PFO - I'm Here!

So...I sat down to write tonight and the first thing that came to mind was that I don't particularly enjoy trying to make this blog look pretty and appealing...at least not when my computer isn't cooperating. Hence, I'm chilling (rather literally) in the computer lab here at PFO and settling for just an update.

HOWEVER - nobody needs (or probably wants) to hear about the trials of me picking out font colors. I have indeed sucessfully travelled to Pre-Field Orienation and with two days behind me, it's been a blast! I think the most fabulous thing so far has been being able to meet all of the wonderful people I've been communicating with via email, skype, and facebook in person: member care people, home office staff, and especially members from my very own team in Singapore (and what an awesome team of people they are!). Blessings abound.

We sleep in classrooms on cots (surprisingly comfy) and have attended most of our meetings in the auditorium (reminds me of high school). Everywhere you go, smiles and introductions are everywhere (Urbana, anyone?). I'm awash in thoughts of a hundred very good things and am already learning so much: we've just breached diving into new cultures and this afternoon we spent a few hours going over one of my most favorite personality assessments, the Myers-Briggs. It's been awesome discussing the featured traits with other people and especially the coping skills we develop out of our needs to succeed, conform, and build new and/or lasting relationships. If you're ever bored, I could babble about that for, well, quite awhile.

There's much, much more I could start writing about (good food, waking up extremely early, the awesome story of how NICS started [ask me about that!] and all the fabulous people I've been able to meet)...but I think this is enough.

Baggage

There are certain things I really dislike shopping for, and in the last 6 months or so, I've discovered I really don't enjoy shopping for luggage at all.

When I went to France, I - being ever so clever - thought a rolling duffel was the smartest thing in the world, since it would be compact when unpacked. Try rolling the thing up and down the steps in the Metro - not so fun (especially after it lost a wheel...)! Of course I could have just carried it...except that I'd overpacked the thing to the point of it being excessively unmanagable. I think there must be an art to duffel packing: I imagine it's got to be perfectly balanced so that it's liftable and yet doesn't tip over when upright.

In addition to that smart move, I also brought a smaller shoulder bag as my carry-on, as well as a laptop case...which was all fine and dandy until I had to carry both through multiple airports.

Suffice it to say that I have developed a keen appreciation for handles, wheels, and a bag's ability to stay upright, intact, and under the airline's weight restriction when crammed full of my worldly possessions. Also, for colors other than black, black, and more black.

So...today consisted of trips to multiple stores (including three separate trips to two different Kohls stores) and a fair amount of somewhat unnecessary online comparison. Add in a trip through the check-out five minutes before closing time and an additional online purchase, and my luggage-buying is over...I hope.

On the upside, everything was on sale and I had coupons. Also, the luggage area is right across from the footwear department in Kohls, and I found some great shoes. Skippity-do-dah!

Moving...and indulging

Last week was one lonnng week. I packed, cleaned, and moved...among other things. Someday soon I'm going to have to take a photo of the massive pile of wordly objects I've acquired...which are all sitting in my unfortunate (but oh, so kind and uncomplaining) parents' family room.

Dad and Buddy in the U-Haul (which was as tightly packed as possible).

Apparently, bringing masses of stuff into my parents' home prompted them to get rid of a fair amount of things themselves - namely, old furniture. Reallly old furniture...the sort even Good Will doesn't want. Nothing a fire pit and a burning permit can't fix. It also gave my two youngest sisters an opportunity to burn up some old homework - I'm all for recycling, but letting the occasional horrible geometry test go up in flames is okay with me.

The flames got MUCH bigger. It reminded me of tales of the infamous InterVarsity guys' manly bonfire...or whatever they called it. As a girl, I was never allowed to go - but I heard about the quest for old furniture and the questionable inclusion of baking products.

The last few days have been a lot quieter. There's been time to relax, read, catch up, reflect...and indulge. Yesterday my sister Jamie and I had a little sisterly bonding time while getting pedicures - definitely worth the cheap-o beauty school rates!

Guess who can't tan? And yes...we're 100% related!

Summer "Break"

Technically, I have the summer off, but it's already feeling like an incredibly short summer. I've been spending this week packing up my apartment - and I'm convinced that no single person needs as much stuff or as much boxed food as I've accumulated over the past 2 1/2 years. What did I ever think I was going to do with a half a dozen cans of pineapple or an entire cupboard of Hamburger Helper? And speaking of excess, why did I ever start a snobby yarn stash? You can't just sell off a bunch of 100% wool yarn for a dollar a ball at a garage sale...which might be why I have three rubbermaid totes full of the stuff. *sigh*

I've also revisited the joy of booking airline tickets. I was raised to hunt out bargains, which makes ticket buying an insanely long process: checking travel sites, checking the airlines' sites, weighing the option of leaving at 6 am for $100 less than leaving at 10 AM, etc. It's all good though - I've got both my ticket for PFO (summer training in Mississippi) and SINGAPORE! Feels fabulous - I am incredibly, incredibly blessed.

Name, Birthdate, Etc.

Yesterday night I received a new mountain of paperwork to fill out: boxes to fill in, photos to acquire, copies to make. I don't mind it, but I wish I had a huge chunk of time just to do it all. I feel like I'm trying to cram a whole lot of things all into a space ot time they can't quite fit inside. Or, they can't all fit in there comfortably anyway. Despite this, I still pile in other "non-essential" activities: writing letters, knitting socks, making hour long drives to see family on my days off.

Feels sort of like college.

Moving Out, On, Forward...

I got my move-out confirmation letter from my apartment manager today - more and more things are happening that make the transition and move to Singapore and a new job/ministry more and more real. Our next schedule draft at the hospital has me abruptly disappear halfway through the work days. Magazines I've failed to renew have stopped coming. My shopping lists are shorter: what do I need another three rolls of paper towels or five pounds of flour for?

The task of deciding which items to take with, leave behind for later, and give away is becoming more immediate. I'm beginning to realize just how much stuff I have: yards of fabric, piles of papers, cupboards of food, lotion, and dishes. It's a little like a chore, a little like a fun project.

If I ever ask you if you need anything, respond honestly. I might have it, and I'm probably more than willing to part with it.

Recent Failures and Successes

One of my current projects (I have a lot) has been to find a veggie burger recipe that equals or surpasses the frozen burgers in the store. My only attempt prior to the one below involved lentils and is not worth repeating. This one sounded promising: plenty of shredded potato, carrot, and zuchinni - I even photographed the whole process in preparation to share it with everyone.


This is the only picture I'll actually share - if you want a veggie PANCAKE recipe, this one will work. It tastes okay, but it's not particularly satisfying on a bun. I've found another recipe and plan to test it out later this week.

A recent success was this Super Delicious Cake! My sister Jess made a Serbian cake for Easter last year (complete with The Best Frosting Ever), but I'd say mine is a possible contender. Thank you, Taste of Home magazine. This is their Chocolate Strawberry Celebration Cake (with poorly drizzled ganache...but it was oh, so good) from the January 2010 issue.


I've also started cutting pieces for my second quilt. This has actually been a work in progress for over a year: I've been writing on all of the fabric since March 2009. I love the colors, but I've decided to add some blue pieces...which means more writing, ironing, and cutting before I can actually piece the thing.