what's this???

So, after 8 years with my trusty Nike running shoes, I decided it was time to go out and buy new shoes. If this fact hasn't tipped you off to the hard truth of my complete lack of regular exercise, let me be blunt...I rarely exercise. However, it is time to change things and so my first step is getting new shoes...easier said than done. The sports shoe walls at the local mall were covered in these:

What in the world? I suddenly felt very old standing in front of one of those walls...

Flight Plans!

First, I suppose I should apologize for my lack of posting in the past few weeks, but really, it's hard to post about events that don't seem too interesting to me, let alone to everyone else. However, I do have some Scotland-related news now. I have my itinerary for my first ever international flight! As it stands now, I will be officially starting my new life phase on January 6th, 2009. What makes this even more exciting is that last week, there were a few misunderstandings in regards to my flight plans, and I was beginning to get a little nervous. For some reason my e-mails weren't getting to the people they needed to get to, so things were moving much slower than they ought to be. I also had been told that I would be flying out later than my partner which made me very very nervous! I had expected us to fly together...I mean, that makes sense doesn't it? Anyway, after a week of uncertainty and a bit of anxiousness on my part, I received my new itinerary and it looks great. I will be flying out of the country with my partner now and can breathe a sigh of relief!

Having my itinerary also makes this whole thing seem more real. Lately it feels like more of a dream than anything because it seems too good to be true. I wouldn't blame people if they thought I was making the whole thing up! But now, I have my route to Scotland on paper....ahhhhhh...

And, apologies for the lack of interesting pictures on this post...but I intend to post a picture of the very very pink, recently painted foyer of my new house. I know I know, pink is scary...just wait and see!

is this a dream?

For the last year I've had this dream of moving out into the beautiful victorian house at the other end of our small town. As time crept on and on, the dream faded and faded until I had all but given up on it. Well, after many obstacles, here I am in my new (old) house feeling very independent. Here are a few pictures of my house!

My bedroom...

My...um...other room.
My beautiful loveseat...a gift from my new neighbor!

I just love my new house, but am quite certain that I will be more than ready for a roomate in a few weeks...

This is what a finished Art Journal looks like...

It seems like it's been forever, but I started this thing in October, so that's not really the case. The fact that I should've been done with this months ago is irrelevant...

A new friend

I know that I shouldn't buy any more knick knacks that will just gather dust when I leave for Scotland, but just look at this cutie!

I know what some people might think, but I don't see this purchase as a knick knack, this is definitely the perfect traveling buddy for me. He's small and very low maintenance, and adorable! Yes, and if these attributes weren't enough...here's another...

He's got a compass! What a wonderful traveling buddy...now, just what do I name him? I have no idea, but I've got a little time :)

Movie Night!!!

One part of my life here in Kansas that I will really miss when I leave in October is my church family. When I came home from school 2 years ago, I really had no clue how blessed I was to be a part of this church, even though I had grown up in it. Now, I am completely in love with this family and I think they are all just wonderful! On Sunday night, we had movie night at my church and watched Facing the Giants. I had a great time! In retrospect, I know that the movie wouldn't have been half as much fun to watch had it not been for the friends I was with. We had a plethera of goodies to snack on, and that combined with the funny comment, outbursts of laughter and even some tears (no, I was not one of the teary-eyed few) made the night a HUGE success in my book.
Yes, the event literally made it into my book:

The very intimidating first post...

I think the worst part about setting up a blog must be writing the first post. But unfortunately it is a necessary part of starting out so here we go. With this blog I will do my best to chronicle my journey into the world of serving as a journeyman overseas. In the Isle of Lewis, Scotland to be more specific. Although I won't be technically leaving for Scotland until January, the real life journey has already begun as I prepare for this new and exciting phase of my life. Yay!!!! I must say that after spending two restless years waiting and watching, I was starting to get a little nervous!
Since I like pictures in blogs, here's a map of the UK that shows my destination:


And here's my little rendition of the island: