23

I'm already failing at this whole photo-a-day thing... I'll try to do better, honest.

Just as I was getting used to saying I'm 22, I turn 23. Goodness. What a great day, though. One of the lovely ladies here had invited Mom and I to have lunch and hang out, a "get to know your Mom" time... little did I know, they had actually planned a whole party for me and another January birthday girl. It was so sweet of them, especially considering i didn't think I would get to see some of them that day.

Afterwards, we had our house gathering, and the four of us went out to dinner and came back for a game of Cranium, which Mom and I won, thank you. :)

I'm not one to make my birthday a big deal; in fact, I don't like it to be so. When others go out of their way, though, to make it special and to be able to celebrate together... I'm touched and so, so thankful for those He's placed in my life.

 

 

The English birthday singing may have not turned out so well... but they rocked the local version!

 

she's here!

A year and three months later, I am reunited with my beautiful momma!! She wouldn't let me take any photos of her the first day, which is why I'm just now getting around to posting some. And by some, I mean two. Internet's slow. I'm wiped. More later.

 

I'm so proud of her. She not only traveled across the world by herself, she has also been so willing to try new things, including but not limited to cold bucket baths and riding on the back of my motorcycle through crazy traffic. She kept her eyes open the whole time and wasn't scared at all (excluding the one time a guy was just sitting out in the middle of the road, but I think that was more out of shock than fear). I have a wonderful mom.

 

My goodness... Where to start! I am blessed beyond measure, in addition to well-stocked on Honey Nut Cheerios, Clif bars, and chocolate-covered raisins! Thank you, Freedom Realty! And thanks so much to those of you who sent Christmas and birthday gifts! They were such sweet surprises. Seriously. Man, I love you all tremendously and am so, so grateful. Once again, thank you.

coffeeshops and grocery shopping

Can you believe that in less than 36 hours, I will be meeting my mom?? It seriously feels like just yesterday I was on the phone, squealing and jumping up and down in excitement after finding out she was coming. Tomorrow morning, I leave for the capital since she gets in so early the next morning (which also means no updates until after we get back). 

Today was spent, well, getting things ready. I finalized some bookings for our side trip, filed some budget items, bought groceries, cleaned... and I also got to talk to some friends via skype and, earlier, on the phone. Thank you, Lord, for technology and great friends.

 

I usually skype at this lovely coffeeshop/bakery, as their internet is one of the best in the city (though still not 100% reliable). Plus, it's quiet and there aren't a lot of people staring or wanting photos - a great hideaway. The owners know me and my typical order: iced sweet tea.

 

This is what roughly $50 will buy you at our grocery store (the Diet Coke's for Mom). I don't even remember what $50 will buy you in the States... Some of these are the more expensive items. Apples are one of the more expensive fruits, as they're imported, and meat prepackaged is a bit more too than if you went to a traditional market. Markets still overwhelm me at times, but I do go to one for fresh fruits - a photo for another day.

Transporting all of this on a motorcycle is quite tricky as well. I have to use a basket in the store to limit how much I buy; otherwise, I have no way of getting it home, ha. This time I brought my big backpack with me and fit most of it in there. Other times I've had to delicately balance it in front of me and drive with my legs sticking out... Quite a sight, I'm sure, ha!

paint day

After two long days of painting, it is finished! No more hospital-white walls! Let there be color!

 

In case you didn't notice in the previous house photos, we are oh so lucky to have pink tiles all throughout the house. Pink? Really? (sigh) This made picking a color a little difficult. Some friends (who also so graciously helped paint) picked out this color! A nice olive green. The other walls are the same tan color as in my bedroom. It's amazing what a little bit of color can do to a space.

 

 

The second bedroom. We went fun with this one. When we saw this on the card, we described it as in the blue family. The swatch on the paint can, however, looked unnervingly like black. Pouring it in the paint tray, it looked purpleish. And now, in the photo, navy blue. Basically, depending on the light and the angle, it can be a variety of colors. The other walls are "Sandstone," a more cool version of the tan.

 

While painting that bedroom, we ran out of sandstone with just a little bit of the last wall left. Since it was a "special" color, you couldn't buy just a small can of it; you had to buy the gallon. So, we had nearly an entire can left. Inspiration! Paint the bathroom!  

 

Aaand I loved the olive wall so much, I thought I'd paint a wall in my room as well. It ties the room in really well, although it's hard to tell in the photo. I kinda, uh, ran out of paint, though, so the wall behind my bed may still be the tan color... 

There. Now the house is all pretty for Momma. Just in time. :)