fresh back in the States.

People talk about "nesting". I am just looking for a freakin tree.

the typist....

I applied for three and a half jobs today. That's enough computer time for me today.

for the weekend.

a favorite picture of my favorite swede.

I am off to somerset for the weekend.

urban ducks.

nests in the financial district around the thames.

engagements

it's spring again, so everyone is getting engaged. among them is jacquelyn, my best friend from high school. she and Christian got engaged just over a month ago.

that's her from five years ago, along with one of our other high school buddies, Ryan.

the wedding better not be until i get back to the States!

those waking hours

Seems I quit my job to instead do the kind of work that you don't get paid for, 'cepting that I am raising support to send me to London (shout out to all of my ministry partners!). But I'm not going to lie folks, it's been kind of a trying week since I left Florida.

I love my family. It's nice to see them. But, um, I've been working on this London thing for just about a year now, and I'm uber-anxious to finally get there.

My half-packed suitcases, temporary bedding, refusal to unpack my suitcases are all testament to the temporary situation. I'm kind of in denial too. I've been cycling through a minute portion of my wardrobe, just because I want to pull out as little as possible. This is, of course, completely irrational, because one day this week, I'm going to have to throw everything out of the two suitcases and repack from the bottom-up.

Oh, and my airline now only lets you bring two 50lb bags internationally, instead of the old 70 lb rule, so I'll be forced to whittle down my wish-list of belongings to be bring to London. I did just get a hiking backpack as a late graduation present (thanks, Mom and Dad!) that should meet the specifications for a carry-on bag. That should help.


But I've had some fun too. We spent Saturday and some of this morning down at my paternal grandparents' place on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The trip was complete with crabs for lunch on Saturday.

starting off the week

.

What!? It's Monday?

shout out

Here's to my two coworkers that offered to replace my radiator for me!

I mean, do I look like the kind of person that could manage to do that? No. And so you graciously offered to put my new one in for me. I couldn't have done it.

I can't tell you how appreciative I am! And next time for compensation, demand for some food more illustrious than Taco Bell, 'cause I'd be happy to get it.

feeling of the day

Monday morning. Feeling a little crazy today.

cars.

The questions I've been asking lately and the answers I've been receiving. It's all a matter of perspective. And believe me, I've been asking the questions out of necessity, not will.

Q. Coolant or water, which is superior?
A. People gave opinions, but turns out the coolant I have is already a 50/50 mix.

Q. How far can I run with a cracked radiator spewing the coolant/water I just dumped in it?
A. I didn't have to find out. Two friends replaced the radiator for me.

Q. How important is power steering fluid?
A. It remains to be seen.

no reqiuem yet

I got it four years ago, and it was already ten years old.

I finally succumbed to the reality that it needed some attention. When it shakes like a rattle every time I stop for a prolonged period of time, it's hard to ignore.

A friend offered to take a look. "Rachel, I don't know how you're driving this." Great. It sounds like it's actually okay to drive; it just may quit at some point.

Well I just need it until I leave for London! I've emphatically informed God of this fact, and I know He will do.

Poor little car. It's so great. I had to call my little brother and tell him I don't think he's going to get a car in September, though.

map of the world

So I ran around campus a lot yesterday. Truly, it was an unprecedented amount for my usual traffic patterns. I had two classes plus a myriad of errands. Check out my mad skills with Paint.

A map of my campus that I marked to show my route.