African Adventure!!

Well I'm back from my blogging hiatus. I didn't really mean to take a hiatus. Life and normal routines just kinda happened.....but I'm back and ready to tell you all about my Christmas vacation. Sure it's a little late...but trust me....this trip was awesome and worth the wait (since I'm sure so many of you can't sleep until I post again...haha).

Anyways, the fun started in Uganda. East Africa continues to be one of my most favorite places in the entire world. I don't know if it's so special because it's the first place I went overseas....where I first fell in love with Africa, but let me tell you...the people are friendly, the grass is green, fresh fruit is all around, and chapati (amazing bread that will change your life) is found everywhere!! Not to mention...I got to spend the holiday with some of my most favorite people in the entire world.

And then these kids showed up!! And if you know them at all, you know they bring a good time. It was so good to see them....and get some mommy/daddy time....and don't worry...they're still good at spoiling me. Last week, I put on a t-shirt that still smelled like my dad--probably the remnants of a good hug. It was hard not to burst into tears....and it was even harder to put the shirt in the washing machine....knowing it won't have that scent for a while...

Part of the time in Uganda was spent at a game park that was famous for their hippos...so naturally we saw quite a few.

There is also fishing!! The park is on the Nile river and we did our best to catch some Nile Perch. I don't know what I was expecting....but those fish are huge!! I caught the biggest fish of my life...and it was one of the small ones of the day...craziness!!

This kid did pretty good too.

Right before my parents arrived...I got to raft the Nile again. The river has changed a little because of a dam that was built....but it was still so much fun. There are more details on the first time down the river here.

After Uganda....I ventured over to Kenya and met up with some friends there.....It was so good to see people who are living similar lives. We swapped stories, ate great food....and pretty much partied. It was awesome!!

Did some hiking...here's me mid jump

Overlooking the Rift Valley....told ya East Africa is awesome

We camped out for a safari

The breakfast nook

so many giraffes!!

Are you kidding me...a whole elephant family?!?!?

sitting pretty

at the Tanzania/Kenya border

us being us....don't be too jealous

Clearly I was excited about everything

We were all pretty excited actually

Typical "we're really cool" pic

 It's fun to have friends. It's fun to have friends all over the world. It's fun to meet up with those friends in amazing places. I highly recommend an African Adventure to anyone....watch out though...you might get hooked.

Surviving a snowstorm....in the desert

So the past few days here have looked a little like this:

Crazy right?? I mean, when the forecast said snow, I thought...awesome...a dusting...which will close things for maybe a day (just like it does eastern NC). I never thought I would be stuck indoors for 3 whole days....with the most snow this area has seen in 50 years. Lucky me I guess?? Well I've learned some things in these past few days of snow, so I've decided to provide a sort of survival guide....just in case you ever find yourself in the middle of the most snow the desert has seen in years...

 

Have some play time...I mean come on...snow angels will make anyone feel better

Make a snowman that fits in with the culture....even if you can only find enough materials for one eye

An electric kettle and hot water bottle are you friends. They are dear friends that make you hot drinks and keep your feet warm. You will never forget them.

Dress in layers. It's way better that way...even if you look ridiculous

And if all else fails....wear a blanket as a cape!

Ok, I hope these are some helpful hints that will be useful in the future. This NC girl has seen enough snow for quite a long time. Happy future snow days everyone.

Birthday in Pictures

Sooooo turns out....changing front numbers meant a pretty awesome weekend. Thanks to all of you who were a part of it. Honestly, yall are awesome and I felt super loved. Here are some pictures of the fun times:

It started by heading downtown to pick up a bday package...and no...I am not above making a lady with a small child carry my box around. 

 

 

 

And it was filled with all kinds of awesome!!

This was my last meal as a twenty something...I mean you gotta go out in style.

I woke up on bday morning to several friends from around the world that I written out the "30 things" they love about me. I laughed and cried all at the same time.

My proudest moment was that almost all the lists included my dance moves...oh yea!

Some "friends" decided to be cute and give me some essentials for getting older

We spent part of the weekend camping out in the desert....which was clearly awesome.

 

Yep, that's me standing on that really tall rock....aren't you proud mom?!

And the views didn't hurt at all.

And if you know me at all, you know that birthdays must include cupcakes.

All in all, it was a great weekend. Once again, I am way undeserving of the awesome friends I have. Thanks again everyone. It was a birthday to remember.

Changing Front Numbers

     Sooooo I'm officially in my last month of being a twenty-something. I have mourned this for a really long time. I didn't even let myself have that much fun last birthday because I new this moment was coming. I think one of the reasons I've had such a hard time with it is because my twenties have been so. much. fun. Seriously...I have had a blast!! Don't get me wrong, some of that hardest things I've ever had to go through have happened with a 2 in front of my age, but for the most part, they have been great. I think deep down, I'm afraid it won't be this fun anymore. I've been able to see so many parts of the world...and let me tell you....I have the best friends on the planet. I'm serious....you need to meet my friends...they will change your life. As you know....I'm pretty restless so I don't stay in one spot too long...but the Lord has been faithful to bring me friends wherever I am...not just mediocre friends....but amazing ones. To all who have been a part of those fun times (you know who you are), thanks for helping make me the person I am today. I could not have done any of this without you...seriously...I could not ask for better people to share life with.
    I think another reason I've been so sad about it is that I use to feel sorry for people who got to this age (I'm still not really saying the actual age out loud), and certain things hadn't happened for them. Anybody know what I'm talking about?? Well anyways, thankfully, the Lord proves faithful again. The past few weeks I've been really encouraged about changing front numbers. And that encouragement has come from some pretty unexpected places.  First of all, those awesome friends I always talk about have been great. They support me and call me out when I'm being far too obsessive about a stupid number. I just found an article by Olivia Wilde who is an actress. Now be forewarned... some of this article is slightly inappropriate, but the rest of it is hilarious and awesome. She calls turning 30 the "stop the BS and start being awesome" phase. I'm gonna be honest...it was the first time I've actually been pumped up about turning 30 (yikes...I still don't really like the way it sounds).
    In all seriousness, my life has turned out far better than I could have imagined. Through the ups and downs, and hopes and disappointments....the Lord has given me good things....better things than I even knew to ask for. There are still days when I'm a brat, and want "things" that most 30-somethings have. But lets be honest....heaven help the man that decides to spend the rest of his life with me, if he even exists....because I am ridiculous...true story. So here's to trusting in the good that is continually provided for me....and struggling well to trust that it is all the good I need....because it is!! And here's to quitting the BS and starting (well lets be honest, continuing) to be awesome.

Fall Reading List

    So in school, I was never a fan of reading. I think it was the whole...I'm feeling "forced to read something" thing. My rebel heart just wanted to yell Noooo! That, and I would rather be playing volleyball. I was a frequent buyer of Cliff Notes (thanks cliff...I owe you big time). And would always pray to do reports on the main characters because it was easier to get information on them without reading the book. I know, I may be ruining your image of me....but it's the truth people- vulnerability.
    I have rebelled against required reading in all levels of my education, but as soon as the semester was over, I was always excited to pick up a book that I chose myself. I know....it's super selfish...but I like books that I get to choose. I'm including the last few books that I've read. You are not required to read them...but some of them are pretty good. You can curl up with a pumpkin spice latte, a soft blanket, and enjoy some reading while watching the leaves change...man I love fall!! Anyways, enjoy:

 

  Ok say what you want...I'm a fan of Tim. I have pulled for the teams he's played on...and I hope he gets a job. This book was a little more about the play by plays of every one of his college games than I thought...but it was informative nonetheless...annnd it had that fun section in the middle of pictures. Side note...he also loves dogs (check!)

                                     

    Tara Leigh Cobble has written several books....and let me tell ya....she gets me. She usually writes about a big event in her life (ex. moving somewhere) and tells about what she learned and how she's changed. I feel like we could be friends...like serious friends. In this book she talks about the prison garb we all tend to still wear even though we have already received freedom in Christ. It. Is. Good. Simple as that. You've done it again Tara Leigh.

 

  7 tells about one woman's (Jen Hatmaker) journey to simply her life. She takes one month to focus on certain areas. One month she only ate 7 types of food, and another she wore only 7 articles of clothing. She talks about the struggles that go along with major habit changes and the things she's learned. It's a challenging book and better yet....she's hilarious.....like laugh out loud hilarious. And...she has a blog! 

 

  Ok....I know...I'm waaaayyy late to hop on this train....but I'm reading Harry Potter people. I feel like it's a big commitment. I mean...its a seven book series...yikes. But trusted friends have all but "required" this so I can watch the movies with them after I finish each book. That's right....I've never even seen the movies...did I just loose cool points?....I still own hipster glasses....does that help?? So far so good. It's an easy read and an fun story.

   Well that's all I got so far. Hopefully my reading list can be a more scheduled thing on the blog. I'm sure you are dying to read everything I am...ha! Anyways...if you have some time, and you need a fun read....try one of these...and if you hate it....don't tell me. Have a great day!!

Sweet Gems of the New Place

So I've moved....again, which means a new neighborhood, new people to meet, new adventures awaiting, and a new apt to live in. This new apt has a roof, tv, beds, a kitchen....all the normal things for which I am very thankful. There are, however, some different things about this place that are absolutely awesome...

First of all, the view! I can see this while I'm sitting in my living room...the sun changes the lighting throughout the day...it hasn't gotten old yet.

Every window has these shades that roll up and down...they will literally black out a room so the sun doesn't wake you up. It. Is. Amazing. I can't even tell what time it is in the morning when I wake up. This makes for awesome sleeping in days....but unfortunately its extra hard to pry myself out of bed.

Sometimes, your water runs out...that's just the way it is...but when it does, this guy comes with his water trunk and pumps a whole bunch into your tank....it's awesome.

I was even recruited to help hold the hose on the roof....which was actually a little more challenging that I'm making it look...new skill #1836384

This...by far...is my favorite thing in the apartment. I tell other people about this gem, and they just kinda look at me funny, but I refuse to be ashamed of my deep love of the water cooler. This beautiful contraption provides cold water all the time. All. The. Time. We are not in Northern Africa any more ladies and gentleman. I get excited every time. Every time I put a cup under the dispenser for water...it comes out cold...it's the little things people...and this "little" thing...is a BIG thing, believe me. Not only that...but when you run out of bottles....you just call a number and more are delivered...genius!
   Needless to say...my apartment is awesome and full of surprises...and cold water. Hopefully more apt gems will show themselves in the future.