my goodies, my goodies, GOT my goodies

Ryan is finally back in the snow globe with me! Although that deserves a post on it's own, this post is dedicated to all things he had to smuggle back in the country for me.

Ever wondered what you would bring back from Target if you knew you wouldn't get to go again for 8 months or so? Here's my list.

First, reading material.







He also brought back some magazines.




I also ordered something very special.



This little thing can video up to 2 hours. I love it! The screen is a little small, but I think it will be great to throw in my purse. Videos are always more fun to look at than pictures.

He also brought back a few little incidentals. You know, things hard to live without.




Why do I need so many books and a Flip? Well....we are leaving at the end of this month for 2 and a half weeks. We are getting to go on my DREAM vacation.


I'll give you a hint...




OK, I'll give you one more.




Any guesses?

What would you do

if you woke up with this on your body?



I wont name any names...but, er, um, I've known him since this-



Can you believe he is my mom's favorite? She would never admit it...but we all know. You know when you're the red-headed stepchild.

He said he had a crazy night with friends and woke up with it. Thank God he is the one on the right.

I think the coolest part is that it means, "All good things come from above" in Latin. It is on our family crest.

His friend on the left has no regrets. Thank God because his is a big pill to swallow.

With how crazy my brother can be, it's a wonder it took him this long to get a tattoo.



Do any of you guys have tattoos? I'm too much of a chicken.

Bad bad blogger

I've been such a slacker with this blog lately! There doesn't seem to be a whole lot new to say: Ryan is still out of town and I'm still in a snow globe. Luckily for me, Ryan is coming home TOMORROW... finally!

I started going to a new bible study last week that focuses on building a good marriage. I absolutely love it and all the girls who attend. One of the lessons got me thinking, though. Last weekend Ryan came home from South Africa exhausted. After his 12 hour flight he needed a nap. But, to my surprise, he only slept for about 30 minutes before he got up again. He said, "I just want to see you as much as I can." It amazes me how he can muster up energy to be there for me after working so hard.

Ryan saves his best for me.

The funny thing is, is I'm the opposite. I go to work and have to be 100 percent ON, like making an otherwise boring lesson really fun. So, when I come home, I'm done. I give my best to everyone else.

Ryan has taught me so much in the little things he does. If he can work like a maniac and still save his funniest, happiest, and loveliest moments for me...why can't I?

Some of my students took me out to dinner the other night. They took me to eat MEXICAN of all things. I was in heaven.

Isabelle and I.



Heidi and Yvonne.



Doesn't our food look delicious? Of course, it doesn't compare to Mama Ninfas.
But, hey, I'm not complaining!

Also, in case anyone is wondering...My cardiologist appointment went really well. She said my heart looks great. They think there is a virus living in there that will take a few months to go completely away. I said, "Oh, that's all?"

She did say I could start working out again, but, emphasis on BUT, she said no more running for a few months. She also said I was anemic. She asked if I was a vegetarian. Can you be from Texas and be a vegetarian?

I hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday!

Why is it

that every time Ryan is out of town, I need to go to the doctor. It has pretty much been the case for the past year and a half.

I've started running on the treadmill and this whole week my heart rate has been over 200. It feels like my head is detaching from my body.



I went to the general doctor to get checked out and he was awesome. He did an EKG and then a stress test.

Lemme tell ya 'bout the stress test. You are reclined with electrodes attached all over your upper half and then you have to peddle stationary bike pedals. This is all done topless. Deja vu.

He said, "Take off your shirt." So I laid back with my cheetah print bra (way to think ahead Laura) and he looked up over the machine and said, "No, take off everything." Sigh. Not again.

As I lay there shirtless, the doctor and head nurse kept coming and in and leaving the room for whatever reason. The door to the room I was in opened up to the main foyer. So, basically, every person that was coming in to the office could see my entirely naked (and at this point a little sweaty) top half with electrodes attached, pedaling my butt off. I think I've lost all sense of modesty. Finally.

He ended up referring me to a Cardiologist (who happens to be his wife) and I'm not allowed to work out until she runs more tests. Being so naturally lazy, you'd think I would be happy about not be 'allowed' to work out. However, working out has been great at keeping the winter blues away. Oh well, I guess that's where the wine comes in. Cheers!

Fasching

I know last week I was complaining about Sundays being so boring, however, yesterday I was proven wrong. So wrong.



I was invited to Fasching (a cleaner version of Mardi Gras) by some of my English students. One of the guys in our class, Charlie, was in the parade and we wanted to offer him our full support.



Don't you love their festive makeup?

It was a cold day and my feet were almost frozen off by the time it was over. It started at 1:00 and the floats were numbered. I remember looking at my phone when we got to number 11 (Charlie was number 84) and it was 3:00.








Everyone dresses up- whether you are in the parade or not. They come into the crowd and throw confetti in your hair. They grab people from the sides and make them part of the show.



This girl was put into this contraption and then wheeled through the parade. It was funny....well, funny for us. I'm not sure what she was thinking.



This girl (you can't really see her) was thrown in here and they started stuffing straw in her jacket and pants. Ouch!



They are supposed to look scary to 'scare away winter'. Thank God. SCARE IT AWAY!





It wasn't long before they pulled out the shots and you are supposed to hold it in your teeth. The drink was bright red and I was scared I would spill it on my clothes. You will be happy to know that I did not.



My mom'll be so proud.

Aren't German kids the cutest?



There were a couple of these guys. Scary- check!



Here are some of my students...



Please ignore my big head!



Just when I thought I couldn't take one more second out there in the cold...here came my student of the week.



I bet Ryan is kicking himself that he had to miss this fun. On second thought- more like kickin' it. He is in 85 degree, sunny, beautiful South Africa. Work, schmurk.

One of those kind of days..

They usually start with bad hair.

Then running late and having to skip breakfast.

Sometimes, you end up slipping on a long sheet of ice walking to work.

When you get to work you are showing the receptionist your busted up knee and then notice that your entire purse is filled with water from your water bottle that busted in the great fall.

You will likely go to the bathroom and silently curse, "WTH are we doing here with no car and no family and lots of snow...I hate this place!"**

You spend the day trying to hold it together but deep down you just want to go home and forget about the day.

But then, it happens. Someone asks you what is wrong and you fall apart and tell them, "EVERYTHING!" Then, God shines down and this sweet person asks you to go to Berlin with them- that they have a free train ticket. Then you are so blown away by kindness that you forget you are supposed to hate today.

You walk carefully home.

------------------------------------------------

If you didn't catch it, Ryan is out of town for work. That fact alone typically welcomes the bad day demons. However, after my bad day, 3 different people called me and asked me to do things with them. I can't run off to Berlin this weekend for various reasons...but how nice that she would offer that. God is so good.

OK- I'm done with my little pity party. Thank you for letting me have one post to feel sorry for myself :)


**I don't hate it here. We have a great opportunity and we really have made the most of it. We are grateful for everything we have and we realize how blessed we are. Sometimes I can be quite the drama queen...