A/C Day

I am almost too embarrassed make this confession here in my blog, but why the heck not? Today Irishgirl and I spent most of the day in Atlantic City. *GASP* There. It's out. No, we didn't gamble or hang out in front of the slot machines; what we did however, was attend a presentation where this new "traveling business" gave us and a group of other people a "discourse" on the merits of signing up with their company, with promises of vacation packages and four star hotel rooms sold at "wholesale" prices. This company is the "Costco" of travel agents, but unlike "Costco", you not only have to pay yearly dues, but also have to pay this gargantuan one time fee of almost $12,000. Of course this is only a one time fee, along with the yearly dues of approximately $300. And of course, this is a lifetime membership where you get the perks of traveling anywhere around the world at 50% to 70% off the retailer's price, staying in four star hotels and resorts. Did we sign up? Hell no.

We sat patiently through the presentation, the sales pitch of the salesman after the presentation, firmly but politely stated "no, we're not interested", then collected the promised vouchers for the Fiesta Buffet at the Tropicana Hotel AND our free two night and three day trip to Orlando, Florida (flight and hotel included) for staying and listening to the 90 minute presentation, and then merrily went our way.

And yes, afterwards we feasted on snow crabs at the Fiesta Buffet and they were absolutely delish.

The End.

Some Thoughts

It's late and I really ought to be in bed but I'm feeling a little wired. Today was one of those 11 hour days at work; got home at around 9:30 PM since I had to give a training tonight to prospective foster parents and adoptive parents. Six more Tuesdays to go. I've been in a bit of a funk over these last few days. There are, of course, reasons for said funk, of which I do not wish to write about in here. While I have written about some of my strange habits in this blog, I think it would be wise for me to err on caution and work stuff out on my own instead of publicly blabbing my business for all the blogosphere to see. Nonetheless, with all that said... after talking with a good friend the other day about my current circumstance, some of the things she said to me triggered this thought:


"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning it’s shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:2,3

I've probably read and glossed over this particular passage many times but have not truly thought about how it applies to my life. Sure, I know I need to keep my focus on Christ, but what does it mean to truly fix my eyes on Jesus? I often wonder where my heart is and how the distractions of this world keep me from "fixing my eyes on Him". Work, friends, family, relationships, music, movies, running, the future and the list could probably go on and on. My desire is for holiness but of course I do stupid things and thus "perfector of my faith" is unable to perfect my faith. I think my faith will be a perpetual work in progress until I finally reach eternity. So with all that said, I will "consider Jesus". He, who endured opposition from sinful men so that I do not grow weary and lose heart. I will CONSIDER Him, so that I do not grow weary and so that I do not lose heart. If I fix my eyes on Him, how could I miss His leading?

My Beloved East Coast?

I arrived back to the East Coast in the wee small hours of Wednesday morning. The trip back had it's potential for traveler's hell, but thanks to the Delta Airlines agent, I was able to make it back to the East Coast all in one piece. The trip home was a good one, albeit a tad too long, it was great spending time with my parents, my crazy brother, his fiance, my cousins, goddaughters, and close friends. While I adore my family and friends in the West Coast, I really have come to consider the East Coast as "home". While hanging out with a group of great girlfriends from my church this evening, I was given this sense of peace and belonging, knowing that my place here in the East Coast was "right". These girls, my "sisters", have become a precious part of this season of my life and I am so thankful that we can share this adventure of the single life together. God really knew what He was doing when he placed this "laid-back" West Coaster amongst these crazy East Coast urban dwellers!

Home.....Still.

I know it's been over a week since I've posted. Of course, visiting my family here in the west coast is not without its usual spurts of visiting everyone and their dog in a matter of 12 days. I have, however, had some down time and wouldn't you know it, caught some sort of cold/cough virus from my cousin and her kids. Lovely. This cold hasn't completely debilitated me, I spent the day yesterday with BFF gallivanting around Granville Island in Vancouver, however this cold has defintely worn me out. This morning was spent curled up on my parents' living room couch, watching Molly Ringwald in "Pretty in Pink", while surrounded with wads of used kleenex tissues.

Right now I am so looking forward to returning back to east coast so I can resume my relatively "normal" life.

Laters.

Home

It's been an incredibly long travel day and I am exhausted. I'm visiting my family in Vancouver for the next 12 days and so my presence will be more scarce than it already is. I really need to get my blogging act together one of these days and post on a more regular basis. Who knows? I may have some blogworthy experiences with the family. It's always an "adventure" whenever I'm out here.

The flight to Seattle was uneventful, however I had this guy sitting next to me on the flight from Philly to Salt Lake City who kept trying to chat me up. I swear, this guy had NO CLUE with social cues. Most of my responses to him consisted of one word answers and when I pulled up my blanket and pushed my seat back so I could go to sleep, he still didn't get it! I mean, HELLO!!! My eyes are shut and my blanket is practically covering my face. What part of my body language of "Leave me the hell alone" did he not understand???

The last leg of the trip went much better since I had a window seat and the seat next to me was empty. Thank the good Lord.