tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70257342263402914242024-03-13T13:18:37.435-07:00Roaming With A Hungry HeartRoaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-48830195919106276322010-02-28T08:13:00.000-08:002010-02-28T09:08:30.434-08:00Dreaming of Warmer WeatherLast weekend my friend Anna and I took a little road trip over to WI for a quick visit due to Lisa's baby shower that her family threw for her. I also got to see Emili and her new baby Jonah, what a cutie! It was so nice to have all my girls together again - I miss them all so much! Lisa was a beautiful mother to be and hardly looked 7 months pregnant! Her family was so welcoming and a lot of fun to hang out with over the weekend! It felt just like college days when Anna, Lisa, and I spent the night at her parents' house and we stayed up until 2:30 AM (MI time, only 1:30 WI time) talking. It was so good to catch up. I've decided that I need to be better about calling and staying in touch more regularly so when we do get together it's less catching up and more heart-to-heart stuff, which I so dearly miss.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S4qi5wx9mkI/AAAAAAAAAGw/JEgq241DLK0/s1600-h/Winter+09_042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S4qi5wx9mkI/AAAAAAAAAGw/JEgq241DLK0/s320/Winter+09_042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443342212861368898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Cam and I have been talking about taking a trip to Europe for a while, but keep putting it off because my job has always been up in the air. After our trip to Australia and signing up for some credit card offers, we had enough miles for free flights for both of us to either Europe or South America. Last year I had just started at Amway and wanted to wait until I'd been there a year and had vacation time. But I left before that. And then I started at booking.com and wanted to wait until I had a permanent position or at least had an idea of when that might happen. But I'm not sure when either of those will happen. I recently got approval for a week and a half unpaid time off since temps don't have vacation time in June to take a trip, only to find out last week that flights booked with award miles book up way far in advance and there were literally no flights to anywhere in Europe for this summer. I was pretty bummed, but we decided that instead of waiting for next summer that we just had to go for it and work around it if we had to.<br /><br />So we booked flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina over the week of Thanksgiving! Man, they sure do not make it very easy to book award flights either. Since we both have separate award mile accounts, the only way we could book our flights was to book them separately, but since there were only 3 flights left I was scared that we'd only get one booked, or we'd end up on different flights. So we had to call and reserve on the phone, but they try and tell you that there are no flights available when I'm looking right at them online. Basically you have to feed them all the flight numbers and it takes them forever and they charge you $25 to book over the phone, but we got our flights!<br /><br />So the plan is to fly into Buenos Aires and stay there 4 nights. Then we're going to take a domestic fight over to Puerto Iguazu, which is where the Iguazu Falls are and stay there for 2 nights. They're right on the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay and are bigger than Niagara, and in the middle of the jungle! I'm so geeked; if you know me you would know that I kind of have a thing for waterfalls. I've seen Niagara Falls, and those were pretty amazing. But to be in the middle of the jungle without so much touristy traps in a place that is so much more remote just sounds so thrilling. After that we'll return to Buenos Aires for the last night before leaving.<br /><br />My work has the Rosetta Stone software that we can use for free, so I've been relearning my Spanish a bit, but having this trip booked will definitely give me motivation to study up before then! We'd be fine in Buenos Aires, but Iguazu is little bit more remote, and I've read reviews that say there aren't very many English speaking people. I can't wait to use my Spanish skills! Oh, but 8 months is so long to wait for a vacation, especially since we haven't gone anywhere since Vegas last April.<br /><br />There a lots of deals in Ireland right now though, and if we come across a good last minute package deal for 4-5 nights, we still might do that this summer. Otherwise we're planning on visiting Lisa and Ivan in Philly after they have the baby sometime. And there's always the new and cheap direct flights from Grand Rapids to Myrtle Beach that we could try out. After having to work basically every weekend last summer at the hotel, I'm excited to have my weekends off again this year and actually be able to go to the beach. And not miss out on holiday family get-togethers.<br /><br />I've been craving a good concert too. David Gray is on tour, but he's not coming to MI, despite making 3 stops in Ohio for some reason. But we might make his Columbus stop since it's the Saturday after my birthday next month and stay overnight for my birthday present. Seeing David Gray would be amazing - hint hint Cameron...Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-85543675574284729712010-02-10T09:07:00.000-08:002010-02-15T20:01:25.577-08:00Car Envy and Valentine's DayIt's been a fun couples weeks.<br /><br />Two weekends ago was Cam's Amway holiday party (they like to do it later in the season when it's not so busy). That was a lot of fun; they rented out the whole Van Andel Public Museum downtown GR. There was a bunch of food and beverage stations set up throughout the building. We got to ride the carousel for free, got a professional picture taken, and watched a lazer light show.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oWY9_PpyI/AAAAAAAAAGM/UCyI3_N0KE4/s1600-h/Winter+09_031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 293px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oWY9_PpyI/AAAAAAAAAGM/UCyI3_N0KE4/s320/Winter+09_031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438684118215796514" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oWYdQbbkI/AAAAAAAAAGE/BnkntP54YUc/s1600-h/Winter+09_033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 294px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oWYdQbbkI/AAAAAAAAAGE/BnkntP54YUc/s320/Winter+09_033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438684109429501506" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />My mom was gone visiting my grandparents in Florida so I called home to see what the boys were up to this weekend. We ended up going to the International Auto Show at DeVos place with them on Saturday. I've had my heart set on a Mazda 3 hatchback for a while. But I've officially been won over to a Mini Cooper extended Clubman in either red or metallic chocolate brown, ahhhh....<br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Stacey/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oUETeUVnI/AAAAAAAAAFs/jTCZkC3zu-Q/s1600-h/Mini+Cooper+Clubman.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oUETeUVnI/AAAAAAAAAFs/jTCZkC3zu-Q/s320/Mini+Cooper+Clubman.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438681564182763122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That Sunday we went to the Hurds to watch the Superbowl. I brought some delicious nachos that were heartily scarfed down.<br /><br />Last week at work was exciting as I applied for and interviewed for a permanent content editor position with Booking. I'll find out by the end of the week if I got it or not - I'm so nervous! I would really love this job. I'm a temp now and I like what I do, but it's not very challenging and extremely repetitive. And the vacation and benefits would be a huge plus too.<br /><br />This past weekend we laid low for the most part. I wasn't really feeling into going out to crazy busy restaurants for Valentine's Day. Friday night we went to my parents' house to watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. We left when the guy reading poetry came on - seriously? poetry at the Olympics ceremonies?<br /><br />Saturday night we celebrated Valentine's Day at home. Cam had to work all day, but he was able to come home and make a delicious <span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Fucilli with Zuccini and Lemon. I made lava cakes with white chocolate and raspberry sauces. Combined with some Asti Tosti and the movie Love Happens, it was a very nice, relaxing weekend. I found it much more enjoyable than going out to a crazy busy restaurant.</span></span> And I was pleasantly surprised by the meal Cam made.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oX3kU7ZnI/AAAAAAAAAGU/mhlwwqrs0F0/s1600-h/Winter+09_038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 220px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oX3kU7ZnI/AAAAAAAAAGU/mhlwwqrs0F0/s320/Winter+09_038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438685743414994546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oX4c6qInI/AAAAAAAAAGc/E1NSAvV7lzM/s1600-h/Winter+09_034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 294px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oX4c6qInI/AAAAAAAAAGc/E1NSAvV7lzM/s320/Winter+09_034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438685758605632114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oX4ivXiRI/AAAAAAAAAGk/Vm9ODtpPn6A/s1600-h/Winter+09_037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 220px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S3oX4ivXiRI/AAAAAAAAAGk/Vm9ODtpPn6A/s320/Winter+09_037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438685760168888594" border="0" /></a>Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-45350580902634375482010-02-02T09:16:00.001-08:002010-02-02T15:22:30.612-08:00Best Date Ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S2izrFmqPEI/AAAAAAAAAFk/_wM1sydYQTU/s1600-h/Winter+09_029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S2izrFmqPEI/AAAAAAAAAFk/_wM1sydYQTU/s320/Winter+09_029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433790503242579010" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Saturday I got to enjoy my Christmas present from Cam.<br />We started out with dinner at the 1913 Room at Amway to use some of my remaining "Amway money". Most amazing dinner experience ever. Despite some delicious sounding options, we chose to skip first course to make sure we would have room for dessert. But that doesn't mean you don't have anything to snack on before the meal. The "bread man" came by several times with his tray of about 6 different breads to choose from. My favorite was a cranberry one. And then there was this little tray with a bite of fish, blue cheese and crouton, and a shot of potato soup. And to cleanse the palate - a little scoop of berry sorbet with a sparkling wine topper. We chose to order a bottle of Pino Grigio from a winery in Northern MI. For dinner I got the Dover Sole - buttery, lemony, light, flaky fish with pea-size vegetables and some fancy-looking potatoes. Cam got the duck that came in a red wine sauce with potatoes and endive. For dessert we had to get the Milky Way since Cam hasn't had it - a cone of 3 chocolates filled with a chocolate mouse on a shortbread cookie, with a side of amaretto and more chocolate sauce. Amazing!!!<br /><br />Then came the Cirque Dreams Illumination show at DeVos place. We saw a Cirque show in Vegas last year, and I think I liked this show more than the one we saw there. It was astounding. The Asian contortionists/acrobats were probably my favorite. We had great seats too - in the little boxes on the side of the theater. It was nice to have some room and not feel fenced in by people.<br /><br />After the show we let the crowds pass and got a drink at the Lumbar Baron bar in Amway. I got a peach bellini and Cam got a delicious coffee drink with Bailey's and amaretto. It was nice to just sit and relax and talk after the evening.<br /><br />We said hi to some old co-workers as we walked to the lobby and got our picture taken. I'm so excited because I think this is one of the best pictures taken of us recently, possibly ever. Overall, quite possibly the best date we've ever been on - valet parking, dressing up, amazing dinner and show, relaxing over drinks, my favorite!<br /><br />In lue of this date, I told Cam we don't have to do much for Valentine's Day, but I'd like it if he would cook a nice meal for me. I think he's going to do it, so we'll see how that goes, haha :)Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-40831189337690580882010-01-15T09:03:00.000-08:002010-01-15T13:08:22.420-08:00Just Tell Me WhenThis whole thing in Haiti right now has been sitting heavy on my heart this week, especially for all the children there. Haiti had a lot of orphans before all of this happened just due to the extreme poverty. But the events of this week will certainly increase that exponentially.<br /><br />Those of you that know me well know that I have a heart for adoption and plan to adopt someday. I've always felt like there's something wrong with me that I don't have this strong "maternal instinct" to have kids someday. Don't get me wrong, I plan on having my own child/children too, and I'm sure once I'm thrown into it I'll be all about it. But the whole idea of being pregnant and giving birth just isn't appealing to me. A friend described to me the anxious feeling of waiting and waiting for their baby and then finally getting to meet it. And I totally understand that, but for me I tend to think of that in a different way. Of going through the whole adoption process: all the paperwork and procedures, visiting the country, meeting my future child, and then finally one day being able to bring that child home.<br /><br />I have actually researched and would consider adopting from Haiti. One of Cameron's co-workers just adopted from Haiti and literally brought home their child weeks ago. I can't imagine how relieved they are that their process was finalized before all of this happened. I've heard many stories this week of people that are in the middle of their adoption and how everything is so up in their air now. It's inevitable that everything will be drawn out even longer now with everything else the country is dealing with and lost paperwork, ect.<br /><br />I've been thinking about when to start this whole process, and whether to have my own child first or to adopt first. If we adopt first, we could almost start that process now with how long it takes. I'm totally not ready for a child right now, but I honestly don't know if I'll ever feel "ready". I know if something did happen I'd eventually warm to the idea, but I feel like there so many things about myself that I still need to work on before I could ever be a good mom. How do you decide that you're ready to start a family? Is it just something that all of a sudden dawns on you, or is it just something you decide to do and then prepare for it? <br /><br />In the meantime I'm still sorting through what I want to do with my life. I just started a new job; it's going well so far, but it's not something I'd want to do forever. I'm just a temp right now, and it'll be a while before I really see what the chances of being hired are and where I can go in the company. <br /><br />I just wish this whole revealing of God's plan for your life didn't have to take so long. I'm really open to a lot - jobs, moving, adopting. Just tell me where and when.Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-63801485695679049332010-01-03T17:17:00.000-08:002010-01-03T17:56:28.693-08:00Happy New Year!Ah, what a nice weekend.<br />New Year's Eve I only worked until 2. I then got my hair cut and colored in Holland (the lowlights all faded away already though so I'm kind of bummed. I might have to get them redone this week.)<br /><br />That night we went downtown with Cam's brother Duncan and his wife Kristina. First Cam and I stopped by Amway Grand to get a couple drinks and spend some of my "Amway money". It was fun to see all my old friends and co-workers and fun to sit in the lobby bar on the other side of things and people watch all the dressed up people heading out to their parties for the night. After that we met up at the BOB for their progressive dinner. We started at Bobarino's and also stopped at the Monkey Bar. After thoroughly stuffing ourselves we went up to the Top of the Bob where a live band was performing. We hung out there for most of the remaining evening. Got Cam out on the dance floor for a few songs and Duncan for one. Cam and I went up one more floor to Eve to check that out for a little bit.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FD49uD0XI/AAAAAAAAAE8/uFCOjpiQdRs/s1600-h/Winter+09_018.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 177px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FD49uD0XI/AAAAAAAAAE8/uFCOjpiQdRs/s320/Winter+09_018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422690072250274162" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FD5nT2BBI/AAAAAAAAAFE/8aDy25Vw1GA/s1600-h/Winter+09_016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 235px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FD5nT2BBI/AAAAAAAAAFE/8aDy25Vw1GA/s320/Winter+09_016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422690083414606866" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FD57J9c_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/IdVX0lJIgR8/s1600-h/Winter+09_020.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 177px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FD57J9c_I/AAAAAAAAAFM/IdVX0lJIgR8/s320/Winter+09_020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422690088741860338" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />After ringing in the New Year and saying goodbye to Duncan and Kristina (who had to plow later) we stopped by Rosa Parks Circle for a while. They were still playing music and everyone was dancing and having a great time. And then began the long, cold walk back to the car. It was a very fun night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FFa9fPJ3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/6fpYO4w3IZY/s1600-h/Winter+09_025.JPG"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FFa9fPJ3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/6fpYO4w3IZY/s1600-h/Winter+09_025.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 177px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FFa9fPJ3I/AAAAAAAAAFU/6fpYO4w3IZY/s320/Winter+09_025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422691755815282546" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FFbShX7dI/AAAAAAAAAFc/2e8EV70ClHE/s1600-h/Winter+09_026.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 177px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FFbShX7dI/AAAAAAAAAFc/2e8EV70ClHE/s320/Winter+09_026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422691761461390802" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The next day we went to the Hurds for their Christmas get-together with the cousins. There were several of us there who were rather tired and sluggish looking. But always fun to see everyone and of course play games. Cam's cousins are very competitive people (they were still joking about how I got a little, shall we say "frustrated", at all the cheating going on at Thanksgiving when we were playing girls against guys fast Uno). The guys always cheat, and that was again the case Friday during Spoons, which I somehow got roped into playing partway through.<br /><br />Saturday Cam and I cleaned, put away the Christmas decorations, and did some returns. We again attempted an exchange at Best Buy, but still they are out of the Guitar Hero package, as well as any other location and online. So we won't be getting our Guitar Hero for a while :(<br /><br />Today Cam and I went to the Public Museum downtown. Amway Global employees got in for free until today, so we decided to check out their special exhibits going on. Grossly underestimated how many families and children would be there today, but it was still fun.<br /><br />It's back to the grind tomorrow. It's a different thing for me to actually have a consistent schedule. All weekend I kept thinking that the next day was Monday and of all the things I had to do before then. So hope everyone else has a great start to the year!Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-32927567035097293362009-12-31T10:06:00.000-08:002010-01-03T17:15:44.886-08:00The Christmas PostHope everyone had a wonderful Christmas weekend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0E98AnuADI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8DX30pRIP-c/s1600-h/Winter+09+_004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 173px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0E98AnuADI/AAAAAAAAAEc/8DX30pRIP-c/s320/Winter+09+_004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422683527498825778" border="0" /></a>Christmas Eve we went to Cam's family for the traditional Belgium waffles evening. Before dinner Cam, his dad, and both brothers brought a playset that Bryon and Mary had bought for the girls over to Duncan's house to set it up. The only casualty? - Cam's jeans ended up with a huge tear in them. He assured me he was not doing anything unnecessary or showing off to cause this (I still have my doubts as to how necessary it was to jump over a wire fence, but that's just me). I seem to recall the last time Cam tore a pair of shorts it was climbing over the wire puppy pen, hmmm. But waffles were delicious as always. Present opening was crazy with 3 little girls - who found it hilarious to chase Cam around to steal and hide his socks (why anyone would want his socks is beyond me, but then again I have a sock aversion).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0E-zTDscvI/AAAAAAAAAEk/4BmQmU7RXy4/s1600-h/Winter+09+_006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 176px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0E-zTDscvI/AAAAAAAAAEk/4BmQmU7RXy4/s320/Winter+09+_006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422684477340807922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FAPA6cKAI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Rro9vn2vcpg/s1600-h/Winter+09+_010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 235px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FAPA6cKAI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Rro9vn2vcpg/s320/Winter+09+_010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422686053018118146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FAOoRdnUI/AAAAAAAAAEs/tMxp1JRn4dI/s1600-h/Winter+09+_007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 235px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SSn14GOnMPA/S0FAOoRdnUI/AAAAAAAAAEs/tMxp1JRn4dI/s320/Winter+09+_007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422686046403796290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Later that evening Cam and I opened our presents to each other over a bottle of hard cider that was amazing (from an cider mill and winery in Spring Lake). Cam's new jeans came just in time. And he was completely surprised and impressed by the external hard drive with 1Terbite of storage. Cam got me the new John Mayer cd, some jewelry, and tickets to Broadway GR Cirque Dreams show. Cool seats too in these little side boxes. That's January 30, super excited.<br /><br />Christmas morning we made it to my parents' house by about 10. The boys were eagerly awaiting our arrival so we could open presents; much longer they said and they would have started without us. We got Wii Fit and Guitar Hero, The Curragh Irish Pub gift card, movie gift card, cool picture frame, and Firehouse Guitar gift card. Caleb and Josh both got cell phones so they were super pleased. And then we ate; boy did we eat - all day in fact! Ham, meatballs, garlic mashed potatoes, and tons of desserts! Played pictionary, apples to apples, and Uno. It was a very fun and satisfying day.<br /><br />The next morning we slept off all that food. Then we went into Grand Rapids for a late brunch at Wolfgang's in Eastown. Cam had this amazing skillet and I had pancakes with cream cheese and fruit topping. We stopped at the art museum downtown - I had some passes left from Amway that were expiring. We attempted a Best Buy exchange, but that proved fruitless, and then relaxed the rest of the evening and weekend.<br /><br />Looking forward to New Year's Eve tonight with Duncan and Kristina. Hope you all have a fun and safe night!Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-14101120884124163192009-12-21T09:02:00.000-08:002009-12-21T19:46:21.377-08:00Holiday ActivitiesFriday night my mom sang in a big production at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland called "Noel". Whintly Phipps, a very famous singer, was the featured performer for the event and my mom sang in a quartet of women with him on several songs. Look up his performance of Amazing Grace performed for the Obamas on YouTube.<br /><br />Afterward the whole family went to Fricano's for some delicious pizza. Everyone must have been at Christmas parties, because the place was nearly empty. I have never gone there without having to wait a good half hour or more for a table, and then nearly an hour for the pizza. Always worth it, but it was so nice to get right in, because it was 8:30 and we were hungry.<br /><br />Saturday I got my nails done in the morning. I've never had acrylics before, so this post is taking longer to type than normal as I'm still getting used to them. But I love how they look. I've wanted to for a while, and now that I have a job that actually pays decently more than minimum wage I figure why not? I have them painted a deep sparkly red for Christmas.<br /><br />Saturday night Cam and I went out with our good friends Anna and Mike. We met up at JD Reardons for a delicious dinner despite the fact that they forgot to put chicken in Anna's Asian dish and put mushrooms in my pasta even though I asked them not to. Oh well. After that we went downtown to the civic theatre for a performance of Cinderella. It was a very good performance. It was extremely reminicent of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rodgers-Hammersteins-Cinderella-Ginger-Rogers/dp/B00005RYPC/ref=cm_lmf_tit_6">1965 version of Cinderella</a> that my my parents had on VHS which I watched countless times. Even her dress that she wore to the ball was a near replica of the one in this version of Cinderella. I found myself wanting to sing along to all the songs I used to know by heart. Cam did catch me humming the song "Impossible" in the car on the way home. I want to buy the movie on Amazon now, but apparently it's a collectible item and really expensive.<br /><br /><br />Oh dear, Cam just called me from at a bachelor party at Firekeeper's Casino in Battle Creek. He wanted to know if he should keep going in blackjack. He had started with $20 and is currently at $60. I told him I wasn't making that decision for him. (I think he was a little buzzed, apparently he "shotgunned" a beer). Whatever that means, something about cutting a hole or something in the bottom and drinking the whole thing in like 10 seconds; I didn't really get it. Cameron buzzed=even more silly than normal. He'll be back around 1; I'll be sleeping.<br /><br />Looking forward to Christmas. I only work until 2 on Christmas Eve and we'll be going to the Hurds that night. Christmas will be with my family. I haven't finalized when Cam and I will open our presents to each other. I'm leaning toward Christmas Eve after Cam's family so we can relax and make it a romantic evening over a bottle of hard cider we've been saving.<br /><br />Hope everyone has a wonderful, family-filled, busy, crazy Christmas while somehow finding time for the quiet, peaceful moments!Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-13962941643361980262009-12-18T08:32:00.000-08:002009-12-18T08:41:35.219-08:00For Christmas I Want Shiny New Things1. A new car. <br />My car has been doing this thing for a few weeks, maybe once a day or so. Out of no where it will sound like the speakers will pop and then all the dashboard lights and the radio turn off for a few seconds and then slowly fade back in. Not a big deal, just a little annoying. But then earlier this week I was almost to work when my power steering goes out on me during a turn. When I drove home and since then it's been fine though. Duncan, my brother-in-law came over Wednesday night and threw a new battery in and some more power steering fluid. It's been fine since then, but we shall see.<br /><br />2. A new cell phone and upgraded wireless plan. <br />I've hated my phone the day I got it. The phone I had for 2 years before had a longer battery life than this one started with. We have the most basic phone and wireless plan you can buy. But I want texting! People send me texts sometimes, and it's not a big deal if it's once in a while, but I would like to be able to respond back in a text.<br /><br />3. My pretty red hairdryer has been making a racket lately and that will likely have to be replaced.<br /><br />4. Canon Rebel Xti - mmmmmm, enough said.<br /><br />So yes, I have expensive tastes, and I don't think I'm getting any of the above :(<br />But I'm flexible. It doesn't have to be shiny electronics. Sparkly jewelry will do just fine too.Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025734226340291424.post-53044602222815150552009-12-15T20:09:00.000-08:002009-12-15T20:26:01.731-08:00This Time of Year Makes Me Happy and SadI love the holidays. I love Christmas shopping and decorating and good food. I love parties and celebrations. This weekend Cam and I were driving along Chicago Drive going from his parents house in Hudsonville to mine in Zeeland. There's this tree farm along the road. Every year for Christmas they decorate just one tree with white lights. But when you think of decorating a tree, this takes that up by about 10 levels. It literally looks like every single branch and twig has been outlined in lights. In contrast with the bare fields around it, it just looks heavenly. <br /><br />Seeing this tree always reminds me of the winter we were engaged. Cam had bought and was already living by himself in our condo in Hudsonville. I was living by myself in my grandma's house in Zeeland. But school was 10 minutes in one direction from the condo, and work was 10 minutes in the other. So no matter which day it was, a school day or a work day, it made it very easy to go to the condo afterwards. Needless to say, there were many, many evenings driving home along Chicago Drive, and seeing that one tree lit up all by itself against the black night always made my drive a little more pleasant (even when it was blizzardy and I was afraid my poor little car with bad tires and weighted down with cement blocks just wasn't going to make it through).<br /><br />But the holidays always makes me miss people who aren't here. My friend Emili who just had her second little boy in WI. My friend Ali in Chicago. And my friend Lisa in Philadelphia (and pregnant with her first). And my grandparents in Florida among others. I miss the days of getting together with all the extended family and having a blast with all the cousins. I miss college and seeing my friends all the time and all our crazy adventures. This time of year makes me more aware of all that.<br /><br />Which is part of the reason why I'm starting this blog. A couple of my friends have a blog, and having my own will make me more diligent about checking theirs and keeping in touch. At least until a trip in person can be made!<br /><br />Until then, I love and miss you all!Roaming With A Hungry Hearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16264483155409850473noreply@blogger.com0