Cities!

Well friends,

The last I left you, I had yet to reach New York. Most of you already know that I do not like cities. In fact, I find them overwhelming. But maybe the Lord is changing my heart, because I fell in love with 3 cities. Chicago, Philly, and New York! What a big world! I saw so many different things! I also got a disc of all of the pictures we took, so I'm going to try and blog those too. I just wanted you all to know how much I liked my trip and that I will be catching up on blogging in the next few days.

The things we saw were awesome (filled me with awe), and I loved all the people we stayed with. I also got to do many other things when we got back and had a great time with the family I was staying with in MN as we watched movies and I went to their parties. I was a good time.

I'm glad to be in TX though, staying with my grandparents for a little, then off to my cousin's.  I'm currently shopping for mopeds and jobs, so if you hear of either, hook a sister up yo!

Much love to my peeps!

signing out for now

~Tribs

P.S. Pickle has discovered her meaning in life. She was lost without it, but her new passion makes up for her previous ignorance. She will willingly and viciously rid the whole world of the blight it is under. That blight is the very existence of squirrels. She has even become experienced in the scaling and almost climbing of various trees. She can now reach about 6 ft up a tree while snapping her teeth. She has yet to actually catch a squirrel, but I'm sure that if you looked under some trees, you would find some involuntary squirrel droppings! She is acclimating well to all the new things I throw at her, and took riding in her first plane like a champ! She just yawned and looked at me like I was the weirdo for being afraid of landing. So Pickle is well, and sure is one of the best things about my life right now!

dizzy

Well let’s see. I have a lot to cover on this blog.

First let me give a praise. IEW has contacted both Jansina and I and given us small projects that will keep us employed to the end of the month! Praise the Lord. It’s just data entry, but I am so glad to be working again! I know Jansina feels the same.

For those of you that don’t know, I have started the second half of my road trip, and we are currently driving to NYC. I have seen many many things along the way and would like to describe some of them for you.

First: we stopped in Ohio near Cleveland to stay with a generous and hilarious family. Al and Terris were open and warm and made me feel at home the moment I walked in the door. People like that make traveling so much fun and a real joy. Al and I bonded over beers that first night and Terris shared about her family and their grandchildren and how she and Al met that morning. They met in Driving school when they were 16. They couldn’t communicate well because Al is from Germany, and Terris is from Cleveland, Ohio, but they could share small things because she knew some German and he knew some English. So cute. I love traveling and meeting new people.

If there was a way to just travel and talk to people about anything and everything (strangers and those you know), I would sign up for a vacation like that!

Second: we stopped in Cleveland to take a look at the city. It was wonderfully organized and there is a memorial to soldiers and sailors in the center right next to the “Arcade” that is stunning. Not long after we entered the city, I felt that longing to move again, and we left shortly after that. It was a lovely city with beautiful churches, but Cities will never have my heart.

Third: This is a little out of order, but we drove through Chicago. It was HUGE; as big as LA. And it reminded me of LA, but spread out differently. The tall buildings weren’t clustered together as tightly, and there was more variety in architecture then LA, but I had that same feeling. Cities can be lovely and clean and filled with wonderful people, but I won’t be drawn to them.

Side note: Why In the world do we feel the need to grow so much corn!!!!???? There can not be that much demand for corn. I feel like we drive through seas of it to get from place to place. Corn as far as you can see. There may be reason that the US is in such hard economic times. We need to start diversifying or it will only get worse. And this is why government subsidies are harmful. *steps off soap box* I apologize.

Fourth: We stopped in Buffalo, NY to stay with some Friends of Jansina’s and they were delightful! Abby and Cassey were wonderful girls and I enjoyed making more new friends. Abby took us to Toronto in Ontario, Canada. We walked and drove around the city. It was the oddest thing though; all the buildings were smashed up against one another, so the only way you know a new house or building starts is by the color of the bricks! So strange. There are no alley ways between buildings, just walls running straight down the street! This was one of my favorite places to see so far, but I have always enjoyed the Canadian atmosphere. There is such a variety of people in the boarder cites of Canada. I felt a kinship with some strangers I saw on the street. They were backpackers looking at the buildings the same way I was; with awe and intrigue, but no real desire. Rugged and tired, my heart went out to them, and I wished for a pack on my back and my dog by my feet, so I could just disappear into the country for a time. (having just finished “Walking Across America” probably didn’t help).

Fifth: Niagara falls. Never have a seen something as boundless and magnificent as the falls from the Canadian side. Great masses of water cascading down the massive falls, and mist rises powerfully like a heavy rain from the force of the pressure. Jansina, Jaymes and I walked down by the bottom of the falls and, as they waited behind, I walked ahead to stand next to the falls and reveled in the pelting rain that drenched me in seconds. Reckless abandon filled my heart as I remembered the song of the river in “Hind’s Feet in High Places”. I want to be as free and easy as rushing water to those around me. Lord, fill me with love. Amen

I want to say more, but I fear that I might loose you half way through even this. I will add more later about the family we stayed with last night, and what has happened today.

Signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. (I should let you know I think of this as “Pickle’s Section”). Pickle stayed home with Jansina’s parents. Every time I leave her I get worried. She can be such a bad thing when I leave her. As we travel together, she listens to me more and more closely, and our bond gets stronger and stronger. I think her little heart can’t take any more loyalty or something because the stronger her bond is to me, the less she listens to anyone else. I say “come” now and she’s by my side in seconds; if anyone else tries, she laughs in their face and takes off. She’s by my feet like a shadow and I see her waiting for me to come back into the dog room, even when I leave for a short time. I delight in this. Some would find it annoying, but I LOVE having a dog that is bonded to me. I will mourn her more that any animal I have ever had when that day comes. So pray for my dog. She runs away and gives them trouble when I leave, so hopefully she is “a good” while I’m gone. 

wandering alone

As I see new places and meet new people, I feel my heart moving backwards. I know that the Lord is stretching me in new ways, but change is hard. How can one leave everything they know for an unknown amount of time, and keep their heart open like I feel mine should be. Never before have a felt so closed off, and it confuses and frightens me. I am alone in a crowd of people.
Lord, open my heart, that I might love people like you do.
So this is my plea for help and advice. I value the gentle words of friends, and would love to know how you dealt with a closed off time in your life, when you felt alone.
Also, please pray for me. In prayer there is power, and I need HIS help more than anything.

sorry this is short, but we have a schedule to keep to and I am running behind.
I love you all, and miss you more with every passing day

signing out for now

~tribs

PS. Pickle is lonely too. It's sad that she feeds off my emotions so much, but misery loves company and she has been a blessing to my lonely heart. Lord, thank you for my dog, who reminds me that love is unconditional, and easily forgets wrongs.

to much

To much to say. I have no idea how to condense the last few days into something readable. But I promised I would try. So here goes.
Colorado was beautiful. My heart broke when we drove through it, because I know that my heart misses places like this without ever being in them. When we stayed with the Hogans and lived a little life with them, I was in heaven. There was a moment when I looked at myself, tee-shirt smelling of cows and goats, pants covered in horse hair from the morning ride, tooth pick sticking out of my mouth, shoved in a van with a bunch of people, wearing suspenders and a baseball cap singing country music, that I realized there is a kind of life that I long for.  I know it sounds cliche and stereotypical, but there is something about that simplistic and rustic life that calls to my heart and soul. I pray for this life, and may the Lord bless my heart. If not, I know that "heaven is a wonderful place, filled with gllory and grace, and I will see my saviors face" and that will be enough for me. We said our goodbyes to a family I will love and miss for the rest of my life, and got in the car. As we waved our last goodbyes, and my eyes filled with tears, I realized that the Lord is a kind and compassionate God, to put a family that wraps me in arms of love in my deepest hours of need. I know that this week was the hardest for homesickness. So he gave me a mother to love, a father to laugh with, and brothers and sisters to ease my broken heart. No where I go will be without family. I will be in his love whether I am in New Zealand, Alaska, or Peru. It is comforting to know how surrounded I am with the family of Christ, and how excepting other people can be when you are alone and afraid.
Then we passed through Nebraska and stayed in Omaha. It's a big city with beautiful buildings and cute little downtown areas. There was one stop that was the cutest down town I have ever been in. It had the atmosphere of old downtown Fullerton, but the streets were very narrow. All the buildings had little shops underneath and lofts above, but to separate the shops from the lofts and give shoppers some shade, they had made these little canopies above the shops and on the edge of these were blooming flowers. I was enchanted! This, by far, was the loveliest little downtown I have ever seen. Pike place in Washington was amazing, Disney downtown is phenomenal, Fullerton is brilliant, but this was just lovely. We went to a Presbyterian church on Sunday, and then visited the most amazing catholic cathedral! it was beautiful! The ceiling were so high, I felt dizzy looking at them. We got a tour from the friend we stayed the night with and then the lady who played the organ showed us how it worked! She showed us inside the organ and told us some of the history of the church, and then we got a tour of more the the churches history in a small museum they keep next door.  It was amazing. I was blessed to see how others worship, and look forward to continuing this new education of mine. I do not believe in the separation of the church, and therefore feel at home with anyone in the family of Christ, but these interesting traditions and customs are something new to learn about.
We got on the road again and drove through Iowa and some of Minnesota, and then visited Jojo's family and Met a woman named Kiwi (that's her nick name, I can't recall her real one), and then stopped at Jansina's house to stay. Please pray for me here. I feel a little un-easy, because I have the rush of blood in my heart to explore now, and do not like stopping much. I also miss home terribly and wish you could all be here with me, seeing more of the world then I thought I would. Please pray also, that Pickle and I can fall into the groove of this new family and not feel quite so separated. My mouth does not like to whisper and my heart does not like silence, but if I must, than I must. Who am I to expect anything different from a gracious family that lets me stay with them. They have been more than accommodating, letting me sleep with my dog and giving me the freedom to eat and drink when I will and sleep when I may. I do not know where the disconnectedness lies except on my own error. I must learn how others families live if I am to be mature myself. Lord help me learn, and give me graciousness in kind, that I might show your love through my very skin to those that I meet.
I love you Lord.

And I love and miss you all. Be well, my dear ones, and be sure to keep me updated with the goings on at home. My internet will work during the day, but at night, I have no connection, so if you wanna chat, just check during the day.

Onward and upward to new adventures!

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. Pickle loves exploring as much as I do! She might not like pools, but she sure does like swimming in creeks! She isa country dog at heart and it makes me glad!

Here we go again

well,

It begins again. I left CA on Monday morning and we got to Las Vegas the same morning to stay with Jansina's grandfather for 2 nights. He was a sweet man with a cute view on some of the new fangled things these people are doing. I loved talking with him about the news and seeing the lights in las vegas. We left Tuesday morning (which is today) and arrived ad the hogan's house (they are friends of Jansina) this afternoon. They are sweet people that live in the country, and I am already in love! It's been 2 hours since we got here and they have already shared jokes and stories and offered to take me to the farm in the morning to see the cow and other animals! Heaven! This is what this place is called!
Amanda and Ben are about my age, but ALL the members of this family are lovely! Also, Jansina and I picked up her friend Joanna in Las Vegas and she will be joining us for the rest of our trip. I love her too! seriously, it is so nice when you can just fall into a friendship with someone.
God has a plan in all of this. I love the trip, but I keep having these waves of fear about being gone for so long. I miss everyone terribly. But I know that there is a plan for my life.

I leave you with this verse tonight. Prov. 16:3 "In his heart a man plans his path, but the Lord determines his steps."

Love and miss you all.
signing out for now

~tribs

PS. Pickle is having a BLAST! She loves riding in the car, and she loves meeting all these new people and dogs and we haven't had any problems so far. Praise the Lord! She is a good dog and a blessing, and I'm glad she can bless others by being so good. Her new best friend is Jansina's grandpa. SO CUTE!

Higher up and further in

Well my blog friends,

It was a long road home from OK, But it was fun to see some of the country. There are lots of different things to see in the USA! It was fun, as well, to be traveling with Jansina, since I couldn't bare the thought of leaving her company so soon.
The presentation at the end of the Internship went well. I know many of you were looking forward to hearing about that. It went a little longer than we had hoped, but from what I could hear, people seemed pleased with the work we had done. Our website looked good (minus some spelling errors, (my bad)), and all of the projects we had worked on were met with enthusiasm. Both of us, Jansina and I, got a chance to pitch to Andrew Pudewa, and we both hope to continue with the company. I wait to hear back from them, and Jansina has to "audition" for her roll in the company.
We got to spend some time hanging out with the Walkers before we left (I miss them terribly), and I learned how to play Risk, for the first time ever! It was pretty fun. Once we left we stopped off a few times; once in Albuquerque to stay the night (thanks Julie!), again at the "midway" of the route 66, and again at a nice truck stop for Denny's. It was 112 degrees when we drove through the Mojave desert! But we made it through and got to catch a nice cool breeze and the 70 degree weather in Coastal Southern CA. It's been fun catching up with everyone and getting some stuff handled down here, but I kind of miss being on the road. I think it;s because I know I have a lot to do before I go, and that makes me antsy, but I know the Lord will provide for this next trip, just like He did the last one.
Alrighty....
For those of you that have been waiting with baited breath.
Here is the long awaited plan.

• First, We leave California on the 15th of August and get on the road to visit some friends and family of Jansina, on the way to Minnesota. 
• We hope to arrive in Minnesota (near Minneapolis) on the 20th of August, and settle in with Jansian's family.
• I stay with them for 1 month
• After gallivanting with her and her family for a month, I will be flying out of St. Paul, and arriving in Dallas TX on the 20th of September. 
• I move to TX for an undetermined amount of time with My Cousin Kelly!
• Around March, I hope to fly or cruise to New Zealand (can you believe a cruise might be CHEAPER?)
• I start wwoofing around New Zealand for 3 months - 1 year
• I move back to CA to start my goat farm. 
• .... the end?

If the Lord is willing, my plans will happen somewhat like that. I know He has prepared things in advance for me to do, but I know also, that he has put desires in my heart for a reason. So i will just shoot for this until something changes. :)
I will continue to blog and keep everyone updated with what REALLY happens to me, and I hope to see you on the blogosphere! Be well and God Bless

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. Pickle gets to come with me from Minnesota to TX and hopefully beyond!!!! Happy me and happy puppy!

Bleed Bible

I heard a quote that has really inspired me. "When I get cut, I want to bleed Bible". How true is that desire? I want my life to be so focused that my very blood has turned to worship in my veins.

It's been a crazy week to say the very least. We flew through many projects so that we could start our one HUGE project. We were given a week to set up and organize an entire branch of the IEW website! It's insane. and we are rocking it! We look on to 2 full work days left, and I actually think we can finish with style and our heads still on.

Aside from the normal work day, I look back on this experience and see God's hand in my life. I know he meant for me to be here, and I have experience, Friends, and new memories to show for it. I also got to brush up on my usage of the English language and learn some new theories on life.

I miss my comfort, but I really believe that God has called me out of California for a while. It's going to be a hard time, and I don't know how long it will last, but I know that His hand is on my life and that with His help, anything is possible.

It's hard, also, that so many of us are traveling right now, and I know that many of you I will not get to see as often as I am used to. So for all of you staying in one place, please pray for us and our travels.

Thank you to everyone who has been reading. I will try to be faithful and continue writing as I continue to travel! From California I will be going to Minnesota for a time, and then flying into Texas to stay for a time.

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. I see my dog in less than 9 days!!!

Diligent isn't the half of it!

Wanna see what I have been working on?

Follow these links to the pages I designed with the help of my team and wonderful Management!

http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/level-a
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/level-b
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/level-c
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/primary
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/multi-student

and the page created by my co-intern!

http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/start


Enjoy! We worked hard on them, and I think they are beautiful! Our final project is the school division website, and I will link you all to that later on. It's nice coming in and making an impact on a company that makes difference in peoples lives!

Thanks IEW and readers!

signing out for now. Back in Cali soon. Then off to Texas.

~Tribs

Can't wait to see me dog, because she is perfect!

road confusion

As a verb person, I love action. Passionately pursuing some new idea is my favorite way of life. Flying by the seat of my pants is the only way I fly!

So planning this next time of waiting is hard. I know that packing in more than I can handle is bad, but I see so much that could be done, and need to continually remind myself that I have short funds and only about 2 years in which to do these things. It's hard to wait. It seems that the Lord is teaching me patience or maybe he is just keeping me from myself.

Loneliness is the hardest thing as I travel and re-invent my life. It follows me like a flea covered dog, and ticks at my mind as I gather what courage I can from my surroundings. I miss not just people, but concepts; home, the beach, busyness, family. I know that all these things may be passing out of my life, but I do yearn for them terribly. It stops me as I work and drags my mind to other times and places as if a vortex it carrying me beyond my will into what can not be.

I realize that what I had hoped to gain is what I got, but I did not know the consequences. I asked to be a fox without a hole, and a rich young ruler with no riches, and a disciple without extra sandals. My barns are empty. My fields are bare. My father is left un-buried. So why is my heart troubled? Why the waves of sadness? Where is the surrender my soul yearns for? I know that sacrifice is painful, but is my heart in the wrong place? I know I follow the Lords plan, but am I not seeing the lessons to learn?

Forgive my  misery. I know the Lord will comfort me. But my heart is heavy today.

Signing out for now and praying for sunnier days

~Tribs

PS. I need my dog today.

Hello blogspot!

It's been a while, hasn't it. I was hoping to do more than one a week, but I'm actually impressed that i have kept up with it! YAY! Go me!

Lots has happened in the past week. I went inter-tubing in the river and lost my glasses in the water. I bought new glasses and they are awesome. I got super burned on the trip but I actually got really tan on my legs and arms from it. My face has started to peel already, so that is good. Work has been going great and we are really driving through everything we were hoping to get done.

I've been learning a lot about God this week as well. I heard a quote in church yesterday. "when I get cut, I want to bleed Bible". This is my new ambition. I really have been trying to apply myself to reading the word every day. He has all the power to guide me on my new path. I don't know anything about what it is going to be, or where I will live, what I will do or how I will get there, but I know that God has control in all those things and he is going to use this new freedom of mine for good. I just need to learn to cross each bridge as it comes and trust that He will care for my needs.

Happy 4th of July everyone! It's going to be a fun day! fireworks tonight and the coolest game afterwards. I'm having so much fun hanging out with the Walkers when we play games and do puzzles and things. I also got to meet the pastor and his family yesterday and I get to hang out with them again tomorrow. They have a really awesome dog and he has the greatest personality. It was so nice to get a dog fix. I have been needing something fuzzy to cuddle with for weeks! He loved it too. so that was cool.

So, I'm going to keep enjoying the 4th, and I hope you guys do too!

signing off for now,

~Tribbs

PS. Over the hump already! Can't wait to see my dog! She is going to be with me every second I hope!

daisy maker

Hello blogesphere.

forgive my absence this week. It has been a busy one. I learned a lot about myself though. Apparently, I am an inventor,  an extrovert, I like older people better than those my own age, I really care about color, I love puzzles, and I actually enjoy writing. College makes you forget a lot of the things you like to do, because you are forced to do them, or denied those pleasures through a lack of time. I became an IEW accredited English tutor, I stated working actively on my friend's business, and I started writing letters; all because I think they are fun or worth while things to do, and I actually wanted to finish them! It's been a long time since I wanted to finish anything that had to do with writing. So thank you IEW. You made me remember a passion I had long forgotten.

I begin to miss daisies. I see them here every now and again, but I miss seeing them EVERYWHERE. It's summer, and there are somethings I didn't know I would miss. Daisies, for one, and the beach for another. I actually just miss the smells of summer. Here, I find water, and it kind of stinks. You gush through mud and fall in putrid smelling gunk and water that makes you feel dirtier than when you started. Obviously, that doesn't stop me from playing in water. I love water! Basically, if there is water, I want to be in it. I understand that there can be bugs, leeches, ticks, and spiders, and any number of flukes, round worms, and disease in the water. But I don't really mind. I need to be near water. I don't know now if I could last long in the middle of the country. A few months is fine, but knowing that I couldn't see the beach unless I drove for hours and hours would be depressing. To much of my heart is in the crying of the sea gulls, and the crashing of the waves. My soul floats on the coastal breezes that smell of salt and rotting drift wood.

I realize that God has plans for me outside of myself. Wherever I end up, I know I will be happy. I know that I can see his beauty in the magnificent swallows that grace the air here. I know I will be overwhelmed by the mountains in New Zealand (Lord willing). He has put wonderful trees and towering cliffs, majestic bugs and graceful animals all over the world. But I miss the familiar. I don't know any of the bird songs out here. It's such a little thing, but its a constant reminder that I am not where i was.

So here I am. Making my own daisies. They might not sound like much, but words have so much more power than I remembered. It's like coming awake after dreaming for so long.

I have much more to say, and I will try to get it out in the next few days. But I am tired

so

I will be signing off for now

~Tribs

PS. Someday, I will be with you again, Pickle. I know your little heart is happy with your friends, but I sure do miss you. I cried for you again last night. My heart hurts to be with you, my little pup. So have fun, and know that I will be home soon. Bye, baby, and be good. (for those of you that don't know my dog, I would say "bye, baby, and be good" to her everyday as I left for work. She is super cute and wonderful)

onward and upward

first week almost done! Tomorrow I will have been here a whole week's time, and I have learned so much already. I'm gaining more confidence everyday and feel like maybe I can do this. I'm helping a friend work on marketing stuff back at home as well, and I really think it's going to be bomb when I get back!  I have a few more animals to add. 3 dead skunks, a live tortoise and several squirrels. The birds out here are amazing, but I do miss the sea birds, pigeons and parrots. I actually like their songs. sea birds make me feel close to home and parrots always make me laugh! It's kind of silly the things I find myself missing.

I've been missing home a lot today. I keep getting tears in my eyes, but then convince them to go back in and try to think of something happy. The problem with thinking of something happy, is that my default setting is to think of my silly little dog... and that makes me even more sad. So I have to try and think of other things. I really do love it out here, and I love seeing so much green, but I think it would be about 1000000000 times better if my dog could bop around with me. oh well. If I do end up anywhere else for any amount of time, she is coming too! 'Jesus, help me with my burden. It's a silly burden, but my heart is sad anyway. '

I made a new friend named Luke, and I'm excited that we get to hang out today. He is giving me the really Okie tour of Tulsa. Me and Jensina are going to hang out soon too, I hope! She said she would do Ag stuff with me, so I'm going goat hunting next weekend if I can. I've been doing a lot with the Walkers too, like going to the movies and looking for penguins and ... talking... and stuff. so I'm staying as busy as you can in OK, it seems. I'm used to the Cali rush, so this seems slow going and country, even though we are REALLY not in the country. I walk to Wal mart almost every day of the work week, just to go somewhere and be in AC, because even though this isn't the hot season, it still feels hot to me, because it's muggy hot.

Anyways, If you ever find yourself on Facebook and I'm on, and you have nothing to do, shoot me a line and I will be happy to talk with you! My love to everyone reading.

Signing out for now.

~Tribs

PS. I miss you Pickle, and your soulful little eyes.

behind door number one

The total is quickly growing. Let me count it out for you
Road kill:
armadillos-1
deer-2
opossums-1
birds-4
dogs-1
cats-0 (I was surprised too!)

Almost road kill:
fawn-1
coyote-2
deer-1
dog-4
birds- countless

Wish was road kill:
all the bugs!

I'm having fun with all the wild life out here. It's nice to go 5 minutes south and see animals! I'm a little frustrated today with myself. I've had an antsy day and I can't figure out why. I couldn't sleep last night and my head has been killing me. I feel like running in circles until I pass out and then getting up to run some more. Odd. Very odd.
I may post again tonight, but that's really all I had to say.

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. Pickle... You is a good. And you knows it!

dangerously close

well folks. I'm dangerously close to liking this book. A lot. I just graduate college (as you know) and swore off homework for the next forever! Then I join an internship and the first thing I have to do is read a book and make reports on it. "Great" I said in my head! No rest for the weary. But sadly, and much to my chagrin, I actually like the book! I also like the work I'm doing and am more suited to it than I had thought. The hardest part is sitting still for so long! my legs long to pace, and I gradually get more and more fidgety as the day wears on. But it can't be helped. I know the work needs to be done on the compy, and let me tell you... the stuff I learned just today about online networking blew my Computer education class out of the water and past Pluto (which is sadly not a planet) into the farthest reaches of space. Google has more available to me for free than I could have ever imagined and You can advertise yourself so easily it's almost scary. I'm really excited to start using all I'm learning on marketing my own business (once it's started), and also helping some friends propel their businesses forward.

I am very grateful that I get to take walks. I think so well when I'm walking, and sometimes I just get stuck, or my eyes glaze over and my brain stops working. Then, I just say "I'm going for a walk" and everyone kind of shrugs and says "Ok..." and I take off for 5 to 10 minutes. Today I did that and realized a HUGE flaw in my thinking and got back to run to my computer (even though I really needed to use the restroom), and fix it. I felt great for the rest of the day, and I know we got more done than I had imagined we could have. I get to walk about twice in a work period, and it's nice that it doesn't take long for my mind to recharge.

 It is also difficult to be inside all the time. I got used to being outside ALL DAY LONG at my old job and loved it! I loved medicating and catching skunks and running around like a crazy trying to catch the dogs that got out! I loved riding the motorcycle with my friend on my off days and walking my dog in the morning. So I guess the thing I miss most about California is being outside.

I hope to spend this Saturday outside ALL DAY, if it's not boiling. ... but you know. I just might not care. I miss you sun and wind. I'm afraid of the grass here, but I might even find a patch of grass (Like the front yard) and lay in it.

All this to say that I'm loving staying here!... but I'm starting to miss home. I've never been away for more than 10 days, and I know once that passes, I will have a hard week. I love notes, and comments, and FB messages, so if you wanna... you could leave me a little something.

with that little appeal, I think I will be signing off for now

~Tribs

PS. I get to video chat with my dog tonight... YAYYY!

already but not yet

Tired. I'm so very, very tired. But I made it to Oklahoma in good time today, and got to the Walker's beautiful home in no time. I know I will be spending some time at the dollar tree and walmart that are right next to the house! I got my stuff unpacked and then went to a dinner meeting with the IEW staff and met my afellow intern, who is quite enchanting. I learned a little more about all the things I will get to learn and do, and I hope I can keep up! It will be an interesting transition for me. It's very flat here, but Julie said this is a really hilly area of OK.  Tulsa has one of the tallest bridges and it's smaller than the on-ramp for the 5 fwy in Orange. Lots of trees and grass though! I'm not allowing myself to frolic through the grass though, since I got a very interesting and frightening lesson and chiggers today. None of that thank you... none of that. My little room is cute and bright and I will try to take pictures with my new laptop (greeny) and put them up on facebook.

I miss everyone back home already, but I feel a peace that passes understanding as I try this new thing and explore that world a little more on my own.
All my love to anyone reading

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. thought today about how much my dog would have HATED the plane ride over here, and had a small amount of happiness that she stayed behind.

Last but not least

Today was crazy, but so wonderful. Dear friends helped me ease my heart into leaving for a while. Yesterday was so awesome as my graduation and party were epic! It's late and friends surround me even now. So this will be short and sweet. Good bye California, for now. Who knows when we will see one another again. Only the Lord can see the future.

so, As the Lord wills,

signing off for now

~Tribs

PS. I miss my dog so much

finding the middle

well. I had expected more from myself at this point. Who knew things could get so crazy in just a few days. I got my new computer though, so that's great! I'm loving this little green spit fire that puts my old compy to shame. I haven't finished my apartment yet, like I had hoped, but I know it will get done. My dog is now staying with a dear friend, Emily Tanner, and I miss her terribly. I have my cap and gown and sashes out and I think they look great! My mom is finishing my dress tonight and I can't wait to wear it tomorrow. I have already started reading my new books and playing with my new compy. I am really excited about Oklahoma, but I have already finished working at my old job and I know I will miss the cats terribly and the employees just as much. All of my worldly belongings are now in a small closet at my parents house and I am very proud of myself and how much I got rid of!

right now I'm watching super chicken with my dad and friend shaina. I hope I can be as clever and humorous with my marketing projects. I know that with the right colors, wording and just the right amount of humor, anything can sell! So I know that watching inspiring videos like george of the jungle and super chicken can only help to liven my spirits and bring me to OK with a great humor.

Looking forward to seeing you all in OK, and looking behind missing my dear ones here.

signing off for now

Tribs

PS I miss my dog. Her little yellow face and gentle eyes are some of the best things in my life.

sweet and sour pickle

Today has been an interesting dog day. I think the moon must be doing something odd because the dogs in my life have gone mad! Breaking out of kennels and fighting with each other and running down the walk way. My dog has been crazy about spending every second by my side. She sits on my lap when I sit and walks under my feet as I move from room to room. I don;t know. Weird.

Packing is going well, but I need help. Thankfully I have some friends coming on Saturday to help me finish up. I am ready to go. That is for sure! I am ready to leave the craziness that is my life so that I can make some new craziness for myself. My college professor is so happy for me getting into marketing. Her dreams are being realized I think, since I was her daughter at heart. I love her dearly and hope that she stays a contact of mine. Graduation is only 3 days away. So odd. I guess today is just surreal. I got 2 graduation sashes and am going to a graduation banquet tonight. This is really the end. so odd.

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS my dog is crazy. I just don't know what else to say. silly little hair chewer!

filling in the blanks

It was brought to my attention that I might want to explain the reason for my move to Oklahoma. I will be doing a marketing internship for the IEW company and staying with Julie walker while there. I will be there until July 30th at the least and have decided to leave my options open when deciding where to go from there. I know the Lord is leading me as I journey and feel his hand on everything I have been doing so far. All of my furniture is now accounted for and off to their homes. I have my stuff all packed for the trip and feel almost done with the packing. I know I have more to do, but I finally feel like it is manageable. I only have 5 full days left here in California and realized that I NEED to see the beach before I leave. It's muggy and cold but I really don't mind.

My car still needs an owner, but that will be under the Lords will as well. With only a few days left, everything has been moving faster. Days go quickly and nights even seem faster than normal. I thought that as I got closer to the end that things would slow down.

oh well. In His timing, all things will be

signing out for now

~Tribs

PS. Pickle has decided that stuffing is the perfect tool to use to bury her bones. Now I have stuffing all over my futon. Silly pup.

and then she said...

Stress. And endings. But mostly stress. I had hoped to have so much more done by now. It seems that as you begin to pack, more and more cubbies of stuff show up. and then you have to choose what happens to them. I feel that need for company as I begin to shift my life, but the thought of bringing someone else into this chaos that is my life seems scary and I fill with fear. Most of the day I am excited, and then I sit down to write my blog, and fear returns. Is this my true emotion during the day that I mask with excitement, or am I letting my overwhelming feelings flow onto the page that I did not even experience until then?

Anyway. For those of you that know me, you will not be surprised by the length of my blogs. They will all be fairly short and hopefully to the point. I will get my poetic moments and times of clarity, but mostly this will be a journal of my days and things I would like to share with you all. If I figure out how to do pictures, then you might even get some of those, but I would not hold my breath. I'm great at marketing, but sadly slow when it comes to everyday things... like figuring out the buttons to a blog and facebook, and sometimes photography. I let the images come to me, and I make them sparkle. To each has been given different gifts. I just hope I can find some gifted people in OK that are good at what I am not.

well, signing off for now, since I need to finish packing for OK and get all this trash to the dumpster. Wish me well.

~Tribs

PS. My dog has been sad today since she did not get to sleep with me last night. Poor pups

well now

I leave on Tuesday of next week. so that's one week from tomorrow. I still have work to do on the apartment, but it's coming along nicely. I feel as though I'm being freed from all of this worldly junk so that I can travel with my mind at ease. I finished packing up 8 of my 10 boxes and I still think I might make my goal. Pickle (my dog) has her stuff all packed and ready to go. I still have to find a goodwill in my area that can take all this stuff. It's harder than I thought to find one of these places.
Anyways. I feel homesick and I haven't even left yet. I just know that, even when I come back, this phase of my life is over. I can never go back to this. I might try and re-create it, but I know this is the end. How sad and freeing. The aimlessness will be gone, but so will the absolute freedom. Maybe I will find a new kind of freedom that I have not known yet. Before I had "summer freedom" that comes with the security of knowing that you will go back to school in the fall. Then I had "I can do what I want freedom" that had the pleasure and support of my loving parents. This next kind I have no name for. Will I enjoy it? will it be painful? I do not know. But I'm looking forward to trying it out.

signing off for now.
~Tribs
PS. I haven't left yet, but I miss my dog when I think of giving her up. She is SOOOO sick of me clinging to her. hahaha. Poor pup

first post in the blogosphere

So there are 9 days left until I leave for Oklahoma. I still need to pack, move, sell a bunch of things, donate everything else, and see what I can do about getting a new ride once I get there. I'm loving that I get to fly alone for the first time ever (at the ripe old age of 24). I'm excited, but already feeling home sick. I know that most of the things I have done until now will end, and I do not know if they will continue when I return, and I really don't know how long I will be here before I leave again.

I hope you all enjoy the ride with me as I fly by the seat of my pants in true Tribble fashion and just do what seems to be right. May the Lord bless and guide me on this journey through life.