Lucie's favorite gift was the "BCC Retreat"

Wasn't sure how that would work out, but she was delighted and said she would never have asked. This will be the first retreat where she can attend without having to prepare and "work". Now she'll just have to figure out logistics like who she'll stay with and how to get from the airport to point B ... etc etc. It was cool having her get something she wasn't expecting and just really made her happy.

Besides the carvel cake from our small group, and tulips and lunch from our neighbor, Lucie got two dozen roses from a couple we know in MA (so ok, the card made a crack about the "passing of one's youth", but who can be upset with that when you have this big bouquest of spring colored roses!)

Along with the coffee maker came a candle, box of coffee and a finished frame of her favorite people. Add to that the many who phoned to wish her well ... "can you believe they remembered my birthday?"

Liz called from England, she's learning that people under pressure don't always react with kindness, granted she wasn't the recipient of this outburst, but it does make one cautious not to mess up. She had her first "class" outside of her internship and the teacher is a character. Apparently, the class is on terrorism, but the instructor prefers to point students to the best places to get a buzz on.... surely not something she'd expect at her alma matter, but "this isn't Kansas anymore.." Life lessons come at us all the time, don't they.

NH Weather


NC Weather

Our pals in NH were getting yet more snow yesterday, our rain squall with limited visibility was enough for me! In our area, a few places had downed trees and one church lost part of its roof. Still, unlike NH, we don't have to shovel it, and today is nice and sunny in Durham, though it has cooled down to the 40's ... (was in the high 60's yesterday)

Happy Birthday Honey!

Well, this isn't exactly the way I planned it. It's Lucie's birthday .... remember the Challenger explosion? That shares the same date, but not the same year. Last night our "Acting Up" group had a mini "carvel" ice cream cake for Lucie. Both of us are trying to reverse our growing trends this year, so having a cake today for Lucie may not happen. We'll go to lunch somewhere on Saturday ... maybe even Tupelo's in Hillsborough NC ... The "not exactly what I planned" is referring to my eye acting up, funny Lucie's a year older, and I'm getting the old age symptoms ... but hey, by tomorrow, I'll be back to normal ... whatever that is.

Lucie is taking Bekkah into school ... I'll sneak the gift that is in the back of the van out ... shhhh its a secret.

Liz loves her new church

And why shouldn't she? It is the Hillsong Church She and Vanessa were so psyched about it, such refreshing after being "in the world" all week. We spoke to her last night, and she's really enjoying her opportunity. She sat in on some parliamentary debate yesterday ... wonder how her day is going today. This past weekend she got to visit the tower of London and one of the "Beefeater" guides was looking for a young lady of 16 to illustrate a point he was making. He of course thought Liz was that age, and when she informed him she was going on 21, he didn't believe her and had her step up for his illustration regardless.

Miss Bekkah and Rachel are doing well also, and I musn't forget Stella, who loves to scoot onto any seat that one has just warmed (always check before sitting down again).

Now Miss Lucie, she's just charging through her RN refresher course. Has mailed in 5 tests already, and is just determined to get her license back. Ah, it is hard to imagine that we are reaching this stage in our life.... Tomorrow is a mile-stone for her ... I remember my mom turning this on my brother's wedding day ... perspective sure changes once you are the one on the cusp of your semi-centenial... Luv you Honey, and to me your sill my HTH (home town honey) and we're still in our twenties taking on the world.

Picture Liz running to Parliament

Lucie spoke with Liz, we called her directly with our vonage service to her landline in her flat. She had an exhilarating first day. The MP she is working for is a spitfire who stops/waits for no one. She had success in reading and typing up a letter he wrote to Prince Charles, apparently a skill that isn't easy, so the other team members see her as "value add" already. Her MP asked if she wanted to go to Parliament with him, she answered yes, but turned around to grab her purse and had to run after him across the street to Parliament:
He quipped that her shoes didn't look too comfortable to run in. Needless to say, she is stoked about her assignment and believes she will learn much about the workings of government, albeit not quite the American form of government. I hope she doesn't like it too much as I can just imagine her saying, "Daddy I've been offered a job in London ..."

Rachel did excellent at her gym meet

She's worked hard and it has paid off, she got a 33+ out of a perfect 40 points, super for a first meet with her team. Her coaches were awesome, truly supportive which was great to see. Lucie and I have decided that we owe it to ourselves to take better care of ourselves. I should shed 40 lbs, but will be happy starting off with 10 lbs and a less sedentary lifestyle. I redefine couch potato

So what shall I do for exercise? Small steps, and the weather is getting better, I need to get my bike out on the Tobacco Trail, that would be something to look forward to. Liz started her internship today, 9:30 AM GMT, 4:30 AM my time. Her day should be done .... wonder how it went?

Off to the RBC Center

Leadership Triangle "College Edition" has a get together meal at 5:40, so I'm heading off to meet the Wake Tech College student I'm to mentor. It isn't a huge deal for me, tonight, a "shadow day" and graduation.

So here is the TIME in London ....

Dermatologist, Dentist, Internist ...am I keeping the medical profession afloat?

Seems that 28 year old fillings might want to be replaced, apparently Pb was an ingredient in earlier fillings, also the ones changed out so far have shown some decay that would have eventually caused problems. Downside, time and pain, upside the silver look is being replaced with a more natural enamel colored filing. My mother-in-law used to refer to my mouth as "horse teeth", bless her heart. So next time you notice Mr Ed speaking you may see less silver. Carrot anyone?


Spoke with Liz, her interview went well. Her "mp" (parliament member) is a very busy individual, so the interview was for all of 15 minutes. Here in her own words

OK, so it has been a little bit of time since you've heard from me. The interview went well. It was super speedy because Barry Sheerman and his office (my MP) had to present a brief for that day and it was rather unexpected- so I was out and in in about 15 minutes. The lady, I think her name was Jenny, showed me briefly around his office and around the Portcullis House- where I will be working. It's directly across from the Parliament buildings and Big Ben. Talk about a view! I got to meet Barry Sheerman, and he is a very nice (and busy) man. It was a little awkward just because he asked where I was from/what school and when i told him "Messiah College" he asked, "Oh is it a Jewish school?" I was unsure as to if he was serious, and not wanting to offend, I explained that "no, it is actually a Christian school." He guffawed loudly (which mad me feel incredibly thick) and stated "but of course!" I explained to him that "I guess it could be, if it was a Messianic Jewish body..." ha ha ha! anyways. It was a little awkward. But they informed me they expect someone who will be reliable and prompt to work. Which won't be a problem!

So, right now V and I are getting ready to buy out tickets to Bremen, Germany for the weekend of Feb 13-15! We are meeting Claire and Gerard and are incredibly excited to see them and fellowship with some messiah students. So, I will be filling you in more later- but just know I start work on Monday at 9:30 a.m. I'm really nervous, but also excited!!!

Day two of the snow event

This sure isn't Kansas anymore .... ok, I don't believe I've ever been to Kansas, just knew Tracey from Kansas when I spent my junior year abroad, but it is interesting to see that snow can have such an effect. It is pretty, and by Friday it should be gone, as we expect to get temps near 60. Bekkah's school has been off for two days and by the look of the news programs there were plenty of cars off the road.

Liz had an interview yesterday for her internship in Parliament. She was braving the "Tube" and heading out by herself, 10AM their time and quite frankly I was snoring in EST (5AM). She called and asked for prayers, we haven't heard back, so is "no news good news" ????

My sister Louise called last night. My dad is in the hospital, apparently he had a high fever. When I spoke to him last week he had a cold, apparently it turned into something more. Louise said he was resting comfortably and looked good. I have to give him a call later to check in on him.

Get to go to the dermatologist today to have him read the results of my "patch" test. They applied 3 panels with a total of 29 known allergens to my back. Today I get to see if I reacted to any ... I'll be glad to get the tape off, as that's been annoying, however I don't feel itchy from the patches. Lucie's theory is that I'm allergic to NC ... not a good thing.

Woking Surrey, and the best home cookin she's had since she arrived

This husband and wife whose kids are all grown, opens their home to foreign students.  Liz and  Vanessa were there and felt so welcome and pampered.  They ate loads of food and went to Windsor Castle on a tour.  She's heading back to her flat, in fact may be there already as I write.  Liz starts her work in Parliament next week.

Liz 'skyped' us last night

If you are unfamiliar with skype you might want to check it out. It allows one to "phone" another pc and you can see the other person. It was after 7PM and it was after midnight for Liz. She says her "flat" is cold, apparently the heat wasn't working appropriately, but now the heat is starting to work. The landline phone isn't working, but should be by next week. Liz has a cold, and hasn't quite recovered from jet lag. She also has tried a string of American "restaurants", (if you can qualify fast food as restaurants). She says that Subway and Burger King are not up to par with their American counterparts. I think the term she used was "wicked gross". She thinks however, that the UK McDonald's actually tastes better than the US ones (go figure?). So she ate there twice yesterday! She actually called from her UK "track" phone, and she pays something like 30 pence per minute (.45 cents). From Vonage, since it is not a landline, we pay 35 cents per minute. So for now we'll use skype as that is free PLUS you can see each other. She can receive incoming calls at no charge, if she were a landline, Vonage would NOT cost anything ... She's enjoying her roomate from Indiana, and is really looking forward to her "home" visit with a family in Surrey, UK. (not sure which town in Surrey yet).

Liz writes:
Apparently- with a little research, I discovered that Woking, Surrey was home to H.G. Wells and the place where he first had the martians land in War of the Worlds... hahahaa. should be fun :)

A snippet from Liz in London ....

London is BEA-utiful! Today we traveled to Trafalgar square and saw Parliament and Big Ben. We also stopped into St. Paul's Church, also known as the Actor's Church, where they filmed the beginning of Pigmallion at. It was really gorgeous. Lots of little cafes and places to eat around the area.

I'm taking loads of photos and hope to upload a bunch real soon. Vanessa and I are sticking together like GLUE. We aren't in the same flat but we are only a floor apart. ... We are planning on going to Hillsong on Sunday which Im pumped about! Unless of course, we are still on our homestay- which means we'll be somewhere else in jolly England :)

The Brits are FANTASTIC and you must tell Bek and Rach that their most common phrase, seriously, is "little bit." haha! I laugh nearly every time I hear it. Today we also had the chance to talk to two members of parliament and Lord Taverne - from the House of Lords. SO COOL!

Lizzie is in London Town ...

OK, this isn't a picture of her in London, but one while we were building our house. I can't believe that she'll be 21 in March .... unbeweivable! She has internet access so we'll use skype to chat ... it is 11am here and 4pm there, so doing skype will be easier with Mom and Rachel than Bek and I. Don't think the firewall will support a skype session.

Itchin for a change

Ok, not really, its been constant.  Am I allergic to NC?  Perhaps the flouride in the water? I go back to the docs in 2 weeks.  Course that title is sarcastic, 'cause I may be facing a change, but I hardly am excited about it.  Will I survive the "re-org" .... Will I need an updated resume? .... Will I trust no matter what happens?

I would prefer to be independantly wealthy, though, I suppose by Bolivian standards, I am wealthy.  New home, 3 vehicles, a dog, 3 kids a wife ... color tv, telephone, computers ... sure wouldn't that make me rich by the standards of a jungle waif who is looking for something to eat?  We really do have much in this country, and with the current downturn, people are freaking out ... but its in regards to not having as much as before, not that they would have nothing at all.

OK, that may have sounded uncaring, but in the US, an indigent person has more opportunities for food, shelter and medical attention then does an orphan in Bolivia.  If they are on the street, they must fend for themselves.  Police are often corrupt, and are not viewed as safe havens.  So it is in that context that I compare those of us facing unemployment, firings, unpayable bills and I believe we still have it better than the poor in comparison to Bolivia.

Having said that, I too don't relish the thought of starting over.  Rachel told Lucie that "NC is a chance to re-invent yourself" ... is this potential job loss a chance for me to re-invent myself?  Do I have the stamina to start new elsewhere?  Can we learn to forgo Sunday lunches at PF Changs or an occaisional Starbuck's coffee?  What about movies?  Can we wait until they are available at blockbuster for 1.99 for a five day rental?

Speaking of rentals ... I rented "La Vie En Rose" and unlike most rentals, I'm thinking I'll actually view it again.

Rien de Rien (above) sung at the Olympia is a snippet from the movie.  Those versions on youtube showing the "real" Edith, have for some reason not allowed "embeding" in a blog.  Edith Piaf has a voice that Lucie does not appreciate, but her passion and sorry life gave her an edginess that I dig.  As Marlene Dietrich said in the movie, Edith was "the soul of Paris".  Not sure if she really said that, but in this movie rendition she does.

Ah enjoying the view

Outside my dining room window sits the cinder blocks that will eventually become a new neighbor's house. We visited NH over the holidays ... Snow was pretty, then gray/black then it snowed again, and freezing rain ... saw the snowblowers doing their thing and remembered the reason I thought NC was a "good deal".

I'm enjoying my church, my house, my family. Hopefully in a month or so I can enjoy my job if I still have one. Grateful to God for having one, and know I am in HIS hands, so I needn't worry. What new chapter does HE have planned for me? Only time will tell, until then ... Thank you Lord.