Sarah: Big Year

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

I took an unintentional leave of absence from the blog for the holidays I guess. It certainly wasn't planned, but I'm glad it happened. It was nice to just take a break and focus on on the holidays, my husband, & our families. 

For both Christmas & New Years Eve, we just chilled out at home. Everything was low-key, lovely, & perfect.

2011 was a big year:

I made a commitment to take care of my body & followed through on it//I finished up my degree & graduated college//I helped Kels pack up her stuff & move to Uganda//I ran my first 5k//I watched as my sister gave birth to my first niece, Luisa//My husband lost his job & we made a really big decision//Frank & I traveled to Uganda & I met my in-laws for the first time! And I love them//I saw the source of the Nile//My womb was blessed by one of my husband's aunties//We packed up our cars & moved across the country//We almost moved into our cars while living in San Diego//I became an official Californian//I had a big personal revelation//I got new glasses//Kelsey & Denis came to the US//Kels & Deno got engaged//

I think 2012 is going to be an even bigger year. Bring it on.

Sarah: Today

Today is my day off!

So, today I'm going to start organizing our house--because the exterminators came yesterday. woot woot! I'm excited to clean, decorate, and organize this place into feeling like a home. Perhaps there will be a home tour (through pictures) coming to the blog soon?

Today I'm getting my California drivers license...if I pass the test.

On my way home from the DMV, I'm going to  stop by that thrift store I was talking about the other day. 

I may or may not enjoy a nice glass of wine while watching 30 Rock later. 

What are you up to today?

Sarah: Almost Homeless

Francis and I lived in a hotel for one week. We got a pretty fair weekly rate, but at the end of the week we knew we wouldn't be able to afford another week in the hotel and a security deposit/rent (if we ever got to that point). That Sunday we attended the "ladle meal" at a local church for the homeless. We thought it was like a potluck type thing because the bulletin called it a community meal. It was really interesting to be one the other side of a homeless ministry and the way they ran the ministry was really strange to me...but that's another post for another day. Anyways, while we were eating with our homies, we were researching. We asked them if they know of cheap accommodation, job opportunities, and most importantly; where they shower. On check out day, with this information in hand, we were fully prepared to move into our cars. We were going to put our clothes, personal items, etc in my car and sleep in the back of Francis' car. And we planned on taking advantage of the free showers at the beaches.

But then...

An apartment that we applied for 5 days before (that we hadn't heard anything from) called us and told us that we got the apartment. We moved in that day.

We really like the apartment. It's really small. All our neighbors are from Somalia. Our neighborhood is very culturally diverse (it reminds me of the refugee community in Wheaton). One huge negative is that there are tons of cockroaches. BUT the positive side of it is that our landlord has agreed to take rent off our bill until the problem is taken care of. How awesome is that? We're still moving all out stuff in and getting situated, but we're so grateful for the roof over our heads. Even if it's also the roof over the cockroach's heads.

Kelsey: Linkity links

Here are some of my favorite things on the web.

I found this blog called Eating Stuff Everywhere. Awesome name. This post about cockroaches in the pit latrine and wondering if you can die from fear has TOTALLY happened to me. Just a warning its a little gross. The rest of the blog is mostly about food which is awesome.

This is a blog I read about a family living in Haiti. This post about midwifery is great. I almost wrote the exact same one. Today at the hospital I accurately got 6 out of 8 positions correct! And one of them the head midwife couldn't even figure out. I wrote a little about the hospital and its frustrations in this post. 

My friend Rachel writes the blog Joyfully Weary. I totally relate to her post about Harry Potter.

I am pretty sure this blog written by Joanna is some kind of government kept secret. One time I found it and then I could not find it again for a month. I have to link to it here so I can get back to it again. Also she wrote this hilarious post about awkward conversation. 

Pioneer Woman's cooking section is like crack. If I had access to goat cheese (the greatest cheese) I would be making this recipe right now! I enjoy a runny egg. I also enjoy the disgusted looks on Ugandan's faces when I eat a runny egg. :)

Wouldn't it be nice if I could link to a bunch of photos that Sarah has taken? Sarah my favorite photographer... when will that be I wonder?