life as of late

Again I am slacking on updating my blog. I enjoy reading other blogs from friends so I give them credit for my motivation to post this blog!

The end of this month marks 8 months of marriage! August also marks 1 year since returning to good ol' USA. There has been many life changes since returning to America. Here is a glimpse:

• reverse culture shock
• seeing friends/family again after 3 years
• sharing my experiences from East Asia
• driving to KY to meet Kevin's family
• a lot of discussion and prayer about the future
• Engaged *followed directly about prayer and discussion
• planning my wedding with just 2 1/2 months!
• Thanksgiving and Christmas with family after 3 years
• Wedding 12/31/2010
• honey moon in Texas
• pack up my few belongings begin the drive to Kentucky
• travel through 5 states visiting family on the way to KY

Reality, me finding a job, Kevin preparing for spring semester at Southern.
I apply for multiple jobs, particularly wanting a full-time job.
After 2 weeks I am employed as a sales associate at Forever 21 *experience there is a whole different story
After about a month into the spring semester Kevin is employed at Chick fil A. His job helps with the rent plus on grocery bill!
After working at Forever 21 for 3 months I accept a full-time position as a medical records clerk at an allergy clinic. With this job comes insurance, pto and consistent work schedule, we are blessed.
Presently I am still at the allergy clinic becoming accustomed to the daily routine of the medical records department. I am also intentionally building my relationship with my coworkers. It has been a struggle to share my faith there. They have expressed there distaste for 'organized religion' as they put it. I understand my actions speak louder than words there.
Kevin has started the fall semester at Southern. He is enrolled in 9 hours. He has just completed his papers from the 9 hours he took of summer classes. We are glad they are finished, it was a busy time over the summer. Kevin probably doesn't feel like he had a relaxing summer break. Throughout the summer we both needed to remind ourselves that his studies were why we were here in the first place.

In April Kevin and I found a group and we have enjoyed building the relationship with the church family there. We are involved in the sunday morning worship, Kevin plays the bass guitar, I sing in the choir. I am helping in the wednesday evening with 'CIA' Children in Action. We focus on a 'M' each month, I like to tell them my stories in East Asia.
This fall semester I am volunteering in the upwards soccer league at the church. I am an assistant coach of team 'storm'! The whole league is weather related, I don't know why. So I will be 'coaching' on the weekends throughout the fall.

 8/22 free concert - Franseca Battistelli/ Tenth avenue north

competition exhibits

another week in summer

I have had a busy week. I volunteered to help out with upwards soccer camp at Lakewood BC.When I arrived there after work I was informed I was a 'coach'! At first I was confused because I have never played soccer, I felt I was not a good candidate for a coach. But it turned out everyone was a 'coach '! So in that instance coach = encourager, I can handle that. The week was long/tiring with working all day then going to camp my days last from 6am to past 10pm.
I learned some soccer drills that were quite fun. The kids played soccer very well. Some had amazing feet/kicking action! Not only did I enjoy playing with the kids I enjoyed getting to know more of my church family. I am glad Father led us to Lakewood.
While I was 'playing' Kevin was working/reading. He is getting prepared for another week-long summer class. This one is philosophy class. He does explain some of his reading to me but in the end I am confused and my head hurts. Poor Kevin he appreciates all the prayers; He still has over 500 pages to read.
加油(jia you - a cheer of encouragement),加油, Kevin! Keep up the reading. The classes you take after this one will be easy compared to this.
Today(saturday) I need to clean the apartment. It has been neglected this past week...

life as of late

  This has been an unusual week compared to recent months. I have actually have been working as usual so M - F 8am - 5pm hasn't changed. The unusual part is that Kevin took a whole week off of work for his OT class. That means he is home every evening with me! Well he is reading half the time but it is better than him working the evening shifts.
As you can see from the pictures I finally was able to have my forever 21 friends over to the apartment. It was more of 'how is life after working at Forever21'catch up! Kevin and I enjoyed having the girls over, eating Mexican and playing Wii. If only they were not returning home at the end of this month. I am praying I build more relationships with other friends and keep practicing some Chinese.