Season's Greetings...

For My Democrat Friends:
"Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere, and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishes. By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher."

For My Republican Friends:
"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"

Currently Listening To: My Oh My by The Wreckers

We's married!!

I realize it has been a while since I last blogged...but I think I have a decently good excuse!!

The wedding was beautiful...and very short!! I was joking with Brack that once the video was converted to digital format we could even download it onto youtube for everyone who didn't make the wedding to see...it's short enough!!

Kates~* did an awesome job on pics (and I haven't even seen the ones she is playing around with...only the ones straight off the camera!!). Sarah H. got some great shots as well. I really wanna thank Jess, Danielle, Liz, and Leah for helping me out and calming me down when I got stressed...ya'll are the greatest!! My sisters (Melody, Susie, Beka), sis-in-law Dayana, and my cousin Amanda were gorgeous bridesmaids, the flower girls were absolute dolls, and the guys all looked GQ!! It was great!!

We are back now and settled in at home...still enjoying our "honeymoon" status...since Brack doesn't head back to work until Monday...and then I start looking for a job. Right now Brack is having a blast playing his Lego Star Wars II The Original Trilogy game on his XBox (my wedding gift to him)...and later he is gonna help me load songs onto my new mp3 player (his wedding gift to me)!!

Married life is so fun!! And I'm not just talking about the smooching and such!! We have had so much fun the last few days...even while just reading to each other or playing board games or watching TV!! It is such a blast and I highly recommend married life to those of you still single out there!!

Anyway, I'll quit making you gag with my loving descriptions of my wonderful husband and our wonderful married life now!! Carry on!!

Currently Listening To: The sounds of Brack's Star Wars XBox game!!

Yeah...it's been a while!!

My word!! It has been almost a month since I last blogged!! A lot has happened!! The wedding planning has been going well...not a lot left to do...which is good...since the wedding is only five weeks away!! I also no longer have a nanny job...seems they felt I was more focused on the wedding than on their daughter...well, duh!! It was getting a bit difficult as the little girl was adorable but spoiled like crazy and I was just about at my wits end as to what to do...since "we don't make her do anything she doesn't want to do"!! Brack and I had pretty much decided that I was gonna give notice when we got back from the honeymoon...the only down side is that we could have used the salary from this time...but oh well!!

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While channel-surfing this morning there was a segment on the news about dumb laws on the books in NYC. Since that cracked me up, I thought I'd post a few dumb laws on my blog here for your enjoyment!!

*It is illegal to enter Wisconsin with a chicken on your head...(I wonder what smartaleck brought about that law?)

*In New York it is illegal for citizens to greet one another by putting one's thumb to the nose and wiggling the fingers...(yeah, cause that's how we all say hello!!)

*In Canada it is illegal to climb trees or to pay for a fifty-cent item with only pennies...(had to add that one in for the benefit of our friends north of the border!!)

*In Thailand it is illegal to leave the house if you are not wearing underwear...(hmm...some PR ladies should never go to Thailand!!)

*In Alabama it is illegal to wear a false mustache that causes laughter in church...(methinks a false mustache would cause laughter ANYTIME!!)

*In Florida men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown...(but a gown WITH straps is okay?)

*In NYC it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs...(get your ass out of the tub!!)

Anyway...that is enough for now!! It is a beautiful day but I have lots to clean and organize indoors today...and premarital counseling papers to fill out...meh!! Laterz!!

Currently Listening To: Star Wars Main Theme (yeah...Brack is rubbing off on me!!)

You Know You're An MK When...

There IS a book and quite a few lists of this out there...these are my own, however...


*You get homesick for Romania when you’re in Peru, for Peru when you’re in America, and for America when you’re in Romania!

*You get nostalgic when you go to Mexico on a church mission trip, though it was 15 years and three countries ago that you lived there.

*You carry change, tissues, and antibacterial gel with you wherever you go...since you never know what sort of bathroom situation to expect.

*Toilets can be holes that you squat over…and then flush!

*You stockpile Equate creamy peanut butter…more for the price!

*You had to sing “People Need the Lord” and “Here Am I Lord” all over the States in front of total strangers as a child.

*You have siblings born with foreign citizenship…but you all have the same birth parents.

*Your laptop has been configured to be able to type in three different languages.

*It’s an exciting day when you can actually accomplish everything on your “To Do” list…or even half of them!

*You get excited to see things like Nutella and Inca Kola in American stores.

*You’ve ever been awake in the middle of the night adjusting once again to a different time zone.

*You eat bread and mayonnaise with your French fries…and it seems normal to you.

*You figure out how to make Romanian desserts with Peruvian ingredients.

*A rolling footlocker has a million uses.

*Eating at McDonald’s is a special treat…since in your adopted country it costs the same as a nice sit-down meal would at a regular restaurant.

*You laugh when your American friends have to get in the car to drive to the other side of the shopping center.

*You then realize you got soft in the States when you get winded walking across town when you get back home to your adopted country.

*Telenovelas make up a great deal of your TV watching…between the speaking in Spanish and the Romanian subtitles you can understand it all!

*Your family is scattered across four continents and at a family reunion you may eat Korean barbecue, Romanian sarmale, and Mexican rice…and wash it all down with Peruvian chicha morada!!

*Nieces and nephews are all bi-lingual…but their second languages are all different!

*You don’t flush every time…and you never put the paper in the toilet.

*You get excited when you go into an import shop in Romania and see Peruvian items.

*You could hang out for hours in World Market…but are surprised to see what they charge.

*If you arrive on time, you are actually early…in your adopted country.

*You actually look forward to the holidays in your adopted country…the focus is family, friends, and church…not buying a gift for everyone and their uncle’s cousin!

*You gasp when you hear how much people are willing to spend on church building projects in the States…and calculate how many churches could be built with that money on the field.

*You feel sorry for American teens who can only speak one language…and who are amazed that you know more than two fluently.

*Your one and only limo ride in the States…you spent the whole time talking to the Cuban driver in Spanish.

*You are disappointed to realize that your favorite jeans are dirty two days before a trip…cause there won’t be time for them to dry before leaving if you wash them now.

*Your brother’s MK friend is amazed to discover that American toilet paper actually tears apart into “little hankies!”

*Text messaging and beeping people on your mobile seem more natural than actually calling them.

*You know you’ve finally assimilated when you dream in your adopted language.

*When meeting up with another MK…you realize that though your different adopted cultures have nothing in common…you still can relate so well to them.

*You laughingly have to explain to your mom that in some countries the elevator doors actually close by themselves.

*You also have to laugh when your mom doesn’t get how funny the phrase “You mesclar your idiomas without thinking about it” is, because her mind automatically translated the Spanish for her when she heard you say that!!

A definition of globalization....

Got this from a Romanian friend...please bear with me if it sounds a bit stilted in English...I had to translate it myself...

Question: What is the most real definition of globalization?

Answer: The death of Princess Di.

Question: How's that?

Answer: A British princess with an Egyptian lover is in an accident in a French tunnel while riding in a German car with a Dutch motor that is driven by a Belgian (who was drunk with Scottish whisky) while being chased by Italian paparazzi on Japanese motorbikes. The princess was treated by an American doctor with Brazilian medicine. (And you are reading this on a computer that uses Taiwanese microchips and has a Korean monitor that was assembled by workers from Bangladesh in a factory in Singapore and transported by ship by people from India).

What do you think of that? Mai zi ceva!

Currently Listening To: Perfect by Sara Evans

Brack's "New" Do...and That Quiz....

Okay, so it's been cut for a few weeks...but since he never updates his xanga anymore...I thought I'd just post his pic here...

Okay...about that quiz...

1) How old do you wish you were? Hmm...I kinda like my age right now...could have something to do with the fact that I am marrying my guy at this age!! But as far as looks...I looked GOOD four years ago (2002) at the end of a summer of camps in Romania...I was 116 lbs and TAN!! I wouldn't mind looking that good, but being this age!!

2) Where were you when 9-11 happened? Umm...stuck in the Amsterdam airport. I was on my way home from a summer in Romania and got as far as Amsterdam...then was stuck in the airport for four days with no way to get home, no change of clothes, and no way to sleep or shower...yeach!! We were actually in the process of boarding the plane when they turned us around and told us we weren't going anywhere...since a second plane had hit they knew then it was no accident!!

3) What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Bang on the machine, punch a bunch of buttons, then if nothing else works...find out who owns the machine and try to get my money back...if I can't I finally give up mad!!

4) Do you consider yourself kind? I'm a "mercy"...so usually...unless I find someone to be completely annoying!!

5) If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? I have no imagination...I'd get it on my lower back...right above my butt...where only me and my guy would see it...unless I was wearing an EXTREMELY skimpy bikini!!

6) If you could be fluent in any other language what would it be? Well, I AM fluent in Spanish and Romanian...but I'd love to know French and/or Italian. I just LOVE the Romance languages...they are so beautiful!!

7) Do you know your neighbors? Nope...I am working as a live-in nanny right now and have no clue about my employers neighbors.

8) What do you consider a vacation? No work, no pressure...just chillin'... Now I LOVE working in summer camps and visiting family...but those don't count as vacations...even if I'm off of work for that...

9) Do you follow your horoscope? Nah...sometimes I read old ones out of curiosity...to see if what was predicted came anywhere close to what actually happened...but I don't read 'em ahead of time...

10) Would you move for the person you loved? I think I already did that...just a few months ago...when I moved back halfway around the world to marry my Brack!!

11) Are you touchy-feely? Totally!!

12) Do you believe that opposites attract? Yup, it can happen. Brack and I are very much alike in some things...but we are VERY different in other things...

13) Dream job? Stay-at-home wife and (someday) mother. Entrepreneur...running my own home business!! Writer...of childrens and teen books...

14) Favorite channel(s)? WB (CW), E!, Style, TLC, Disney, ABC Family, Lifetime...yeah...I know, I know....

15) Favorite place to go on weekends? Hmm...just hanging out at Brack's...watching movies, making homemade salsa, going swimming, just hanging out with my guy!! If I could go anywhere, though (and time and gas were not a problem)...probably down to see my niece and nephews in San Antonio...with Brack, of course!!

16) Showers or Baths? Showers...definately!! Though I will probably enjoy baths more once I am married!!

17) Do you paint your nails? In the summer...when I think about it...I paint my toenails...usually a summery, shimmery color...like blue or coral. I HAVE been known to go DARK on toenails in the winter..like a dark blood red or deep purple. I never paint my fingernails though...weird thing, it feels like my nails can't "breathe" if I paint my fingernails...besides the fact that it chips off almost immediately!!

18) Do you trust people easily? As a general rule...yes. I HAVE had a lot of trust issues relationship-wise before...but yay...now I don't have to worry about that anymore!!

19) What are your phobias? Snakes, creepy crawlies of all sorts, horror movies, mice that AREN'T caged, ferocious big dogs....can't think of anything else right now!!

20) Do you want kids? YUP....but it'd be nice to have a whole year as being just a wife...before I even have to be pregnant. After that, bring on the kiddoes...evenly spaced out, of course...and about 3-4 tops...preferrably. Course, it's up to God...

21) Do you keep a handwritten journal? I have TRIED...over and OVER...but nah...most I've been able to keep up with one consistently is just a couple of months in the summer...then it dies a slow death in the fall!!

22) Where would you rather be right now? Umm...already married...so I could be snuggled up to Brack at this time of night!!

23) What makes you feel warm and safe? Curling up on the couch to watch a movie with Brack's arms around me!!

24) Heavy or light sleeper? Medium...depends on how tired I am how deep I sleep and if I drool or not!!

25) Are you paranoid? No.

26) Are you impatient? Definitely.

27) Who can you relate to? Well, I relate well with my guy...most of the time. I suppose that I can kinda relate to Jess..in that she was doing the whole wedding planning stuff very recently. I can kinda relate to some others cause we are all nannies. But really, I get along with lots of people...but as far as relating in all areas...hmm...that's kinda hard.

28) How do you feel about interracial couples? It can be hard for the couple to adjust if they grew up in different cultures...but if they both grew up in the States and just have different shades of skin...I don't see what the problem would be...

29) Have you been burned by love? In the past? Oh YEAH!! Thank GOD that is all behind me now!!

30) What's your life motto? Seize the Day!! Tomorrow is another day with no mistakes in it...

31) What's your main ringtone on your mobile? Right now...just a generic latin salsa-type sound for peeps I have programed into the phone. A VERY generic ringtone for those that aren't programed in (so I can screen daytime minute calls). I have special ones for my boss and for Brack.

32) What were you doing at midnight last night? Surfing the net...

33) Who was your last text message from? Hmm...it was in Romania... Probably Ella, one of my "Sunday Lunch Bunch" girls...sending me a wish for a safe trip back to the States. I really don't do text messages here in the States...but that is almost ALL I did in Romania!!

34) Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine...at my live-in nanny job...

35) What color shirt are you wearing? A grey t -shirt from Memorial Day back in 2002...I use it for a pj top now....

36) What are you listening to right now? Sunshine & Summertime--Faith Hill...off an I-Tunes internet radio station

37) Name three things you have on you at all times? Cell phone, keys, wallet...

38) What color are your bed sheets? White.

39) How much cash do you have on you right now? Umm...too much...I gotta get to the bank!!

40) What is your favorite part of the chicken? The leg...I like dark meat...and the leg is easiest to eat too...

41) What' your fav city/place? My grandpa's farm for country, San Antonio or Chattanooga for their city charm without being TOO big, Romania for a foreign country, the beach for chilling out....

42) I can't wait till . . . November 4th!! Wedding Day!!

43) Who got you to join xanga? A friend in Romania...another American girl that taught English at the same foundation that I taught English at...

44) What did you have for dinner last night? Cheese pizza...

45) How tall are you barefoot? 5' 4"

46) Have you ever smoked? Never...I got really sick because of cigarette smoke when I was a baby...oxygen tent in the hospital and all that...so I have never been tempted to try smoking...though I don't mind the occasional cigar or pipe smoke around me...it's a sweeter smell than stinky cigarettes...

47) Do you own a gun? Nope...and only ever shot one off once at a friend's house in the country. I don't really like them. I am not anti-gun...I just don't like them around me. Which is gonna be interesting, since Brack likes guns...

48) Water or tea? Water...with plenty of ice. Some lemon in there is great too...

49) What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? I have no idea. Guys in the past seemed to like it that I was just a friendly person to everyone...and didn't try to flirt. There is no explaining why Brack loves me...but I'm glad he does!!

50) Do you have A.D.D.? I doubt it...if I get involved in something I hardly get distracted...whether it is a book, a movie, or whatever...

51) What time did you wake up today? 7:15am...when my snooze went off for the second time!!

52) Current worry? Just that everything will work out great for the wedding and after...that it won't rain on the day of the wedding, that we can get the bridesmaids dresses done on time and looking beautiful, that Brack and I can make wise work decisions...etc....

53) Current want? At this moment? Food...my tummy is growling at me. Overall want? To be healthier and to lose a few pounds before the wedding....

54) Favorite place to be? Anywhere with Brack...

55) Where would you like to travel in the future? Back to Romania. To Italy and Ireland. On the QE II on a cruise around the world. (It didn't have to be a realistic wish, did it?)

56) Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs? Location-wise...no idea. Otherwise, I see myself and Brack as having 2-3 kids, a house, and hopefully our own businesses...so we can homeschool our kids (NOT with ATI) and have a flexible schedule!!

57) Last thing you ate? Umm...a couple chicken nuggets and a few tater tots...when I fed Makena her dinner...

58) What songs do you sing in the shower? Umm...usually stuff I can sing pretty well with some lung power...like "When You Say Nothing At All" or "Amazing Grace"....but it just depends on my mood...

59) Last person that made you laugh? Brack...he's a nut!!

60) Worst injury you've ever had? Broke my big toe a few weeks before my college graduation...and two days before I had to sing in a choir program for two hours in high heels!! Messed up my knee climbing a mountain in Romania a few years back and it still gives me problems sometimes. Fallen on my tailbone too many times to count and injured it pretty bad...That's about it....

61) Does someone have a crush on you? My SOMEONE does!!!

62) What is your favorite candy? Chocolate...European chocolate...like Heidi, Milka, and Poiana....SWEET!!!

63) What song do you want played at your funeral? No clue...what a weird question!! Like it is gonna matter what they play at my funeral...I won't be there!!

Currently Listening To: Dragostea Din Tei by O-Zone (The Numa Song)

Dancing kids, country music, and so on...

Well, Peter and Sheryl were out of town last week for most of the week...so Sheryl's mom came in and we took care of Makena together.

Makena now has five copies of that crazy t-shirt and she wore them ALL last week!! She also came down with an ear infection and the croup while her parents were out of town and so she stayed home with me and her grandma a couple of days last week and two days with me so far this week...and more than likely will stay home tomorrow too!!

Well, even though Peter and Sheryl are not fans of country music...they may end up with a daughter who is...if she sticks around me too much longer!! Makena LOVES to get down to country music ( I will have to see about posting a video on here of her getting down one of these days)...and has even hollered "yee-haw" a few times in the car....hehehe!! I may start playing some of my WOW cd's too...just for some variety...and cause my former nanny charges (Sera and Skye) loved to listen to them so much in the car back in the day!! They would specifically request..."play the spinning around song" or "play the yeah-yeah song"!! Hehehe!!

Well, last weekend we started addressing envelopes...and this weekend we hope to get the invitations printed. Brack thinks I am the coolest fiancee for letting him "evite" a bunch of friends from tehC...instead of sending them traditional mailed invitations. However, I said that family, the wedding party, and anybody who would consider evites tacky should get a regular invitation. So anyway, we are sending both invitations and evites off by the beginning of next week at the latest...yay!! We also went shopping for the attendants gifts and I am proud to say that I have MY attendants gifts bought...at least!!

Good news...the majority of the things I had to leave behind in Romania is coming!!! YAY!! My fam was supposed to bring it in the fall when they came for the wedding...but now that they are moving back themselves there didn't seem to be any way for the stuff to make it back...which was both annoying and disappointing...as that stuff accounts for about a third of my worldly belongings...one third being in storage in East Texas...the other third being either at my live-in job or over at Brack's apartment!! Well, now it seems that most of it WILL be making it's way back to me by way of other missionaries...with the exception of my sewing machine (the loss of which is a bit disappointing...but, oh well)!!

Anyway...I decided that my blog NEEDED updating...so this is it...

I will come back later to fill out the survey that has been making the rounds...gotta go "steal" it from one of the girls!!

Meanwhile...I am listening to Gretchen Wilson. Those of you who pick on me for listening to her...you be nice!!

Currently Listening To: Here For The Party by Gretchen Wilson

I Can't Sleep...

I am tired but can't sleep...so I just decided to change the look of my blog...and blather on a bit too!!

How many of you have had to deal with a kid having an all out temper tantrum? Yesterday I went to Ross to see about buying a couple pairs of capris for wearing while doing my nanny job...cooler than jeans, but covering more than my shorts do...and the only ones I brought back from Romania with me were of the pretty short variety!! Anyway, while I was there someone's little girl got REALLY mad and started a screaming fit...and it went ON AND ON!! The parents really didn't deal with the screaming until it really started getting on people's nerves. I swore then that MY future children will never get away with that!!

THEN today I was the one who had to deal with a temper tantrum. Makena has a favorite t-shirt that she loves (it makes no sense, since she has such cute clothes from some pretty nice stores...but this is just a generic tee from her daycare). Anyway, she wore it today and all was well...UNTIL bathtime rolled around...then the fit started!! She began screaming for the shirt and would not be distracted. I even tried putting bubbles in her bathwater, but to no avail...she kept crying and screaming till I thought she was gonna make herself sick!! She finally calmed down fortunately after her bath so that she was no longer screaming when her parents got home...but she was still whiny and cranky...meh!! Again, I swore that my future children will never get away with that!!

In other news...Brack has strep and I haven't got to see him in two days...I miss him. At least there is the phone, though convos have to be kept short so as not to strain his throat. It is now 87 days till the wedding and there is still much to do...but at least we have the church, reception hall, honeymoon locale, and my dress squared away.

We are all registered too...at Bed/Bath/Beyond, Walmart, and Amazon.com. Brack of course had to add a few joke things to the registry ;-P Last night I got about 70 packets of bird-safe rice made up...yeah, I know it's a bit early...but I felt the need to do SOMETHING and get it checked off my list. I bought the petals for my flower girls, a toss bouquet, and the garter (the "something blue"), and the cake knife and server. The glasses for the toast we ended up getting at IKEA...a totally cool store, in my opinion.

BTW...Brack got a haircut...he is shaggy no longer...it's short and spiked now...

There are some weird things on TV at night...like plastic surgery, "In Living Color", and lots of infomercials...

Tomorrow I need to burn a cd for Jess...it will have some Romanian and Spanish songs on it...hehehe!!

Okay, I ramble...gotta try to get some sleep now...maybe I'll be able to sleep now...

Currently Listening To: Somebody To Love by Queen

WOOOOT!!!

WOOT!! Well, this week's goal was deciding about a dress. So I went to this dressmaker on Thursday...she does awesome work...I had seen her fashion show at the Dallas Bridal Show last month.

What she told me is that she could do a very simple medieval style dress WITH the sheer long sleeves like I wanted but WITHOUT the lacing in the back like I wanted...out of a softly draping fabric that was reversible (I could either go with the silky shiny side, or the soft crepe-type side) and she would trim the bodice and the sleeves with some lace from the Phillipines. The price she quoted to me for the custom-made dress, with two pressings and the bustling...was $389 plus tax. Sounds awesome, right?

But I still wanted to explore my options...so Brack and I hooked up with the new Scumblats yesterday so that Jess and I could check out more dresses while the guys hung out. The list of places to check out were Alfred Angelo, David's Bridal, and Group USA. So anyway, at Alfred Angelo I tried on two dresses just for fun (the moms would def not approve of them--one was strappy and one was strapless--but I thought they were cute). The third dress I tried on was GORGEOUS!!! It was not white, but rather what they called "candlelight"...and it was WOWOWOW!! Jess and I both agreed out of all the dresses we saw yesterday....that was the most gorgeous (see pic above--the dress above is white, though)!!Unfortunately...the price was not so "gorgeous"...it was $869!!

So then we headed over to David's Bridal. We found several possibilities and I wanted to try them on...but their customer service left something to be desired!! Finally they let me have a room. First dress...strapless, but with a lace "coat"-type thing that has a train...also gorgeous...also expensive at $649!! I followed that one up with a couple of nice ones that were on sale...but they didn't just scream out to me....so I moved on.

The next one, I have to admit...when I first looked at it...it didn't just stand out to me as spectacular...then I put it on, added a tiara and a veil...and VOILA...a princess was looking back at me in the mirror!! Seriously, I have felt conflicted about the whole wedding thing. I think secretly every girl wants to feel like a princess on their wedding day and I am no exception...but I detest frou-frou and floof!! This dress however was perfect...enough to make me feel like a princess without feeling like I am drowning in floof!!

I went ahead then and tried on the last one...which was very similar to the one that the dressmaker could make for me...and it was nice, but didn't have the same oomph as the previous dress...besides the fact that the wedding is in three months and they didn't have it in my size!!

So I decided that I really didn't care to look any further and to go with the dress that made me feel like a princess!! The dress was originally priced at $699, but had been marked down to $199...then the girl came back and said it was on sale for even less...it was one of the ones on sale for $99!! Then when we got up to the register it rang up as $99 exactly...I had forgotten that it is tax-free weekend here!!

So now I have my dress!! It will need some hemming...but my mom can do that...she did my sis-in-law's dress hem the night before the wedding (when the dressmaker had goofed the hem length). I will also still have to pay for the bustling and pressing...but at $99 for the dress...I can afford to pay a little for those things!!

Another WOOT---this one from last week...

We decided before trying to order invites out of a catalog and hoping that the printers would get everything right and back to us really quickly...I mean...those invites need to go out in like a month...that we would check out making our own.

So we headed to Michael's and started looking at craft paper and trying to figure out how exactly were we gonna do this. Brack headed off down another aisle and I (being the talkative, outgoing person that I am) struck up a convo with a girl who was picking out some scrapbooking stuff. I told her that we are gonna try to make our own invites and such and she told me what she had done for her wedding...then she headed on around the corner. Later, when Brack and I were still trying to figure out how we are gonna do the invites, she came back and told us they have kits for printing up your own invites...with response cards and envelopes and such...a few aisles over!!

Well..to make a long story short...we got 100 blank invites...that ended up being on sale...for like $40!! AND we found matching blank programs too!! How awesome is that?

Currently Listening To: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

What? Again?

What can I say? I blogged yesterday...I'm blogging again today....this is most DEFINATELY a record!!

Well...I got my housework at my nanny job done first today...so I wouldn't have to feel guilty about wasting time on the computer. Now everything is done except putting away the laundry that is drying in the dryer. WOOT!! Only problem is...with all this free time (either before I get my work done or after...it doesn't matter)...I am getting bored!!

I have already checked all three of my email accounts, checked out my MySpace and Yahoo 360 and Hi5 stuff, and looked around on tehC and tehBean already...and it is just now ALMOST noon!! I have like three hours now to kill before getting ready to pick Makena up from daycare. I COULD work on wedding stuff...but after the bridal show I am a bit burned out on all that for a few days at least.

I think I will go read for a while. The book I am currently reading is an end-times book called "The Third Millenium" and it is kinda interesting. Only problem with it is that it was written a while back and in this book the rapture happens on September 25, 1995!! I don't know about you...but it IS a bit funny reading a book in 2006 that is telling you that the rapture already happened 11 years ago!! Hehe!!

Anyway....to those of you who subscribe to my blog who also read Scum's blog...sorry!! I can't be as entertaining about housework and being bored as she can....she's just good at it!! Okay...I'm outta here!!

Currently Listening To: Stomp by God's Property

Woot!! I'm blogging again...

Okay, so yeah...I decided to blog again already...this COULD be a record...I don't know...I don't feel like scrolling back through my old posts to find out!!

So Brack and I went to the Dallas Bridal Show on Saturday...lots of walking around, lots of handouts, lots of people peddling all kinds of expensive junk to make wedding budgets creep up into the five digits...which Brack and I both think is nuts!! We arrived back to Brack's apartment with like three bags of fliers and catalogs...but I did get a teddy bear and some candy...which was cool. We also MIGHT have a possibility for my wedding dress...made to order the exact way I want it...WOOT!! So that was cool...tiring, though...

Yesterday...after 6 straight hours at the church (which I don't know if I will ever get used to)...we went out to celebrate Brack's b-day with Adrian, Todd and Leah, and the new Scumblats... It was a very yummy lunch with enough leftovers for dinner...yay!! Ran some of the cool ideas for the wedding by Leah...and she agreed they were cool...so I'm pumped about getting things in order for the big day!!

Well, gotta go vacuum the house, put sheets on beds, and move clothes from the washer to the dryer...and get it done quickly before picking up Makena. My employers had given me a list of things they wanted done around the house and how often they wanted it done and I had just kinda divided the chores up throughout the week. However, now that they have asked me to give them a copy of my chore list with what days I am doing what...there can be no more of goofing off one day and making up for it the next....ahh, well!!

Currently Listening To: Como La Flor by Selena

Final Romania Newsletter

Dear Praying Friends,

First of all, I want to thank you for all your continued prayers and support these past few months—even when I haven’t been the most faithful in keeping you up to date with what has been happening!! You are very appreciated!!

To catch you up to date on the ministries that I was involved in—my English class went very well through the end of April and I was able to get close to my students. It was a very interesting situation for me, as I had never taught people that much older than me, but it went very well. I also continued to tutor/mentor one girl from the church until the end of May. Please keep Laura in your prayers as she has just finished high school and is preparing to take the baccalaureate exam to get into college—as this is an extremely difficult exam.

The home Bible study group I was involved in continued through mid-May, when the leader left for a few months to work in Spain, but I was able to keep in touch with the youth involved in the group even after that. My Friday Fellowships continued up till the end of March...when my roommate Meg headed back to the States and I moved to an efficiency apartment, but with that also I made sure to keep in weekly contact with my regular bunch of teens.

The outreaches with Livada Orphan Care that I was involved in—in Petelea and Zau—were discontinued for a time, from the end of April, so for the last little bit I was unable to get out to the children’s homes—but up until then I was there every week and had a great time with those awesome little children!!

And just to keep you up to date with the children at Kiwi House…though I haven’t worked there since January I have kept in touch with the directors and gone to church with the house parents…so I’ve been able to find out how things are going with the children…and was also able to stop by on occasion to see them. One more little one (Cristian) was recently adopted and another little one (Emanuel) will be adopted soon. They have also welcomed another little girl (Cosmina) into the home. Viorel had his second surgery on his mouth to correct the cleft pallet and now will be able to eat and talk normally. Alina is doing GREAT and you would never recognize her as that poor little baby with so many problems…as she is walking and eating perfectly fine now. Please keep Rosa and Andrei in your prayers though, as their mother doesn’t want them to be adopted, yet doesn’t want them herself!! These precious babies deserve the chance to go to a loving home of their own—preferably in a situation that will keep the siblings together.

My parents just recently returned to Romania!! My parents, Ed and Janis Seale, are career missionaries who have served God and started churches on the mission fields of Mexico, Romania, and Peru for the past 27 years and who have now settled near the city of Cluj in Romania to begin children’s ministries and to help in the works of two other missionary couples. My youngest sister Rebekah and my youngest brother Andrew are there with them and my sister Susanna is spending the summer with them before beginning a culinary arts course in Indiana.

Well, when a single girl goes to the mission field one of two things usually occur—either she marries, or she spends her life on the field as a “single lady missionary.” Well, this single girl will be single no more by the end of this year. Of course, I never expected this to happen. Here I am, just turned thirty, with no prospects when I left for the field, and not much of a chance to meet the right guy while in Romania.

But God knows what He’s doing and brought someone perfect for me into my life. We are both from Texas, both homeschooled in the same Christian homeschool program, and both with very similar goals in our life. I am so grateful to the Lord for bringing Brack St. Clair into my life. He is on staff at his church in Keller, Texas as the media ministries coordinator. We will marry in November of this year. I have returned to the States and now have a nanny job and am beginning with plans for our wedding. Brack and I would like to thank you all so much for the love, prayers, and support you have shown me and ask for your continued prayers on our marriage…that God will bless us as we continue to serve Him.

All for Him,
JULIE SEALE

Missionary No More

Well, today I send out my last newsletters...letting my supporters know I have left the field and am getting married. Kinda weird to think I'm done with all that....been a missionary kid all my life...on the field with my parents till I left for college and then planning for going myself since I finished college...and I only ended up staying on the field myself for one year!!

I guess it is kind of a bitter-sweet thing. I am SO excited that Brack and I are getting married and I hope and pray I make a good wife and hopefully (someday) a good mother. It IS a bit scary though too....uncharted territory....

Well, Brack gets back today from being gone AGAIN for a week (this time it was youth camp)....and we are gonna celebrate his B-day with Adrian, Todd & Leah, and Martin & Jess...probably Sunday afternoon. I sure missed him this week!! Tomorrow he is actually gonna go with me to a HUGE bridal show in Dallas...isn't that so sweet?

Anyway...gotta go get some things done before picking up Makena from her daycare and starting in with her on her afternoon routine. Just a few more hours till I see my guy!! YAY!!

Currently Listening To: What I Like About You by Lillix

Blah, Blah, Blah!!

Hey...yeah...updating my blog...will wonders never cease!! So anyway, hmm....Brack is back from choir tour and we hung out most of the weekend...when he wasn't having to run sound for a wedding rehearsal and wedding and meeting with someone for some contracting work!! Sunday we went out to eat with David and Jess after church and we girls had some fun picking on the guys about their "collections"!!

After that we went swimming for like three hours and got completely water-logged!! I got water up my nose and accidentally swallowed some of the chlorinated water...so for the last three days I have had a slight sore throat and sinus issues...but so has Brack and you know how misery loves company!!

We are such an exciting couple...seriously...the last three nights he has been working on some independent contracting stuff on his laptop while I read or watch TV or work on wedding stuff....it makes you wonder why in the world he even bothers to come pick me up every day after work just to sit together in the same room for a few hours and then turn around and take me home...except for the fact that we both just love to spend time together...even while doing our own things!!

Well, here it is, a quarter to twelve and I still have bathrooms to clean and floors to vacuum...and Brack is coming by sometime this afternoon to take me to the post office, cause I gotta mail a package off. Then about 3:30 I have to go pick Makena up from daycare and then it is playtime, and dinner for her, and the last minute straightening before her parents get home. And I think Brack and I are gonna have another exciting evening hanging out on the couch once again while he finishes up the project he is working on...and maybe watching a few more episodes of "Scrubs"....which he is trying to get me addicted to!!

Currently Listening To: Me And My Gang by Rascal Flatts

Meh!!

My entry for today is Meh. Why? You ask?

Meh....cause I miss my guy...who will be out on choir tour till tomorrow evening and it already been five days since I saw him last.

Meh...cause my eyes are achy...which means I have to wear my glasses...which I hate!! Meh....cause I have a headache....what is it with summer headaches?

To tell you the truth....it isn't all meh....my employers just bought a minivan so that there are now three vehicles...which means I will have a vehicle to drive. I seriously thought that they would have me drive the minivan...which wasn't a big deal to me. Any of you who were in ATI know it isn't any big thing for your first driving experience to be a 15-passenger van. And hey, anything beats driving my old beater of a station wagon with no A/C around in this over 100 degree weather!! But they actually have decided that my main vehicle to drive will be the car....which is a Lexus!! Not a bad way to get back in the groove of driving, let me tell you!! It drives really smooth...and the air conditioning is SUCH an awesome thing!! So yeah, it's not all meh...but now I have to go take some Excedrine for my head....meh!!

Currently Listening To: You're The One That I Want from Grease soundtrack

It's Been A While!!

Wow....much has happened since I last blogged!! I am now in the States once again...working as a nanny right down the road from my fiance!! I arrived back in the US on June 6th and have been pretty busy since.

Hmmm....to give you a general overview of just what I have been up to.....

We have registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond....still need to finish our other registries, though. We have found our honeymoon spot....awesome!! We have found our church...a little country church. I have got the perfect nanny job....very convenient and very flexible.

We also had the chance to go to the wedding of some friends...teh scumblat wedding in Longview. This was pretty cool as we got to spend some time hanging out with David (an old buddy of Brack's) and his wife Danielle and their kids on the way there. Then, during the wedding weekend I was able to meet so many cool people I had only known online before....Kates, Marks, Liz, Kat, Lora, David and Tiffany, etc. etc.

We had Mexican food on Friday night after the rehearsal and then went and saw a really goofy movie called "Nacho Libre". Then, after getting back to the hotel we girls (and Brack) went to the pool area and hung out till we got chased out....then we girls stayed up talking into the wee hours of the morning!!

Saturday was the wedding and it was beautiful and short!! It was actually pretty funny though cause David had said they weren't gonna stick around long after it was over...but we were all waiting on he and Jess at the last. After the wedding a bunch of us went to Texas Roadhouse to eat and throw peanuts...there was quite the peanut war going on!! Then Brack had to take off to meet up with the youth choir tour...but I went with a bunch of people to go bowling...quite fun...and I even got a strike...though my final score wasn't that impressive!! But it was fun....

Several of us then went on to Starbucks to get some caffeine and watch the night life of Longview...what there was of it!! Then it was time to head out back to the metroplex area...Slept in on Sunday and then went with Liz, David and Tiffany, and Adrian out to eat before moving in at my new nanny job. We ate at a nicer Italian place...but the crazy waitress didn't have a CLUE!! It was funny in a way...but still....

I got settled in here at my new nanny job and all is well...in fact, it is a bit quiet...not a huge amount of stuff to do when Makena is in daycare....it will get busy I am sure though...once the couple's new baby comes along in the fall!! Even with it being so quiet and stress-free though...I probably need to quit blogging and get the vacuuming done!! It is always a good thing when you get the things done that your employer asks of you, right?!! Anyway...sorry it's been a while...I will (hopefully) keep up my blog better now!!

Currently Listening To: Too Good Is True by Rascal Flatts

My Kitties are GONE!!!

Well, it had to happen sooner or later...I knew I was heading back to the States someday in the future when the kittens were acquired. But now that I am leaving here in less than a week....woohoo....I knew the kitties must go to new homes.

So Hayley went last week to the home of one of the youth pastors from church...I will miss her furry little face!! She was such a cute and cuddly little friend to hang out with when I'd head home to my apartment. But I know she will be loved and cuddled plenty as Tudor and his wife have two small children...and he is a big fan of kittens himself.

Starbucks hung out with me a bit longer...she just went to a new home two days ago. Some girls from Ella's church said they wanted a kitten...so they came and picked her up on Monday. Poor little thing was so scared to leave with them but I could tell that they would take good care of her...and maybe even treat her to popcorn on occasion!!

So now I am "home alone"...with no meowing and purring going on around me...wah!!! But I know that it is okay cause soon I will be a nanny with a cute little kiddo or two to take care of and will be near my loving fiance too!! Then come November... well...let's just say I won't need a kitten to keep me company in the evening anymore!!

I head out from here on Monday and fly back to the States from Bucharest on Tuesday...so in less than 6 days...I will be saying hello to my Someone face to face once again!! Can you believe how quickly all of this has happened? It still amazes me sometimes!!

PS....For those of you with a special interest in my kitties (Liz)...here is a link to some pics!!

http://www.ringo.com/explore/member/album.html?albumId=40067302

Currently Listening To: Crazy In Love by Beyonce

Things Change....Life Changes!!

Well....I know this is a bit late...and most of you who read my xanga blog already know this...but I am an engaged woman now!!

On Friday, April 28th...Brack asked me to marry him and I said yes...of course!!

The whole story is on our new blog... www.xanga.com/brackandjulie

This means that my life will be changing in many different ways. The first thing is that I will be leaving my beloved Romania next month and heading back to my home state of Texas.

I will really miss the fun and friends I have made here and I hope they know that they will always hold a special place in my heart. To me...Romania will always be my second home and I will never forget it and the impact it has made on my life!! The friends I have made here...both while here with my family, on various summer trips back, and especially this last year...will always be remembered with love and I hope to never lose touch with them!!

The move back to the US in early June will be another change...as I will be finding a place to live and a job in the DFW area....and also begin to plan for a fall wedding!! Thank the Lord that I will be able to buy my car back from the family friends that bought it from me last year...that will be one less thing to worry about when I get back.

Another change is that I am an aunt again...little Luke Aidan was born to my brother John and his wife Dayana on May 4th...a big boy with a big smile and chubby cheeks!! I look forward to being able to spoil him a BUNCH...along with his cousins Lydia and Josiah!!

Another change is that my family and I are basically switching places and it will be another 4 years at least till we are living on the same continent once again!! My mom and dad and the three youngest arrived in Romania yesterday and are getting settled in. They will be working with another missionary family and their children's home.

I have no idea when the whole family will be once again on the same continent together...as my brother Steve and his wife Syrena will be in Korea till next fall and we are still waiting for my brother John's wife Dayana to get her visa so that she and little Luke Aidan can get to the States!!

As I sit here typing this in a net cafe halfway around the world from Brack I can't help missing him and hoping to see him...but I will spare you my gushiness this time...as Brack can be gushy enough for the both of us!! So I will just close this out before I do start gushing...or boring you all with wedding plans!!

Our Story

Narrator: So, you guys have a pretty interesting story... let's hear it... how did you two meet?
Brack: Well, that's a story all on its own, really. I've been a moderator on an interactive website for former and current ATI students for about 2 years now...
Julie: And I only joined the site about 3 months ago.
Brack: Yeah, she joined the site, then made some comments that caught my attention, so I checked out her bio and asked some of my south Texas friends if they knew her... Nobody did, so I just had to wait until I got a chance to respond to one of her posts...
Julie: Little did I know he was doing all this "detective work" on me...
Brack: Haha... yeah...
Narrator: Wow... so when did all of this take place? When was the first contact made?
Brack: Well...I was actually keeping an eye out on Julie's posts, and noticed a comment that she made on a thread about how the moderators were out there watching... I commented that we were indeed, and that was pretty much the start of our relationship.
Julie: Well, I didn't really consider it the start of the relationship, but it definitely got my attention... WOW! I had drawn the attention of one of the moderators to my little thread... and I'd only been on the site for a month!
Brack: Except that it wasn't the comments I was watching...it was her...
Narrator: HAHAHA! That's awesome. So when was that?
Brack: That was the evening of March 5th. After that, we just started going back and forth quite a bit on that thread and the song thread. After some decent flirting, I went to bed, and when I got up the next morning, I found out that she'd added me to her contact list on Yahoo and MSN Messengers.
Julie: But actually, it was the morning of March 5th that we had "first contact", when Brack guessed a song that I had posted lyrics to. It was the song "1985" by Bowling for Soup, which got us in the 80s mood... and we went back and forth on that. Of course, Brack was giving me a hard time about having to Google some of the lyrics. My excuse was having been an ATI student or out of the country during the eighties, and that I am only now starting to catch up!!
Narrator: OK, so you had some clever banter going on in the Name The Song thread, with some interaction on a few other threads... So that's how all that was!! So then how did you guys transition from going back and forth on threads to deciding that the conversation, or, rather, the relationship, was going further?
Julie: The RELATIONSHIP? All I know is that, after staying up all night bantering with Brack (and remember: I was eight time zones ahead of him) and then teaching English and doing a follow-up program with orphans all day the next day...I REALLY had to crash that next night. But I did get up early the following morning to get on Messenger and the Crossings to see what people were up to. I didn't have to be at work until 11:30 that morning, so I thought I'd get a few good hours in before people Stateside headed off to bed. First thing that pops up on my screen, though, is a message from "tehSaint" asking me, "So, did ya sleep?"!! And that was the beginning of that, although I certainly wasn't looking at it as a relationship yet...but I think Brack already was...hehehehe
Brack: Ok..yeah...from the get-go, I was pretty interested in Julie, and if it took asking cheesy questions and answering song lyrics to get her to talk to me, I was fine with it.
Narrator: But, still...we want to know how the transition occurred.
Brack: Well, a few days after we began to talk on messenger, Julie asked me where I thought all this talking was going. Of course, the ultimate end isn't something you typically want to bring out in conversation with a girl you've only flirted with for a week or so, but, regardless of my former inhibitions and total lack of desire to commit to anything - I decided to mention the possibility of marriage.
Julie: Of course, it took him a while to get the "M" word out!!
Brack: I say it now with relative ease...hehehehe
Narrator: WHOA! One week into chatting over instant messenger, and the word "marriage" comes out?!?! Isn't that just a little premature?
Brack: I don't think so. Honestly, I wasn't interested in forming some vague idea of a relationship with someone that never went anywhere and never matured. There were never any games between me and Julie - we were just ourselves. That translated into a lot of trust and comraderie that you would otherwise miss out on in the beginnings of the relationship.
Julie: And I certainly think that the fact that we chatted for two months, well, almost, before meeting face to face, really helped in the forming of the relationship. I know it sounds weird, but all that talking...
Brack: A little over 160 hours in the first three weeks, by the way...
Julie: Yup. All that talking, without the physical stuff getting in the way definitely helped us get to know each other better, I think. A lot of couples who have that "face time", going out on dates, smooching (hehe), etc. kind of miss out on really getting to know so much about each other when they let that physical side of the relationship get started so soon. With Brack and I, well, we really learned a lot of things about each other. You know how they say that opposites attract and all that stuff? Brack and I are just so much alike it's crazy.
Brack: And it was the similarities that allowed us to discover more about each other, because we were able to bounce off those similarities onto other subjects, giving us a pretty wide variety of things to discuss.
Narrator: What similarities? Just what is it that makes you guys "click" together so well?
Julie: Well, let's see...we're both the oldest in our family...
Brack: Both left-handed...
Julie: Both casual people...we live in our Docs...hehe...
Brack: Both of us have the same spiritual gift and the same love language.
Julie: Wanna know something funny?
Narrator: What's that?
Julie: Well, I saw a picture the other day of Brack...from WAY back...your typical ATI picture.
Brack: Except the bright shining eyes part.
Julie: The suit, the ATI pin, the serious expression...
Brack: Wow!! She didn't even list the GLASSES in the first three things...
Julie: I was getting to that. That wasn't typical ATI, though. He had these geeky glasses. Anyway, come to find out, we had actually both been at the same homeschool conference way back in '92 at Knoxville!! Of course, I probably wouldn't have hung out with him then...he was kinda geeky!! hehehe
Brack: And it's taken ALL this time for me to find her. hehehe
Julie: Yeah, yeah...
Narrator: So, we've established that you guys waited a week of talking before discussing marriage. And you put off getting engaged until you actually saw each other in person?
Brack: Actually....at one point, Julie had to ask me if I was on a knee...LOL!
Narrator: That was before you guys met?
Brack: Yeah - we were just chatting over messenger, so she couldn't actually see me...it was pretty funny!!
Narrator: So you met in person when?
Julie: On Wednesday, April 26th, and I didn't even say "I love you" until later that night...couldn't believe his reaction!! Come to find out, he'd decided to not propose until I'd said that.
Brack: There was a lot hanging on those three seemingly small words!! I was stressing pretty heavy...haha!! Of course, I already had the ring. We had discussed promise rings, styles on engagement rings, things like that, so I knew exactly what I was after, and Thursday, April 20th, I went and got the ring.
Julie: My guy is a sneaky guy!! He told me to bring some dressy clothes and be ready for a night on the town on the Monday before I headed back to Romania, so I figured if anything was going to happen, it'd be then. I knew he was going to talk to my dad that first weekend, so that was no surprise...
Brack: It was something of a surprise for me, though!! I knew I wanted to talk to Mr. Seale, but how that came about was rather interesting. We made it out to Julie's family's old farmhouse out in East Texas on Thursday, April 27th, and everybody is just kind of chatting in the living room, when, all of a sudden, and pretty much out of the blue, Mr. Seale looks at me and asks, "So, have you asked her yet?" Julie turned beet red, and buried her face in my shoulder, as I very calmy replied, "No, sir. Figured I'd talk to you about that first." Then he replied, "So, would you like to go grab some coffee or something tomorrow?" To have it put so bluntly actually was a lot less nerve-wracking than I'd expected it to be.
Narrator: So that pretty much put aside any nervousness on your part, then? Just knowing that he was already thinking about it?
Brack: It SHOULD have!! But the scope of what I was doing really hit home, and I was pretty nervous until after I'd proposed.
Julie: So yeah...he went on into town with my dad the next morning. I knew that he was asking my dad's blessing and such....but still I was thinking that if he proposed on this trip that it would be when we dressed up and went out a couple days before I left, so I thought nothing of it when Brack asked me if I wanted to go on a walk whenever they got back. We had gone on a walk the day before...it is just something you do when you are in the country...you go for walks!!
Brack: Well, before we get to that. I'd had in my mind that today would be the day, so early in the morning, I'd gone out to get the ring out of my backpack. I didn't want it just loose in my pocket, though, and I didn't want to carry the box with me, so I took the battery out of my cell phone, wrapped the ring in a tissue, and put it in the back of the phone. It was pretty secure in there.
Narrator: So you had the ring the whole time, even when you were talking to her dad?
Brack: Yup. I wasn't sure if I'd have time to just nonchalantly wander out to the car without anybody wondering what was going on.
Julie: Me being as clueless as I was, I wouldn't have noticed anything!!
Brack: Yeah, but the guy isn't really thinking logically at that point, I've discovered!! hehehe
Narrator: Ok, so you guys went on a "walk". Please, continue...
Julie: We walked across the meadow and back into the old pine orchard...
Brack: Well, before we got that far, her mom told her little brother Andrew to not follow us out there...
Julie: Which he took as a challenge to change into his camos, put dirt on his face, and grab his camera and follow us...
Brack: Yeah, there were a few "pre-engagement" photos that he managed to snap...
Julie: But we confiscated his film!!
Brack: So during this time, I'm trying to get the ring out of the cell phone. I get the ring out just fine, I just can't get it away from the tissue!! In fact, at one point, I get the ring and tissue in my hands, and I'm trying to hug her, but not let her know that I've got anything in my hands. Then she reaches back and grabs one of my hands, fortunately not the hand that had the ring in it, and leads me on further into the pine orchard. Finally, I get the tissue separated from the ring, and hooked over my finger, and I just started shaking...
Julie: I had my arms wrapped around his waist, and just felt him shaking, and mentioned something about it...
Brack: I figured at that point it was now or never...besides, we were in this spot that had no visible cow patties and a nice floor of pine needles...so I answered and said, "Well, that's probably because I've still got to..."
Julie: Then he dropped to BOTH knees, I guess he was begging...
Brack: I was...
Julie: And said...
Brack: "Will you marry me?"
Julie: I was speechless, which is not a common occurence!!
Brack: She did manage to get a "yes" out...
Julie: I gasped it out...
Brack: And that's when I brought the ring out and asked her if she'd wear it. I never actually got anything more than a tear-filled head nod (which I prudently decided to interpret as a "yes")!!
Julie: Then I really started crying...
Brack: It probably wasn't more than a minute or two...but it really felt like it was at least five minutes. All the nervousness and trepidation was gone...life was awesome, and I know that the memory of that moment will last forever in my mind.
Julie: My sentimental guy...you gotta love it!!
Narrator: Wow. So that's the story, huh?
Brack: That's the story.
Narrator: Sap.

Wow...

As the time gets shorter till I head off to the States I get so wound up!! The biggest thing of course is that I will be seeing my Someone for the first time...and all that that entails. However, just the whole thought of being back in the States...even just for two weeks...is making me think about how much I have missed being there.

You get used to things in a new place after a while...things that seemed so weird to me last summer aren't that big of a deal now. For example, how many of you eat corn on YOUR burgers? How many of you think you are a total pig cause you ate a whole bag of Ollas and two Dots and washed it down with a Cappy...or even know what I am talking about? How many of you think it's no big deal to hike up five flights of stairs to your apartment? Yeah, like I said...you get used to stuff after a while.

Still and all...I HAVE missed the States and am really looking forward to some of the things that can be enjoyed there. I am looking forward to eating tex-mex, listening to country music on the radio, and going shopping in a place where the employees don't hover over you!! I am hoping that my sis can convince my bro-in-law to bring the kiddoes up to my parents at the farm so I can meet my new little niece and love on my little nephew who turns two tomorrow. I am looking forward to sitting in church and singing in English!! There are many things that make me excited to be going back to the States....

Not the least of which...of course...is Brack!! We have logged a TON of hours on Yahoo Messenger and Skype...and have talked about just about every subject under the sun...I really feel like I know him better than I think I have ever known any guy!! Yet...there is just something to be said about seeing each other face-to-face...to spend some time just doing "date" things. Yes, we ARE already talking about the future and he IS planning on having that all important talk with my dad...but I still will really enjoy just spending some face time with my guy. Of course, that will make it all the harder to say goodbye when the time comes for me to come back for the summer!! Ah, well...we will work that out when the time comes!!

Currently Listening To: Take My Breath Away by Jessica Simpson

One More Week!!

Well....here it is...April 17th!! In just a week and a day I will be boarding a train to head down to Bucharest....and from there fly out the next day (April 26th)...for the great state of Texas!!

I am going to see my Someone...and we will be heading off to see my family for a couple days in east Texas....then the next weekend going to see his family in west Texas!! In a way, I am a little nervous...so much has happened so quickly in this relationship...but yet I really feel a peace about this. That still does not stop me from randomly pinching myself to see if this is real or a dream....or just squealing out when I realize just how much my Brack cares for me!!

Please keep us in your prayers...especially since he will probably be having that all-important talk with my dad by the end of next week!! WOW!! I can hardly believe this!! Who would have thought that by me being way off halfway around the world that God would bring such an awesome person into my life...and all via that still fairly new thing we know as the internet!!

Well, that is my entry for today...sorry for being so gushy!!

Currently Listening To: These Words by Natasha Bedingfield

Wow!! It's been a while!!

Well....so much has happened lately in my life!! This past month and a half has been pretty full!! I have moved into an efficiency apartment, my roommate Meg has headed back to the States, and I have kept busy teaching English and continuing in the follow-up programs with Livada Orphan Care. If you want a slightly more detailed accounting of what has been going on in my life...check out my xanga...

First big new piece of news...my fam is moving back to Romania...11 years after leaving it last!! They will be working with Bro. Brian Crossley in his ministry to orphans. This time around it will be just Mom and Dad with Beka and Andrew...as Suz will be graduating high school this year and plans to start college this fall. I am excited to hear that Dad is feeling well enough to continue on with missionary work...he had me worried for a while with his heart condition, but he seems to have been doing better these days.

Second BIG piece of news...I have a special Someone now!! His name is Brack and he is a fellow Texan. I actually met him online on a website for current and former members of ATI (the homeschool program that my family is in)...but it has come out since that we do have some acquaintances in common. He is 31 years old, lives just north of Fort Worth, works for his church, and is a moderator on that website mentioned previously. He has already met my family, has spent COUNTLESS hours chatting and voice-chatting with me, and has already indicated that he would like our relationship to progress to a permanent status!! I will be heading to the States next week for a two week visit--during which we will visit both sets of parents!! Please keep us in your prayers---that God will lead in every aspect of this relationship!!

Well, I have now finally updated this page...sorry it has taken me so long...but I will try to keep up with this blog better...at least as much as with my Xanga!!

Kittens, my Someone, and my trip to the US!!

Well....the weather here has not been cooperating...first we get a nice sunny day...then a grey and wet day...and back and forth it goes!! At least I can say that I successfully got moved into my new place!! I am still trying to get organized and such...but at least I am moved and working on the settling part!!

The kittens don't seem to care for the new place much...not sure if it is the smaller amount of space...or the fact that since Meg left they are getting less attention, but truthfully...I can't spend as much time with them as Meg and I could combined!! I really think they will love moving in with my fam out in the country in May!! Meanwhile they are still begging for the popcorn, pizza, and pudding whenever they get the chance!!

I have been keeping busy. Besides my English class and the work with the orphans in Zau and Petelea...this last week a group from Georgia came in to do some stuff with orphan kids and disadvantaged kids as well. I was able to go with them to a day center for poor children two times and help as a translator....such fun!! Of course, there was the settling in to do in my apartment as well as starting to tutor two teens in English...one of whom is getting ready to take the BAC...which is the Romanian equivalent to the SAT.

Now for my ongoing saga...for those of you interested in this part!! I leave two weeks from today for a two week visit to the States!! I am going to see my Someone!! We will visit both sets of parents during this time...as well as have some time for some real "dates"...and I am really getting excited about the trip!! This trip will help be an indicator as to what the next step of the relationship will be...as a long-distance one via instant messenger and email can only go so far. Please keep both me and my Someone in your prayers!!

Well, now I can say that my Xanga is updated...and it's about time, I know!! I'll try to keep ya'll posted on any new developments as they happen...but please be patient!! I am such a bad one with keeping up with journaling...whether online or on paper!!

Currently Listening To: I Don't Want To Miss A Thing by Aerosmith

My New Apartment And Other News...

Well, I said in my last entry that I planned on moving right away into my new efficiency apartment...but that hasn't happened yet!! First of all we had a couple of really rainy days...then when there WAS sunshine I couldn't get any guys to come help me move. Even though my roomie and I are not completely helpless females the fact that I am moving from the second floor of a walk-up to the fifth floor of another walk-up...well, there is only so much that we could do ourselves!! I am SO hoping that tomorrow will be sunshiny AND that I can get some help rounded up!!

I did manage to do a little walk-through of the place to see what things might need to be done as far as fixing it up or arranging of furniture to make it look nice AND fit all the necessary stuff into the place. I will most likely need to ask around with some of the families from church to see if there is someone who wouldn't mind letting me store my huge rubbermaid storage containers in their attic or basement...cause even if I can fit all the STUFF into the place...I have nowhere to put the empty containers!!

But anyway, it looks as if this little place will really work out well. Even though it is on the edge of the city and therefore a longer distance for friends to come...it is right around the corner from the bus stop...so it will still work. And after discussing the sitch with the parental units and my someone I am thinking I may just stay on in the efficiency till future plans are known. It will definately save in the finances department...as the efficiency is less than half of what the other apartment would be!!

In other news...my family is moving back to Romania!! Yes...Mom, Dad, Beka, and Andrew will be here by the end of the second week in May. It is still up in the air as to whether Suz will be joining the fam this time around...as she is finishing school and wanting to head off to college in Cali this fall...but I think I may have convinced her to at least come for an awesome summer adventure of camps and so forth!! Since the fam is coming and Beka will have to leave her beloved Cinders and Zoe behind with a good home...I will have someone to pass Starbucks and Hayley on to fairly soon after moving to the efficiency...which is good. I have no idea how it would be for a very long time with TWO cats in that place with me...much as I love em!!

Well, there is more news forthcoming...but I will leave that for another time...as things are still not completely settled in that respect!! Stay tuned to my saga!!

Currently Listening To: It's Not Just Me by Rascal Flatts

New Stuff

Wow!! Has it really been two weeks since I last updated? Lots of things have transpired in that time, however!!

Hmmm.....where to start, where to start? Well, first of all I found a new place to move to when my roommate heads back to the States. It is just an efficiency, but it is cute and fully furnished...which is awesome!! I start today to move some of my stuff over, but seeing as how the current place is paid up thru the end of the month, the moving process does not have to be hurried...which is great!! Should be quite interesting to squash myself, two half-grown cats, and the contents of my crate into that place, but it is all in how it gets arranged. Besides, in three months I am hoping to move to the apartment of another friend who is also heading back to the States in June...and that is a nice two-room apartment...fully furnished with an eat-in kitchen and large balcony (perfect for hanging my hammock out on)!!

In other news...one of my English classes at the foundation has been cancelled...waahh!! But this may be a good thing in the end, as I will begin private tutoring and an English class at home...as well as the girls group and the Friday Fellowships, too!!

As far as other things in my life...well, I did get my next blue box on tehC..for my now over 750 posts...for those of you who know what I am talking about!! I also have begun to talk to someone...if you know what I mean by that also!! This will be a bit difficult too...as the distance is so much...but if God is in it...it will all work out in the end!! Please keep me in prayer about that.

Well, that is my life at the moment...I am hoping to do a better job at this whole blogging thing...but seeing as how I was never that great at a diary or journaling, this could be a challenge!! We shall see!!

Currently Listening To: Beautiful Mess by Diamond Rio

I Dare You!!

Have you ever been dared to do something? Nothing dangerous or anything...just silly?

About a week ago I was dared by a friend on messenger to post this photo as my avatar on Crossings...the website for former and current ATI students...which I have recently spent a LOT of time on. At first I wasn't about to...what kind of idea would the average post reader get about me...it IS a bit of a bold picture. But, I succumbed to the dare and posted it...planning on changing the avatar back fairly quickly.

It didn't quite happen like that!! Okay, so besides the compliments I recieved from guys...always an ego booster...even some girls said it was cute. Several people said it suited my personality..something that was kinda news to me!! So anyway...after a few days I decided I liked it enough to hang onto it for a while...as well as use it on my instant messengers!!

So anyway...sometimes it's kinda fun to go ahead and take a dare!! How's that for a silly post just so I can say I updated my blog!!

Currently Listening To: Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer

Addiction

It's funny what different people call addictions. Of course, there are the obvious ones like drugs, smoking, and alcohol. Others that are more secret such as bulimia or cutting. There are the hush-hush ones we don't talk about and which I'm not really gonna get into on here.


But then there are the ones that people don't really think about as addictions...such as a morning latte from Starbucks, or that donut you just can't go without at Sunday morning fellowship time, the regular daily or weekly phone call from a family member or close friend....stuff that while you don't really think about it...is also an addiction...and you would miss it if you couldn't have it.


I think I have got an addiction now...one that may cure itself soon from sheer busyness!! About a month ago I was able to join a site on the internet that is just for those who grew up using the same homeschool program as I did. It is pretty cool because we kinda know where everyone on there is coming from and I've already made a few friends from there. (Hi to any of you Crossings peeps reading this)!!


Anyway, this site has forums where people can post messages on just about any topic under the sun...and if there isn't one on the topic you want...you can start a new one!! I will admit to feeling an urgency to check this site at least a couple times a day to see what new stuff has been posted, posting multiple posts at one sitting, and even staying up most all night a couple times to keep up with the posting...since most of the people posting are in the US!!!


This addiction will probably begin to cure itself soon, as not only will I be starting some new ministries soon, but the place I will be moving to may not have internet connections right away…and it will definitely be mostly cured come summer...when I will be away from internet connections for long periods of time!! Meanwhile I have been coming up with creative ways to catch friends on there without losing out on precious sleep…such as going to bed a bit earlier and getting up earlier…which is actually a good habit anyway!!


Anyway, these were just my thoughts on the subject…now I gotta go see what has been posted since I started writing this blog entry!! JK!!

Spring

I want to apologize for not being a bit more faithful to keeping this blog up to date...that being said, at least I am trying!!

As you can see, the title for this entry does not match with the picture. The picture was taken last week when it snowed a LOT!! Fortunately, the very next day it began to melt off. Spring is on its way...but with some days warmer with a blue sky and sun, and other days with grey skies and more of a nip in the air. Today is one of the grey days!!

Please keep me in your prayers as I have been having headaches and migraines more frequently. I bought some homeopathic stuff the other day..hoping it will help. I'm also gonna see about having my parents send me some more Excedrine migraine medicine. If they continue I may need to go to the doctor here. Please pray that the headaches clear up soon.

I am keeping busy with English classes. I now have a regular schedule...requiring me to be at the English school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am to 1pm and on Tuesdays from around 11am to 1pm. We will be having a bowling night with all the students this Saturday...a chance for us to get to know our students better and open up opportunities to share Christ in a non-threatening environment. Many of our students are white-collar workers, mostly middle-aged, who have been raised as nominal Orthodox, so we have to tread carefully as we share our beliefs.

I also have been continuing with the two programs for orphans with Livada Orphan Care...Saturdays at the girls home in Zau and Mondays at the boys home in Petelea. These children are so fun and sweet!! Last Saturday at Zau when some of the older girls were playing a game I was able to take 3-4 younger ones off to the side and color with them and had so much fun talking and laughing with them. Monday we played "hot balloon" at the boys home in Petelea...hilarious!!

I haven't had a youth night in a while, but hope to really get started with things once I move at the end of March. My roommate Meg is heading back home to the US, so I am taking this opportunity to search for a better apartment. I am willing to pay what we are paying now for a two bedroom apartment and pay that for a one bedroom...as long as it is a better apartment and better furnished. Going six months with no refrigerator, no stove except a gas hotplate, and no way to wash clothes is a long time!! I really want to find a place a little more centrally located that's furnished at least with a stove, fridge, couch bed, carpets, and a wardrobe...and hopefully a washer too!! If the apartment doesn't have a washer, then I may have to buy one...but I at least want the apartment to have a stove and fridge!!

Once the apartment situation is resolved then I will be having the youth nights once a week, and will be starting a girls club and a beginning English class...both to meet once a week. I have some materials for the girls club and the English class and am really looking forward to getting them started.

Well, I'm gonna close this entry out...my head is hurting and I think I will take a nap...thank the Lord for days off!! God bless!!