Hey all, thanks for looking in! It's been quite an eventful last week or two (or 16!). It's finally here, Trader Joe's has officially opened in Spokane! After 9 long years of waiting, they opened last Friday, 10/28!!! So, thanks to a friend of mine who is a cameraman for KREM 2 news, he mentioned that he would be at the opening a little early, about 5:30a.m. I thought that instead of trying to go after work (6pm), maybe it would be better to go before it opens... So I got up about 5:30 and was at the store just past 6:30. It was pretty cold and dark when I got there, probably a little above freezing... I was a little bit surprised to see only about 15 people ahead of me. So we waited about 1 hour 20 minutes and they opened the doors about 5 minutes early! By the time they opened, I was pretty cold, despite Forza providing some free coffee... and the line had stretched at least 100 yards and it was a few people wide. Even John Myers showed up and I (and the awesome people around me) allowed him to cut in line.
I grabbed a cart, which was a feat in and of itself, and was met by the applause of all the employees and was given a lei! Within just a few minutes, it became clear to me that it was getting crowded fast! I grabbed 6 or 7 items, especially frozen items, and decided to try to be the first to check out. I was convinced that I was first, but then later found out that two of the guys I was in line with were the first two. I think I was Spokane's #3 Trader Joe's customer. I was interviewed in line with another lady by KREM's Erik Loney and again when I was checking out and they actually used excerpts from both interviews in their broadcast. Mom seems to think I'm a celebrity now. I don't think so, not by a longshot... But tons of fun nonetheless.
After about 7 minutes in the store, I exited through the throng entering the store. I was parked right across the way and was almost run over by a lady in a newer green CR-V who was not paying attention and waving at someone. Sheesh!!! When I got to my car, this guy approached me very non-chalantly and started asking me some questions. I noticed his jacket had a small "Inlander" logo on it and he confirmed that was where he was from. After I got home, I unloaded my plunder and soaked it all in. FINALLY!!! I can go to TJ's anytime I want now!! Here are the links to the news reports:
http://www.kxly.com/localvideo/index.html?v=27694
and
http://www.khq.com/category/195686/video-landing-page?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6396016#.Tq3Gv5jxFRI.facebook
The next day we had the Singles and Campus' Halloween Party. It was really fun, it had lots of cool decorations, contests, X-Factor-like eating challenge, pumpkin carving, dancing and a costume contest. This year, I bought the most epic costume EVER... woopie cushion!!! My favorite costume!!! I really shouldn't have spent the money, but the reactions were worth it! Priceless!!!! I loved getting hugs from everyone at church, because I had to make the noises. Just had to!
So a quick update on the progress with the possible move to Germany.... I contacted the Goethe Institute in Atlanta (was the only one open at the time I called at 6am -- don't ask...) Anyway, they sent me the placement test to determine which program placement test I need to take. I took it and out of six levels, they said I should take #4 or #5 (#6 was basically a native speaker)! I was so encouraged after 19 years that I still remembered so much German! Thanks God! I found out that I can't take the placement test at UW/Seattle unless I want to wait until late May. Ugh! I may have to go to SF, CA to take it (likely the cheapest option). Anyway, I will keep you all updated as I know more.
Until then, buenos nachos!!! LOL!!!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The Effects of Reinvention
Time sure does fly when you're having fun. And when you're busy reinventing yourself. I am not saying this tongue-in-cheek, I'm serious. So between "remodeling" (rebuilding?) my dining room, trying to find and register for a school in Berlin, working, living my regular life, writing a book, and dealing with my ministry; I am feeling a little pushed to the limit these days.
On the dining room, I am making good progress these days. I have finished the east exterior wall that we tore down and rebuilt. Just primed and painted the new siding this past week and all I need to do now is to caulk the seams and figure out how to tie that wall in with the south wall. It's pretty complicated that old shingle siding... boo!
The next challenge on the project is the floor. It is AMAZING to me how many layers of flooring I have removed and all indications point to having to pull out even the existing floor structure. This is not good news. The good part about it is that I should be able to make sure the kitchen and dining room floors will be flush with each other. Hopefully....
So that's the bad. Here's the good... I am excited about the possibility of moving to Germany. There is so much to do in a relatively short period of time. I sent an email to a business school in Berlin and they wrote me back that they need to clarify some information. The college that I went to was a branch of the University of Maryland, but it was in Munich, Germany. It closed and moved in 1993 to another city. A few years later that campus also closed and now there is no "campus" for U of M in Germany. They do hold classes on most larger bases in Germany, but the school was not able to confirm the school was accredited, so that's my first task, to confirm it is...
Secondly, I need to take an exam to test the level of my German skills to see if they can place me in their program. By the way, I am hoping to enroll in their International Business BA program which would start in April 2012. I would need to have everything completed and send in my application to the school by December 15.
Lastly, I need to figure out financing. I would like to get the German financing, but will also keep American options open as well. I would also need to look into a study visa and see if I can work while I'm living there. I think I would need to have at least some income....
Honestly, I have been really looking forward to going to Germany. Almost to the point that I think I would be very discouraged if it didn't work out. I believe I will go but have been praying that God stop the process if it's not his will.
At any rate, I am mostly encouraged by everything and will need to somehow muddle through some of these websites and continue to get much advice. Please be praying for me and I look forward to keeping you up to date on everything... Bis hoffentlich bald!
On the dining room, I am making good progress these days. I have finished the east exterior wall that we tore down and rebuilt. Just primed and painted the new siding this past week and all I need to do now is to caulk the seams and figure out how to tie that wall in with the south wall. It's pretty complicated that old shingle siding... boo!
The next challenge on the project is the floor. It is AMAZING to me how many layers of flooring I have removed and all indications point to having to pull out even the existing floor structure. This is not good news. The good part about it is that I should be able to make sure the kitchen and dining room floors will be flush with each other. Hopefully....
So that's the bad. Here's the good... I am excited about the possibility of moving to Germany. There is so much to do in a relatively short period of time. I sent an email to a business school in Berlin and they wrote me back that they need to clarify some information. The college that I went to was a branch of the University of Maryland, but it was in Munich, Germany. It closed and moved in 1993 to another city. A few years later that campus also closed and now there is no "campus" for U of M in Germany. They do hold classes on most larger bases in Germany, but the school was not able to confirm the school was accredited, so that's my first task, to confirm it is...
Secondly, I need to take an exam to test the level of my German skills to see if they can place me in their program. By the way, I am hoping to enroll in their International Business BA program which would start in April 2012. I would need to have everything completed and send in my application to the school by December 15.
Lastly, I need to figure out financing. I would like to get the German financing, but will also keep American options open as well. I would also need to look into a study visa and see if I can work while I'm living there. I think I would need to have at least some income....
Honestly, I have been really looking forward to going to Germany. Almost to the point that I think I would be very discouraged if it didn't work out. I believe I will go but have been praying that God stop the process if it's not his will.
At any rate, I am mostly encouraged by everything and will need to somehow muddle through some of these websites and continue to get much advice. Please be praying for me and I look forward to keeping you up to date on everything... Bis hoffentlich bald!