the weekend

I must say, I am completely WIPED OUT after this weekend's activities, but it was great fun (except for the heavy lifting...).

I, accompanied by my bro Jonathan, visited my cousins Lori and John and their sons in Alabama. Also in attendance: brother Josh and his family (Katie and Chas), and brother Chapin and his family (Leann and Ashley). There was hunting, grilling out, trampoline-jumping, exercising, talking, four-wheeler and motorcycle riding, and much much more. What was most amazing about the trip (besides the fact that all of the kids got along most of the time) was that there were 5 dogs roaming free - 3 German Shepherds, 1 Rottweiler, and 1 Lab (my Cash) - and NO dog scuffles! They were the best of friends! Amazing.

Jonathan and I had to head out EARLY Sunday morning (to the tune of 5:40-ish a.m.) to hurry back to Georgia and try and beat some of the rain b/c I had valuable construction materials just sitting in my driveway, covered by a lone tarp. It was all dry, however, and Jonathan and I were able to bring it in - he was a trooper and worked really hard. Our folks came to get him, we grabbed a bite to eat, and then I returned home to clear out ALL of the furniture out of the bedroom and closets and hallway in preparation for the flooring work this week. I am SO sore!

Needless to say, I did not get much homework done, so I must "marathon" it today...but you see what I 'm doing instead...writing you guys! But it was time for an update.

Also - I've updated the "one word" responses along the way - there are some new ones. I encourage you to do something similar. It has provided a wonderful opportunity for communication lines to be re-established with friends and family.

I will write again soon...
Love - Jess

ROK update

Hey everyone, I am sorry that I haven't checked in lately. I have been quite busy with work and school and I forget to post something on a weekly-basis. Things here are the same as always. However, for me at least, time is flying by very quickly. It seems this way because I constantly have assignments due for school and I feel rushed when I am trying to complete them. It sucks, but at the same time, I am glad that it is the way it is. As of today, I have 41 days left until I get to see Jess in Hawaii for her spring break. I am very excited. This will give us an opportunity to finally go to Hawaii and will limit our time apart. I will only have 109 days left in Korea after our trip. I can't wait. I am sure Jessica will take tons of pictures and she will post them shortly after she gets back.

What else? On the school subject- I have 10 classes left until I finish my degree. I get more excited every day knowing that this goal in my life is almost complete. I have tried for a long time, but it is very hard to do with my military schedule. School is the only positive thing about being here, so I am grateful for the opportunity.

I miss you all and hope everyone is doing well. I will try to do a better job of posting in the future.

Brent

Your "One Word" responses

There is an e-mail going around in which you ask friends and family to describe you in one word. I was surprised, motivated, and amused by the responses. I actually expected some to say "crabby" or "scatter-brained" or "complicated" or something like that, but I guess if you want to describe someone you care about, you would lean towards the positive...

Here they are:

Bold
Crazy
Sassy
Inspirational
Determined (x2)
Love
Knowledgeable
Kindred
Loyal
Superwoman
Joyous
Perfect (yes, this one was Brent's :)
Passionate
Faithful

This was fun - I received responses from some people that I haven't spoken with in a long time!Love - Jess

Some insight

A few things you might want to know about me (if you haven't figured it out by now :)...

-->I turn off my cell phone ringer for school, work, and church, and often forget to turn it back on.
-->I do not engage in phone conversations when I am in the company of others.
-->I love my pets.
-->I love God, even when He confuses me.
-->I am very forgetful - I misplace keys, wallets, purses, leashes, papers - you name it. I can remember some birthdays, but usually miss them when they arrive because I have lost track of which day and date of the week it currently is. I can remember entire monologues from movies but forget where we agreed to meet for lunch. And the list goes on ...
-->I am an organization freak.
-->I often do not answer the home phone when I am doing homework - sometimes because I am ignoring it, other times because I am so engrossed that I honestly don't hear it.
-->I finally learned that the friends and family you love the most have the most power to hurt you, and that it is okay - that is how love works, and if you don't take that risk, you can never experience it.
-->My feelings are hurt very easily, but I have become aware of this, and have begun to recover in a more timely fashion.
-->I love music - any kind, anywhere, any noise level...
-->I am stubborn. Bull-headed. Extremely.
-->I hate being married, but single. You know what I mean, right? I got married to be with Brent, you know?
-->I like to be right. Prefer it greatly. But I'm getting better at admitting when I'm wrong.
-->I sometimes freak out about minor situations very easily, and then can turn around and be completely calm about something much more important.
-->I don't work well with last-minute anything -- schedule changes, impromptu plans, surprises, etc. I like plans, planning, planners...
-->I have just learned to start saying "no" to avoid overextending myself. Not everyone appreciates this new quality.
-->I actually like being a student (most of the time). I love being a speech path (most of the time). And I finally like and appreciate research (most of the time).
-->I don't like to talk on the phone, but I try, really hard. I prefer face to face.
-->I am too hard on myself.

I think that is enough information for you today...Talk to you soon - Jess

In preparation for my trip...

Your Hawaiian Name is:

Palila Kaili

What's" your Hawaiian Name?

I don't know how to say it, but it sure looks pretty :) - Love, Jess

What kind of food am I?

You Are Italian Food

Comforting yet overwhelming.People love you, but sometimes you're just too much.

What Kind of Food Are You?

How accurate is this for me? Love ya - Jess

Update

I know, I know, it has been a while. Too long. It has been quite difficult to get back into the groove of things.

Brent did make it back safely - we had a really great time while he was home, though he was sick for most of it. Thank God for good cold and flu medicine. We have another countdown going, something to help our separation not seem so horrible. We will be meeting up in Hawaii in March - we are VERY excited.

Not much to report here. I have resumed classes and my assistantship work there, and I have also begun to do some contract work for the local school district. I wasn't sure how I would add 12 more hours of work into my schedule, but it is amazing what you can do when you need the money :) I just have to get up a little earlier, go to bed a little later, and have a little less play time, but it will be worth it when we start to pay off some bills.

My mom is slowly getting her house back together after "the flood". The restoration company will begin work soon, and she is looking forward to that.

Jill and Chuck had their baby - I will post a pic later after they have the chance to post their own - they should be first since it is their child, don't you think? But trust me, he's a cutie.

That is all for now - I will write more later. Love - Jess, Brent, Cash, and Popo

bumper stickers

Its the latest thing that bothers me - bumper stickers that don't match. For example:

The car that displayed "My poodle is smarter than your honor student" and "Love is the answer"

or

the one that said "COEXIST" (w/ each letter derived from different religious symbols) and
" F
the president"

or

the one that had the Christian fish <>< and a picture of a guy peeing on a Ford emblem.

I mean, really, give me a break. One message people, one message, preferably one that is not mixed. Preferably one that is genuine.

More photos

Crazy Christmas pic of us


Happy New Year at the Cracker Barrel

Christmas with the animals

Picture 1: Napoleon
2: Jonathan and Cash lounging on Christmas Day
3 & 4: Cash and his parents

Merry New Year!

...or at least that is how they say it in Trading Places. We certainly had an event-filled holiday, though it was odd for me - it was the first time in 14 years that I haven't spent New Year's Eve and Day celebrating my little brother's birthday.

To sum up -
-- the 30th and part of the 31st - spent quality time with step-sister and sister-in-law dealing with catastrophe at mom's house; spent New Year's Eve day with tailgating crew at Jill and Chuck's
-- the 1st - spent the night (New Year's Eve) with Kobi - Liz came to visit us! Woke up and had breakfast at Cracker Barrel - Beth was able to join us!

It was great to see everyone. I don't have pics to post yet - we have not yet joined the digital age, so I have to wait on Wal-Mart to process them :)

Brent and I are counting down the days (with apprehension, NOT joy) until his return to the ROK. His time home - where did it go?

We love you and will post again soon.

Love
Jess and Brent