard. But I'm looking forward to February and Jamaica, as well as next summer when we're going to live it up.

Tomorrow I start my new job. People keep asking me if I'm excited. Not really. It's a job, an 8-5. I don't think it will be bad and the people are pleasant, but I'm not jumping up and down. : ) Still, it is a nice place.

I visited with my academic advisor today and she was helpful thesis-wise. That is good. I suppose it is time to jump in.

I feel like I'm ready to be done with school. Am I done yet? I'm ready for a few years off, perhaps living abroad and teaching English and writing. Sounds good to me! Guess I'd better finish that MA first....

Entire Show | The Daily Show: Barack Obama | 08/22/2007

The interview with Obama is great, as well as Jon's description of American foreign policy in the Middle East. Highly amusing and thought-provoking!

Girl Friday

So I'm definitely the Girl Friday. I got a job at a Catholic high school today. I start Friday. The funny thing is, they didn't interview anyone else, and the moment I walked into the non air-conditioned building in my full suit, they acted as though I already had the job. I was a bit confused. But ok. That was the easiest interview I've yet to have. No complaints here!

As of Friday I a regular 8-5 person, fighting the traffic and wearing business clothes (do I feel a shopping trip comingup?). Ahhh, the typical life. Boring, eh? Thank goodness it's only two months. The funny part is that I'll be doing a lot of computer work, though I can barely see a pc right now. Crack me up.

It seems that since Dad left my house has become the happening and desired place. I've recently received several offers from people wanting to move in with me for certain periods of time. I don't think I have enough room to accomodate all the requests!

Did I already mention we are closing the pool early? Sadness. Sniffle.

Dad is leaving Thursday and I also find that depressing. It has been really great having him here. But I know he needs to go back. I mean, if he stays, who will pay for me Lasik? ; ) Just kidding! Sheesh. I'm not THAT horrible.

Monica started school again today and I was oh-so-thankful it wasn't me. However, I am still the slacker who has yet to really start her thesis work. It's kind of like some annoying kid sitting next to me and poking me from time to time. I wish it would go away but I can't really make it b/c I have to do it, but all the same it's a dreadful thing to think about.

My nightly startbursts are amazing. I look at lights at night and they are bigger than I ever could have imagined. Very interesting.

Meegan, pics. Yes, I should add those. Good point. Call me, would you? I miss you!

That's my update for now. I suppose it's good I am starting another job. I can't stay a lazy bum forever, right? ; )

It was party central around here this weekend! We had a pool party/bbq/badminton tournament on Saturday and it was a lot of fun. Dad's friends showed up, and my Germans, Mario, and Monica were around as well. Les and I were badminton partners and we did quite well, if I may say so, and yet sadly we lost. Oh well.


Auntie was here Friday night and it was great to see her! She brought goodies from her garden, we played cards and had a great evening. I wish she could have stayed longer.

Dad and I did massive shopping at Best Buy and he bought me my (early) birthday present of a new digi camera!!!!!!!!!!! It's awesome! I'm excited to use it. It has video, audio, and doesn't take five minutes between pics to reload.

I went to the doctor this morning b/c I was getting concerned about my right eye being so blurry. The doctor, bless his heart, said that all was way and they look great, I just have to be patient (no pun intended). lol.

Also, I have a job interview on Tuesday that sounds promising. They are looking for a "temporary Girl Friday". I could so do that.

I'll put up some pics from this weekend later.

Oh, and the apartment that Emma was trying to get for me is a no-go, so I'll go back to looking soon. I can always close my right eye and work on the pc with my left. : )

Ode to Summer

I would like to thank Laura for sending me this one and I just couldn't help passing it along. Please be forewarned, if you're opposed to foul language, I would stop reading here.



A-hem.


I found this beautiful summer poem and thought it
might help make your day. It did me, and it's very well written. ENJOY!
" Summer "
A poem by Abigail Elizabeth McIntyre


SHIT! It's Hot !



I hope you enjoyed this little moment of poetic reflection.

Chuckelia

Chuckelia and siblings came to town today and stopped by for a short but sweet visit. I hadn't seen him since leaving K-town, so it was nice to catch up a bit. He and his siblings always crack me up, especially Beckelia.

They fixed my tooth today. Half an hour and then my tooth was magically reformed the words "night guard" were uttered to prevent future breakage. Sigh. I guess it's better to keep my teeth? : )

Monica is off to the Chief's game and Dad and I are headed to dinner. Auntie will be in town tomorrow night and I think I double-booked. Oops!

Vision still blurry.

Almost Vision

My left eye is doing great and I can see quite clearly from it. My right eye, however, is hazy as all get out. If you wear glasses, it's like wearing the wrong perscription. And since my right eye is the dominant one, yikes! We will see. I have another check up in two weeks. Until then I'm just trying to let them heal.

Dad's home and that is fun. We're just hanging out, planning house projects (like digging up the pool and re-doing floors and bedrooms, holy cow), and being bums.

I somehow chipped a tooth today so it was a quick trip to the dentist's. She said she could fix it tomorrow, didn't have time today. Ok, that works too.

This weekend we're having a little party at our place for Dad. I think we'll have badmitton.

Chuck's in town tomorrow and we're meeting for tea, that should be delightful.


OH! And Emma, my dear sweet Emma, may have found a room for me in Hamburg. Not entirely sure yet, and not sure how furnished it is, but it is better than what I've (not) found on my own, despite my great effort at searching. So fingers crossed!

Hey Megan, how's that butt muscle doing? ; ) Love you!

Eyes

Hey all, I can almost see! Actually, I can't really see the computer, so typing this is a trip. But I think I know what I'm writing.....

The surgery went well, I got to watch a few before mine, very weird. But Monica came in with me and held my hand and I don't think I felt the Valium very much, but maybe it just made me calmer. Anyhow, the world is very hazy at the moment and seeing anything minute is difficult. But boy howdy my vision is waaaaaaaaaaay better than before (without glasses). Very cool.

And Dad comes home tomorrow. And Mom's been taking care of me all weekend. Good stuff.

: )

Exploding Toilets

So Megan sends me this link about exploding toilets in Japan. Hilarious! An actual problem, and they are recalling toilets there as we speak. If you're interested in a good laugh, check it out here: http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/the-strange-case-of-the-exploding-toilets-japan-on-high-alert-252520.php


My thesis is very slow-going. Dear goodness. I still feel like I'm sorta completely lost, but that will pass, right?

Today is pretty busy and then tomorrow it's Lasik!!! I'm a little excited, mostly just trying not to be too nervous and praying they will give me lots of drugs so I can relax during surgery. I want to fast forward to next week.

Dad'll be home Monday! Yay!

Hope everyone is well. : )

Dad sent us some awesome scarves!! And I visited Michelle and her kids, Rubi and Miles. They're adorable.

Wine Party and Some Time Off

Friday was my last day at the Doggy Day Care and we had a luau celebration. Quite nice. I am really going to miss that place, especially the dogs!! Now I have two weeks "off" until I start a real job again. Plenty of time to work on my thesis. Oh boy.


Last night Monica and I attended Nathan's wine party. Great fun! Everyone brought food and drinks and it was all delicious. Nathan's family is delightful, although I have to admit I was not ready for the third degree his mother gave me. I would repeat the questions here, but I wouldn't want to offend any polite company. Needless to say, I was shocked. It's kind of funny in retrospect, but I guess I'm just not used to "meeting the parents". lol. However, I still think Dad takes the cake for threatening a young man with his shot gun upon first meeting several years ago. I might have been asked inappropriate and embarrassing questions, but no one threatened my life. That's a plus, right?

After the party we checked out Caliente, a new Mexican restaurant at the Legends. Very cool. The decor was awesome, and the music was good until they switched over to only Regaeton and hip hop. However, there were some crazy older couples who obviously don't latin dance much, and during a Bachata (a slow dance) we got hit a few times. Nothing like bumper dancing to a slow dance! : )

Monica and I also hung by the pool yesterday and we sort of resemble lobsters. Hello Aloe Vera!

Tonight is ballroom dance, and then my lazier week begins. And Lasik on Friday. Oh boy. (deep breath)