Sunday, May 3, 2009

BIOSPHERE 2




Yesterday I went to Oracle, AZ.  I know, I know, now  you all think I have the answers.  I don't.
We toured the Biosphere 2.  Rob was like a kid in a candy store!  It was so interesting!  In the early 90's they had a team of 8 live in the sphere for 2 years, it was completely closed off to the rest of the world.  They did research on different ecosystems, grew their own food, recycled their waste for fertilizer and it worked very well!  Now it's being used by U of A for water research.  I feel so much smarter now, thanks, Rob!!  It's pretty incredible to see in a very vivid way how utilizing natural resources wisely can sustain life...and the circle of life continues.



People dancing in the street!  This older man was boogey-in away to some fabulous trombone playing, jazz singing and hand clappin!  What a city!!!!  So much life, incredible food, wonderful music and art.  Next time the trip will be much longer!  And Madi loved the stairs!  She just loves walking!!!  It's a good thing Shan is closer to the ground than Ryan to avoid the back issues.  :)  Love ya girl!!
It was such a great weekend with two of my closest friends.  Time doesn't change anything with these girls.  Every time I get together with either of them it's as though there were never any distance between us at all!!  I love the way they know what I am thinking without saying anything!  Thanks for a great trip and the never ending friendship!!



Yeah for friends in the south!  Kasia and I took a little jaunt down to visit Ryan and Shan in Jackson, Mississippi.  It was such a blast!  While we were there we spent a day in New Orleans.  It just so happened that the same weekend we were there they were having the French Quarter Festival.  It was great!!  They had jazz music on every corner and artists all over the place displaying their work.  The weather was perfect!  AND we even got to see a wedding!!!  HA!  
Okay, so funny!  So after dinner we went to walk on the dock behind "The Cock on the Walk" and I wanted a picture of all of us so I asked this teenage guy to take our picture...Ryan does have more head and I am on Kasia's left.  Moral of the story...don't include more than 3 people in a group photo and only allow them if they are under 6 feet tall.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

It's been a while.

Life is wonderful in AZ!!  January has brought MANY changes and wonderful opportunities!!  I was semi-promoted in the beginning of January and then fully promoted two weeks later.  It's been stressful, but great!!  I now work with children from 0-3 yrs.  I am the Director of the Early Intervention Program.  The women who work with these kids are so fabulous and so dedicated!  Even though things are a little hairy right now, in light of the budget cuts, I am so grateful and excited to be a part of something so great!!!  The Lord truly does open doors when He sees fit!  I have also booked a plane ticket to visit one of my most favorite people in the entire world...WITH another one of my most favorite people in the entire world!!!  LIFE IS GOOD!!  The people and friends and family we share life with it makes it's all the sweeter!!!!

The talent of this family is endless...





Fabulous Valentines in Reno!




I just love hanging out with my family!  We all got to play at home this last President's weekend, which never happens, especially with all of us in different states.  We hung out, ate, stayed up late talking, played games, and made a wonderful Valentine's Dinner, thanks to Stephie.  My Mom, as you can see, attempted to catch snowflakes on a black piece of paper so she could see the shape of the snowflakes, but it turned out they were so wet and large that they looked like wet blobs.  Nice try, Mom.

Happy Happy January and Very Hearty V-Day!

January 2009 brought with it change, change and more change!  It also brought another Birthday for my dear roomie, Carly!!!  We had a wonderful evening of crown wearing, skinny-dip talking, Truth or Dare Jenga and What If playing, and yummy cake!  It wouldn't be complete without good friends and laughter!!!  Happy Birthday Carly!!!  One year older and wiser too, Happy Birthday to you!!



Jang and I

Jang and I
One of my teaching associates in China. He taught Korean. We ate at a Pizza buffet to thank our Chinese teacher!

His name is Jesse Williams.

His name is Jesse Williams.
God does good work!!

Em loves me!

Em loves me!

Do you remember this, Roselia???

Do you remember this, Roselia???
my girls! man we are funny!

Pretty princesses... I love you girlies!!

Pretty princesses...  I love you girlies!!
I kept it for the photo shoot, then returned the netting. It was fun for a day!




Fresh shrimp tacos!!!

Fresh shrimp tacos!!!
Carly and Janelle

My front door

My front door

The arrow

The arrow
Yeah, like you have sticks just lying around your apartment at 11:30 at night!

mirror, mirror

mirror, mirror
My favorite corner. Don't you think feather boas just add a little something to any room?