Sunday, October 28, 2007

Homeward bound.

It's early for a new post, but my cable will be turned off on Tuesday, and I won't have much free time before then.

Dad is on his way, should be somewhere around Toledo right now. We're going to Tommy's for dinner (I think anyone who visits Cleveland should experience Tommy's at least once), and I'll enjoy my favorite TLT one more time.

Yesterday was my last day at work. We had a store meeting, and those crazy kids surprised me with a card, a cake, and lots of hugs. Threw not crying right out the window! Last night, I went to dinner with a couple of my partners and a friends. Steak from Outback, mmm. Plus, my first ever alcoholic beverage. Now that that's under my belt, I'm not such a freak. :)

The message in church this morning was something I needed to hear. Stephanie spoke about what love looks like, based on 2 Samuel 12:11-24. For a lot of us, the definition of love is getting what we want. If God really loved me, He would give me what I want. Or wouldn't do that. But we cannot decide the attributes of God based on the state of the world or on what we can fathom about Him. Instead, God is love. He loves in spite of. He loves over all. He enacts consequence, and He loves. I think I find the "and" the most significant but the most difficult part to understand. Love isn't getting what you want; it is getting what God wants, understood or not.

I have more laundry to finish, and need to pack clothes for the trip, and have trash to take care of. But for a moment, sitting here, thinking "aloud" to friends, and enjoying the view of a breathtakingly blue sky takes precedence. I think I will try to plan an International Eastern Tour of Awesomeness for next summer. Two weeks, if possible, of a trip split between Toronto (to see Emily and Dan), New York City (to see Ginger), and Cleveland (to see various peeps). The Cleveland stop will be optional, but it would be a shame to be so close and not take the chance to visit Erin, and work people, and my church family. This is usually the sort of thing I say will depend on finances, but finances shminances. There will never be enough money for everything I want to do; that's no reason to stop! Exciting to have travel plans!

To promote interaction, maybe I'll start asking a question at the end of blogs. So, this week: What are you reading, and why? What do you think of it? All answers appreciated! Remember, you don't have to have an account; just sign your name like an email. :)

And that's that. Barring any complications, the next time you hear from me, I'll be living in the 559. Feel free to call and say hello as we make our way to California (email me if you need my number), and please pray for safe travels! Cheerio.

Goodbye, Cleveland.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

I feel like walking the world.

Ack, people, only one more week in Cleveland! I can't believe the past nine weeks have passed by so quickly. I guess time flies when you're growing like the proverbial weed, even on the inside.

Last week, work was a lot of fun. This week, it's slightly crazier -- making sure the store is ready to lose its "manager," saying goodbye to partners and customers, and getting my Starbucks fix before two weeks of vacation. Not that it will be much of a vacation. Driving across the country in three days with a kitty in the car isn't my ideal road trip -- wish us luck!

Tonight, I went to dinner with Erin at Yours Truly and had the yummiest Hawaiian omelet. Eggs, ham, pineapple, and swiss cheese -- I really need to learn to cook more food. That's another goal for the next year: Learn to cook lots of new foods. I can handle pasta and frittata and anything baking-wise, but I don't have much practice beyond that. To achieve this goal, I would like to cook a meal for myself at least three times a week and hold some sort of dinner gathering at least once a quarter (every three months; every month might be lofty). I want to find the joy in cooking; right now, it's a more of a chore than a pleasure. Feel free to share any fabulous recipes!

The leaves are finally changing colors! There was a beautiful fiery orange tree across the street from church of Sunday, and it brightened my heart. It rained all day yesterday, but today the sky was blue-gray with clouds that moved like the ocean. When Erin and I left Yours Truly, the pink sunset was peeking through steely clouds. I will miss sights like that.

What I will miss about Ohio:
  • Skies that are always beautiful and never smoggy.
  • Greenery in July.
  • Brick.
  • Clouds that fly through the sky. I've never seen clouds move so quickly.
  • First Baptist Church of Cleveland.
But still so ready to come home.

And almost everything is ready for me to leave. The last piece of the puzzle is someone to sublet the apartment. There was someone lined up until he mysteriously dropped off the face of the earth. Guess he didn't want to leave Florida after all. So please keep that situation in your prayers. I'm trusting God to take care of it, and I know He has a plan. I just wish I knew what it was! Other requests and praises:
  • My parents are on the road toward Anderson. Please pray that they have safe travels, enjoy their time with Abbey, and Mom has a safe flight home.
  • Giada's experiences with riding in the car have been, let's say, varied. One day, she's fine; the next, she's meowing like I'm poking her with a sharp stick. Please pray that she will be calm and quiet through three days in the car!
  • The church I've been to over the past two months is amazing. The people have been welcoming and so loving. Last week, I shared my experience and said thank you during the congregation's time of sharing and was so blessed by the many people who came up afterward to introduce themselves, wish me luck, and thank me for sharing. Thank God for such a wonderful place committed to His glory and spreading His love.
Giada is tearing around the apartment so I'd better go give her some loving. The next time you hear from me will probably be early next week before my internet is turned off. Hope everyone is doing well and actually reading this. :)

Love!

Beautiful fall colors from this year:

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Color me blind.

Hello, everyone. Hope you're all doing well.

Life has been emotional and wonderful in the past week. Some personal things happened that have released me from any hold Cleveland might have had on me. It's liberating to have no bonds left holding me back from being ready to leave. My time in Cleveland was short, sometimes sweet, sometimes not, and very educational. I've learned more about myself in the past two months than ever before in my life. I've learned to love myself. And I'm excited for this new chapter -- working at Starbucks in Fresno again, being part of a church family, reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, having lots of adventures. And sharing them with all of you.

Okay, enough of the mushy stuff! Work thusfar this week has been a lot of fun. I'm going to miss my coworkers more than I could have imagined. They are wonderful people who have supported me through the sudden jump to manager as well as through the personal trials.

The leaves are finally changing colors. Trees are on fire in my backyard, and it's amazing. I was afraid that a late fall would mean no neon foliage for me, but I'm still glad to be leaving more. Just say no to living in snow!

The timer for my laundry just went off so I need to run downstairs. This time next week, I'll be cleaning. This time in two weeks, I'll be driving somewhere around Texas. This time in three weeks, I'll be able to do laundry in my own apartment in the state I love the most. Goodnight!

Beautiful fall colors from last year:

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Back to the place where I belong.

Look, a public blog! In three weeks, I'll be living in California again and need a good way to stay in touch with friends and family, right? Here, I'll be able to keep everyone updated on life in Fresno, share pictures of how cute Giada is, and muse about whatever comes to mind that I feel like sharing. I'm excited; hopefully you will be, too.

For starters, yes, I'm moving home! As much as I just looove Cleveland's forty degree autumn (I kid), I'm looking forward to a comparatively mild winter and central heat. Also, how fabulous to be home for Starbucks holiday, the craziest and best time of year. Mostly, I'm grateful to be near family and friends again because I miss everyone. It's lonely in Cleveland. It was before and after the breakup. Now it's time to come home and start the life I'm meant to lead for the rest of my life. The past two months have been a time of incredible challenge and pain but also amazing personal growth that I wouldn't trade for anything. I'm a better person for it all.

Enough with the mushy stuff. Get ready, California, I'm a-comin'! :)

And because I promised: