It's Time.

A decision has been made: it's back to VLI for me. Many of you may know that I joined the program in the fall of 2003 and left the spring of 2004 for personal reasons. The plan was always to go back. I remember telling someone "the ideal would be to do this when I have a part time job." When Timmy and I became engaged and we decided that I would be quitting the firm, I realized the time for VLI may be approaching soon. Well, VLI is coming back to BRV in the fall. After much thought, prayer, and discussion, I went from "scared and I don't think so" to "scared and nervous" to "scared and hesitant" to "scared and yes" to "not as scared and maybe even a little excited."

The excitement came when I called VLI to ask about transferring my previous credits. All my credits transfer, which means 2 of my 7 quarters are complete, 2 of my 5 projects are complete, my evangelism mentoring is complete, and my preaching/teaching mentoring is complete. Although as suspected, MDT would like me to do preaching/teaching again - and I'm not entirely opposed to it. All this good news, also means that Timmy and I don't have to pay for two quarters, saving us over $1000. I don't have to officially enroll until the Spring of 08 and will be done in the Spring of 09 - I can do that. I will, however, be sitting in on the Fall 07 and Winter 08 classes. It will be good to refresh my brain with the stuff I studied a few years ago. It'll also be good for team-building, that I be a part of the class from the beginning instead of coming in late. The only drawback to having everything transfer over is that also includes my lackluster GPA. At the time, my life was beginning to unravel and, well, my grades were showing it. That's why I decided to leave and focus on what I needed to focus on. Now, that GPA stands. However, I would rather bring up that GPA than start all over again - ew.

So, that's that. And seriously, when I don't think of the actual tests, papers, projects, and time discipline required, I'm excited. I am committed to the calling on my life. I am committed to the Vineyard. This is an ideal time for me to do it: part time job at the church, no children, and a husband who is completely supportive. What better time is there for me.

At Last

Gillian Elise

Baby, Mom, Dad, and Big Brother are well. Congratulations Stevenses!

HEROES SPOILERS! DON'T READ UNLESS YOU'VE ALREADY WATCHED IT!

Is that enough forewarning? If you haven't watched the Heroes finale yet, but plan to, don't read on.

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Okay, so I started to reply to Ashlie's question of "what exactly didn't you like" about the Heroes finale as a comment, but it turned out to be too long, so it's now going to be a post of it's own. Please excuse my insane ramblings about a television program.

First off I thought the whole deal with Nathan flying Peter into space to explode was stupid. The point of Claire shooting him in the back of the head was that he wouldn't be able to regenerate, thus preventing him from going nuclear again as he obviously couldn't control that particular power. If Nathan picked him up and flew him high into the stratosphere and then he blew up, it would (theoretically) kill Nathan but Peter would survive, fall back to earth and be able to explode again. So what's the point? It makes no sense.

Also I felt like Sylar "died" too easily. They build this guy up all season as being the ultimate bad guy and then he basically lays down and dies with very little fight. I guess I maybe just wanted something a little bit more sensational. Something more like the fighting done in the "future" between Peter and Sylar.

The little allusion at the end that Sylar either crawled or was dragged down the manhole was pretty stupid too. Was everyone so preoccupied with Nathan and Peter's actions that they neglected to notice that their arch villain's body disappeared whilst they stood around hugging and giving each other knowing smiles?

I don't know, I just felt that the whole ending was somewhat contrived and an unfitting end to what was otherwise a season filled with buildup and mystery. Plus it was basically like any movie nowadays where it "ends" but leaves almost every storyline wide open for a sequel. Nathan can come back and just say he let go of Peter and flew off before he exploded. Sylar (or Sylar's evil blood, if you ask Melissa) can come back and try to take over the world again. Peter can regenerate and go out into the desert somewhere to try and gain control of his nuclear power.

That's mostly what I didn't like about the finale. Now you know.

Oh, and Parkman got shot 5 times in the chest & abdomen. He would most likely be dead. There are too many vital organs for every bullet to somehow avoid hitting something. Medically speaking. But hey, stupider things than that happen on Grey's Anatomy on a regular basis.

Entertainment Fails Me Again

Just got through watching the Heroes finale. It sucked. It was stupid. It basically made the entire season feel like a waste of time. Sort of the same deal as the Matrix - all of the endings that people theorized were so much better than the real thing. Either that or somewhere along the line somebody guessed what the "surprise" ending was going to be, so they had to change it to something so ridiculous that nobody would possibly guess that's how it would turn out.

The Depths

My mania for a dog has reached new lows. Yesterday afternoon I took my parents' dog Chester to Ridley Creek State Park.

I must admit, he made a much better walking companion than I had anticipated. I attribute this mostly to the fact that he's a fatty fat and he probably couldn't muster the energy to tug on the leash after the first two inclines we climbed. Whatever the case, though, he walked mostly right at my side the whole time and only occasionally stopped to smell the various scents that the forest has to offer.

I must also note that this dog has the character of a paper bag full of wet socks. One might expect a canine companion to interact with you when you stop for a water break, but Chester basically never even sat down and just kept poking around in the weeds. Even on the handful of moments when I tried to give him an encouraging pat on the head he seemed disinterested at best.

I guess the moral of the story is that beggars can't be choosers. He walked well the whole time and didn't drop dead in the middle of nowhere, so I guess that makes it a good day. But I still want my own dog.

No Shrek The Third

I was tasked with getting American Idol results while I was at work and Melissa was at kinship last night. This, unfortunately, ruined a perfectly good episode of Ghost Hunters for me as I was unable to bear actually watching the Idol results show and instead had to keep flipping back and forth to see if they were going to eliminate somebody or what. They finally revealed the ousted contestant with 3 minutes left in the program. An entire hour of filler and then the big culmination of the show, the ousted pseudo-singer performing the last song that America deemed not good enough, had to be played with credits rolling over the bottom of the screen as they'd run out of time. Good planning, FOX.

Oh, yes, the weakest link in the competition of three ended up being Melinda Doolittle, whom I earlier this month pointed out to bear a striking resemblance to a certain big, green cartoon movie star. This morning I was checking out FOXnews.com, that bastion of almost news, and I read this confounding statement regarding same Shrek-esque performer:

Her career is arguably the one most eagerly anticipated of all of this season's contestants' and the endless hours spent on clothes, makeup and hair throughout the season have clearly had a major impact on the girl. In other words: Along the way she somehow got hot.
























Wow. Allow me to quote the venerable cave man from the Geico adds, "Uh, I have a response...... What?!"

I mean, saying, "Her image is improved," might be on the outermost boundaries of acceptable. But hot? Seriously? If that's the case, I need to do some serious reevaluation of my rating criteria.

what the heck???

Driving into work. Listening to the radio. Feeling a little urbanesque. 102.1 has a commercial. 96.5 has a commercial. 104.5 has.... R.E.M.??? What? "The One I Love" is not part of the rotation of Rumba 104.5 Orgullo Latino. Sigh. It appears that the curse of 104.5 continues to haunt me. Another station I loved at 104.5 that gets the boot. Now, it's Radio 104.5 - that's lame. And Rumba has moved to 1480AM - super, super lame. They couln't even keep it on the FM dial.

Eureka!

I finally found a house that we could afford! Sweet.

You Don't Say....

On Tuesday morning we were milling around the kitchen, getting breakfast and whatnot, when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, so I let it kick over to voicemail. Upon listening to same voicemail, it turns out the message was from a fellow at the National Bone Marrow Donor registry. I think it was back in 2001, they had a donor drive at the fire house in Collingdale and I registered then. Now here it is some 6 years later and out of the blue I get a call saying that I may be a match for a 37 year old man with leukemia. Hmm. Imagine that. I only vaguely remember actually registering, and I don't suppose I thought about all of the little details back when I did. Yet here I am, and regardless of previous thought (or lack thereof) I'd put into it, how could I not follow this possibility through? And so next Monday I'll have some blood work done that will help to determine whether or not I'm most suited to be a donor for this gentleman. Details to follow, I'm sure.

Ethnicity

For dinner on Tuesday evening, Melissa took a stab at making some Puerto Rican rice and beans to go with our tilapia filets. I simply had to take a picture of this monumental event.

O'er Amber Waves of Trash

They've blocked my usual riding path at the Tinicum Wildlife Refuge with construction of another crappy boardwalk for walkers. So I tried taking an alternate route, which usually involves having to walk across a little marshy section and getting my feet all wet and stinky. As I approached the end of the trail, however, I saw a clearing and what I thought was a place to cross the water! Wonder of wonders, had they done something intelligent and cleared a bridge? As the horizon fully came into view, however, I realized that it was not in fact a bridge. It was, instead, a rainwater swelled log jam of various reeds, branches and general garbage. Oh the splendor. I tried to snap a picture, but I'm not sure it does the spectacle justice. Here it is, nonetheless:

A Quiet Afternoon At Home

So I had my once monthly church marathon morning today - 8am until 1pm.

After church, went out to Ridley Creek State Park for lunch and catching up with some old friends.

Melissa is presently at her niece Rosie's wedding shower, so I planned on a nice quiet afternoon at home.

What did I forget to factor in?

That there's no such thing as a quiet Sunday afternoon here once the weather gets warm.

You see, last summer our lovely downstairs neighbor has a stereo set up on the patio in the back yard which he would blare bad 80's rock music through for the better part of every Sunday afternoon.

This year the stereo hadn't reappeared, so we figured maybe it was broken or something.

But last Sunday, the crappy music returned.

Still no stereo outside, though.

So where is the music coming from?

Well, it turns out that the stereo is now housed in the basement which is accessed through doors in the floor of the back porch of this house.

So in order to make the yard echo of hair bands gone by, he just opens the basement doors and turns the volume up.

Why is this awesome?

Because in addition to being able to hear the music outside, the frame of this old house makes the inside echo with distorted bass.

That's right, I can hear & feel the badness.

Of course, the stereo is just icing on the noise cake.

You see, our house also happens to be square in the center of lawn mowing land.

I understand that lots of people in the suburbs cut their lawns.

Heck, they probably have to do it on a somewhat regular basis in order to avoid fines and such.

But here, it seems like there is someone mowing their lawn just about every day of the week.

Loudly.

The neighbor next door cuts his at least twice a week.

So anyways, yeah, no quiet Sunday afternoon for Timmy.

Not unless I can find some earplugs around here.

Maybe I'll just turn the TV up and make do.

Word.

Separated At Birth?

I don't care who you are or where you're from... this girl looks like Shrek, and that's all there is to it.

boys and girls

Just wanted to share this picture. I think it's great: Timmy and I playing with Cora and Liam during our most recent trip to Ohio. No offense to the most adorable Cora, but the best part of the picture are the boys.



Look at Timmy impart his wisdom of superheroes to his intent and eager student. Way too cute.

Poker

I played poker at the Youngs' house last night. There were six people in the game, two of which busted out and then bought back in. If memory serves, I knocked at least 5 - if not 6 - of those players out of the game. And yet I came in third place and didn't win a bloody thing. This is what we call "dissatisfying" boys and girls.

10 years ago today....

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

one of those weeks...

Saturday night. 9:40pm. And I got a call from Mark. Shawna was wondering if I got the paper towels for the bathroom. I forgot. Sigh. Just one of those little things that make me feel icky. I just had a rough week in general. I forgot to buy the towels. I forgot to send out the volunteer schedule. I was an hour late to the management team meeting because I had the time wrong. These things make me feel blah. And I know it's okay. Mark has so much grace. The entire church has so much grace. But its the perfectionist in me that doesn't have much grace. It's the woman with very high expectations that doesn't have much grace. And I just hate letting people down (mostly myself). So, I just need to shake it off. Not let it get the best of me.

It's A Dog's Life

Ever since Dave and Kristine got their new puppy Moby my persistence in trying to get Melissa to okay a canine companion for us has increased ten fold. She knew it would happen the minute she met Moby, of course, but I don't know that she was really prepared for the task of putting up with me on this one.

In an effort to get some support on my side, I humbly present some pictures of the awesomeness I've come across over the past week:



This is Jazzy. She's a mix between a Belgian Shepherd and an Elkhound. This is, of course, intriguing because it would produce an animal remarkably close to Buffy the eternal. In fact, this is pretty much what Buffy looked like at that age. Believe it or not. Jazzy would require a name change.






This is Kahlua. She is estimated to be a mix between a Kai Dog and an Elkhound, though the person who wrote her listing said that was a total shot in the dark guess. Regardless, I think this is a fierce looking dog. The wild look in her eyes brings me to mind of the legendary Duchess. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. I could be okay with the name Kahlua.









Now we start bringing out the big guns. This is Cocoa. She is a mix between a Labrador and a Doberman. And, yes, she resembles a chocolate Porkchop the Dog. This is obviously quite a trump card, but I also noted to Melissa, "Look, she's German and Canadian just like Erika. You love Erika, so you should love Cocoa too." It's true, this is probably either underhanded or ridiculous - or both. But such is my mania. I'm not entirely sold on the name Cocoa, but I'm sure we could come up with a suitable substitute that sounded similar.






And, finally, the coup de grace... Helena. Helena is a mix of Siberian Husky and Beagle and may be one of the most beautiful little dogs I've ever seen. She also resembles PCTD, though perhaps not quite as much as Cocoa. Those famous Husky blue eyes are what pushes her over the top, I think. She would probably need a name change. Helena is a cool name, but not really for a dog. She's only a couple months old, though, so I think she'd adapt to it pretty easily.


Feel free to vote for your favorite, even though it probably won't go very far towards changing Melissa's mind.

Two for Two

Today Timmy and I went on a Monday Movie Date; this is our second time going on a Monday Movie Date. A few weeks ago, we decided to use our $6.00 movie coupons for Regal Cinemas from our Entertainment Book. We went and saw Amazing Grace. While we were there, we learned that on Mondays they have select candies for $1 if you have a Crown Card. So, normally two tickets, two candies, and one large bottle of water would total $28.50 ($24 if you go to a matinee). With our coupon and the free crown club card, our total was $18. Sweet. And then for the first time in a while, we saw a movie that didn't disappoint us.

Today, we went out again to the Regal Edgemont. Timmy said I was a more expensive date since my Sour Patch Kids weren't on the $1 list and we paid a full $2.50. Sorry, honey. We saw Reign Over Me and again we were not disappointed by the movie. I actually really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed Amazing Grace but it probably isn't a movie I would see again. However, I could see Reign Over Me again. I would recommend it, but that probably doesn't mean much to most of you - I did just borrow Delta Force from my mom.

love those google guys

I do. I think they're so clever. I love my gmail account, and they have given me another reason to love them even more. Presenting Gmail paper!! Just by clicking a button, I can request Gmail to send me a hardcopy of my email. There is no limit to how many I request and there is no cost because they print ads on the back of the paper. They'll even print photo attachments, but I don't really care about that.

Now, why am I so excited about this? Because for almost two years now, I have been telling myself, "I need to get myself organized someday and print out all those early emails between me and Timmy." Remember that our relationship started one night when I couldn't fall asleep, so I sent this seeming nice guy from small group a really long, really random email and then he replied with an equally long and equally random email. The rest is history, but many of those early memories are saved in my mrolon gmail account. I have wanted to print them out, bind them, and save them beside my years of journals. Then our great-grandbabies can read about their how great-grandparents started to get to know each and fell in love. This is going to be so exciting if it actually works as well as they say. But how couldn't it - I mean, it is google!!

Now, I just need to figure out how to get all my IM conversations printed - gotta love mac which automatically saves IM conversations!! Maybe I'll just email them to myself and have Gmail send them to me too :)