serendipitous :: day 19

definition:
obtained or characterized by serendipity (the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; also: an instance of this)

or, when the two bowls you ordered over a month ago arrive on the same day as the book of ice cream recipes sent for just last week.

first in the freezer: salty caramel. i would promise a report on the results, but i think i may have burned this first batch of sugar by about half a second. so, not stellar - but still sure to be veryvery good (if strongly flavored).

more soon. as in: how i got this book for free. and maybe some about ice cream. i might have to rave.

xo.

30 days of summer :: day 18

i have exactly one word to describe the beach:

cleansing.

and that includes the waves that go entirely up your nose.

30 days of summer :: day 17

i planned a post sharing random pictures (where i've been, what i've been making, what the beagle pup looks like now, etc) combined with these links. a kind of lighter post for a change.

except that i'm driving to the beach with my brother and sister for the afternoon (in about an hour. not now.), and the pictures aren't really going to make it. instead, enjoy these links (which have been taking up tab space in my browser for much too long).

xo

}first up, a post by emily at chatting at the sky about august and transition. quite fitting.

}scroll down in this post (by kelly sauer) to find the quote from c.s. lewis's perelandra. (it's in the second gray text box.) i felt this way the day i went in to formally resign and work my last day. i'm praying that this seeming impossibility of finding a new dream/job goes the same way. (also: it makes me want to read the space trilogy!)

}this poem. just go. read it. then read it again. (on contentment/grace.)

}finally, a post/article detailing several myths about introverts. awesomeness. of greatest personal interest: the information on neurological differences between introverts and extroverts (in the introduction), and myths #2 and #3. of greatest personal disagreement: myth #9 claims that introverts are not thrill seekers. i protest that there must be exceptions to that rule. in any case, whether you are an introvert or no, enjoy. :)

you all are the best. (day 16 of 30)

i was so blessed by the overwhelming love you showered on my last post. many heartfelt thanks. i really mean it: you all are the best. i thank God for you.

i thought perhaps you'd like an update.

i wrote that post last tuesday (after, i might add, a week of struggling with those thoughts/feelings).

on wednesday, i took some proactive steps at work (read: met with a parent and the director to address an issue). i came home to your lovely comments. i was encouraged.

on thursday, the work situation (which should have improved) worsened. it started to sink in that the problem wasn't me or my lack of experience. things had much deeper roots - roots into the management and the fundamental ways that they run things. i talked to other more experienced teachers at the center on thursday and they confirmed it: the situation is stressful, unfavorable, void of respect and support. not to mention in a mess of transition that's been going on for months with no end in sight. given my other circumstances (a long commute, no health benefits, etc), just not worth the excessive strain for me.

on friday, i resigned and worked my last day. in a fit of providential timing, i ended up resigning just hours before the center director (who works under the organization director...which is where a lot of the problems are rooted) resigned herself. if i had waited or stayed, i would have been caught in an even huger mess. praise God.

so i'm back to square one here. the weekend featured massive relief. this morning - the first of not working - i am sorting through other inklings. i don't know what's next. God has a plan. etc.

when i said i was entering a bit of limbo, i didn't think it would be this big. sometimes God has to make big moves to get through my stubborn head. nevertheless, the ride continues. do you like roller coasters? :D