"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." Ancient Chinese Belief

People are SO Generous!

I just want to say that I am so thankful for the generosity of people. I have been totally overwhelmed by that the last couple of days.

Check this out!

July...

Here is my crazy month of July!

JULY 4 & 5 - Teaching ESL to Chinese students
JULY 16 to 18 - Driving to Chicago
JULY 19 to 21 - Tourist in Chicago
JULY 21 to 23 - Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
JULY 24 - Wheaton, IL
JULY 15 to 29 - Calgary (Weekend to End Breast Cancer)
JULY 30 - Back to Wheaton!
August 1 - Start working at Wheaton


If you will be any of these places at the same time, let me know because I would LOVE to visit!

Weekend to End Breast Cancer

Me, Krista and Karen

The last weekend of July the three of us are participating in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. We will walk 60km's over the course of two days. This photo is after one of our 15km training walks - and it was at that walk that I realized for the first time that 60km's really IS far to walk!

If anyone is interested in going for a walk sometime in the next few weeks let me know because I would LOVE that.

Check out the website: www.endcancer.ca (I'm participating in the Calgary one). Or click on the links to the right of this blog!

Wise, wise man...

The longings which arise in us when we first fall in love, or first think of some foregn country, or first take up some subject that excited us, are longings which no marriage, no travel, no learning, can really satisfy...creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists..if I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it (desire), that does not prove that the world is a fraud. Probably earthy pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.

- CS Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Baking Cookies

One of my responsibilities at work is to bake cookies. I'm working at a design centre for a home builder, so when clients come in to choose everything for their new home they get fresh baked cookies AND it smells wonderful! The kitchen above is the one I get to bake cookies in several times a day!


Along with baking cookies, I have been reflecting a lot. The last few months have been SO busy. I don't know whether it's having two jobs, changing jobs, taking on too much or what!? I am tired and feeling overwhelmed this week. Stress isn't always a part of my vocabulary - but this week it sure is! I don't want to sound like I'm whining or complaining - but I made my choice to do temp work this summer so I could slow down a bit and relax, to take some time to rest before transitioning this summer. That didn't exactly happen, but I think it's on it's way! This weekend is my last at Pottery Barn (and they're both on call) and next week is my last as the design centre. Then I'll essentially have two weeks off before the big move to Wheaton! Oh....and I'm teaching English for two days to Taiwanese students which should be a BLAST! They're going to the Calgary Stampede one day and to Banff as well, so I may tag along for one (or both) of those days.

At the same time as feeling overwhelmed and tired, I am also feeling very EXCITED. I am ready to move to Chicago and yes, I'm even ready to start school again. I am SUPER excited to meet all of the RA's that I'll be working with and the students in my building and to get back into what my heart is SO PASSIONATE about - ResLife!

Current Read

I still really like Stacey's idea of posting the books she's reading. She actually lent me this one and it is FANTASTIC. It is especially good for how I'm feeling right now...weary and in need of REST.

My Apartment

My future co-worker Michael and his wife Terese sent me a few photos of my new apartment at Wheaton. It's a little empty at the moment, but soon enough it will be my home.





COME VISIT! :-)

Current Read

Everything is better in a Volkswagen

This is my "new" car! Finally, the Jetta and I reunite! You may not know this, but my first car was an 85 Jetta and ever since 2000 when I bought the Saturn, I've wanted a Jetta again! AND, I got a really great deal on it! How can you beat that??

Hello USA!

I just got final word from Wheaton that all will work out just fine with my visa/immigration stuff. It looks like in a little over a month I'll be packing up my new little jetta and beginning the 28+ hour drive down to Chicago! Crazy how fast time flies.

In the meantime, I'm working at Jayman Builder/Wen Di Interiors. (And I'm still at Pottery Barn, though very part time) It's a pretty fun temp job. They keep me busy which is fantastic! And, I start my morning every day with baking cookies for the people coming to pick stuff out for their new homes! SO GREAT. I'm super tired so I'm sorry that this is so short! I'll write more soon!

Ps. the quote at the top - especially meaningful for me today as I think about and prepare for what is ahead!