By request - Our Honeymoon

For our honeymoon, Michael and I went to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Luckily, we chose to stay away from the Gulf of Mexico, as we knew it would be hurricane season, but we had know idea that NO would be feeling the blues from Katrina while we were honeymooning. It is weird to be in another country and hear nothing but US news the entire time we were there. Michael and I stayed at the Omni Hotel in Las Colinas before heading to BC on Sunday. We arrived very hungry during the early evening and ate at an airport restaurant. We stayed at the Fairmont which is located at the airport. The first day, we went to Whistler, BC, where the Winter Olympics will be held. BEAUTIFUL! The drive there was magnificent. They call the highway, sea to sky highway, and for good reason.

We walked around and ate lunch in Whistler. On the way back, we stopped by Shannon Falls. We took a nice hike to see this beautiful waterfall.

By the time we got back to Vancouver and enjoyed dinner and some shopping, it was time to plan our next trip. We were headed to Victoria Island. After an expensive ferry ride, we ate lunch at DALLAS CAFE! Here we are next to the cafe.

A funny story about the ferry ride back. I had commented to Michael about how remarkably quiet the boat was. I told him there would be know way this many people would be this quiet in Dallas. After a while, we realized that 25% of the passengers were deaf! They were attending a wedding between two people that were deaf! It was so funny!

The next day, we went to Stanley Park. Stanley Park is next to downtown Vancouver. This is where many of the well-fit residents run, rollerblade, ride their bikes, or walk. It's gorgeous! They also have an aquarium there. We saw baloogas ?sp?, sea otters, and really funny sea lions. Below are some pics.

Did you see the black squirrel? I've never seen one of those before!

Vancouver is so beautiful! We had 70 degree weather the whole week. It was so nice!

Random Thoughts

Age 26: I turned 26 last Monday. At age 26, I have achieved the dreams I had immediately following college. I have that middle school science job in a good school that is located close to home. I have a wonderful, caring, and Christian husband that treats me like a princess and is my very best friend. I am involved with the youth in my home church. I can feel the presence of many people who love me and work hard for me when I need help.

Michael: This sweet guy is so thoughtful. He sent a dozen roses to my work for my birthday. He took me to a wonderful and romantic Italian place for my birthday dinner. He is taking me to the Stars game tonight. All of that is great, but he brings me joy each day because of his love and support. God truly has someone special waiting for everyone and Michael is my perfect match.

Thanksgiving Break: hallelujah that I am hours away from my week-long break!!! I pledge here today that every thank you note will be written next week and mailed! I will clean up the house and hopefully wash clothes after the washing machine is fixed or replaced.

Nieces and Nephews: I have the greatest nieces and nephews in the world, on both Michael's and my sides. I loved hearing Ashley singing Happy "Bwerthday" on my voice mail. I can't wait to play with Zach, hug Maddie, and hold and watch Ethan next week. Ethan is growing up so fast that I'm sure I wouldn't recognize him on the street. (I tried to add more pics here, but I can't do it!)

Malls: I hate going to the Galleria because it is for the wealthy and people dress up to go there. That is not my kind of place. So, I like going to Valley View. That's more on my level. I went to Dillards to buy my makeup the other day. I had some comments made to me by some high school kids that made me very uncomfortable. I guess I'll be going to the fancy Galleria from now on.

Friday: This is the best day in the world. I always make my lessons for Fridays a little more relaxed. I love knowing that after 4 (sometimes 6:30) I am free for a couple of days. I love the idea of staying up later than 10:30. I love knowing that I can sleep in on Saturday. Fridays are meant for Stars and Mavs games. What a perfect way to celebrate the end of the week!

Voter Registration Card

I received my voter's registration card Saturday. This is just days after I convinced a guy at the polls to at least let me provisionally vote. I was nowhere in the records that are "constantly" being updated. I am blown away by the government's lack of being "user-friendly." (this is the best word I can come up with) I have to change my name, but the government has made it very difficult. It was also very inconvenient to obtain my marriage license. I had to wait so long to receive my new social security card that my deadline to change my insurance came and went. (Basically, I had 2 weeks to change my insurance while SSA mailed me saying that I would have my card in one week) Luckily, the district was understanding and changed my insurance after the deadline. Can we at least convince the government to have their offices opened more than 4 days a week and longer than 8:00 to 4:00? How about opened on a Saturday and open till 5:00??

JFK...conspiracy???

I watched the movie, JFK, on TV this weekend. I understand that this is a movie and that Oliver Stone took liberties to create this propaganda movie. I am now at a loss of what to think. I grew up watching documentaries explaining how there is no conspiracy. But I do wonder about the questions that are left unanswered. Here are a couple of articles that speak about different theories. Oliver Stone shows many theories in the movie, but concentrates on how Oswald wasn't even a shooter in the assassination. I am more willing now, after watching the movie, to believe that there was more than one shooter. What were the motives in killing Kennedy? I would love to know the truth, and I may live long enough to see it. What do you think is the truth?

Evolution, God, and Science

I just read an article on how scientists are trying to improve people's understanding of science. They compare a young girl to a chimpanzee. They talk about how DNA evolved and so here we are. I also came home Friday and Michael showed me a Discovery channel show that he DVRed on how we were once apes. The show took so much liberty. They basically took how humans act today and just turned those humans into apes. They acted nothing like the apes I see today. If we are from apes, why are there still apes "stuck" in today's world? The article also said there is no room for God in science. HA! I wish the writer of the article could meet John Clayton. John Clayton was an atheist, turned Christian through his studies in science. I have recently been swapping emails with him because we are both public school science teachers. Funny, my students don't know that there isn't any room for God in science because they sure ask me a lot of religious questions on nearly every topic in science. Ps. 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands." My kids, most of whom are not Christians, are moved to ask religious questions when they learn more and more science. I am offended when I am told that my ancestors are apes. I am made in the image of God and I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps 139:14).


BTW, Michael is feeling much better now.

Stars beat the Avs in a shootout and the Mavs beat the Spurs.

Stars win 9-1, and I missed the game!

Stu Barnes scored a hat trick and the Stars beat the Hawks 9-1! I can't believe I missed this! I was woring with FCA Friday after school and knew I had to get up early on Saturday for a field trip, so I went to bed really early. Tonight is a good sports night with Mavs/Spurs and Stars/Avs. Go Dallas!

Food Poisoning!

Michael had food poisoning from some salmon he ate Wednesday night. He was so very miserable Thursday. I think he was vomiting for 13 hours. He called me at work and we went to see a doctor. Funny thing was, I had no clue which doctor or which office he had an appointment with. I couldn't find out from Michael because the poor guy was in the bathroom being miserable...and he really was so out of it that he didn't know either. Thankfully, everyone at this medical center was very nice and we used a phone number to locate the correct doctor. I went into 3 doctors' offices before getting the correct one. I was able to call Michael and direct him to which floor and office. Then the receptionist was so nice and took care of Michael by bringing him cups of water. He got some meds and today is feeling much better. I am so thankful for everyone who helped me out yesterday, whether it was at school or at the medical center.