Chili Cook off....

Funny story. So there was this joke circulating around Jeremy's workplace about this guy from the Midwest who was recruited to judge a chili cook off. Anyhow, long story really short is that he couldn't handle the heat. They asked Jeremy if this was true about chili cook offs in Texas, and not only did he say that it was, but that his wife has won a chili cook off. This is a little known fact about me, and actually the truth is that I've won twice..... in the 2nd and 3rd grade (Jeremy left this detail out... and merely boasted me as an "award-winning chili chef"). My second and third grade classes had chili cook offs each year and I won them both. Although I got the credit, and can make the recipe myself, I guess it would be more accurate to say that my mom won cause let's face it, no grade schooler should be cutting jalapeños.

Anyhow, now his whole office knows and is expecting a very large batch of chili any day now. One of his co-workers even went as far as to get my personal email address and email me personally about his request for a chili lunch.

No worries, I can't back out, cause it was announced at the company wide state of the company meeting yesterday.

Sorry about the lack of blogging. I really do have some topics to write about, but it seems that everytime I'm in the mood for blogging about something serious and deep (haha), I'm really busy. So, to suffice for today, I'll list the topics that I mean to blog on just to make our readers salivate while they eagerly await our next post (haha... again). Here they are: my calling to social work, observations of some who think they are well-meaning at a planned parenthood picketing (I sure did think I left the part of the country where this occurs, but no), and politics. Yikes. Now maybe you see why I haven't sat down to those yet.

For now, I'm off to buy my final book for school, back to finish some homemade potato salad (Jeremy and I are going to BBQ tonight with another couple... I haven't had BBQ since I left Texas!), and tend to Billy. By the way, if you think about it, pray that Billy would be ok and that we wouldn't have a big medical bill coming. He did something to his leg and it is noticeably swollen. Poor guy.... he's really not acting like himself. We called our vet back in Texas and he said it would probably be ok to wait it out until Monday before going to the vet.

I've been tagged....

Kristin, you're lucky today cause I usually don't answer things like this. So, feel blessed (j/k)....

So here goes:

The Rules

1. Post the rules

2. List 8 random facts or habits about yourself.

3. If you are tagged, then you must Post the rules and list 8 random facts or habits about yourself.

4. After you post, tag people and let them know they must read your blog for the rules.


1. I find it incredibly amusing to talk back to Jeremy when he wakes me up from talking in his sleep. He doesn't wake up, but can carry on a conversation. The other night he was talking about drive shafts in cars.

2. Shamefully, I am addicted to iced coffee from Dunkin' Doughnuts. So, in order to make myself feel better about my unhealthy addiction, I'll order my drink with skim milk and splenda instead of cream and sugar. Toasted almond flavoring is my favorite thing in life other than God and Jeremy. Try going up to the counter next time and order a small toasted almond iced coffee with skim milk and splenda instead of cream and sugar and see if you don't feel silly.

3. On any random Friday or Saturday morning, you will find me at the Haymarket in Boston getting my fruits and vegetables. I love the market and bargaining atmosphere. It puts me in a happy mood all day. Just so you know, last week I got 4 lbs. of potatoes for $1, 2 lbs. of strawberries for $1, a pint of blueberries for $1, and 6 kiwi for $1.

4. I love to study so much that I'll study things in other areas of expertise just to say that I've read about such and such. I hate being nerdy, but the closer and closer that I get to going back to school the nerdier I'm becoming. It is rather scary. Jeremy has said that I know everything about everything, and that is embarrassing.

5. My favorite frozen treat is watermelon sorbet. The only place in the world that I've found it is Coldstone Creamery. It is especially good with a mix-in of fresh blueberries.

6.I have a very strange bedtime routine. I have to put chapstick on my lips and lotion on my feet and hands just prior to turning out the lights.

7. I have turned into a big Red Sox fan, so much so that it annoys Jeremy sometimes.

8. I peed my pants from laughter and made a small puddle in the Around the World Coke room at Disneyworld in the 9th grade. I was mortally embarrassed cause I was with this guy that I liked at the time. Sorry for the embarrassing fact, I couldn't come up with a good less embarrassing 8th fact, so I went with the really embarrassing one.

Tag you're it Lara and Laura. :)

Gotta love paying rent.....

No, but really.... I have come to really enjoy walking to go pay the rent and here's why. Interestingly, the place where we pay rent is just down the block from the hotel that we stayed in in March when Jeremy and I got our pre-moving exposure to Boston. I walk about 10 min from the T stop, and as I'm walking (the same walk as to and from the T in March) I just find myself reflecting on the journey God brought us on as he drew our hearts towards Boston. I think about how he grew our faith in increments, preparing us at each step for the step ahead. The walk reminds me His provisions for us, and how He continues to bless us. All in all, the walk causes me to pour out praise and be thankful.

Random thoughts on a rainy day...

Today is the first of what is supposed to be many rainy days in a row for us here in Boston. I find that I get excited about having rain in the summer in Boston as it keeps the temperature lower so that you can keep the windows open and the air conditioner off (that is unless it is a blowing rain and you then have to shut all the windows). Jeremy has started work this week, so he's busy with that during the day. He has a cubicle with a huge window that overlooks Boston Harbor. He works in the new "Seaport" area which is supposed to be the up and coming area of development in Boston. It really is quite pretty. So when he's taking a break, you'd find his face peering out the window at the navy ships, cruise boats, and airplanes. Me, I'm working about 10 hours a week watching kids for a stay at home mom so that she can go run her "errands." I make more doing this than I could working 20 hours/wk in retail. I have accepted an internship next year working in a long-term nursing and short term acute transitional facility called Deutches Altenheim. I'm excited about the change of pace that working with the elderly will give me. Plus, I'll be able to learn loads about medical charts, medications, post surgery rehab, etc.... which was a goal of mine and will hopefully serve me well as I move towards eventually working in a hospital.

Since I had some time I thought I'd write out a bit of what I've been thinking about lately. I think it will benefit me to write it out, and well for those who do keep up, you can either read it or stop reading and wait for a more light-hearted post.

I've been thinking a lot lately about a lot of things about Boston, what I believe, challenging things about this culture and refreshing things about this culture. I'll start with what I find is refreshing about the culture up here as I think that there is much that Christians and southerners alike could learn from the general goings-on. First, I am challenged by the kindness of Bostonians. I know that as a whole people up here aren't noted for this, but I'm really beginning to think that perhaps, people are just misunderstood or that a few bad apples ruins the whole bunch. First, there is our neighbor from Belarus who is always going out of her way to be kind to us, and generous (hello, she gave us and A/C). Every time I talk to her she remembers to inquire about Jeremy's and my job situation. She is genuinely concerned and her kind words were so encouraging in the time that we were without a job. She also remembers to ask about our family, our dogs, and any other thing that might have been mentioned in a previous conversation. I don't think I could ever stop listing the amount of times in the past that I haven't been very attentive in a conversation, or even worse is times that I tell someone that I'll pray about something for them and then don't or I forget. May Christ develop me into the type of person that is always genuine and interested and attentive.

Then, the other day, Jeremy and I were out to eat with his parents and Jeremy's brother's girlfriend's parents (randomly also in Boston). The girlfriend's parents have a adult son with CP (Josh), and he was also along for the vacation. We went to this famous whole in the wall seafood restaurant, and the waitress and and the restaurant owner went out of their way to treat Josh with dignity, honor, and really invested in him and in us as a group. I felt ministered to by their extreme kindness.

And for the large part, although, people as a whole do keep to themselves, they are hard-working, helpful, accepting of who you are as a person, and part of keeping to themselves is that gossip really not near the issue it was in the South. There were times that when I left the suite at work in Texas that I knew that I was being talked about because of what I wore, when I came into work that day, who I associated with, or that heaven-forbid, I actually asked my secretary to help me in a way that wasn't expressely written in her job title. And sadly, I'd say that over 75% of my co-workers in Texas considered themselves to be regularly practicing church-going Christians! These things challenge and convict me. I find that all of these issues find their way into my life, and for this I'm sad. I'm challenged to be a better reflection of Christ to those around me.

With that, I do find that it is challenging to truly integrate into the culture of those who live here. While accepting and kind, Southerners are from what I've seen so far, seen as close-minded, conservative, and Christian. On the second day of work, one of Jeremy's co-workers out of the blue said, "You'll need to learn that we just aren't conservative up here." Because of this, I feel that we're kept at a superfical surface level, at arms length distance away. I know that this just takes time and investment, and for that I ask for prayer that we would be persistent, continually attentive, sensitive, open-minded, and yet still true to our Savior.

The Winning of the Bread

As of yesterday, I am officially a Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineer for Cytonome, Inc. WOOHOO!!! God has, once again, taken care of us as we've trusted in Him. This experience has grown our faith tremendously as a result. We hope and pray others can say the same about our experience. Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Jeremy

Trip to Maine and July 3rd celebrations :)

Well, let's see. Jeremy had an interview this past week on Thursday with a bio-science/engineering company here in Boston. He tells everyone that the interview went very, very well, and I guess it did as he got an offer today. We haven't accepted it yet, but will let everyone know when things are set. After his interview, we went to Maine for the afternoon (it is so wierd to say that I went to Maine for the afternoon). We had a picnic with TJ and Dena in Kennebunkport on the rocky beach and then drove by the Bush compound where it turns out both Bush's and Putin were set to meet. I think Bush just likes to follow Jeremy and I around.... we leave Texas, he comes here. Ha.... we wish. :) Anyhow, here are some pictures of the beach and picnic.
This is the ocean..... :)
This is me (Chels), TJ, and Dena.... Jeremy had picture taking duty. This is a "natural" unposed photo. ;)
This is me trying to look cute. I'm wearing a Baylor shirt... Sic' Em.
This is the Bush vacation home. We were amazed that they built this thing so close to the road. Security was everywhere and the coast guard was fun to watch jetting around in the water.
This is Jeremy with his first ever lobster. He loved it. We named the lobster Stuart. They have lobster everywhere in Maine and it is much, much cheaper than lobster anywhere else in the nation.

On the 3rd, we got to spend some time with Andrew and Kristen who also live here in Boston. We went to the Boston Pops free "preview" concert for the 4th. Andrew and Kristin packed our picnic and we ate sitting on the banks of the Charles while listening to the Pops. The Blue Man Group and John Mellencamp were also there. Even though this was just the preview, we couldn't get close enough to see the Pops, so that's why we don't have a picture of the hatchshell.
This is the group..... We were actually on a small channel of the Charles.
These ducks and geese were crazy about us. Kristen threw enough tomatoes in there that they got a full serving of lycopene for the day.
This is the view upriver from where we were sitting. The hatchshell was behind the tree.
Kristen and I picking Arthur Fielder's nose on the way home. I'm still not sure who Arthur is. Evidentally, he was worth this statue head.

That is all for tonight. We have to get in bed as we have a hard and long day of celebrating the 4th tomorrow... :)

Heatwave :)

Did you know that 3+ days above 90 degrees is considered a heat wave in Boston? I think my fellow Texans would (or probably are currently) laugh at this statement. I should have you know though that it has been much hotter here than in Waco this week. Today we topped out somewhere in the upper 90's with (as the weather man put it) "oppressive" humidity. You would think that having spent a whole summer in Northern Africa without AC and temperatures frequently flirting with 120 degrees that I'd be tougher. I guess something has happened over the past couple years, or perhaps humidity really makes that big of a difference.

Today, we were blessed to get a window AC from our neighbor from Belarus....it wasn't until late in the day, but still was a huge blessing as we'll be able to sleep in comfort tonight. Most all the stuff in her apartment is handmade by either her or her mother, so she is a super talented and way cool lady. She offered to teach me some stuff, so hopefully that will lend to a great relationship. We are so thankful for her tonight! Jeremy was able to bless her also by helping to put her newer window AC in her window (she got a newer one and that is why she could give us her older one. Something that Jeremy and I have discussed several times is that part of our role as Christian's in Boston is to make big strides in blessing, serving, and healing our community. Isn't interesting how God seems to bless those who strive to be a blessing even more than they could bless? Read: It is not at all our agenda to seek our own blessing (remember I hate that word agenda) in building relationships with others, however, I find that God always has blessed us and continues to bless us way more than we can bless. You can continue to pray that God would continue to show us practical ways to serve others. Pray also that we'd see needs and and be able to heal hurts.

Lastly, I thought I'd post a funny picture of Billy.... Tuesday we came into our bedroom and found him sitting in this location. We aren't sure how he got up into the window, but he did. I guess he needed to be closer to the outside air.

Pictures of the apartment and news from Jeremy

Sorry, I know we promised pictures of our apartment, and at Lara's request, an inclusion of pictures of life from the dogs' views. Ten days late is better than never right?

This is the view from the front door. That white thing is a really cool and old thing that buzzes our guests in down stairs.
This is our living room. That blanket is Billy's usual sitting location if he isn't out on the porch. This is the couch that we basically had to take apart and push through the door. My mom got me this rug as part of my birthday present... :)
This is our kitchen while some have told us is very large by Boston standards. It actually has more storage than my kitchen in Waco. I actually really like it. Oh, and there is an actual pantry in here (with a door) that you can't see opposite of the toaster oven in the corner. If I walk in here, Billy assumes that I've come to open the door to "his" patio.
This is our bedroom which is actually a really good size. The bed is on an angle to give us an extra corner of storage to shove things behind it. I interrupted Jack's nap by taking this picture.
Here is our tiny bathroom. Off to the right you'll see our room divider type door, basically it just covers you so no one watches you pee.... however, you can hear someone peeing when it is quiet from any room in the house. What a way to become intimate with your guests, huh?
Here is Billy on his porch. He just lays out there and suns himself and watches the birds and squirrels. I think he'd live out there if we'd let him. I have more to say, but Jerry :) wants to blog, so I'll let him do that and write later so this isn't too long.

Jeremy here:
So last week looked about like every week for me as far as job searching goes. I've been throwing out lots of seeds but still haven't seen a harvest. Towards the end of the week I sensed a bit of doubt and anxiety creeping in to thwart my confidence in God's promises of taking care of us. I'm extremely happy to say that it was short lived as the Lord has rejuvinated my faith by revealing to me that I had passed the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) Exam. Some of you are familiar with this test and the prayers that were lifted in preparation for it. Though passing this test is not a stipulation of graduation or becoming a working engineer, it is the first half of the process of becoming a certified professional engineer, which comes with a lot of perks in the future. To now be able to put my FE certification on my resume will surely make it more attractive to employers. Anyways, I was not able to study for the test at all. Studying or taking practice test are essential for passing this exam, therefore, my expectations for success were quite low and had already decided I'd take it again in the future. My passing of this test is truly a testament to God's hand on Chelsea and I. I cannot thank those enough who prayed for me in this endeavor.
More from me tomorrow. Chels wants to go to bed.

Naked Bibles and Wet Dogs

Jeremy here:

Now for those of you who satirize me for my concern of my Bible's well-being, as made known by my Bible buffer box (BBB), I'll have you know that I ventured out sans BBB last night to church. Chels and I were in charge of dinner last night so we had to carry it over to TJ and Deanna's. Having carried my naked Bible with the food, upon arrival to their home, low and behold a slimy residue resembling that of the chicken spaghetti contained in our casserole dish had tarnished the pristine leather of my Bible. It is my belief that under no circumstances should any soul mock me again with the use of my BBB.

Today, we took the dogs out to the reservoir nearby our apartment. Billy has been curious about the water the past few times we've walked, but today while walking down to sneak a drink, he slipped off a rock and went for a swim. He came up with algae hanging off his tail and head and mud everywhere. Later during the walk we threw Jackson in the reservoir since we were already going to need to give Billy a bath. Jackson did not appear to appreciate his swim nearly as much as Billy.

We're official!

Well, we got our Mass. driver's licenses in the mail today. They sure don't have it very together at that office. They had to redo Jeremy's about 3 times to get it right, and the expiration date is still what they originally had his birthday as. More importantly though, apparently I'm an organ donor now. I didn't ask to be one, but my license says I am. I guess the guy could see that I had good organs and decided to mark me. Since we now have the capability to post pictures I'll post the copies (we got the software that had been lost to upload them). I blotted out the number so that you all couldn't steal our identities (cause everyone wants to be a smelly man named Jeremy right?). We'll post pictures of the apartment this weekend.