Monday, June 30, 2008

New Computer!!


Well, my job is going really well at the churches and I am loving it!  Today I came in quite early... I tried to get here by 7am however it was more like 7:30 before I made it.  The reason for wanting to be this early... my new computer was ready!!  I have been working from a PowerBook G4 since I started as a contractor however as a full time employee I have been upgraded to a MacBook Pro!!  I will miss the condensed size of the G4 but am loving the capabilities of this new laptop!

One of my favorite new features... a built in camera!!


Say hello!!

Sunday, June 29, 2008

First Sunday!

And have I been busy... but I love it!!  This is my first Sunday working for Buckhead Church... and how wonderful that they let me go to a service.  It has been so long (about 8 months) since I have been able to attend a service on site here!!  In some ways it feels like I have been gone forever... in other ways it feels as though I never left.  It felt good to be in the auditorium for a service instead of behind this Mac!!

Russelpooluza Pictures!

So, I was only in 1 picture from Russelpooluza but here it is:


Check out the rest of the pictures here!!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Bright Futures


This morning I went with my friend Amy and her boyfriend Adam to Bright Futures to volunteer.  Both Amy and Adam had volunteered here in the past thru Buckhead Church and they really enjoyed it.  They picked me up and we headed over.  I wasn't sure what to expect but I had a great time!!  When we got there the director told us a little bit about the camp... basically its designed to bring hope to the inner-city youth of Atlanta.  That's a mission I can get on board with!!   


There were many different jobs however Amy and I were commissioned to re-stain the deck you see in the picture above.  Unfortunately we don't have a before and after picture because the stain job looks amazing!!  We rocked it out!

Russelpooluza

I had a fabulous Friday off!!  I started the day by eating breakfast before going to the roof to sun bath.  Once the clouds started rolling in I moved myself down to the workout room and got myself in shape.  After cleaning up and eating lunch I moved over to Atlantic Station to discuss an issue I am having with my glasses and check out the new H&M.  I was disappointed with both. Maybe H&M was just too crowded or maybe I was just not in the mood to shop (shock of all shocks) but I didn't find anything that I really fell in love with.

Since there wasn't anything to really check out, I went back home for dinner and to freshen up to go out for the evening.  I started out the night by going to Tangela's going away from Cbeyond party.  She and I worked together and she also found a new place of employment so a group of us had a few drinks at Applebee's to celebrate.  Tangela took a few pictures so if they are sent to me I will add them to the blog.



After Applebee's I headed over to the Highlands to help Marcus celebrate the birthday of one of his friends from his community group... Russel (hence Russel-pooluza).  We had a ton of fun at Diesel and I met a ton of new people.  It's been so long since I have gone out at been social... lately every time I go out its just with all my friends, which I love to do but from time to time its good to meet new people.  I had a blast!!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Flicks on Fifth

So last night I went with Mariah, Lynette, Chris -- Lynette's boyfriend, and Chris -- Mariah's friend to Steel for free sushi again.  I generally get 2 kinds of sushi but last night I ate three... and the third must have had lactose in it cause my stomach cramped right up!  And mine was the only one.  Now I know I have to be careful with what is put in my maki rolls!

Stomach ache and all, Mariah and I headed over to Flicks on Fifth to watch the Bourne Ultimatum.  We stayed thru most of it and I love seeing free movies with a ton of other people... they clap and scream at the screen!!  Its so exciting!!

Tonight Marcus and Mariah are coming over to eat dinner on the roof... as long as it doesn't rain!!  I need to start making my part (vegetable rice) pretty soon!!

First full week in!!

I have my first full week in at North Point and I am sooo excited for this opportunity still!  I am learning a little bit of what is expected of me and it seems like such a good challenge.  Today is my Friday so I work Sunday thru Thursday.  

I start my next week on Sunday and I get to work at Buckhead Church.  Then on Monday we are going off-site for our admin retreat.  I found out we will be going to the Ritz Carlton at Lake Oconee.  I know we will be extremely busy but I also know it will be a ton of fun!!  I can't wait.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Shack, Revisited

William P. Young, the author of the Shack, visited 7|22 -- a gathering for post-graduate Atlanta singles at Buckhead Church --  last night.  I have to tell you, I thought the book was amazing, and now I think that Mr. Young is as well.  He was more authentic than anyone I have ever meet.

One of the fabulous things about 7|22 is that they post all of the messages online... you have to check them out!!


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Consumerism

I found this to be quite interesting...

Maybe you will too!!


Vacation was wonderful!!

I need more time to tell you how it all went but I wanted to throw a quick update in here!!  I had the most fun hanging out with my parents this week!!  We went to two baseball games... one was for my cousin Brennan and one was for Colton.  While there I was able to see my Grandma and Grandpa E, Aunt Dawn, Uncle Scott, and Dave!  It was great!!  

Food was wonderful too!!  We at at Zender's one day, I had a ton of Slurpees, got a vegan pizza at Tommy V's (which my parents loved by the way), and I ate SMORES!! Couldn't ask for more than that!!

We also went to the B93 Birthday Bash and spent 2 days listening to country music! It was fun... and I got to spend some time with Marie, Adam, Uncle Rogor, Kelly, Aunt Linda, Mikey, Amy, Shanna, Grandma P, and Josh!  We had a blast!!

I am now on my second day at the new job and I am loving it!!  Ok, back to work...

Monday, June 16, 2008

Last Day!!

Today is my last day working for Cbeyond!! Tomorrow I get to fly home to see my family.

Big sigh of relief!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Flight Info!!!

I am lucky enough to go to Michigan on Tuesday and I am so excited to get to go!  I can't wait to see family and I am trying to remember what a Michigan summer feels like!!  Heh!  For those who want to be in the know... my flight info is as follows:

    June 17, 2008, Flight 253 [Non-Stop]
    Departing Atlanta, GA (ATL) at 12:20 PM
    Arriving Flint, MI (FNT) at 02:12 PM

    June 22, 2008, Flight 256 [Non-Stop]
    Departing Flint, MI (FNT) at 05:44 PM
    Arriving Atlanta, GA (ATL) at 07:50 


Counting down the hours...

See you soon!!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Retreat Photos!!

We have photos!! Check them out here!!

For Sale

Wanna see where I live?? Well, it is for sale and I found the listing online so check it out.  Its such a beautiful place and I totally wish I could afford it... nonetheless its a great place to live for now!




Sunday, June 08, 2008

Mission Trip Retreat - Camp Highland

Oh what a fun, exhausting, exhilarating weekend we just had!!  The Slovakia mission trip team just went on a team building retreat to Camp Highland in Ellijay, Georgia.  We left from Buckhead Church at 6:00pm, stopping to have dinner across the street at On The Boarder.  After dinner we headed up to Camp Highland and arrived around 9pm.  I rode with Laura and we had a great time getting to know each other a little bit better.  

Camp Highland is a summer camp and everything is all outdoors... I wanted to preface the rest with this just so you understand the following:  there was no air-conditioning, we were outside almost the entire time, and we are in Georgia (aka humid as all can be and even at night it didn't get below 85 degrees --  during the day on Saturday it was mid-90's).  This is an added element to everything that we did!  But with everyone sweaty and gross we used the opportunity to let our guards down even further.  It was amazing!!

I figured that since we arrived so late we would just put our bags away and maybe have an 'around-the-campfire' type of event.  I was so wrong.

They gathered us all up, threw us in the back of a military type truck, and we went to the first team build event.... a huge swing 30 feet in the air.  One person would get harnessed up to a rope, the rest of the team would pull the rope so that the harnessed person would go to the top of a 30 foot pole, then the harnessed person would have to let go of their rope and they would swing out over a huge cliff.  Granted it was pretty dark but it was still a little scary.   All that you could see was what was available via flashlight.  Of course I went 2nd to last, was so nervous from watching everyone else go that when it was my turn I let out a blood-curdling scream as I let go!  It was soooooo much fun!  And it was great for us to start working together as a group.

After the swing we stopped by the main cabin for dessert before heading to bed around 1am.

The next morning we awoke to breakfast served around 8am and then headed back out for more team building.  The first event was a rope course.  The rope was a tangled mess around knee height and we had to get the entire group from one end of the rope course to the other, we had to step thru the course without hitting a rope, and if you hit the rope you were frozen where you hit it making someone have to come thru the course to rescue you.  To begin, we decided to each go thru individually, two people made it safely thru before I attempted the course.  And on the first step I hit the rope!  After that it was down-hill from there and we managed to get everyone caught in the course.  We were allowed a reset, came up with a new plan (that the 'weakest link,' aka me, would go thru first and then if I got stuck someone would come behind and rescue me).  I got about half way before hitting a rope.  The team lead, Tim, came thru and rescued me.  We found during the rescue that the course was soooo much easier when done in pairs.  We could support each other, balance each other, and hold each other up.  Once we realized that, everyone went thru in pairs with the rest of the teammates coaching from the sideline.  This time we made it all on the first try!!

After a discussion on what we learned and how we can apply what we learned to the group, to the mission trip and to Christianity we went onto the second team building event of the day... the 12 foot wall.

We had to climb a 12 foot wall using only each other.  This time we worked much better as a team. We put a plan of action together and got one of the ladies (Ashley) up the wall.  We found that our original plan needed adjusting and we adjusted after each person was on the wall.  We worked very well as a team and on the first attempt we were able to get everyone over the wall!  It was a lot of work and by the end we were all tired!!

After a discussion on what we learned and how we can apply what we learned to the group, to the mission trip and to Christianity we went onto the third team building event of the day...    lower ropes course.

We had a tight rope about knee height from the ground going between about 7 different trees.  We had to work together as a team to get everyone across the rope and to touch the last tree.  As a team we decided to try to snake everyone across the rope together by linking up as a long group.  We used each other as well as the trees to balance and we made it all the way to the last length before one person fell.  Once someone falls we have to start over.  By this time we are exhausted and hungry!  We have been working hard to balance, we have been chatting the entire time about what is not working and what is working, we have been pulling and pushing and gripping on each other to stay on the tight-rope and now we have to start over!!  After a regroup we tried again.  We made it to the exact same spot before someone fell again.  However this time we are too tired.  Its 2:30pm and we haven't ate since breakfast!  We decide as a group that if we really wanted to keep going it would take another 1/2 hour to an hour to figure out a solution that would work but we were fine with not passing this course.  We just wanted lunch!!

After lunch we went to the last course of the day... high ropes.  And they aren't kidding with the high ropes.  You do some of the craziest things imaginable about 30 feet in the air!  First we got all harnessed up and walked up to the first tree.  There were about 7 elements that you had to go thru and they each got more difficult as you went along.  On this one I knew that if I didn't go first I would get too nervous so I volunteered quickly to go first.

Element #1:  tight rope with 2 ropes on the side for your hands.  Since this is the first element the hardest part is knowing that this is the first element.  I was just beginning and when I looked down I could see how high up I really was.

Element #2:  wooden bridge.   I had to walk across a wooden bridge that is held up by 2 tight ropes and wooden planks that are set different lengths from each other.  There was no where for my hands to go and the bridge can be quite wobbly.  I am not too afraid of heights however the hardest part is actually picking up your feet.  It takes a lot of lower body strength to keep the bridge stable and every time you pick your feet up the bridge would move.  Scary!  I got to the point where I was saying 'I trust Jesus' on every step.  That I would be ok even though I was scared to pick up my feet.

Element #3:  tight-rope with 2 ropes attached in almost a x form.  I had to grab the first rope, go half-way down the tight-rope and pick up the 2nd rope.  Scary to reach out and grab at something when you are so unstable. 

Element #4:  A tight rope with another rope for your hands that is very droopy.  What I had to do was get the droopy rope as tight as possible before crossing.  I was so nervous and scared on this one that I had one of the camp counselors help hold the rope tight as I crossed.  I was not afraid to say that I needed help.

Element #5:  3 hanging logs.  There were 3 logs that had foot grips on them.  I had to grab the first log, pull it close to me, wrap my left leg around it, and then hold on for dear life while I let go of the platform and put my right foot on the second foot grip.  Then, once the log stopped swinging, I had to let go of the first log with my left hand, grab the 2nd log, wrap my foot around the second log, and go thru the process again on log 2.  Then again on log 3.  Knowing that I was just dangling from a log brought out a ton of fear!!

Element #6:  3 hanging ropes.  The next element had a tight rope with 3 hanging ropes across them.  You had to walk on the tight rope, grip the 1st rope, keep it tight as you walked to the 2nd rope, then let go of the first rope, tightened the 2nd rope, walk to the 3rd, and do the same process all over again.  This was the scariest one for me.  I had the hardest time mentally with this element and I had to really focus on getting across and on nothing else!  Luckily I was able to also hold my safety harness and use that to balance as well.

Element #7:  wooden planks.  There were 4 wooden planks hanging from 2 tight ropes.  The planks were about the size of a balance beam (from gymnastics) and they were very swingy.  I had to use the tight rope that was able to hold myself up with my arms while scooting my feet along the wooden planks.  Once I got to the end of one I had to stable myself, grip the 2nd tight rope, move my feet from wooden plank 1 to wooden plank 2, and then do the same thing 3 more times.  The hardest part about this was that I was already physically and mentally exhausted.  I was drained, I was sweating profusely, I knew it was the last one, and I just didn't want to do it!!  Hehe!  But I made it across and I felt so accomplished!!

The final part was a zip line.  They got me all harnessed in and this was the easiest of them all.  The only hard part was leaving the platform, knowing that you are safe when you jump however still having all the built up fear from the rest of the course.  It took a minute for me to jump but once I did it was a fun ride!!

By the end we were all exhausted but had gotten soooooo much closer.  We stopped by the shower and then headed back home.  We mixed up the car rides a little bit and we were able to chat some more to get to know more about each other.  We stopped at Zaxby's for a quick meal.  
Sherry took a few pictures of all the events so if I am able to get those from here I will add them all here.  Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera!!  I will have to remember it for Slovakia!!

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Up and Coming

So, this should be the last post for today (was it enough, did I make up for the lack of recent posts??).

Here is what my life has in store for the next few weeks... so if I don't post again for a little bit, here is why!

Tonight I am hanging out with Marcus, a new friend Mariah, and her friend TC at Steel.  They are doing free sushi night and I am all excited.   Afterwards we are going to take a bottle (or 2) of wine up on the roof and we will enjoy the view of Atlanta at night.  This is one of my newest most-favorite things!!

Tomorrow I am doing dinner with my friend and old small group leader Susan.  We are getting together to celebrate my new job!!

Friday I am having brunch with Terrance before heading up to North Georgia for a Mission Trip Retreat.  This is an overnight event geared to force us to get personal.  Its a phenomenal opportunity that we get to get away before going away. 

Sunday after work I am hanging out with VJ.

Next week:

Monday is small group night.

Tuesday so far is open, however I doubt it will stay that way!!

Wednesday I have my normal SATC girls night!

Friday I am going to Cbeyond to do a good-bye lunch for a few people, including myself.  There are quite a few people who are leaving my department in the next week so they are doing one big lunch.

I work my normal shift over the weekend.

Monday, June 16, 2008 is my last working day at Cbeyond.

Tuesday I fly out of the ATL and back to Michigan!!  I have an opportunity to spend Tuesday thru Sunday in Michigan with my family... you know I will not be passing that up!  I am excited to see everyone and I just know the time will fly by!

Then on Monday I start my new job!! Please continue to pray for me in the next few weeks of my life... as always... I will need it!!

Two Weeks!!!

I put in my two week notice at Cbeyond yesterday!!  How exited was I!! Don't get me wrong... I had many excellent opportunities there and met some extremely amazing people however I have been ready to move on for quite some time.  And, I think I will be in a job that I will love!

I have been hired on full time at North Point Ministries as a Customer Technology Liaison.  I will be working I.T. related issues (i.e. fixing computers, working ont he network, etc) however my main job functions will be project management and contractor management.  I have never managed anyone before and I have been giving this awesome opportunity to get my hands dirty in a new way!  I am so excited to start the new job.  Keep up with updates here!!

New Place!!


While we are on the subject of Angela... I thought I would show you my new place!!  Well, at leas the view from the deck of the new place!!



Check out the pictures!!

Ok, I am all moved in and loving it!  I can't believe the difference between here and my last place.  You know how sometimes you don't realize how bad things are until you step away from the situation.  Yea, I thought I knew how bad it was living at the Heights At Lenox (i.e.. hell) however its even more understandable now!  

I praise God every day that I am able to stay here for however long He lets me!!

Angela's Birthday Party

So, here was one of the many events that I have attended in the past couple of weeks.  I should have taken these off my camera a while back however just never seemed to find the time.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ANGELA!!

We had a blast hanging out and eating tapas for Angela's birthday.  We went to the same restaurant I had gone to for my birthday (however the name is escaping me right now) but it was ooooohhh so fun!


Lonnnng time!!

So, it has been forever.  Yes, this I know.  And today I am about to create a few posts to inform you as to why it has been so long.  I could have put them all in one post, however it would be much harder to label.  LOL!