Leaving home, means leaving the familiar. Scary at times, but still mostly exciting. Some of those familiarities don't come to light until faced with it's replacement. Like, no one would expect to miss a local grocery store, until it is no longer an option in another location, and the new local market just doesn't compare. And, there are certain familiar's that can be foreseen as something that will be missed or even happy to be done with. And one of my familiar's that had me a bit apprehensive, was leaving my home-church and joining an unfamiliar family. The last few Sunday's at home had my mind wandering about the end of this routine and the reality of a new replacement. Let's be clear. When discussing church's, it's really not appropriate to compare, or state which one is better, or give a rating of 1 to 5 stars. In this case, it just comes down to what I am familiar with, have grown up in and love, even with all the quirks, quacks, and other 'q' words that I can't come up with right now...
But one Sunday. The first Sunday, swept away all those wondering thoughts and calmed me. Unfamiliar smiles. Hand shakes. Hello's. The beginning of a new familiar.
And another something I couldn't have expected, nor foreseen as something I would become so attached to and impressed by, was the familiar that they have already created. It's so simple. Not much. But I love it. The conversation usually begins with a 'hi' and 'how are you' and then 'how was your week?' And at the end of the conversation, or as a way of saying good-by upon walking to the car, they offer a 'Have a good week!' It's loaded. It bursts of caring about your welfare, inquiring about daily details, hope for a good near future, and the simple reality that this will all happen in repeat next week. Where, it is assumed that we will both be in the same place at the same time, wanting this to be an ongoing activity. Knowing people are there to care about you. Knowing they want the best for you. And still knowing that they really don't even know you that well, and yet they care. They want you back next week. They want to know.
And all that, from just a simple, four-worded phrase 'Have a good week!' Now that is a familiar I can get behind!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
I have a Gym!!!
I realized something, not too long after moving into an apartment complex that boasts a free gym. I guess, I realized something about myself, that is. Having a gym means you actually have to work out! As much as we all love free stuff, the old saying comes to mind, 'that nothing is ever really free.' And the cost of having a 'free' gym? Having to endure the hardship of actually working out! Why was I not warned about this?!!
My secondary realization is, that having a free gym is almost worse than paying for one, because you know it's sitting over there, waiting for you, not charging you to use it. If you don't take advantage of it, it's like you are saying 'NO' to free!
Having never owned a gym membership, I didn't fully understand the whole programed-work-out-in-a-room-of-a-bunch-of-equipment-with-other-sweaty-worker-outers. Believe me, I know what a work out is. I've drained myself in the sun, digging, mowing, hauling, weeding, etc. I've hiked hills. I've swam and wake-boarded at the lake. I've played softball and participated in sports. Meaning, I've done various activities that provide a 'work-out', but I don't have experience with this new indoor room with weights to move around meaninglessly. It is becoming evident, that my mode of operation requires a clear purpose, or a goal, or something to accomplish. Oh, I suppose I can set goals for myself in the gym too, but it just feels so robotic and empty. I don't get to see a beautiful view on the top of a hill and feel the sense of accomplishment for hiking all the way up there. I don't get to walk away from a yard leaving it in much better condition than I found it. And I don't find any fun out of it! It is just not what I hoped it would be!!
I'm not giving up this soon though! Oh, no! I will persevere and learn to love it. At least I hope I will! I have to. Because, after all, I don't have a yard or garden to toil in (thank you maintenance men!), and winter is upon us, eliminating outdoor hiking, swimming, and sporting. So, my only real option is indoor gym time. But that will all change come spring time, when softball is in the air and some lucky Omaha rec-league acquires me as their newest talent and free agent!!
My secondary realization is, that having a free gym is almost worse than paying for one, because you know it's sitting over there, waiting for you, not charging you to use it. If you don't take advantage of it, it's like you are saying 'NO' to free!
Having never owned a gym membership, I didn't fully understand the whole programed-work-out-in-a-room-of-a-bunch-of-equipment-with-other-sweaty-worker-outers. Believe me, I know what a work out is. I've drained myself in the sun, digging, mowing, hauling, weeding, etc. I've hiked hills. I've swam and wake-boarded at the lake. I've played softball and participated in sports. Meaning, I've done various activities that provide a 'work-out', but I don't have experience with this new indoor room with weights to move around meaninglessly. It is becoming evident, that my mode of operation requires a clear purpose, or a goal, or something to accomplish. Oh, I suppose I can set goals for myself in the gym too, but it just feels so robotic and empty. I don't get to see a beautiful view on the top of a hill and feel the sense of accomplishment for hiking all the way up there. I don't get to walk away from a yard leaving it in much better condition than I found it. And I don't find any fun out of it! It is just not what I hoped it would be!!
I'm not giving up this soon though! Oh, no! I will persevere and learn to love it. At least I hope I will! I have to. Because, after all, I don't have a yard or garden to toil in (thank you maintenance men!), and winter is upon us, eliminating outdoor hiking, swimming, and sporting. So, my only real option is indoor gym time. But that will all change come spring time, when softball is in the air and some lucky Omaha rec-league acquires me as their newest talent and free agent!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Next Step
The decision was made. Buying a house is put on hold for now, and instead, we are renting. Saad has been living in a one-bedroom for the past year, in a beautiful and sprawling apartment complex about a 1/4 mile from work. It boasts of two pools, two hot tubs, a game room which includes a kitchen, pool table, ping pong table and video arcade, a home theater, a gym and get this, a free two-lane bowling alley!!!
After looking at a few other apartment complex's, it became evident that the current complex is the clear winner! When I walk into my apartment complex, I really don't want it to reek of cabbage and mold. I'd also like features updated some since their original construction in 1954. So, without any hesitation, a two bedroom in this complex was clearly the best option. It's clean. It smells good. And it's Beautiful!! Our apartment is 1,100 sq. feet, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, large kitchen with 2 pantries, in-unit washer/dryer, crown molding, fresh coat of paint throughout, and brand new carpet! The moment I walked in for our first viewing, I was in love!
The plan for the move? Well, since I'm jobless, with time on my hands, I decided that the first day we got the keys, I would single-handedly move everything except the furniture. Saad used his negotiating skills to convince the office to give us the keys a week early. The argument being, the first of the month was Halloween weekend, it was supposed to rain, that would be a crazy weekend to move, and um, well, I really wanted my own room, now! So, they pulled some strings and gave us the keys. Saad came home from work to see that I'd moved everything I physically could while he was at work. I really don't know why he was so shocked. Because,
A.) Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a hard worker and can accomplish huge feats in record time (no ego boosting here or anything....) and
B.) Sleeping in the living room/not having a bedroom, closet or bathroom for 2 weeks would motivate just about any girl to do whatever it takes to resolve that issue! and
C.) If I left it up to men, it would have taken a week to get done!
Hence, I put on my superwoman suit and did it! A couple buddies with a truck showed up after work to move the heavy stuff. Phew. All moved in. The sorting and organizing has taken a bit of time, but it's pretty much done and worthy of taking pictures. As I get a job and start producing an income, I plan on sprucing it up and furnishing it with a little more than just man stuff. So enjoy the pictures, but to get the full effect, you really need to come out and see for yourself.....
Our building. See that open sliding door? That's ours!
Another view of the building. There are a lot of buildings in our complex, hard to get a full view.
Looking out our sliding door at the bowling alley, gym, pool, etc!
My room, furnished with all thrift store finds! A work in progress.
Looking through my bathroom into my bedroom.
Part of my walk-in closet. It's bigger in person.
Living room
Laundry room. Obviously.
Saad's bedroom and into his bathroom
Kitchen. Again, it's bigger than it shows in this picture.
Looking from the kitchen to the dining room/living room. The far door is my bedroom.
After looking at a few other apartment complex's, it became evident that the current complex is the clear winner! When I walk into my apartment complex, I really don't want it to reek of cabbage and mold. I'd also like features updated some since their original construction in 1954. So, without any hesitation, a two bedroom in this complex was clearly the best option. It's clean. It smells good. And it's Beautiful!! Our apartment is 1,100 sq. feet, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, large kitchen with 2 pantries, in-unit washer/dryer, crown molding, fresh coat of paint throughout, and brand new carpet! The moment I walked in for our first viewing, I was in love!
The plan for the move? Well, since I'm jobless, with time on my hands, I decided that the first day we got the keys, I would single-handedly move everything except the furniture. Saad used his negotiating skills to convince the office to give us the keys a week early. The argument being, the first of the month was Halloween weekend, it was supposed to rain, that would be a crazy weekend to move, and um, well, I really wanted my own room, now! So, they pulled some strings and gave us the keys. Saad came home from work to see that I'd moved everything I physically could while he was at work. I really don't know why he was so shocked. Because,
A.) Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a hard worker and can accomplish huge feats in record time (no ego boosting here or anything....) and
B.) Sleeping in the living room/not having a bedroom, closet or bathroom for 2 weeks would motivate just about any girl to do whatever it takes to resolve that issue! and
C.) If I left it up to men, it would have taken a week to get done!
Hence, I put on my superwoman suit and did it! A couple buddies with a truck showed up after work to move the heavy stuff. Phew. All moved in. The sorting and organizing has taken a bit of time, but it's pretty much done and worthy of taking pictures. As I get a job and start producing an income, I plan on sprucing it up and furnishing it with a little more than just man stuff. So enjoy the pictures, but to get the full effect, you really need to come out and see for yourself.....
Our building. See that open sliding door? That's ours!
Another view of the building. There are a lot of buildings in our complex, hard to get a full view.
Looking out our sliding door at the bowling alley, gym, pool, etc!
My room, furnished with all thrift store finds! A work in progress.
Looking through my bathroom into my bedroom.
Part of my walk-in closet. It's bigger in person.
Living room
Laundry room. Obviously.
Saad's bedroom and into his bathroom
Kitchen. Again, it's bigger than it shows in this picture.
Looking from the kitchen to the dining room/living room. The far door is my bedroom.
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