This is my personal space right?

I feel this verse might explain me a bit too well at this point.
Though I hate to admit it.

one week in Stevens Point

I am feeling pretty comfortable here already.
I love being with my sister.
Laughing with her is so great!
I am still up to the same old shenanigans here just now I sometimes have my sister and or Kyle with me.
tehehehe

I will have to give you more info later.

Sister......sister... :]

Life Update

Here I sit, in the living room at my sisters house. I managed to fill her house with boxes and suitcases full of my few lasting possessions.
I decided about two weeks ago that it was time for me to get out of Boise.
I talked with my Mom, Aunt, and Grandma and just realized that I needed some family time before heading down to Ecuador.
I then bought a plain ticket just a few days later and was caught up in the crazy task of sorting through all of my things and deciding what was to be kept, what to mail ahead of me, and what to give away.
I gave away about 75% of everything I owned.
I don't miss anything yet. haha
I got the most upset giving up my scooter.
I dropped it off at the house of it's new owner and experienced a dicotomy of emotions.
The "this is my scooter. I now have no vehicle.":
and
"This is the last step. I am leaving Boise now."


I was in the Boise airport at 6am yesterday morning and boarding a flight within the hour.
Of course I had a few things throughout the trip that did not run smoothly but at least I am learning how to handle these situations while still in the States where i can speak the language.
  I may or may not have ended up sitting next to a guy who told me all about how relationships are pointless, and friendships are pointless, and that I should not go to Ethiopia because it is a bad idea and terrible place, BUT he did share some candy with me. I may have had a flight canceled, and shown up in Wisconsin and my luggage not follow me.

But a day later, I now have my luggage, and a cozy place to sit, and a wonderful sister sitting nearby to talk to whenever I have a passing thought. 
This is another big life transition, but I know I am happy and it was the right thing for now.
That is all I have to say now.

Last weekend in Boise.

Caught up with my friend Chantel yesterday. 

I had not seen her for months. 

We got coffee and sat on a sidewalk drinking it for hours, we then watched her dog jump around the living room trying to catch flies. 

Drew this Darth Vader in the hopes of selling more Darth Mochas

I had a very long shift at work yesterday. 

I worked 6pm to 1am. 

We had the midnight release of StarWars on Blue Ray. 

We had a special Darth Mocha drink in the cafe for the occasion. 

I sold one. hahaha

Kara and Jay stopped by and made my night. 

I had an art piece I was giving them and because I was feeling all sorts of inspired I drew this on Jay's coffee cuff.

I have never done something like this before where I just color in the shadows, but you know you have to try new things sometimes.

I decorated a coffee cuff for Kara too, but did not photograph it. 

OHHH ok look at this..... 

Doesn't it look like  a lizard or something?

I used this rag to wipe down the message board so I could draw the Darth Vader, and this is the design that randomly was left on the rag. 

SO CRAZY!!!

That is all I have to say.

Love this song. ALways reminds me of Salsa.

I got a lot of stuff done yesterday. Packages mailed, spent time with my adopted family.
Ate some kababs.
I fell asleep on the couch at my adopted family's house while watching movies with Maresa.
I wake up and Maresa tells me that I started speaking in Spanish right before I feel asleep.
BAHHAAHAHA apparently I speak Spanish when I am tired. I DON'T EVEN KNOW SPANISH!!!

Today was a different story;
Spent most of my day in bed.
I woke up feeling sick so I went back to sleep for a bit,
Woke up again feeling sick,
Made a phone call then went back to bed,
Woke up feeling sick again,
Made another phone call and took a shower,
went back to bed,
Dropped off some clothes at a consignment shop,
went back to bed
woke up feeling sick again,
Ran a quick errand
Then went to work,
came home and I am still feeling sick.
My left tonsil has been inflamed for the last week or so.
It is still inflamed but it didn't bother me this  much until today.
Before going to work at 5 I slept all but 3 hours of today.
The good news was I somehow managed to get over $8 dollars in tips during my 4 hour shift. That is a lot of tips!
I'm really hoping I feel better by tomorrow so I can get the rest of my stuff taken care of.

If you happen to read this, feel free to send out a quick prayer for me.

This is kind of a great thing!

I know people are getting worn out by all of the need in the world, but I think this is a fabulous cause.  

Remember that organization Compassio  in Thailand that I was considering working with?

Well they are doing a 11-11-11 thing, and it is way cool. 

Please check it out, spread the word and consider giving!

http://www.indiegogo.com/111111

Thanks friends!

I think I could really like teaching English.
I am talking with my friend in Ecuador who only speaks Spanish.
He says that he wants to visit the States, but I told him he has to practice his English first.
I am trying to teach him some phrases and I find it surprisingly fun.
I am also terribly happy that I am getting better at conversing in Spanish. I feel so accomplished.
"Jesus please take me to Ecuador now!!!!"

We are talking about our families.
It is great!
 :]

Somedays I want to be a trouble maker.

Had a work meeting this morning in a early AM.
I brought on some hard core nastalgia.
Made me think about work meetings with Niki and Courtney. How sad.

Came back home after and slept. I'm still not feeling well. I made myself get up at 11 and walked out the door, but not before telling Brenda that I was off to sell some books and then find some trouble.

I sold the books then wanted to find some trouble.
How sad is it that all I found was a used bookstore and a place wiling to give me a tattoo.
That is all!?!?!?!
How sad am I?
I cannot even find trouble when I go out in search of it.
Hmmmmmm now I have another idea.

I then came home and called my Uncle Chris's house.
Talked to my Aunt and Cousin.
I am so excited to see them all!
I cannot wait to hug all of my family and just bask in their company.....but enough of that.
I slept for hours after that phone call.
Brenda worries I may have a touch of Mono. AHHH
How would I even get the kissing disease?
I'm not kissing anyone these days.

I have to work until close tonight.
I'm down to my last week at work.

BRING IT ON!!

Almost packed up.

Look, you can see Down Town Boise in the background there!!

Yesterday we did manage to climb Table Rock (my manager and I).

I felt so foolish when 3/4th of the way up about about fainted...then a bit farther up I about fainted again. 

Maybe it was the not eating Breakfast or lunch, or the dry heat (it was 2 in the afternoon) or the thinner air. Whatever I blame, it was embarrassing. hahhaaha

 We did make it to the top. 

It was beautiful, and the walk down was fine. 

Note to self; always eat breakfast or at least lunch before hiking Table Rock.

We went all the way up there.....ALL THE WAY UP! 

I am such a pansy!

Well I'm off to bed. I have a very early work meeting in the morning. 

I'm thinking I may write a bucket list.

Have you heard about this?

ummmm brilliant!!!

This wall gets filled by random people who all write down what they want to do before they die.

I have been watching The Buried Life a lot over the last few days and it really inspires me.

It encourages me to continue being brave and even though I am a bit stressed trying to figure this all out, I know it is worth it and i have to push through it and do the things I am dreaming of.

Reminds me of my Friend Josh. One of his favorite quotes is "Do hard things."
Simple but brilliant!
(love that guy!)

What do you want to do before you die???

My answer seems to be the same as it has been for a long time.

"To do beautiful things in broken place."

or simply 

"To do what Jesus did."

and of course learn along the way.

How about you?

What are some things on your Bucket list?

Maybe I can write more later.

Just went to the UPS store to have the mandolin and violin shipped to the sister.
Expensive much. They charged me almost 8 dollars for each box alone, then more for shipping and what not.
60 some dollars later they are heading to my sister's loving arms.
I just have to keep reminding myself of all the ways I have been blessed in a money saving way.
In other news, My left ear is killing me!
This could complicate hiking Table Rock this afternoon.
My manager at work and I are going to hike Table Rock.
I haven't had many chances to really talk with her so it will be good to chat and have one on one time.

well it is official

I put in my two weeks notice yet again at work.
I gave my couch and a bunch of clothing away to a very special family.
I booked an airplane ticket for Wisconsin.
This is  so surreal.
How long until I am in Ecuador you ask.
I am not sure at this set moment...but sooner than I had thought.
I have a few things that I am thinking through and then I will head that way.

SO much to think about, but I know that BIG things are about to happen and I am so excited.

I just read an email from my Dad and it reminded me of what a great man he is.
I sure do love my Dad.
I wish everyone knew my parents.
If you don't know them then you are really missing out.
You should probably visit them, or email them, or get to know them somehow.
Really!

I am also wearing one of my favorite shirts! HOW GREAT!

Yesterday marked my one year anniversary in Boise.
How did I celebrate?
I told my manager that I am leaving Boise soon and need to put in my notice.
2-4 weeks and I am out of here.
I then had lunch with Jen. We picked up Gyros at this litter drive up place.
They were so delicious, and fresh, and really really well priced.
We sat down by the river and talked.

 It was great to catch up while enjoying wonderful food.
When I arrived back to the place I was house sitting at, the owner was home.
She and I chatted a while too.
I told her that I am leaving Boise sooner than I had planned originally.
About 2 months sooner.
I am really excited though.
Now it is time to start getting final things sorted, and pack.
Poor Brenda is not terribly excited at the thought of me leaving.
It is a sad thought to think of not being around and seeing her through out the week.
These new steps and chapters are always tough.

Well it is time to get back to other more important things.
Brenda and I just made Enchiladas and they will be done soon.

p.s. I also just carried on a some what decient conversation with a Spanish speaker.
Love this!!!