Dancing with the King of the Ages!

"We're kidnapping your bike... The lock's in the way though." Was the text I received from my roomies tonight when I got off of work around 11:30pm. They're so fun :) As I stepped into the lobby I saw them sitting in the dark, on the couch waiting for me to come out. They'd been out for dinner and thought to come pick me up from work. How sweet! We got home and as I went up the stairs I checked the time, 11:56pm. Brie disappeared into the kitchen and Eron blocked the entrance. "What time is it?" he asked. I told him. "Well, we'll go off of mountain time!" and he and Brie burst into song, singing Happy Birthday. Brie had made me homemade, Giradelli chocolate brownies with homemade caramel sauce on them! Mmmmm, they we're delicious! I love my roomies!

It seems like I get the urge to blog about once a month :) Or maybe it just takes that long for things to change at work just enough for me to write about it. I'm not sure. Either way, it's been a while and things are on the move, again. Not a whole lot has changed recently. At least not concerning work, but I'll get to that... Stess and I are thinking about living together again, but it probably won't happen until the end of summer, maybe. She's teaching out in Sandy as a temporary sub for the rest of the year. It's nice to know she's got a steady job, but that's causing her some stress since she now has to plan a lesson every day as well as get her school work done. We don't see each other as much anymore since we're on the opposite ends of town. We're making up for it during the weekends though. Last weekend Mom, Dad, Stess, Crista and my Aunt and Uncle all came up to Portland to see Cat's the Broadway. I think we all agree tha...

Yeah, I've not been that consistent with this blog. What can I say, life's been busy. I worked over 7 hours over time last week. Needless to say, I was a little tired. I did make that up on the weekend though and went to see Wicked again! I showed up two and a half hours early and put my name in a lottery for a $25 ticket. And I got one! It was a ton of fun and I'd do it again but alas, Wicked has left Portland... This weekend Mom, Dad and my Sister are headed up here for Easter! They're coming to my church and I'm "hosting" dinner! Oh the responsibility! We're having ham. We've had it before so there's not much I can screw up. My roommate is out of work and has been since December. She's an accountant and is looking hard but no luck yet. Her brother moved out here from Boston a few weeks ago. He's living with us for now. He's also unemployed... Last night I think he applied for a job where I work. I don't think he's plannin...

Saturday was AMAZING!!! Stess came up to Portland and we went to see Chris Tomlin in concert. I’ve been to one of his concerts before and told Stess that I wanted to go because the previous time had been an evening of worship. Last night didn’t disappoint. We were talking on the way to the concert about how it must be for someone like CT to be on tour. Stess said she couldn’t do it, it’d be too exhausting. I told her I don’t think it is. Yes, it’s tiring, but I think it must be amazing to be able to lead hundreds of people to worship night after night. I imagine the best worship services on Sunday morning, the ones where you just want to keep going and you forget about lunch and what time it is. I think it’s got to be that way for someone like CT. Yes, I’m sure there are times when you are tired, and I know it’s not all fun and games. It was interesting to compare last night’s concert to the one I went to the previous Friday. Two weeks ago I saw Brad Paisley at the Rose Garden....

Wow it's been a while since I updated this! Sorry! Life is rolling along and I'm doing good. Last Friday Stacy and I, along with Madre, Bonnie, George and Cindy, went to see Brad Paisley in concert at the Rose Garden! It was tons of fun! Stacy has pictures on her blog... A coworker asked me to go to teh Blazer game on Sunday afternoon. They won and scored over 100 points, so everone got cupons for free chalupas at Taco Bell! It was a good game too, so lots of fun there. This Saturday Stess is coming up to Portland! We're going to see Chris Tomlin!!!!!!!!!! Yep, I'm excited! I saw him several years ago and loved it, so I'm really looking forward to that this weekend. And seeing Stess is always wonderful. I'm still without a car, but have been getting around on the public transportation pretty well. Once it gets sunnier, or less rainy, I'm going to try and ride more often. Work is going well. I was in training for the past week and a half and learne...

I had to say goodbye to my car today. On my way home from Stess', on my way to work, it died. No resurrection for this car, it's dead. Uncle Phil was great and came and picked me up. He called in a favor and a junkyard towed my car without charging me. When they heard what type of car I had they said there's no resale value to it, so I didn't get anything for it. So, I'm very glad I live in Portland at this time and so close to public transportation.

Tonight I went to the Blazer's game. It was a lot of fun, they won and I got to go for free. Can't go wrong with that! Interesting observation though. For the half time show they brought out all these girls from probably age 3 to high school age. The girls had gone to some type of camp that the dancer's for the Blazers put on. The final then was getting to perform at the game. It was very interesting to see the girls and how they danced. There was an adorable little girl, probably 3 or 4, who just looked cute and was out to have fun time. You could tell she was the kind who just liked to dance for the fun of it. Then you had the slightly older girls who were divided between wanting to dance cause it was fun, and wanting to dance because they wanted to look and act beautiful. Those who wanted to just had fun didn't really have all the moves down and didn't particularly look great, but you could tell this was a highlight for them, simply being able to be out ...

A few weeks ago I saw a notice at work for a position opening up on my contract. It's a position that I've been kinda doing for a while. I'd applied about 3 months after I got hired, didn't get the job, but have been training for it since then. I decided to apply for the job again. I'm very happy doing what I'm doing now, but figured why not get paid more and have it look good on a resume? So, Friday I had my interview. Before then, I spoke with my manager and he encouraged me, with no intention of discouraging me, to not give up if I didn't get the job. I went into the interview confident that I was qualified to do the job and do it well, but aware that other very qualified applicants had also applied. My interview went well and I was told that out of20 who applied, I was 1 of 6 to be interviewed! I was told that I'd probably know by Monday if I got the job or not. Well, Monday came and went and I figured I hadn't gotten the job. Today, jus...

I know, it's been a while since I last posted anything. I've been trying to come up with something really great to write about, but nothing's coming to mind. So, instead of some wonderful pearls of wisdom, you get the mundane. Well, maybe not mundane, but my life as it pertains to: ...Living quarters. I'm pretty settled in to my place now. Last Sunday I got home from church and shortly after both roomates did. We had a chance to sit down for lunch together, not planned, it just happened. It was a fun, non-stressful time. We actually had a neighbor come by and give us a welcome gift! Later we went to the park and threw a ball for Brandi, our friendly dog, and played on the swings. All in all, a very relaxing time just hanging out. Later Jamie and I went to Target, with 2 stories! Jamie was really funny, being from a small town, Target with an escelator that you can put your cart down was quite an adventure. ...Church. I'm still trying to find a...

Since I got back from Mongolia life has been pretty hectic so I appologize for not posting more pictures (still to come) or telling you more about my trip (also, still to come.) When I got back I realized I had 2 weeks to find a place (Praise the Lord, He provided!) and move (this weekend). On top of that, last weekend was a big family gathering, and stuff at work is changing along with my schedule. But, in an effort to at least give you something, I thought I'd tell you about one story from Mongolia that wouldn't have happened last year. Stess, Kate and I went evangelizing in the countryside with Pugi (the pastor) and Oyuna (our translator.) We ended up at a home with three generations all living together. They were all there and invited us into their home. Pugi spoke with them first, telling them what he did and why we, the Americans, were there. They asked what we did for work in the states. Kate works as a manager in a hotel and Stess is a teacher. Both those seem to t...

Praise the Lord! I found a place to live as of last night! I've been looking hard for a week, just after I got back from Mongolia and realized I only had two weeks to find a place. I didn't really want to move to Beaverton, cause I love Portland! And I didn't want to move any further east because the commute would be aweful. The place I found is closer to 205 and even better, about 3 blocks away from the Max station. Now I'll really have no excuse other than pure laziness, to not rid the Max to work. I'll be living with two christian women and a chocolate lab that is just sweet. The house is owned by one of the ladies and it's really cute! So, thanks for your prayers. They've been answered!

I know... it's been a while. Sorry! I've been a little busy so let me let you in on what my life has been like for the past 3 weeks... Like I said in my last post, I got pulled into a new hire training class the last week of June. It was so much fun! I loved it! No, it wasn't easy and my class was probably the worst type of class to have. One third of the class were transfering from another contract and the rest were newbies. With the transferes there I wasn't always sure if the newbies got it or not. To top that off, all my resources were gone, either in India or on vacation. But even with all that, I really enjoyed it! Everyone graduated and though we've lost a few since then, mostly attendance, I think they're getting it and doing a pretty good job. Aside from work, I've been getting ready for Mongolia! I'm leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks! Nope, not at all excited... Stacy is going to take me to the airport tomorrow morning. We get the joy of being t...

I haven't posted anything in a bit, so I thought I'd go ahead and give an update. Life has been busy, what with getting ready for Mongolia, going to Albany, Lebanon, Sisters, preparing for my cousin's wedding, going to wedding showers and weddings, and just living life! Two weeks ago I was blessed to see Lydia get married! That was a great weekend. Last weekend Stess, Nicole, Ahryanna and I all went to Sisters. Didn't do much, just shopped and spent time oohing and ahing over an adorable little GIRL. I've decided I'm going to look for those plastic stick on earings for her. Purple isn't cutting it. This weekend I'm going to Albany/Corvallis/Lebanon for a Mongolia fundraiser (An Evening for the Orphans), my Aunt's 50th birthday party, another Mongolia meeting, and another friends wedding on Sunday. On the work front, I was in an associate trainer training class for two weeks. I just got my test back today and I got 100%! So now all I need to do is act...

I know, it's bee a while since I last wrote anything, so I figure I'll catch you up, as much as I can while at work. My computer isn't working so that's my excuse for not writing lately. If you send me an email, sorry I haven't responded. I can only check it at work on my break so it doesn't happen much. Life is pretty much the same. I'm still liking my job. Currently I'm trying to get promoted to the senior position. Starting tomorrow (Thursday) I'll be coming in to work for training at 7am! Yuck! But, the upside of that is getting off at 4pm, so okay, I'll take it. Mongolia plans are heating up. I'm getting more excited about going. My "Aunt" Sandra is joining us this year so that's going to be great! I got my passport renewed and all I need now is shots :( I'm going down to Corvallis a lot, which I enjoy when I'm there but don't enjoy the thought of all that gas money! Church is great, when I get to go...

Once again I find myself reading all my favorite blogs and bummed that there isn't anything new. And once again I figure the best way to get you all to write is to write something of my own. That and life is going on and there are a few random things I want to write about. Not of particular importance, but life I guess. This past weekend was very busy and crazy and wonderful! It started with getting off work early on Friday! I love it! Stacy picked me up and we went down south to Corvallis. We made it just in time for the Good Friday service at Faith. It was a good service, but I'll be honest, I got more out of just being with friends and family than anything else. (This wasn't due to any defficiency on anyone's part, just my lack of a spiritual focus...) Stess and I stayed in Lebanon Friday night as she and my parents were leaving for Denver on Saturday. Saturday I drove back up to Portland with my family and took them to the airport. They're headed to D...

So, seeing as it's been a little while and some of you rely on my blog to know what's going on (Uncle Tim :) ) I'll attempt to write a blog with enough interesting things as to keep you entertained. Life basically consists of getting up, catching the max, going to work, catching max again, and going to sleep. That's Monday through Friday. Last week I did have a break from that and visited Stacy on Thursday. I really don't mind too much. Riding max I don't have to worry about traffic and don't pay much for gas. And I'm hoping that over time it will save me money on car repairs. I also get time to read, knitt, and crochet. So, though it's a long commutte, I like it. I still haven't found a church. Stacy and I went to Imago Dei on Sunday. I liked it, but the church is big. Much bigger than what I'm used to. We'll see how it goes. Saturday Stacy and I had a great time hanging out. We saw to great movies and only paid $4! Can...

I spent this past weekend with some friends in South East Portland. Tim and Hannah have been married for 3+ years now. Hannah and I worked at Camp Tadmor together and we've kept in touch. She and her sister, Naomi, are the kind of people who you can always count on, the relationship always seems to pick up where you left off no matter how long it's been since you were last able to spend time together. Hannah and I have been trying to do things together since I've been back in Portland, not always successful, but we try. Anyway... we had coffee a few weeks ago and she invited me to go to church with them. That turned into an invitation to spend the night on Saturday and watch a movie Saturday afternoon. So, this last weekend I went over there. They bought a home a year ago and have decorated it beautifully! Well, after the movie in Salem and dinner with Stess, Hannah and I went back to their place and Tim came upstairs. Hannah then told me that she and Tim had a ques...

A couple of weeks ago Stacy found out that Rob Bell, author of Velvet Elvis and Sex God, was going to be in Portland on the 10th. I was excited to know, but didn't think I'd actually get a chance to go. I told Madre about him coming, since we read Velvet Elvis together, but she was in California that weekend. So, I forgot about it... Until my brother Ryan sent an email about going and said he could get tickets! So I rethought my weekend, asked Stacy if she'd be interested, and bought the tickets. I am SO glad I did! Saturday night Stacy and I met Ryan at Starbucks. That in iteslf was great as I got to see my brother and it's been a while. (clarification: brother in Christ...) We were also near my old church so I showed Stacy that. Thankfuly we carpooled to the Roseland theater in down town Portland, as I would have gotten lost if we hadn't. We had standing room only tickets but were able to find an isle to sit in. Rob Bell came out on stage where he had this...