Counting my Blessings

I haven't settled into a place where I can have meaningful exchanges with people at church, so, because it's Sunday, I would just like to share a few things on a religious note:

My last month in Mexico was a difficult stretch financially. I made a total of $40. (And that was because I was going in to work with the agreement that they didn't have to pay me. I prolonged the stretch portion of a class into yoga, et voila!) I received my deposit back from my apartment, and it was $200 less than what I expected. That $40 dollars was a day's worth of gas for my drive north. I needed it. But I was also about $80 behind on tithing. I made the decision to pay and "let the universe take care of the details."

I have wonderful friends and family. And they have all, very non-assumingly, been so generous with their homes. My friend Silvia let me be a part of her Long Beach life for a week! I stayed in Kelly and Hyrum's guest room for a month! My aunt and uncle are letting me stay here in Hillsborough (which, if you don't know Northern California, is beautiful) for as long as I need. I began to panic as I search for a place, because affordable has not been comfortable, and vice versa. I was in a dilemma of whether to share an apartment with some girls and be able to save over $500/month ($6000 a year!) versus what I would pay in my own place. Until last night, a posting magically appeared on Craigslist for an apartment leasing in the coastal town where I want to leave for even LESS than the rent of the shared apartment! I haven't seen it yet, and I don't even know if "this is the place," but I really felt like God has been listening to me and answering my prayers in His own quiet way. Perhaps it has been a coincidence, but I believe it to be directly connected to the law of tithing and to answered prayers.

So, if you made it to the end of that--you can ditch out of church after the sacrament! I had the English ward (singular) in my stake's time wrong, so my choices are Fijian, Tongan, Samoan, Chinese, or Spanish. Hasta luego, amigos!

Perks

When I was a teacher, I got three months of vacation and the free shirts were terrible. Now, I'm not a teacher. I get three weeks of vacation, that I have to earn 6.75 hours at a time, but at least the shirts are nice.

(shameless self-portrait, i know. give me a break, people. i am alone! no, i'm not alone. i have dressy.)

Dressy

A few weeks back, I posted about not being so much of a dog person. As life would have it, I am now dog-sitting a very sweet dog, and I am being very kind and very attentive, but it is still an adjustment.

Dressy has interrupted a number of my most recent phone calls, and I wanted people to be able to put a face with the dog. I also wanted to show off my new shirt that has my two most favorite colors from the 4th grade.

My New Job

On Thursday, July 30, I will be starting a new job. My title is School Resource Coordinator. I will be providing support to 5-6 needy schools in San Francisco Unified. I will be working more with administration, teachers, parents, community members, corporations, and volunteers. Hopefully I will get to interact every once in a while with some kids. It is a non-profit called San Francisco Education Fund. If you are interested, check it out:

http://www.sfedfund.org/

Here I go again.

Coonfeed 09

Altough I have been back to Iowa several times since, this was my first coonfeed since 1980. What is a coonfeed? Well, in Iowa, there is a lot of corn and beans. And racoons like corn and beans. And farmers don't like it when racoons eat corn and beans. So, there is such a thing as coon huntin'. My Grandpa Dale is a Coon Hunter. He has always had Coon Dogs until he got sick a while back. And in July, just when the corn is coming in, my mom's family has been having an Ott Family Coonfeed for many years.

The boys went golfing and so we all headed over for a cycle class at Uncle Harold's gym.

Yes, I ate racoon. It tasted like Spaghettios. I don't really like Spaghettios.

Me and my Grandma Jo


The Coon Hunter: Grandpa Dale

inching northward...San Francisco

My fabulous friend, Tracy, has soooo many talents. She is the go-to girl for a kick-ass wedding dress. (I am going to plug because I want to. She is starting a business resizing, refitting, revamping, remaking vintage or family heirloom wedding dresses. did i mention how talented she is?) She showed me her 1900s Victorian townhouse that they have gutted out and restored amazingly, walked me through some cool neighborhoods in SF, and talked me down after the post-interview panic attack.

A run early that morning at Sawyer Lake. Thanks, Uncle Jay.

I went back again today, got a bench halfway through my run, and just told God how thankful I am for all the blessings I have in my life. I have amazing friends, loving family, health, and opportunities. Although I may be in a current state of unrest, I am grateful.

A Day in LA

Just in case you think I am holed up, applying for jobs all day. I do get to see and do some interesting things:

Surfing in Manhattan Beach

What the...

For personal reference, I was hoping to catch the very handsome firefighters in the shot. Alas.

Almost makes the traffic worth it.