January 31, 2005
no lights
After a beautiful sleet storm here in Atl., we've been out of electricy 3 times. Sat for 3 hours, all day sunday (they turned on by 9pm), and again this morning. i think we're now getting used to it. everyone has offered a place to stay if we get too cold. we just keep forgetting how much we use electricity. we'll check the weather on the radio..... we need to iron..... we'll make coffee...., well, we'll use french press then we only need the stove, oh yeah, we grind our beans..... it's been fun.
yesterday in the Ney York Times, (A SUNDAY newspaper, that's impressive) There is an article intitiled:
U.S. Is Close to Eliminating AIDS in Infants, Officials Say
By MARC SANTORA
It's free to sign up, then search for santora if you're interested.
January 27, 2005
my jobs
This week has been quite a week. I have been more than excited about my cdc work and classes, but a little overwhelmed also.
Two days ago that cdc had a meeting (~25 people of which i was invited). We sat around a round table, with Geneva and Kenya WHO and GAP people calling in conference call. As we went around the table, i realized that I was the little man in the group. No MD, No PhD, No Project Director, Coordinator, Chair, etc, etc. It was a bit intimidating and all i did was listen in anticipation. They had to make a very serious decision on an FDA advisory that just came out on a drug being used in their Kenya trial (yes, the trial that I am supposed to be joining this summer). It was an intense conversation on morals and values. interesting to watch the government hash out the repercussions and cost benefits of their decision.
Since then I have been asked to serve as the interim project coordinator for our NY/ DC study. It's a big role being given to a small person...i think they might be desperate. I'm very excited, but a little scared about school and this.
Other than this, tim is doing great (missed a little of his class this morning..sleeping). He loves his classes. We're going to go to a wine tasting at frogtown this weekend, i'm very excited!
January 22, 2005
boys will be boys
Over the past few weeks, tim and i have been reflecting on the wonderful blessings of our friends. We've really been thankful for our friends that have been such an inspiration and support, making us see more our sins and ever more Christ's love.
Today's pictures are of one such couple who came and visited us in atl. last week. Em and Phil (e.g. Al) came into town last weekend, enjoying a wonderful sunny weekend of great breakfasts, wine, and art (High museum). My only ones developed are of their wedding (last May) but seemed appropriate at this time. Mesh, you look great!
Speaking of weddings, Dave and Meadow are (finally) engaged!!!! It was very enjoyable to be part of the decoy for the proposal, seeing how we always have coffee Friday mornings. These are another two that have been a great blessing to Atl and our growth.
This might seem like a shock, but next week a girl from my church (Katrina) and I are probably going to go to the shooting range with her gun (i have NO idea what type). I am known, and WANT to be known, as someone who finds no need to own a gun and have it in my house. I wish and hope that they would only be used for sport and dexterity, rather than death and war. I don't usually like things like this. I think some (andy) are a bit shocked at how i can be supportive of tim's 'tae kwon do' and shooting range, and yet abhor many of these violent stereotypes. I am currently reading "Wild at Heart" which raves about the idea that men will be men, and we should let them be dangerous and adventurous...their true hearts. It seems like a load of crap to me!!!! Even more than his initial statements about how boys should be raised (all things which I will NOT let them do…own a toy gun, have a gun in the home, hit back, etc….it infuriates me that the author seems to insinuate that G-d is this way also (dangerous, spontaneous and adventurous)…seemly close to heresy if you ask me (i have ref. if you'd like!). None the less, Katrina and I will have a lot of fun I’m sure. We’ve loved getting to know she and Camillo.
January 19, 2005
christmas update
I'm dying to put some pictures from out vacation up on the web. Unfortunately I do not have a scanner to do so. We had an absolutely wonderful christmas. I think we decided that both being students, we were going to enjoy our ENTIRE break.
We began by going to visit Megan and Andy in Chatt. Just a quick hello! After which we drove down to G'ville for Tony and Jen Cordova's wedding. It was really really nice to see them.....and sooo sooo happy. My family had a week with us in G'ville looking for houses (car), seeing old family friends (hartman's, coe's, mcginley's, smith's, etc). It was really enjoyable and relaxing.
We flew to Pitt. to have christmas with the new baby, Niamh and her family. A trip that should have taken 4 hours, took about 12. Christmas was cold (oh, so lovely) and it even snowed the 26th. Our christmas week there was filled with working on their house (which is coming along wonderfully), and family time, cooking, quilting, reading, and beer making. Tim and my new hobbie will hopefully be beer making! (what joy!)
tim and i then went back to g'ville. Spent the third (yes, i'm serious) new years eve with my parents. Traveled down to Orlando to spend time with Charlotte and Ryan Reeves, enlightened by many many ecclesiastical conversations. This began our journey of florida, down to the Keys. We stopped in Megan's home town of Stuart FL and enjoyed the company of her mother and the most wonderful food at 11 Maple St. (I love Margie and Mike!! Megan, you are soo lucky)
they keys were amazing. 5 days of turquoise water, pink and orange skies, and buildings with the same colors that reflect their surroundings. Most of our campgrounds had us waking up looking over the beach and water. It was sooo relaxing, we couldn't have asked for anything more. It's the kind of place that you can just drive in a car the entire time and still enjoy yourself beyond belief.
We are now, somewhat unfortunately, back in Atl. It took some mustering up of strength to return to school, work, and of course the trouble of our whining dog (Prozac might be the answer). Tim has begun school and really enjoys it so far. I am presently working at the CDC until school starts. We are both looking into an opportunity in Africa this summer. Hopefully it will all work out well.