Tea is so wonderful :) So soothing.

I am settled in at the Barksdale's and completely out of the apartment. Our lease was up on Friday! This week was also my first day back to work from my month long break. It wasn't so bad the first day but the middle of the week was horrible. I felt as if the day dragged on....I ended up leaving after two hours and had to make it up later on in the week. I think I've gotten back into the groove of things now.

Last time I talked about how I do whatever people want me to do, so I don't have to suffer the consequences (like a guilt trip). With what I'm going through, I need as little stress as possible. I believe God does things or lets things happen for a reason. I know that what I've been diagnosed with is not good news, but since I've been diagnosed God has shown me areas of my life that have to change in order for survival. Like saying no to certain people that repeatedly hurt me. Not taking on everyone's burdens, and actually thinking of myself. I told my community group that I'm really really tired of talking about it (and I am sooo tired of it), but I'm grateful for how God is using this.
Speaking of my savior, ....Jake and I had been going to Christ the King Anglican Church for a long time now but I feel that we don't belong there. I've met the same people 5 times but am somehow a stranger. I love the church but it's God's decision as to where I will serve and worship. So now we are trying the church we came from and also Red Mountain. I haven't been really connected to a church in a while and I'm ready.

Has then been a really hard time in your life that you look back on and realize that you are truly grateful for it because you learned one of the most important lessons of your life?

Shirley!!! Those pictures are so great! What kind of camera do you have?? When do you go back home?
I haven't sent your package yet but I'm trying to make it better than the last! I found this awesome store downtown that sells all different kinds of nicknack's and old stuff! I also didn't want to send your package until you got home, so let me know!
It's so great that you are growing !!
I miss you!

Holly

H E L L O again!!

It's been a while since the last time I blogged. So I'm doing it now in Germany!! Many things have happened since my last post, and I will try to let you know about it in the next days. And now, about my life in Germany.

I would say it's a picturesque country full of vibrant flowers cascading from window boxes, charming old towns with cobblestone roads.

It's just as you see it in pictures, really! Overall, Germany is gorgeous, the people are friendly, and most speak at least some English. Believe me. Lots of Americans over there, no worry.

The cities are so clean and sometimes have the Middle Ages feel where you enter the main streets from arched walk ways and stone streets.

Every day we would be off to explore another city, town, mountain, or village, either by train or car.




Anyway, what I wanted to talk about today is about what happens on Sundays in Germany. In Germany almost all shops are closed on Sunday. Supermarkets, malls, bakeries, shops, bookshops, etc. Sunday is a day to be with family and no work, like cutting the grass, is done on this day.

I was not used to it at all. Back in my home country, supermarkets and malls are open the whole week and some even 24 hours.


The pace of life is much slower and more enjoyable. I go the the grocery store almost every day. Food is fresher and foods like chicken and beef dont have a lot of preservatives and dont last but a day or two in the refrigerator.

I did a lot of shopping at the german markets. Everything is really cheap. Like $1.00 for a package of cheese.




The food is amazing - if you pass a street vendor selling sausages, BUY ONE, because that's some of the best food EVER!
The beer, of course, is wonderful, and practically every town has their own brewery. Regardless if you are a fan of beer or not, the best place in the world to enjoy the variety and quality of good beer is here. They do have very strange ideas about pizza too.



Getting off the food kick, one of the neatest things about living in Germany is how easy it is to get to other countries - you can take on road trips to Netherlands, Denmark, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland etc.


There's also a ton to see and do in Germany itself, and most towns and cities have an older section sometimes dating back 800 or more years!


I'll never forget the first time I saw that Castle, it was magnificent, my first castle, high above the town, overlooking everything, it seemed so majestic and magical to me.

That was the Neuschwanstein Castle in Southwest, Germany, an inspiration Walt Disney used to make Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella's castles.


The mountains and countryside are beautiful. There are flowers everywhere. The history there is amazing and incredible.

It was so unimaginable when you go into a church that is 1000 years old. Christmas markets are wonderful and we really missed them this year.



Needless to say, this experience of traveling and living in Germany for a month changed my life and my way of looking at things like no other before or since.


What started out as somewhat fearful of the unknown, has turned into my lifelong quest for travel, sometimes bordering on the edge of obsession, to learn about other places, people and cultures.



Well i could go on and on. There are so many wonderful thing to experience.There's so much more to tell.

Just remember: don't be afraid to get out and experience your surroundings. Eat, drink and be happy.




Shirley

So what's new with all of you?? Hope everything is well!
I've been off work recently and I'm dreading going back....I'm not sure if I'm ready.

So, I didn't enroll for school this semester because my lease isn't up until the end of September and Allstate wont let me work part time. So I'll be enrolling next semester :)
I was supposed to move in with my parents for 3 months but hey,....I just couldn't. I got so stressed out about it and I've been told to reconsider...So I did. I'm a horrible decision maker. I've made all these "smart" decisions that has had me compromise my quality of life. I can't make the decisions that are healthy for me - The ones where I'm not draining myself and making myself go crazy. I've always been this way because I've been taught to make others happy. I mean, when I've tried to make good decisions for myself, I have had to face the consequence of my parents reaction. My mom, up until recently, would get upset if I showed that I could not live with her and my stepfather or that I couldn't take her advice or if I was distancing myself from her. I say up until recently because lately she's been concerned. The last two times I've freaked out it's been over a fight that's we have had. She's kind of gotten to the point where she doesn't care about what the decision is as long as I'm in a healthy place that I want to be in. So when I told her I didn't think I could handle moving back, she was okay with it.. That scared me honestly and I started crying on the phone because I was scared that once I moved in with someone else (most likely Jake's parents) then she would start being moody and upset. She said she wouldn't and understood that I felt this way because that's how she normally reacts. So she really wants me to just be better. That's a huge relief. When I was told to reconsider living with them, I started having anxiety attacks because I didn't think I could tell my mom.

Are you like that? Always trying to please others and not knowing how to do things for yourself?
I would have told you before that I do things for myself, because I do. I buy things for myself and do what I want for the most part. Put when it comes to doing what my parents or family want me to do, I do whatever so I don't have to deal with them being upset.

Jake found an article about a interview with Chris Brown....it's pretty bad. I mean, this guy acts like he just broke Rihanna's bicycle. I know he says that he has problems with violence towards women because his parents were a role model for him, but that's no excuse. If you know you have a problem, then get help. You are constantly making your own decisions and no one made him hit Rihanna! I mean we all have our problems because of our parents but when it comes down to it, no one makes us do the screwed up things we do. I also don't understand how Chris thinks going around pretending like it's not that big of a deal is helping him any. It is a big deal. You're a celebrity, and everyone is watching you. Normal people face serious jail time over this stuff. Domestic abuse is not pretty and no one is a fan. Who is Chris's publicists? I sometimes wonder if he has one. The best response would have been to deeply apologize and pretend like he means it and then give some community time and money to domestic abuse awareness.
Here's the article: http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-chris-brown-interview-that-will-give-you-enoug,32546/

Tell me what you think.

Hey Shirley! I hope everything is well. Please update the blog about your trip! With pictures!!


Holly

Scorpio
Oct 30
Enjoys Traveling, Reading, Writing, Teaching at church, Psychology, Starbucks, Sushi and Noodles.

``I like trying new things, as long as I'm with friends.
I have my ups and downs and i'm not perfect-I'm just trying to figure things out. I hope you can understand. :)

Gemini
June 18
Enjoys Traveling, Reading, Badminton, Swimming, Sightseeing, Movies, Pizza, Starbucks, Biology.

``I'm random and always up for a good laugh. I like comfortable silences, knowing someone so well that you don't have to speak. I find intelligence hot and strong personalities even more. Dislike being confined.

1. To achieve all those stated below
2. World Peace
3. Travel Around the World
4. Enjoy life and be with our loved ones
5. Have a good Career
6. End of Genocide Around the Globe
7. Our First Million
8. Stop Abortion
9. Work and Settle Abroad
10. A Friend in each country
11. Good Grades for our Academic
12. Lesser Homework for now


...to be continued. :D







Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

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