a NoDa afternoon

Saturday morning. What to do? Yesterday's 78 degree weather disappeared and a morning rainstorm had cooled the day down considerably. So we bundled up and headed down to NoDa, Charlotte's 'art district.' I've been to concerts at the Evening Muse and the Neighborhood Theatre, dinner at Cabo Fish Taco - possibly my favorite restaurant in Charlotte - and had lattes at Smelly Cat, a local coffeehouse. However, all of our NoDa outings have been in the evening, and I wanted to see what we could find in the daytime - namely the the used bookstore. My goal was to buy a copy of Gone With the Wind. While that dream was unrealized, we did leave with some treasures.

After the bookstore we got a bit distracted by . . . the camera. We weren't really prepared for a photo shoot, but it was such a great area that I couldn't help it. I was thrilled to have a willing subject!

So, a great Saturday.

a spring day

I went for a walk today. It was supposed to be a 'power walk' but Carla couldn't stop pointing, "Take a picture of this!" "What about this angle?" "Can I try?" And I was ever so happy to comply! Isn't spring just beautiful?

On Easter - and growing up

Resurrection Sunday - what a joyful phrase! One of our texts on Sunday morning was from 1 Corinthians 15: For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. . . For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Where, o death, is your victory? Where, o death, is your sting?

We had a big Easter dinner at our house Sunday afternoon. 17 guests in our little place! We set up all our tables and chairs, got out all the extra plates and cups we could find . . . and pulled off a real holiday feast! The menu: homemade rolls, potatoes, green beans, honeybaked ham, turkey, my mom's pineapple souffle (an Easter staple for me!), veggies, salad, banana cream pie, strawberry shortcake, lemon tarts . . . Our guests were mostly Taylor friends and some other favorites.

It was while we were eating, as Megan and I sat squeezed together on a piano bench at the foot of our table, that Erin said, "I can't believe us right now! This food is good! We've really grown up!" And as I looked around the room, I couldn't help but agree. There were signs of adulthood everywhere - Easter centerpieces, fresh flowers, we bought a ham . . . and our friends were sitting around us, dressed in their Easter best, chattering away. It was a good feeling, if not a bit disconcerting. I do love my youth . . .

I needed not worry. There is plenty of 'youth' left in all of us, as later conversations on the couch attested to. Then there were the rest of the night's events- going for a walk on the Greenway that turned into an off-road exploration which landed Megan in the creek (and a mile-long walk back to the car in wet jeans). So maybe we're not that grown up yet. And that's the way I like it.

Christine, Michelle, and Julia caught at work.

Kelly sporting Princess Leia buns with the rolls.

Erin intently carving the ham.

The spread! Or part of it. It maxed out our kitchen!

Good Friday, Lake Norman State Park

22 friends
9 camp chairs
6 tents
32 hot dogs (29 consumed, 3 casualties)
2 campfires
1 hammock
weekend fun meter - off the charts

I love love love camping. Wonderful people, S'MORES, tents, so great. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, except for one point in the middle of the night when I woke up Megan to tell her I was going to die of cold. But anyway . . . This weekend was the fulfillment of a dream we've had since moving to this beautiful state. MUCH anticipation leading up to the event - so much, in fact, that we wrote a song to perform around the campfire. It was entitled "Lake Norman State Park" and I've heard there is video footage of the debut. We'll see if it's good enough to get up here. :) Here's the chorus:

Good Friday * Lake Norman State Park
The place where dreams come true!
Campfires, tents * Layin' under the stars
Sitting right here next to you.

You know you want to hear that.

The new camera got a chance outdoors - I still don't know what I'm doing, but I made a new friend who is a professional photographer's assistant. Slightly intimidating! But she showed me a lot of things I haven't read up on in the manual and gave me some pointers. So . . . see what you think!

still shots

This weekend, I got my new camera! Hooray! I've been a little shutter-happy since Monday, but with a defining lack of things to photograph, 10517 Parkhouse Lane has been my subject matter. So, a bit boring maybe, but this weekend I'm going camping!

new zoom lens. does the trick.

tough questions

Since I now listen to NPR (nerd) on the way to school, I've been hearing some interesting things . . . but yesterday an interview between a boy and his mom really touched my heart. Joshua has Aspergers and his mom described him as being born "without social genes." The kid asks really probing questions and his mom gives such patient, well-thought-out replies. It's worth a listen.

a GREAT schedule!

I've gotten a couple emails from Kijabe this week, one from my 'host family' who will help set up my house (whatever that may be) and help me get all adjusted to life in Kenya. Another email from my RVA contact included the school year schedule for next year. The school year is broken into three trimesters with a month break between each one and a week break within each one. It's more conducive for dorm kids to see their families than a regular school schedule. Check it out, plan your visits:

School Year 2008-09

Term 1 Sept 1 - Nov 27 break: Oct. 10-14

Term 2 Jan 5 - Mar 28 break: Feb 13-16

Term 3 Apr 27 - July 17 break: Jun 5-8

Graduation: Saturday, July 18, 2009

Latest financial update - 61% of monthly, 73% of outgoing. Slow and steady!

my life as amelia bedelia

So it's funny, it really is, how life happens sometime. So far 2008 seems like a string of random, unanticipated events that make for good stories - after the fact. I already wrote about our house being broken into and my car getting hit the same week, but did I mention I thought a robber stole a ring of mine, so I claimed it, got the check . . . and found the ring in my gym bag? That was a classic Amelia moment right there. This past weekend I added two new mishaps - first, the losing of my debit card (I prefer to think I was pick-pocketed since I have no idea how I misplaced it and someone tried to use it right away at an ATM outside the Bobcats game I was attending). The following day, I attempted to fly to Cincinnati despite reports of a snow storm. "Attempted" because I only got as far as Baltimore, then gave up and was rerouted to Atlanta before heading back to Charlotte. I walked back in the door exactly 12 hours after I had left. Erin and Megan appropriately adapted this summer's welcome sign to my situation. :)


To be honest, some of this has been hard to take, and at times I've felt worn down. The situation at work has been difficult. Life seems to be moving fast enough without these inconveniences. But such joy, to come before the Lord, frustrated and spent, and to be renewed and encouraged! It was truly the 'peace that surpasses all understanding' that I sought and found on a flight from Baltimore to Atlanta, sandwiched in the middle seat. The Lord faithfully uses these 'moments' to draw me closer to Him!

an ode to the four

I just want you all to know that I have the greatest friends. Three of my favorites came out a month ago and you just need to hear about them . . . we found each other as freshmen at Taylor and are still going strong, six years later! We've traveled America together - New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ocean City, Dataw Island, and of course - Upland, Indiana. We've eaten our fair share of teddy grahams, water ice, and Mrs. Preston's sugar cookies. We've shared laughs and tears and hilarious stories and God moments and life lessons. We're 2-2 on hot vs cold, beef vs chicken, north vs south, and sweet vs savory. We've married off one and seen the other three through various interesting relationships. :) And I love us dearly. Here are some precious pictures from Hunting Island, SC. I'm really going to miss them . . .

financial update

I've just gotten the latest figures in, for those who are interested:
I've received 54% of my monthly support (pledges) and 66% of my outgoing funds (one-time gifts).

So, thank you, friends! And thank you, Lord!

of political interest

Last night I was discussing politics with friends. Laci shared an interesting website - glassbooth.com. You can rate your priorities on current issues and see how your views line up with the candidates. It's a very basic representation of the their views, and also offers the option to compare candidates. Perfect for someone like me. :)