So, today, I almost changed my mind about moving to England...
I got to thinking about everything I would be leaving behind me. The list just grew and grew...
My family. My church family. The majority of my closest friends. My niece and nephews. My dog, cat, rat, and parrot. My car Gloria, which I'll have to sell. My job. My mom's hugs... But the thing that nearly put me over the edge, the thing that nearly changed my mind, was... Ice cream. I know! I know! It's ICE CREAM! When you look at a list of all those vitally important things like family, it was ice cream that nearly did it... But it's not just ANY ice cream... It's Mallard's Chocolate-Lavender ice cream! Seriously! No ice cream can compare! I mean, this particular ice cream is all the proof the world will ever need, that there is a God, and He loves us... It's like a edible bit of Heaven... (sigh) How can I leave it behind?...
Fortunately, I smacked myself up-side the head. I remembered the fact that Mallard's will (God willing) still be here when I get back. And that waiting so long for another taste, will make that eventual taste, all the sweeter!
So the trip is still on! Ice cream made by a company, that's named after a duck, didn't win this battle!
On a side note... It occurred to me just now, that as I want to eventually master in Ornithology, is it any wonder that my all time favorite ice cream is made by a company called "Mallard's"?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
A Big Day
Well, the day started out normally... Insanely early. I have to be up for work at 5:00 am. (Shudder) I had an appointment to meet with my Pastor today at 11:00 am... That's my lunch break. I headed up, and found him in the usual hurry. He always has about 50 things on at once. He ran swiftly through the hall, telling me he'd be right there and went to assign a couple of people a few dozen jobs. When he returned, we headed into the office and set about the meeting. The beginning was just me relaying some information about the Easter drama my friend Tab and I putting together. He listened and took notes, and I swear I saw him smirk as I wound up that part and stumbled, rather clumsily into the next...
Well, I dove in. I explained my long-time desire to open up a rehabilitation farm. Not an ordinary one. One where wounded wildlife and wounded teens can help each other to heal... Well, one of the things I need to help me on that path, is a degree in Zoology. I also want to get a masters in Ornithology. God has given me a great love for animals, especially birds, and a great love for teens... He just kept listening and nodding. Not saying a word... I went on to say that I have always wanted to live in Europe, at least for a while. (More nodding) So I explained about school. I told him about everything. It just gushed right out! About the divine connections God had made for me. The growing number of friends and "family" that I have in the UK...
I sputtered to a stop after a while and said. "S-s-so. I just w-w-wondered what you thought about it, and if I had your blessing to pursue it." (The stuttering was a reaction to the level of excitement I was feeling, not fear. I knew that whatever his answer was, he would give it in a way that built me up.)
After nodding some more, he spoke... He said that it sounded like a great idea to him. That he thought I would flow well with England, as I had been there and he saw how a home I felt. Also that there was PLENTY of rain, so I would be comfortable weather -wise. :o) He said that he thought my dream was an excellent one, and that it was right up my alley, and I would be quite good at it! He gave me his blessing, and I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement! He was grinning at me at this point, and I knew he was excited for me too!
As I left the office, I was pounced on by Ben, who was waiting to hear the news. (He is going back to the UK in June, and wants to know if I'll be joining him) I grinned, but that wasn't enough... He remarked on how short the meeting was, then promptly demanded to know what happened. hehehe So I told him. "It's full steam ahead from here!" To which he replied, "YAY!" And we spent the rest of my lunch break planning. :o)
When I got back to work, my face felt oddly sore. It took me a minute to get that I had been grinning so broadly, for so long, that my facial muscles were tiring! Oh well, it didn't stop me grinning just as hugely!
Well, I dove in. I explained my long-time desire to open up a rehabilitation farm. Not an ordinary one. One where wounded wildlife and wounded teens can help each other to heal... Well, one of the things I need to help me on that path, is a degree in Zoology. I also want to get a masters in Ornithology. God has given me a great love for animals, especially birds, and a great love for teens... He just kept listening and nodding. Not saying a word... I went on to say that I have always wanted to live in Europe, at least for a while. (More nodding) So I explained about school. I told him about everything. It just gushed right out! About the divine connections God had made for me. The growing number of friends and "family" that I have in the UK...
I sputtered to a stop after a while and said. "S-s-so. I just w-w-wondered what you thought about it, and if I had your blessing to pursue it." (The stuttering was a reaction to the level of excitement I was feeling, not fear. I knew that whatever his answer was, he would give it in a way that built me up.)
After nodding some more, he spoke... He said that it sounded like a great idea to him. That he thought I would flow well with England, as I had been there and he saw how a home I felt. Also that there was PLENTY of rain, so I would be comfortable weather -wise. :o) He said that he thought my dream was an excellent one, and that it was right up my alley, and I would be quite good at it! He gave me his blessing, and I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement! He was grinning at me at this point, and I knew he was excited for me too!
As I left the office, I was pounced on by Ben, who was waiting to hear the news. (He is going back to the UK in June, and wants to know if I'll be joining him) I grinned, but that wasn't enough... He remarked on how short the meeting was, then promptly demanded to know what happened. hehehe So I told him. "It's full steam ahead from here!" To which he replied, "YAY!" And we spent the rest of my lunch break planning. :o)
When I got back to work, my face felt oddly sore. It took me a minute to get that I had been grinning so broadly, for so long, that my facial muscles were tiring! Oh well, it didn't stop me grinning just as hugely!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Well, Not Yet
Hello folks!
So, here's the deal...
I was originally going to start this blog, when I began my studies in the UK. I saw a great potential for humorous situations as I adjusted to life across the pond, a way to relieve some of the stress of living in a new country, and a way for those back home to keep up on my goings on. Since I made the decision on Sunday that I would be going, I have already begun to discover that the potential for humor also exists in the preparation to move countries. Also, that the amount of work involved in doing so could present a lot of stress that may need to be siphoned away. So, even though the title of this blog is A Bellingham Yank in the UK... Well, not yet.
I don't promise to be a faithful blogger. I plan to be. I plan to write at least once a week. But as we all know, the best laid plans...
So, what have I done this week in preparation? Well, my good friend, Ben, who is from the UK and is studying in the US found me lots of online information about visas. He discovered what kind I'll need, and that my student visa will also allow me to be employed while I study. Yay! Also, having gone through the same process, in reverse, he compiled a handy "to do" list for me, to help begin this monumental task.
I began sifting through the information on the website of what I hope to be my future school. I discovered how to apply and what kinds of funding and scholarships are available to US students in the UK... Basically, I found a way to make my "to do" list grow by leaps and bounds... Great. Thanks for that. I was hoping to have more to do. hmmmm.
Oh well. Better to find out early on... I guess...
So, here's the deal...
I was originally going to start this blog, when I began my studies in the UK. I saw a great potential for humorous situations as I adjusted to life across the pond, a way to relieve some of the stress of living in a new country, and a way for those back home to keep up on my goings on. Since I made the decision on Sunday that I would be going, I have already begun to discover that the potential for humor also exists in the preparation to move countries. Also, that the amount of work involved in doing so could present a lot of stress that may need to be siphoned away. So, even though the title of this blog is A Bellingham Yank in the UK... Well, not yet.
I don't promise to be a faithful blogger. I plan to be. I plan to write at least once a week. But as we all know, the best laid plans...
So, what have I done this week in preparation? Well, my good friend, Ben, who is from the UK and is studying in the US found me lots of online information about visas. He discovered what kind I'll need, and that my student visa will also allow me to be employed while I study. Yay! Also, having gone through the same process, in reverse, he compiled a handy "to do" list for me, to help begin this monumental task.
I began sifting through the information on the website of what I hope to be my future school. I discovered how to apply and what kinds of funding and scholarships are available to US students in the UK... Basically, I found a way to make my "to do" list grow by leaps and bounds... Great. Thanks for that. I was hoping to have more to do. hmmmm.
Oh well. Better to find out early on... I guess...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)