Fancy Seeing You Here...

After so many months of silence I'm back. Unfortunately, this blog will be picture-less for now, as my pictures remain snugly safe in my other computer. However, I have been promising a life-update for a while, so it's time to write it!

First of all, what's new with you? I'd rather hear about your life than mine...seriously.

Second of all, what's new with me? Let me think....well, you already know that I'm in grad school, and LOVING IT. What else?

I just got a new job! No more AutoZone for me! Although a tiny part of me does miss my boys at the Zone, I'm absolutely thrilled with my new job. I am working as the Education Coordinator for Trinity United Methodist Church in Sequim. Now, I know what you're thinking...I'm not a Methodist! I know, and so do they. However, I do have experience and passion in the arenas of both education and Christianity, so I'm in! I will be basically overseeing everything from Sunday school classrooms/curriculum, to the 3-church combined youth group, to the adult classes on every topic under the sun!! It's a big job, and I'm so thankful for a job that will actually challenge and grow me a bit. The only trouble I've had so far is that my predecessor left for vacation leaving me only a sticky note of names and words, that really don't mean too much to me! eek. I've mostly been reading curriculum, chatting with others about the youth group, and trying to get a handle on what I'm supposed to be working on for the past few days. Ummm, did I mention that I have my own office! Yay! It's definitely fun, and it fortunately has a sun-facing window.

What else? Still living with Grandma, and it's going as expected. We still startle each other from time to time, which is always entertaining.

Ohhhh yeah, here's an important one: boyfriend. Yes, you heard me correctly, there's a man in my life. I don't like the word boyfriend, as he is really not a boy (the word implies a child who has holes in his knees and eats a lot of pudding), but it sounds awkward to call him a "manfriend", so I've decided to stick to the Spanish word for boyfriend which is "novio". My novio's name is Rafael. This is the part of the story in which a picture would really be helpful, but alas, it is not to be. Rafael, Rafa for short, is a long-time friend. We met on my first project to Venezuela in 2006. Since then we've kept up a friendship which eventually led us to our current relationship (we have been together since September). One of my favorite things about him: he doesn't like Pho. Really people, what is the big deal about watery beef broth?! A point upon which he and I heartily agree...and I don't know anyone else who does!! Besides the Pho opinion, he makes me laugh. awwwww. Our senses of humor coincide well and that is a very good thing as a majority of our relationship exists on the phone. That's right, you gussed it, this is a LONG DISTANCE relationship. yuuuuuuuck! Yes, my dearest Rafa lives in Sacramento, CA. 14 long hours by car or 2 expensive hours by plane, away from me. :( Hence, a majority of our relationship has been built via talking on the phone and text message....the modern day form of a letter-writing romance perhaps? It's tough, but we have been able to visit each other...not nearly enough.

This brings me to another point. Rafa is trying to move to Washington! Yes, it's true. The poor guy has been unable to get a real job since he graduated from UC Davis. Now we've moved his job-hunting from Sacramento to Seattle/Washington...we'll see how it goes. He has already had 2 interviews here, both who would have loved to hire him, but they simply didn't have any work available. Oh, did I mention that his degree is in Civil Engineering?! I know!!!!! Smarty pants. And you would think that he has a useful degree...he does....just not in this economy. All of that to say, if any of you have any contacts for me/him or hear of anything at all that has to do with Civil Engineering in Washington...let me know! We'd like not only to get him a job for job purposes, but also to see what our relationship would be like if we lived in the same state....

Alright, I believe that's all for now. It should be enough to give you a quick update, explanation, and project for the future. Bubbles and Sparkles! :)