Project 52 Date Nights: Low Key

This weekend was all about being lazy. I think this was the first lazy weekend we have had this year. Which is pretty sad since it is already June...

Friday night we opted to go eat at a local joint. We are trying to savor local Charlotte places since there will come a time when we can no longer visit these places on a whim. We decided on Charley's in Cotswald. We were excited because we have not been to Charley's in some time and they have outdoor dining (a plus in our books). As we walked up to the restaurant we were excited to see a guy playing live music in the common outdoor eating area. We managed to walk all the way up to the door before we realized Charley's was CLOSED - they appeared to be updating the interior and a sign on the door said: Under New Management. So that was a HUGE disappointment :(

Our options at this point were to 1) eat a Salsarita's {a chain TexMex place where we could still enjoy the live music} 2) try out Blue Basil {a newer restaurant with a semi-pricey menu and few people eating there} or 3) go to Wolfman Pizza {our absolute fave pizza joint, but no live music}.

We opted for Salsarita's. We shared Chicken Nachos and a Chicken Quessadilla and enjoyed the music. Then it started raining. We had a nice evening anyway. After our meal, we went over to Books-A-Million to peruse magazine's and books. This is a favorite past time {though we haven't done this is FOREVER, too busy I guess}. After the bookstore, we hit up a RedBox at Harris Teeter and went home to enjoy a movie in the comfort of our home.

It was a lovely evening which set the tone for the whole weekend... Nice to have a really low key weekend for a change.

Friends from Papua New Guinea

Six-and-a-half years ago, Daniel and I took a 5-week hiatus from life and traveled to Papua New Guinea {PNG}. Daniel had just graduated from college and we were planning on transitioning to Charlotte, NC when we came back to the States. I had my mind set on taking some type of big trip before we settled into the business of post-college life. I also had a desire to go back to PNG and show Daniel where I had lived for the first six years of my life.

When I first presented these ideas to Daniel, he was a little reluctant. He thought that a 2-week vacation would be plenty of time to take off... wouldn't it be better if we stayed in the USofA? I dug my heels in and proceeded to persuade him to go along with my plan. This led us to a week of camping in Oahu, Hawaii {which is free if you take your own gear} and then 4 weeks in PNG. We spent our first 3 weeks with Andy and Catherine Scott in the highlands – mostly Mt. Hagen where I lived as a child. We were able to take some quick trips into the bush including a trip to Drima where our Land Cruiser "fell through" a bridge on our way up the mountain. Oddly enough when this happened, Andy was in the process of telling us he had only fallen through this bridge once {before}... 20+ years ago when he crossed it with my Grandpa. How's that for strange?

The Scott's persuaded us to go down to Madang for a week to spend some time with Jason and Sheryl Moriarty {they also convinced us to take a scuba diving course, which we did}. Jason and Sheryl were gracious hosts. We were able to meet some of the local Christians and they carted us around Madang, showing us the touristy things and taking care of us when Daniel contracted malaria... We initially thought Daniel was having some ear problems from scuba diving and he sat on the boat while I did our last open water dive alone. I came up in time to see Daniel puking over the side of the boat. I figured he was sea sick, but it turned out he was in the early stages of malaria. They drove us to the doctor and helped us acquire drugs to put Daniel on the road to recovery. They gave us advice like, "Don't tell anyone on the airplane {or at customs in Australia} that Daniel has malaria because they will quarantine you and make you stay in Australia indefinitely..." We took their advice and made it back to the US in one piece {though we did get re-routed through Japan due to a problem with our plane...}.

Anyways, I have lots of stories from our trip to PNG, but I wanted to focus on meeting Jason and Sheryl. I think I actually met Jason when I was in high school, but Daniel and I officially met them in their home in Madang. After our visit, we decided that we wanted to start supporting the Moriarty's in their work in PNG. So for the past 6 years, we have kept up with them and the work that they have continued to do with the Christians in the area.

Four years ago, they came to visit us in Charlotte. We had just moved into our house and started our renovation process. They were good sports and let us put them to work.

This past Saturday, they came back for another visit. This time they have two precious children and we have a finished house. They are trying to determine if they will continue their work in PNG or head to Cairnes, Australia or possibly somewhere in China. These are big decisions for them. We will continue to support them and pray that God leads them to where they need to be. Hopefully we can visit them wherever they end up... I'm already dreaming up our next international trip ;)

Sorry for not having photos with this post, our trip photos are not digital and my scanner is not hooked up right now.

KIS'D

Over the last three months, Daniel and I have had to adjust our eating habits. For me, this means committing to cooking for one instead of running out for fast food every night. For Daniel, this has meant frequently eating out for lunch {the Reynold's, who he has been living with, have graciously provided meals for him in the evenings}.

This past weekend we discussed trying to limit eating out so often in order to save money and to improve our health. For this week, in particular, Daniel is house sitting for the Reynold's and will be on his own for all of his meals. So I asked him if he would like me to help him with a meal plan and shopping list {he said YES}.

When I thought about what Daniel could/would make for himself, I decided to incorporate the KIS'D method or Keep It Simple Dear {as opposed to the KISS method - Keep It Simple Stupid as my husband is not stupid}. Daniel enjoys simpler flavors and tastes and since he is cooking for himself, I wanted it to be meals that he could put together quickly.

So for Daniel, we agreed that a Craisin Turkey Salad would be easy for his lunches. And for dinners, I suggested Spaghetti, a Salmon with Veggies packet and a Steak and Baked Potato night. He would most likely have leftovers from the spaghetti and none of these meals should take more than 20 minutes to prepare {even for Daniel who rarely cooks}.

I, on the other hand, will be making meals that include Lamb with Jasmine Rice and a side of Spinach, Dijon Pork Chops with Corn on the Cob, Eggs served on Red Peppers and Tomatoes and Fried Tilapia with Green Beans and Almonds.

Daniel has grown to love my cooking, but I know that if he is going to commit to cooking for himself, we need to keep it simple...

...

So... we have known since January that Daniel had the job with TVA and that we would be moving {eventually}. Although he didn't start until March 1, we have officially known/been preparing for this transition for the past 5+ months now.

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I have a daily planner that I use to keep track of my projects at work. Earlier this year, when we developed the monthly schedule for the magazine I design/layout, I only updated my daily planner through the end of May. I suppose I was hoping to be moved to TN by now. Whatever the reason, I just realized that I am still in Charlotte, NC and I am about to start work on the August issue of the magazine. With no true end in sight, I sat down {yesterday} and filled out my planner for the rest of the year. Trying not to be too depressed about this {or the fact that our house has had ZERO showings since the end of April}...

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In other not-so cheery news, my Grandpa had surgery on Tuesday to remove a tumor {they knew going in that he had colon cancer}. The doctor's were able to remove the tumor but the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes. We are still waiting to hear an official prognosis and planning a visit to Canada for the week of July 4th...

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Also, I am feeling particularly lonely this week. Which is odd since it is a short week (thanks to the Memorial Day holiday) and Daniel will be home tomorrow. Most of the time I am fine, but this week not so much...

52 Books in 52 Weeks: Book 20

A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe is a compilation of short stories written by women traveling the world alone. Edited by Christina Henry De Tessan, Faith Conlon and Ingrid Emerick, these stories take us to remote deserts, lush islands and a variety of exotic locals.

To me, the thrill of adventure is always alluring and I appreciate reading travel stories from a woman's perspective. However I experienced an underlying loneliness while reading these tales... This is probably just my personal reaction to traveling alone in foreign countries. I keep thinking about the summer I spent in Europe while in college. How I traveled with companions the entire summer until the day I boarded a train from Rome to Paris. Alone. It was one of the hardest things I have done. Adventure will always drive me. But I want to share it. I want to have people that understand my stories and experiences after the fact...

Some excerpts from the book:

Travel intensifies the elements of a person's nature - both fine and toxic - making them stand out more starkly than they ever do in the safe, regulated environment of home.

But travel was about letting go, and there was no other way to experience it. I knew it was only when you let go that the best things happened. That was why I traveled, and why I found it so hard some times. 

Traveling alone, as invisible as a ghost, was also a method of self discovery. What in fact, did I do when no one was watching?

We cannot predict who will change our lives, nor whose lives we will change.

For me sisterhood is the relationship with the purest motives, the least baggage. The thousands of hours spent playing in the same yard and eating the same cooking, the passing on of secrets... the layers of understanding conveyed by our own language of words and gestures - all make the bond of sisterhood a fundamental part of who I am.

A sister will never leave me. Our connection outweighs our differences.

Project 52 Date Nights - Wedding. PFunky Griddle. RiverWalk.

This weekend was another whirlwind of traveling - this time to Cedars of Lebanon {in middle Tennessee} for a cousin's wedding on Saturday. I believe that all married couples should attend at least one wedding each year, if for no other reason than as a reminder of why you got married. It was a sweet wedding and nice to catch up with family. 

  
We also managed to meet up with some friends {from this weekend wedding} on Sunday morning for breakfast at the Pfunky Griddle in Nashville. It was my friend's pick, so Daniel and I were unsure of what to expect. The restaurant had tables with griddles built into the middle and you get to make your own pancakes right there at the table. Pretty cool experience. It was nice to do with a group. This would make a fun "at home" date - just set up a griddle on the table and make your pancakes while you visit.

Sunday afternoon we headed to Chattanooga. Daniel took me to the town he works in {in Alabama} where I proceeded to have a moment of serious panic and culture shock. I really want to live in the same place as him. I am just having a hard time wrap my mind around moving to a rural area. I am hanging on to the possibility that we will live in Chattanooga, but if we end up moving to rural America... well, that will take some getting used to.

Monday, we spent the morning just hanging out. We looked at some potential neighborhoods and wondered downtown to the Riverwalk. We walked several miles - including across the Walnut Street Bridge {which spans 0.5 miles}. We had Sophie {as there were no signs posted regarding dogs}. We did find it odd that we didn't see any dogs. And when we reached Coolidge Park, we were informed that no dogs were permitted {oops}. Oh well. Sophie liked it and we didn't get into trouble. They really should post signs.

I drove back to Charlotte Monday afternoon/evening and made it home by 10:30PM. It was a good weekend, though exhausting. We are definitely ready to live in the same town again.

Trying to be hopeful...

To say that this weekend was tiring would be an understatement. It was fun, but thoroughly exhausting. That seems typical for our lives right now. One {or both} of us is in a constant state of exhaustion – Daniel more often than me.

My drive to Murfreesboro, TN on Friday took an extra 2 hours thanks to I-40 being “open” but only one lane through the gorge {on the TN/NC state line}.

The weekend included a wedding, spending time with family, breakfast with friends and then driving to Chattanooga...

About 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga, we stopped and parked my car in South Pittsburg and Daniel drove us down to Scottsboro to show me where he worked and also to scope out areas, in case we decide to buy land and build a house at some point.

Coupled with longs hours of driving, not enough sleep and overall emotional exhaustion, this was a little much for me. South Pittsburg and Scottsboro are seriously rural. Intellectually, I knew they were rural, but actually seeing it. Wow. It was very overwhelming. I don’t know if I can live in such a rural area. I just keep thinking about things that are normal to me right now… coffee shops, bookstores, libraries, variety of eateries and grocery stores, movie theaters, etc... if we lived in these rural areas, that stuff would pretty much disappear. I am trying to wrap my head around it all.

On top of that I am so ready to be living where Daniel lives. Three months of separation has been difficult. It really wears you down. As my friend Courtney pointed out, there is this feeling of hopelessness that occurs when you live like this {she knows firsthand, they did the Charlotte to Chattanooga transition about 2 years ago}. I am thankful to have someone to talk to about how hard this is… someone who actually knows. I am also thankful that we have friend's who have so graciously let Daniel crash with them while we are separated.

On my drive back to Charlotte yesterday, it rained for a good portion of the way. I listened to the radio and a song about hope started to play. I looked up and the gray sky partially parted and I realized that I was staring at a rainbow. Through the rain. Through the despair I was feeling. There was a rainbow. It gave me hope that everything would work out.