I need to buy a fiddle....

..because we are moving to TEXAS!  That's right - TEXAS.  In fact, one month from today the moving company is coming! AHH - it is sneaking up so so fast!!


"Texas? Why Texas" you ask? Well, this fall, Paul will become a Baylor Bear and will start his work towards his Ph.D. in Chemistry!! (I'm so freakin proud I don't know what to do :D)   For those who don't know, Baylor University is located Waco, TX..... yes, THAT Waco.  Baylor is know for some amazing things - academically, athletically.... Waco is known for one thing - and that is not for Baylor University (actually, Dr Pepper was invented in Waco and yes, there is a museum)!  But, Waco is actually only 1 to 1.5 hours from both Dallas and Austin! Live music anybody? :)


Here are some facts that I have found about Texas:

• "More wool comes from Texas than any other state in the U.S." - Ironic since I don't see a need to even pack any of my wool clothing to take with me
• "Texas boasts the nation's largest herd of white tail deer" -My poor poor car.... don't worry mom, I will mail you the meat ;)
• "The first suspension bridge in the United States was the Waco Bridge. Built in 1870 and still in use today as a pedestrian crossing of the Brazos River." - very cool actually
• "The armadillo is the official state mammal."  - From what I hear, it tastes delicious!
• "More species of bats live in Texas than in any other part of the United States." - ... do I even need to comment on this?
• Texas gets more tornados than any other state...

But after all - their state tree is the Pecan Tree and their state dance is Square Dance.... I think I can get along just fine :)

This move was my biggest motivations in starting a blog. I really wanted a better way for friends and family to keep up with how we are doing and what is going on with us in..Texas.  The next month is going to be slammed with trying to pack up and figure out all the details of a move like this and on top of that, we are busy every weekend up until we move! We have a busy, busy month! Be sure to stay tuned! :)

Farewell to an amazing job!

So, tomorrow is my last day at my job.  Yesterday we had a program celebration day, celebrating 10+ years of phenomenal work (it was also the last day that I will see my youth staff *sad face). But in keeping with the celebration idea... I wanted to take a moment and acknowledge what an incredible job I have had the privilege of having these past three years!

I have had the opportunity to work with some absolutely exceptional people! Each one has taught me so, so, so, so much! Either about the work that we do, life skills, business skills, and just really how be a good person. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to know all of them as each one has made a lasting impact on my life!

This job has also allowed me to say something that not everybody can say... through this job, I KNOW I have made a difference! Whether in the youth that I have worked directly with, the youth that my youth work with, or through advocacy efforts, I can say without hesitation that I have had the opportunity to make a difference! How freakin' awesome is that?!?

I could go on for days and days about how much this job means to me. It has taught me business skills (note taking? coordinating events across the state? webinars? conference calls? yeah, it's been a lot!), it's taught me what REAL Youth Empowerment is (which was not really taught in any education class I took - not like it needs to be), it's let me grow into a young professional, and let's face it... it's fun. I have had a really FUN job! (Jealous right now aren't you? :D)

I just want to say THANK YOU to everybody I have had the pleasure to work with these past few years and for everything you have done to improve the lives of youth across this state!!

For me, my next steps will be to enjoy the month of July while we are still in Wilmington. Then, The Scientist and I will be moving!!!

Stay tuned to find out where! :)

Rigabamboo??

So I decided to try blogging again..... I think the last blog I attempted had, maybe 3 posts??  Hopefully I will be more successful with this one :)

If you are wondering about the title of my blog, then obviously you have never been to summer camp!  Rigabamboo is in the famous song "Princess Pat" (one of my top 5 favorite camp songs). I have listed the lyrics below for those who are unfamiliar!

"The Princess Pat, Lived in a tree, She sailed across, The seven seas, She sailed across, The Channel Two, And she took with her, A Rigabamboo.

A Rigabamboo, Now what is that? It's something made, By the Princess Pat, It's red and gold, And purple too, That's why it's called, A Rigabamboo. 

Now Captain Jack, Had a mighty fine crew, He sailed across, The Channel Two, But his ship sank, And yours will too, If you don't take, A Rigabamboo. 

A Rigabamboo, Now what is that? It's something made, By the Princess Pat, It's red and gold, And purple too, Thats why it's called, A Rigabamboo."


I figured if the Rigabamboo could help The Princess Pat sail around the world successfully, then I could use one to help sail through life.    I know there will be big changes and events happening in the next few years of my life, and I felt that a blog would be 1) the best way for me to track these things, but 2) to keep all my friends and family updated as well!

With that said, I will leave you with a picture of crazy people singing crazy camp songs :)

(I wish I had a picture of people singing The Princess Pat...but us singing A-Roosta-Cha will have to work)