I guess I have a dog.  At least that's what a guy in my English class helped me "realize" yesterday.  One of my life goals is to help people.  That's why I want to be a social worker.  I also want people to know the Jesus that I know - the Jesus who has a soft heart for people and is accepting of much more "messiness" than most of us Christians are, the Jesus who offers complete freedom, and joy bigger than a house, especially my house.  Anyways, this guy I've gotten to know in English is very different than anyone I would have expected to "befriend," but I love that.  He's wasted the past six years of his life, and is now back in school trying to make something meaningful out of his life.  We talk a lot when we're supposed to be working on our papers, and the current essay we're assigned to write is on our life goals.  This started our conversation yesterday as he informed me that all he wants is a "car, a house, and a dog."  Those are the only things he needs to be happy.  He's hurt other people in his past, and isn't too interested in getting too deep into relationships of any sort at this point of his life.  A "car, a house and a dog" will be enough to bring him fulfillment.  He asked me what I want to do with my life, and so I started telling him of my aspirations just to help people, to make a difference in this world.  I told him that I want to live a simple life and shop at Aldi so I can also be a generous person.  I told him of the One Thing that brings me the most fulfillment in my life, and how I want other people to know that same fulfillment that I've found.  He asked me if I thought there was anything wrong with wanting a "car, a house and a dog," and I tried to explain that of course, I want to have those things too (minus the dog part), but I guess they just aren't my ultimate goals.  He was thinking I could tell, and finally concluded, "So, I guess you wanting to help people is like having a dog."  Uh, yeah, I guess it is...

I've been deceived all day.  I've been thinking about my cousin Peter's birthday and how I wanted to call him and wish him a happy birthday.  I did, and realized I am definitely a day behind.  I had Peter's birthday right, but today is mostly not the 12th.  Happy birthday anyway...

Transition seems to be the current theme of my life, it seems as though everything is changing.  I have a new apartment, I'm starting school again, I'm adjusting to being "responsible" and living on my own, and uh, I hope someday very soon I will have a new job.  We're slowly getting settled into our little place, we have some furniture now and can have people over.  This makes me happy. 

I'm discovering more and more how much my little world revolves around the need for people.  I'm looking for a job that allows me to interact with people at work, and also with hours that leaves me some time for friends outside of work.  I'm looking for a church/small group that I can get connected with the people, my major involves studying people... And the most vivid reminder of how I can be different from some people in this area came from my aforementioned phone conversation with Peter just a little while ago.  He (at 10pm) was recalling the amount of words he had spoken throughout the day, and this included greeting someone on the street, a 30 second phone conversation with someone else, and that was all until I rescued him from his prison of silence.  This is way beyond my comprehension.  Good thing we're not all built the same.  I've also been thinking of this more since my roomie Karen left for the weekend.  I think I would invite the neighbors over every day for cookies if I lived alone. 

I have an interesting bed.  It could be classified in the high rise section.  I purchased a day bed to replace my air mattress, which was a nice improvement.  I bought a box springs and mattress with it, but discovered that when I put it all together, it looks more like a wanna-be top bunk of a bunk bed.  The frame sits fairly high off the ground, and I'm pretty sure it was made for one mattress, not for two separate pieces of mattresses.  So, if anyone is in need of a box springs, I might be able to hook you up.

I'm loving the NFL playoffs.  Well, except for the part of the Chiefs immediately choking.  But there are some pretty intense games going on begging for a couch, blanket and spectator (*myself for example). 

Okay, this is long and random enough for today... I'm sorry if you actually made it this far. 

 

 

 Dale and Natasha Nisly 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                     Jevon and Tasha - I'll just be the proud aunt, please. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, they're married.  And happy.  And currently in Mexico.  This counts as a fun day on my calendar.  And now I have a new sister.  More pics can be found on my facebook.