a few things

Andy's birthday went well. I made him a Boston creme pie, which was interesting, but delicious and we had dinner with his family in Tulsa Sunday night.

I have a job! It's only part-time, but it's something to do! I'm tutoring OSU athletes in English, which will be interesting. I have seven students: one ESL student, one English major, and one who is labeled as "low-functioning." I shouldn't really talk to you about them (b/c of NCAA rules), but I wanted to give you an idea of the varied work I'll be doing.
I still need another job, so please keep praying for me.

And since some of you didn't know, or still don't know, I am going to Zambia for two weeks this summer to work (play games, give hugs, and share the Good News) at a camp for Zambian orphans. I'll probably be sending you a letter asking for money, prayer, or non-monetary donations. Don't feel obligated, please.

We're getting a new computer and then Internet at home so my blogging will be more frequent. Andy said that he'll pick out a home video for me to post soon.
I hope everyone is doing well!

still sitting

Here's the quote from "A Widow for One Year" that I said I would post: "'I can't see where I'm going, Daddy,' Ruth told him again. 'But that's the test, Ruthie. The test is, sometimes there's no place to pull over--sometimes you can't stop, and you have to find a way to keep going. You got it?'"

Well, I still don't have a job, but I've decided to pursue a few little craft things around our home so at least I'll be occupied. I'm dealing with a lot of anxiety about what God is going to provide this time and when He's going to do it. I didn't like my last job, as you know, but it was what Andy and I needed at the time. I hope what we need now isn't another job like that. We're going to visit a local church this Sunday so I hope we'll fit in there.


I accidentally dyed my hair almost-black. Andy was a little frightened, but it has lightened up a bit and it looks pretty good.

My sister and her boyfriend visited us this weekend and I couldn't sleep because of the excitement of being around another human being! It was funny and pathetic. We played Balderdash a lot. I can't believe we found a couple who will play that game with us (all other attempts have failed). Also, my grandparents drive cars for dealerships and they took one to Oklahoma City so I drove there and met them for lunch -- it was a blast. It makes me a little sad because I spent so much time with them in my most difficult years and I know I need them so much still. I miss them and I'm grateful for that bit of happiness in my day. Oh, I also went to Super Target. Woah!

Weird: People are allowed to talk loudly and eat and drink in the OSU library. It's freaking and grossing me out. How's that for a double split phrasal verb? Seriously, there's a guy next to me loudly enjoying his pastry. Over the keyboard. Crumbs are falling from his mouth. Ew.

The Ant King

Andy and I went to see E. O. Wilson (said to be our generation's Darwin and he's a double Pulitzer prize winner) speak. It was an honor to hear him and I enjoyed it. I thought he was going to speak in detail about his research with ants, but instead he promoted his new book, which Andy and I are about to read. It's about our ethical or moral obligation to be good stewards of the Earth, which means funding conservation efforts and promoting a more "green" lifestyle (I'm all for it). We'll give our comments on the book soon. I'm sure it will be worth the read. It's even more interesting because in the novel he suggests (or begs) that the religious and scientific realms work together. What a bright idea!

Earlier this morning I was in the tub reading "Extreemly Loud & Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer (I reccommend this book!) and in the story the main character, a little boy, is writing letters to people he admires. "'Who are you writing letters to?' she asked... 'Kofi Annan, Siegfried, Roy, Jacques Chirac, E. O. Wilson, Wierd Al Yankovic, Bill Gates, Vladamir Putin, and some other people.'" I thought it was funny. It's okay if you don't.

so sitting at home isn't what it's cracked up to be...

Now, keep in mind that I would love to sit at home if I didn't have to work. But, since I do have to work, not working and not having a job is making me anxious. I'm still not getting calls for jobs that I'm over qualified for and today I've found one that I could do, but the database wouldn't take my application because I couldn't lie and say that English is related to a business degree, even though all of my job experience has been business related. So I'm going to have to find this department in the ice and snow (I've already fallen hard on my butt b/c of the ice once today) and I'm wearing jeans. But the opening closes tomorrow and I refuse to go there the last day -- so I'm going. The only jobs that are reviewing my application (and the only jobs I'm not over qualified for) are in Oklahoma City, or in other words, too far away. I would consider taking them anyway b/c I really want to be an adjunct in English, but Andy doesn't want me to drive that much (understandably).

The good news is that I'm reading A LOT. Finally I'm getting to read Jonathan Safran Foer's books and I'm reading more and more Irving and Walter Mosely. They are all good. Mosely isn't really my type of writer, but he's so good at that writer/reader relationship (dropping hints here and there so that when you read the next chapter you think "ooohhh") and he keeps you interested. I did read "A Widow for One Year" like I said I would and I underlined a quote for you, but I forgot the book at home, so another time. The book was interesting and very good in certain ways (complex family relationships and a lot of round characters) but it's a little too R-rated for most of the readers I know. I also read the new Diana Wynne Jones book (excellent!) and the new book in the Tiffany Aching series, titled "Wintersmith." If you know any girls from 11-16, give them these books; they have my highest recommendation.

We were iced-in for the weekend. It's apparently our last night of single digit temperatures, so that's good. I hope everyone is safe and doing well.

That's all for today, I think.

don't call it a comeback

I haven't had access to the Internet in so long... We're settled in Stillwater now and I'm really enjoying our little house. Daphne loves having a yard to run around in and Andy seems to be enjoying his new school and job -- he's nervous, but he should be. Graduate school is a kick in the pants or a pat on the head that means "it's okay, you can't be the smartest, you know" or "well aren't you cute trying to be a scholar."

As much as I'm enjoying my home I'd like to be out of it a bit. I haven't found a job so I can't leave the house or I'll spend money that I don't have because, as I said, I'm unemployed. I've sent my resume to ten or so places and I'm overqualified for most of those positions, so I don't know why people haven't called me back. It's difficult for me to be patient.

I'll ask Andy to post some pics of our new place and perhaps we can post some of our videos. He got a camcorder for Christmas and we've made a few birding videos that I know you'll be waiting on the edge of your seat to see.

I hope everyone is doing well. Please let me know.