You know you are a Geek when…

5. You get really excited about iCloud support for your planning software.
4. You don’t understand why others don’t understand Dilbert.
3. You can quote the opening monologue from Star Trek the Next Generation.
2. You get excited when a teammate’s computer is having issues…aka a puzzle to solve.
1. You tell a 4-year-old that they first need to analyze it and then they should be able to solve the puzzle.  (What?  That’s what my dad told me to do…)

Ugly

Today was an ugly day. Girls, you know what I’m talking about. You just feel…ugly.

I walked down the street bound to my thoughts of ugliness. No makeup, a bad hair day, and frumpy clothes paraded as condemning thoughts, pointing their fingers and yelling, “Ugly!” Too mentally tired to argue, I accepted the verdict.

Then, a stranger on the street looked straight at me and yelled, “Beautiful!”

Want to read the rest?  Go to my new home: wanderwithlizzie.com

Full Blog: Ugly

I'm back! (kind of)

Have you ever dated someone for a long time and you knew that you either needed to break up or make a serious commitment?  Well, my blog and I reached that point.  We had been together for quite awhile, but we either needed to commit to each other or go our separate ways.  We decided to take a small break to sort it all out. 

During out time apart, I went crazy.  I would see things and start writing blogs in my head.  My brain quickly became incredibly cluttered with half-written blogs since I couldn't write them out.  I littered notes around the place to remind myself of ideas to write about later.  My keyboard would call out to me in the night begging me to write something.  My Facebook posts got longer and longer as I tried to use them as a replacement for blogging.

So, I'm giving up.  My blog and I...we're committing to each other.  However, I did ask it to make a few changes.  (We got a new address and refined our purpose a bit.)

New Blog: wanderwithlizzie.com

I think we are going to be very happy together... 

So...go to the new site, look around, and sign up for email updates!  You won't regret it, I guarantee it!  (I've been shopping for used cars...can you tell?)

Grief: The Lack of an Answer

At almost 27 years old, I have been to more funerals than some people twice my age.  People I know and love have been taken by cancer, disease, accidents, and suicide.  I have grieved, mourned, comforted, and been comforted.

Whenever people speak of grief, I always remember Mandy.  To this day, I still mourn the loss of such an amazing friend.  I struggle with understanding how she was older than me, but I have now lived longer than her.  I don’t understand how this can be…I don’t understand…

So, even after all this time, the question still rages through my consciousness.  “Why?”  Yes, I did and still do ask the question.  I’m not afraid.  WHY?!

It seems that I will never be granted an answer, but I will cling to my conviction.

He is Good…yes, He was, is, and will be Good.

As these words whisper through my head and my heart,
The conviction always becomes…
The Answer.

Closed...Please come again.

Dear Friends,

I'm closing my blog for a short time.  I haven't stopped writing...I'm actually writing quite a bit, but it's time for a break.  You see, I started this blog to take you with me on my adventures in China.  Well, my adventures are changing.  Therefore, my blog will need to change as I change.  I love to write, I love to tell stories, and I love to make people laugh.  However, those are not reasons to inflict my writing on meandering readers. So, as I re-focus I'm taking a blog-break.  I'll still be on FB offering some one-liners and I'm of course available via email. 

All that to say, I'll be back...in some form or another.

Thanks for reading,
Lizzie

Conversations

Email from brother Eric: Is Mom with you?
My Reply: No, she is not in China with me. She's in Guatemala with Amy.

Call from brother Chris: Where is that box of DVDs we packed?
My Reply: Chris, I am standing on the Great Wall of China...can this wait?

Email from Dad: I'm going to Moscow on business.  Could you hop over for a visit?
My Reply: Dad, that's a wee bit more than a hop.

Some conversations highlight just how NOT normal my family is...these are just a few.  (We've apparently gone International)

Another Top 5 List

Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Foreign Teacher in China

5. No day is ever the same! 
4. I celebrate American holidays AND Chinese holidays.  Basically, I'm celebrating   something every other week.
3. I'm always learning.  Living in a different culture daily challenges my worldview and teaches me new things.
2. Baking is literally part of my job.
1. My Students!  They make every day worth it!

2nd Majors!

Freshmen!