A Link from the Past

Howdy!

For those of you interested in my greenhouse project from last quarter, one of the girls in my class made a slideshow.
Look for the pictures of me biting a stick and me with a bird's body!

Also, if you're looking for a good cause to sponsor, consider the Village Church Project. One of the architects I worked with (and caddied for in our golf marathon, incidently) last summer designed an economical church prototype. Now there are more than 150 of these churchs in Andhra Pradesh, one of the states of India! Many villages don't have a church, though they may have a pastor, and for relatively little money you can sponsor the cost of the construction materials.

I worked with eMi last summer and I can testify that they are a solid non-profit organization-- all the staff raise their own support so if you give money to a project, all of it goes towards the project. Actually, eMi is good to support in general. I've been sponsoring them now that I'm actually earning a salary. It's very exciting to give towards a specific thing that I know will change people's lives!

Heat makes my scalp tingle.

Yesterday, I solved equations on a packet of hot chocolate.

I wonder when my diploma is coming...

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes

(thank you Paul Simon)

God is good!

Although life is so exciting and interesting these days, I ended the day yesterday feeling empty, stressed and confused. I tried to tell myself that if I was less busy I’d be more thoughtful and could assign the meaning to all these days, but really I knew that my perspective was the problem, not my schedule. So I prayed for help and fell asleep.

And Yayness! Today I’m not Angelic Girl ™ or anything, but rather than glaring at rude drivers this morning, I took the time to pray and think about the coming week. And I’ve been at my job with a purpose (typing now as images are rendering) and am reminded that the folks I work with are created by God, however twisted we all are right now! Even though I won’t have a moment for myself until Tuesday night, it’s all in God’s hands.

Today I became a salaried and benefited employette, and tonight is my graduation dinner at Daniel’s Broiler… John (whose desk is across from mine) says that the artichoke heart appetizer is really good…!

Typing in a parka?

The people who count in my building must have healthy Eskimo/Viking/Siberian blood flowing in their veins. Be it 50 or 90 degrees outside, I am always cold in here. The men in my office seem to do okay. Maybe their ties keep them warm. I, on the other hand, am slightly disappointed because I can’t wear my cute summer flip-flops and skirts;( Or drink anything cold.

Any suggestions?

I’ve thought about bringing in a space heater, but that would go against my passive systems beliefs—after spending so energy on AC, there would be more spent on the space heater! Quite counter-productive and wasteful. Writing to the building manager probably wouldn’t do much good, but maybe it’s worth a try? The computers would probably explode somewhere in this office park if they made it any warmer. Speaking of computers, maybe the answer is to take out my fans? Then my computer would be rendered a nice, comfortable furnace, and use less energy! Ingenious!

If nothing else, I guess there’s always fingerless gloves and those hand-warmers you take skiing…

As you may be able to tell, I’m settling in to office life gradually. The potted plants and pictures of my family come next. This week I learned 3D Studio VIZ (by the makers of 3D Studio Max) and it’s quite enjoyable. This is probably the fifth 3D rendering program I’ve learned!

Monday the Morrells (Jenifer, Beth and Jean Hahn) threw a bridal shower for me. It was great and joyous fun! We played a game involving smelling spices in canisters and I received many awesome gifts. Most were from my registry, but everyone also brought their favorite sauce/seasoning. I don’t know how it rates as a shower because it was the first I’ve ever attended, but I loved it and it was really nice to know that Ben’s family likes me!

I'm finally

Done with school!!!!!

Mugwumps

Dearest Readers,

In a week I will be done with school and hanging out in LA! These few weeks before my wedding should be fun; I'm going to begin working full-time (this is perhaps not a rip-roaring good ol' time sort of fun, but it is my chosen career; and perhaps it is starting at the bottom but it's a novelty compared to school!)

There will two wedding showers for me and one I'm throwing for Raeleen, two other people's wedding to attend (and three or four more the month after we're married!) Both Ben and I will have "moving days" into the condo, my sister is graduating from high school which means relatives will be visiting, I'm graduating sans ceremony excepting dinner, and both Tara and Andy will be turning 21 and thus must have fabulous parties! In short, there will be many gatherings and celebrations these six weeks, something I endeavor to fully support:)

By the way, if any one wants to help me move, keep July 9th open during the day...

Or if you really want to help me you, you could tell me who "Mr. and Mrs. Jake Jacobsen" are and how they got on our guest list!