A Blue Bell Dilemma

If you live in my state, you know about Blue Bell Ice Cream. It's great, and you can't get it many other places. I love Blue Bell, and always have. In high school I would eat a bowl every night. If we were out, my mom would give me money and I would drive to the store at 9 or 10 at night to buy some. I know it's sad, but it's really good ice cream.

Still not convinced how much I love it? Living in the Middle East for two years without Blue Bell, or much good ice cream at all, was a sacrifice for me. So much so that when we went on a business trip to Dubai and I mentioned that I heard you could buy Blue Bell there, our boss guaranteed me that we would track some down. No complaints here. So after a three hour cab ride, two grocery stores (one called "Safest Way"), and having to buy spoons in the grocery store, we had our Blue Bell. The funny part is that when we returned to our hotel our cab driver said "The grocery store you found the ice cream at is right by your hotel." Oh well, he got a good fare out of it. Here's the pic that documents our Blue Bell excursion.

So maybe now you're getting an idea of how much I like this stuff. So, on occasion, I buy a half gallon of Dutch Chocolate Blue Bell at the grocery store. In order to make my investment last I only have it once a day and I put it in a small coffee cup. That helps it last longer and decreases my caloric and fat intake. Not that that I care that much when it comes to Blue Bell.

This weekend I bought a half gallon and with any luck can enjoy it for about a week and a half. So here's my dilemma (sorry, long build-up), my husband has been wanting to eat some too. He's not the ice cream lover that I am and chocolate usually isn't his first choice. So I'm confused. Of course I've been sharing with him because I love him and it's just ice cream (right?). But it's not easy. It's my own special treat that I like to enjoy myself. When I want to share an ice cream experience with him, we go to Marble Slab (one of the first places we went while dating). I want my Blue Bell to myself. How selfish is that? I guess I can justify buying it more often if he's eating it too. That's the bright side. What's a Blue Bell addict to do?

Are we more connected?

When we returned to the US I was anxious to start new relationships and get to know people. Though I quickly noticed that people weren't as willing to talk and engage in relationships as they seemed to be in the Middle East. I don't say this as a criticism, simply a cultural observation.

I noticed that more and more people participated in everyday activities with ipod headphones on or a blue tooth thingy on their ear. People were not only disconnected, but were purposely showing on the outside that they wanted to disconnected and didn't have time to interact with those around them. They only had time to interact with what was in their ears.

I was excited to grab a copy of my favorite magazine when I got back. As I was reading there was an article about awkward situations. One situation was how to let the talkative person working-out next to you know that you really didn't want to talk, just work out. I was pretty upset at that, as I see the gym as a great place to try and get to know people.

I've also entered the blogging world and am a lurker on about 15 friends and acquaintances blogs. I realized I know more about some of my friends than I have in years. Which at first blush seems great, and it is, but I realized I use that as a substitute for a relationship where I show care and concern and genuine interest (I'm not dogging blogging, just making observations about my blogging habits).

So with all these ways to stay more connected (email, cell phone, portable music, songs, TV, sermons, and blogs) are we really more connected to each other or more connected to technology and ourselves? And how on earth are we supposed to meet new people and get to know them, if our world only pushes us to be more disconnected?

CDK and I are on a quest to develop relationships, real relationships; ones where honesty, accountability, and real-life are shared. It's not easy, but we think it's worth it. These relationships may be contrary to our culture, but they are the very essence of the culture Christ lived in and created.

Work on a Saturday?

Yes, that's where I am. And though I should be working to catch-up (after all that's why I'm here), I'm blogging about it instead. Why? Because it stinks and I want some sympathy. And I want my boss to know how dedicated I am! Not that he reads this (but I made sure to send him an email, so if he looks at the date, he'll know I was here:).

I've had several projects the past couple of weeks that have eaten every last bit of my time and I haven't been able to get my "real" work done. Couple that with some serious distraction and lack of motivation (because I dislike the all-consuming projects), it's been hard to push through. I came to work today to clear some things off my desk and literally clean up my office. Almost every space has a stack (or 2, or 3, or 4) of paper on it. Including the two chairs for others to sit in. It's not pretty.

Oh, well, my theory, Saturday kind of stinks because I came work, but at least Monday will be a little better, since I'll feel somewhat caught-up. Oh, and it's nice to play music loud in my office and sing, since no one else is here!

We Need Some Help

So, we're looking at spring break, CDK has a whole week off, I have two days, so we figure we should go somewhere. I could easily take off three extra days and that would give us a whole 10 days (including weekends) to have a vacation. I don't know that we necessarily need it, but we're itching to travel. After all, we travelled quiet a lot the past two years, now it seems that we don't at all.

So, where to go? We don't know, so I'm asking for your help. I don't know how many of you are actually reading this, but now is the time to chime in. We don't have long to make plans and we need some good solid ideas. I'll list our criteria and other factors affecting the vacation destination.

1. Finances - We don't have a lot to spend on a vacation, but we're willing to make some other sacrifices to make it work.
2. We don't feel like it's a vacation or an adventure unless we actually get on a plane.
3. We don't want to go to any of the surrounding states. We're willing to vacation in our state, but the drive can't be too long.
4. We would love to go to South America! It's the only continent we haven't been to, minus Antarctica. We checked out tickets to Argentina, but way too expensive.
5. We are perfectly willing to vacation in the states, and that's probably what we'll do, but where?
6. Though a beach or a ski vacation sound nice, it will be spring break, so you know what that means. Overcrowded beaches/slopes, too many drunk people, not for us.
7. On vacation we like to be in a place where there are interesting things to explore (nature, cool cities, fun activities) but also where we don't feel like we're missing out if we just "hang out" a couple of days and relax.
8. We are not all-inclusive resort or cruise people.
9. We like to go places we've never been. Though there are places we'd like to return to (Hawaii, Australia, Switzerland, Israel), the list of new places is long and usually takes precedent.

Ok, so hopefully that helps. Let the suggestions begin, we're counting on you!

Chimin' in on the Cheap Dates

I realized yesterday that I hadn't posted in awhile. Then I realized, I had had nothing to post. Then today, four new ideas came to my mind. I'll spread them out, so you don't have to much to read in one week, but I thought the idea of collecting cheap date ideas was timely. Though in no way does this mean I support cheap Valentine's dates!

Through a blog "chain" I found someone collecting other bloggers ideas for cheap dates. Here's the blog http://shalees.blogspot.com/2007/02/let-cheap-dating-begin.html. And here's my list.

1. Start your own Book Club with your sweetie. Read the same book and set aside time to talk about it each week. Only cost, the price of the book.
2. Take a class together. Check out offerings at the university near by, they always offer continuing education classes, or the community center to see what's available. It might be a little expensive up front, but if you average it out over the number of weeks, it will probably be reasonable. Plus, you'll learn something new and meet new people.
3. Go to the planetarium. There is one near where I live and it's about $5.00 a show, and the show lasts from 45 minutes to an hour.
4. Go to the local rose garden, arboretum, or botanical gardens. Most are free, or cheap at least. Take a picnic and a stroll to enjoy the beauty of nature and each other.
5. Check out the plays at the community theater or at a university nearby. You can see live entertainment for less than the cost of a movie.
6. Concerts - again check out the nearby university and see what's available. Also, many community groups put on free concerts in the spring and summer.
7. Go out to eat for breakfast. The food is usually cheaper and you get to start your day with your sweetie.
8. Local community and recreation centers have all kinds of free or cheap programs. Check out the city website of the town you live in and look under the recreation department.
9. Go to the zoo. An often over-looked form of fun for adults.

OK, so check out the site and add your date ideas to the list. We should never run out! Also, for my overseas friends, I'd like to hear your versions of cheap dates and what you do.

A Six-Month Anniversary

A friend reminded us the other day that we have now been back in America for six months. He had returned to the states the same day we did. I realized a lot had happened in six months. We're settled into our house, CDK has completed his first semester, I've settled in my job, we've found a church, made new friends, and seen a lot of friends and family.

As I sat in my office this morning a realization came to me. I realized I still have so much of my "overseas life" in me. Here's a small example: I heard several cars honking outside and I thought "There must be a wedding party" (after a wedding in the Middle East everyone that attended the wedding would drive around town and honk wildly). Of course I quickly snapped out of that thought and remembered it was just the busy street outside my window.

At the same time I also realized how thankful I was to have that "overseas life" as a part of me. It forever changed me, just like any major life event can change a person. It changed me in many unforgettable ways and it's now part of who I am. It wasn't always easy, and there were days I wanted to be anywhere but there, but to have the experiences, life lessons, friends, and opportunities those two years provided is immeasurable and invaluable.

Thank you Father for all the opportunities you have given me in life, in many countries. You are my rock and sustainer. You used those two years to point directly to who you are. I pray that the rest of my life I will be constantly pointed to who you are and point others in the same direction.











This picture was taken about a month after we arrived in the ME. We're still very "green" at this point, and who knows what color we are now!

Below are some things that briefly transport me back to that country, a few thousand miles away.

• Sometimes I cut people off while driving, they honk and get mad, and I think "What's wrong with them?"
• Sometimes while making my grocery list I think "Will they have [insert American food item here] at Plaza today, or will I have to go to Cozmo?"
• Sometimes I leave my house and think "Oh no, I'm not dressed conservatively enough today."
• Sometimes when I think about where I want to go eat for dinner, I quickly realize I can only get there by plane (Today feels like a good day for Kalha!)
• Sometimes I wish I knew when the next time was that I would be able to get on a plane and go to a new country to see how God is working there.
• Many times the only words that enter my mind in response to someones statement are "Inshallah" (If God wills) and "Mumkin" (Maybe).
• At least once a week I stop and watch my screen saver at work and smile at all the pictures of our life in another land.
• During busy weeks I wish for the simplicity and slow place of the life we had there.
• Almost every morning I wake up and thank God for the central heat I now sincerely appreciate!
• Every time I hear news about the Middle East, I watch intently and listen hard to see if I can translate the Arabic before the announcer starts to translate it.

Snow Day!

What a surprise when I woke up at 5:30 this morning to find the ground covered in snow. I know you won't believe it if you know where we live, but it's true. Though my initial reaction wasn't excitement. I had stayed at worked till 9 last night preparing for a very important meeting this morning at 8. I had planned to leave the house and be at work by 6:30 to make sure everything was ready to go. Since my employer so easily seems to dismiss work I figured any minute I would see the name scroll across the bottom of the television, but nothing.

So I proceeded as planned. I got ready and at 6:10 very subtly asked CDK to clean off the car for me (he's so sweet). I got in the car, bundled up and ready to go. The roads weren't slippery, just white. It was hard to see the lanes, and for the most part people were driving sensibly. About 15 minutes into the drive CDK calls and says work is cancelled. I was relieved because I didn't want to get all the way there and then have to turn around.

When I returned home I ate breakfast, called the parents, and got dressed in warm clothes. We went and walked around campus for awhile and CDK took pics with his new camera. Then we came home, took a nap, ate lunch, and plan on goofing off the rest of the day. Oh, and I want to make chocolate chip cookies, but don't know if I have the ingredients. It's a good day! And, the snow day leads to my first ever picture post.