Well friends, I'm off. Off to the beautiful country of Greece for two glorious weeks. I'll be sure to share stories and pictures on the blog when I return.
If you think of us, we'd love your prayers. Thanks!
P.S. - the translated title of this blog is "I'm sorry, but I don't speak Greek." I might be using that phrase once in awhile on the trip...
My youngest sister Emily graduated college last June and moved down to LA this past January to try and break into the "biz". She works at CBS, takes acting classes at night, does a lot of auditioning, she's been in a few student films at UCLA, filmed a commercial, was an extra in a new Eddie Murphy movie, etc.
She just sent my family a link to a video she was in for HBO. It's really funny! I think I appreciate it even more because it's all about an office Nerf war and we just finished Nerf Assassins in the college group.
Anyway, there's probably 70 people in the video so let me point out the 2 spots you can see her (she's wearing black business attire - like everyone else - and a red scarf/tie)
* At 3:07 she is the one pushing the copier/tank to block darts and move forward
* At 3:45, she climbs onto the desk and throws the nerf football grenade
GO EM!!! =)
First off, the fire is contained. Yeah! That is great news. The firefighters were studmuffins and worked tirelessly for 5 days straight to put out the fire. (On Saturday, we went outside and saw our cars covered with ash - crazy)
Right now, I am in the gettin'-ready-mode. We have had the last few weeks off of college group to get ready for the summer and now it is time to start up again for summer. We kick off Wednesday with a BBQ. So Intern Jeff and I made a trip to good ol' Costco (samples!) to stock up on all the food. We've cleaned the house and garage, front and back porch, put up decorations, etc.
But then I am also getting ready for Greece. It's strange because we kick off for summer this Wednesday...and then I leave on Sunday for 2 weeks. Oh well! Vacation!! =) I'm doing all my last minute errands, laundry, exchanging money, etc. It still doesn't seem real. I'm really going to Europe in 6 days??
I hope you all had a nice Father's Day yesterday. My dad's birthday is today, so we had a two-fer last night. We celebrated him as a dad and we celebrated his life. The whole fam was at my parent's house so I got to rub Amy's belly. They get to find out the gender in two weeks! Amy and David are so sure they're going to have a boy, but I believe that means they're going to have a girl.
Ok, back to work. Love you all.
Here's an update on the fire (as of noon today):
"The fire is now 25 percent contained. It has destroyed 10 residences, burned 600 acres and prompted evacuation orders for 1,700 residents."
The article went on to say they hope to have the fire contained by tomorrow or Sunday.
A couple weeks ago, a huge fire started in the mountains near my church. I remember driving to work one morning and seeing tons of white clouds. I thought it was just fog. But when I got into my office, my co-workers informed me it was actually smoke from a crazy fire. Thousands of homes had been evacuated. At the end of it all, 4,200 acres and 35 houses were burned and it took firefighters 9 days to contain and put it out. 
So today on my drive home I looked up and saw huge columns of smoke. "Oh no! Again??" This time the fire was coming from a different group of mountains northwest from the last fire. I know it's been super hot and dry, but really?? Another one? (I almost got in an accident trying to take this picture. Whoops!)
I got home and we had a view of the smoke from our porch. We quickly turned on the news and sat for about half hour, listening for updates. We found out the fire was only 6 miles from our house. It was pretty scary because we were watching scenes of fire and smoke on the TV and to the left of the TV were our windows where we could see the smoke! And then we'd hear/watch planes fly right over our house and then see them on the news dropping retardant onto the fire. It was crazy.
** I just checked for an update online. Here's what I have: A growing 300+ acre wildfire...it could spread to as many as 1,000 acres before firefighters are able to begin slowing it...1,400 residents have been evacuated from their homes...1 burned home confirmed so far...started around 3 pm...no lead on what started the fire yet...650 firefighters will be fighting the blaze overnight...eight helicopters, eight air tankers and as many as 20 bulldozers...
This morning I went surfing with my roomate Laurel. It has been way too long since I've been out in the water and man oh man, did it feel good!! The sun was out, the waves were perfect, people were friendly, the pelicans were out in huge V's...it was amazing. There was even a guy who would catch waves and then do HANDSTANDS on his board! What the heck?! That is talent..JPG)
Random moment to share: Laurel and I shared my surfboard and brought a boogie board for the other to sit on while we waited our turn. The leash for the surfboard is huge and goes around the ankle. The leash for the boogie board is much smaller and goes around the wrist. Laurel caught a few waves first and then we switched boards and leashes. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her fiddling with the velcro from the boogie board leash for awhile. Finally she looked up and said, "It's not fitting!" I then realized she was trying to put the velcro around her ankle and it was way too small. I told her it went around her wrist and then tried to brush it off like it was no big deal, so as not to embarrass her. But she smiled and said, "Oh Sarah, feel free to laugh!" So we did.
Every time I hear this word, I start laughing:
"SKADOOSH"
I am going to try entering it into normal day conversations.
New memory card for my camera so I can take a gazillion pictures?
Check.
Good walking shoes that are comfortable, yet don't scream "tourist"?
Check.
Tops to match the skirts I will be packing?
Check.
Random toiletries such as laundry detergeant packets, toilet-paper-to-go, hand wipes, sunscreen, earplugs, and batteries?
Check.
Copies of passport to 1) give to family and 2) keep with me in my luggage?
Check.
Countdown to Greece...14 days
I had three long meetings today. But they were all outside. In the glorious sun. It was probably 75 degrees with an amazing breeze. All seemed well with the world.
Peace, rest, warmth, comfort, smiling, joy.
Can I go ahead and officially say that summer is here?
(there was a dog nearby wearing a t-shirt and I just HAD to take a picture with him - love it)
* downloaded all of David Cook's songs from iTunes
* enjoyed NOT having to plan for college group Wed. night (we don't start up again till June 18th)
* watched the 2 hour LOST season finale. Holy. Crap.
* met with the roomies to plan for our trip to GREECE! (countdown...20 days) We have settled on 3 cities on land and 3 islands we want to visit
* joined Netflix. First DVD I received? Flight of the Conchords Season 1
* took our next-door neighbor's golden retreivers on a run and then played with their new puppy (I will have one some day...)
* continued to read The Shack by William P. Young
* went to a couple graduation parties
* enjoyed the amazing sunshine all week (tried to be outside whenever possible)
* witnessed the end of our Nerf Assassin game. Here is the promo video we did back in April:
The game went on for over a month and finally it ended with an exciting chase scene last Thursday around the church. Winner? Jeremy.
* cleaned the house and garage where we meet for college group
* found out that my future niece/nephew is the size of a fist this week
* had coffee with 2 dear friends and enjoyed some deep belly-laughs
* bought a new digital camera so I can take rockin' pictures in Greece!
* had a BBQ at the beach with some buds
* tried unsuccessfully to go to bed at a reasonable hour each night
