3 new movies!

I know, I know, 2 posts in one day...crazy.

But I've been watching a lot of new movies, so I wanted to post about them. On Friday, I got to reconnect with 2 college friends near and dear to my heart! It was a short visit, but it was fun, as always. We all watched The Prestige. It's about magic and magicians. It's actually a well made film, but I was SO tired I didn't really understand it until 15 minutes after the movie was over. It's one of those that you need to be really awake for. But, it was really good, I recommend it.

Today the roomie finally sat me down and got me to watch Singing in the Rain. Not that I was fighting it, but we just haven't had the time. It was a fun movie to watch, and I usually always love musicals. If you haven't seen it, you should. We watched that from about 7-9.

On Friday I had rented Casino Royale and Blood Diamond. Right after Singing in the Rain, we decided to go with Blood Diamond. Big change? uh yeah! It was an awesome, awesome, awesome movie. I was impressed with the performances and the overall story line. It breaks my heart to know about all those people losing their lives, just because of diamonds. Why do we choose diamonds for engagement rings anyways? There are tons of stones that are just as pretty! Makes me want to be in Africa now...not July!

Tomorrow is all about Bond...James Bond.

Spring Break...

is coming!!! I am so looking forward to it. I love Easter time. Being able to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead always gets me excited about the Word again. I have been praying more that I would have this "fire" ALL year long! A few days ago, I talked about Easter with my 2nd graders. I haven't heard any complaining yet, so I think I'm safe. ;o) We talked about how we are having a party right before break, but I wanted to hear their views on Easter. I heard all about the bunny, the candy and the eggs. When I asked if they knew the real meaning of Easter, one kid yells JESUS!! It was awesome. We actually spent a good 5 minutes talking about how Jesus rose from the dead. God has been providing awesome opportunities with my students, my co workers and my roommate. One of my co workers recently started attending a bible study, so she always wants to talk to me about what they are studying. It has been an awesome blessing! I have been praying and praying for them all and God is starting to bless me for my patience and determination.

Today has been very productive! I got up, went to school to get something I forgot, went grocery shopping, cleaned the bathroom, did the dishes, did my laundry AND wrote my Kenya letter. All before 2pm. Not bad... Hope you are all having a great weekend, too!

New Movie

Last night, I went out with the girls to dinner and to see the new Mark Wahlberg movie. A few weekends back, Alyssa and I had a 12 hour marathon of Mark Wahlberg movies. It was hard core! We had a great time and we've been looking forward to this movie coming out. Basically, the movie was AMAZING. There was 4 of us girls sitting watching a typical guy movie and every 10 minutes we kept saying how awesome it was that things kept blowing up. The fact that Mark Wahlberg was in it, made it 100 percent better! It was a really interesting plot line, a movie that actually makes you think...hmm. We loved it and want to see it again! haha. I think I liked it because it actually reminded me of 24...which I love.

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday. I am on my way out of town with my roomie to meet some of her college friends. Have a great weekend!

bowling and bumper cars...

Here are some pictures of our last 2 events at church...

A couple weeks ago we all went out bowling. It is always a good time! I bowled a 128 or something like that. The next game...not so much. Afterwards, we all went out to eat. It was an awesome time with some awesome people. Wow...how He has blessed me!

When bowling was almost over the sillyness factor was multiplied by 10. I love both of these boys very dearly...so for fashion reasons, I won't reveal their names. ;-) Unfortunately, I don't think the socks helped their bowling scores much.....

Bumper Cars at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. We were able to have a private party at the boardwalk with free pizza and free icees! It was an awesome time, and about 45-50 people came! I was VERY sore the next morning, but it was totally worth it!

Kenya, July 2007

Since I have tomorrow off, I figure it's ok to stay up late to update the blog. :) So..the news I was talking about on the last post is that I am officially going to Nairobi, Kenya on a short term missions trip this summer! I am super excited. If you want to be praying, you can definitely be praying that God prepares my heart for everything that is going to happen over there. I totally have a heart for the AIDS epidemic and the people affected by it. Especially after reading that teachers are highly affected by it, too. It also really hurts my heart to know that it is the young people, 18-25, who are most infected by this disease. It's all really overwhelming. I can't wait to get there and be able to show the hope of Jesus Christ!

Some interesting facts:

• Kenya is one of the nine countries in Africa hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic.
• Approximately 10 percent of the adult population is infected with HIV.
• It is estimated that 2.5 million Kenyans are infected with HIV/AIDS.
• In a study conducted in 2001, it was reported that on average, 600 Kenyans die of AIDS everyday.
• The average age for life expectancy has been reduced from the 63 years to 48 years due to AIDS.
• It is reported that 18 teachers die due to AIDS every month and about 6,570 die annually.
• Seven out of every ten HIV positive Kenyans are aged between 18 and 25 years.
  Approximately 1.3 million young people have lost one or both parents to AIDS.
  

Life in Santa Cruz..

has been amazing! Praise God for the blessings he has given me! I have been blessed with a great church, friends and roommate! God is good. Sorry for the lack of updates. I'm not even sure if anyone reads this thing....

School has been going well lately. Nothing new...except testing is coming up in a month and we're all feeling the pressure. Violence has gone up lately and my emotions are up and down. Today, 2 of my non readers, read 2 pages of words. I have been working with them on a new phonics program. I started getting excited and jumping up and down. They all think I'm crazy! I love them...and will be so sad when my first class moves to 3rd grade! Ok...so I won't ALWAYS miss them...but it will still be sad. This week I am taking thursday and friday off. I am getting a massage, having lunch with some friends and sleeping in. I'm soooooo excited! Couldn't come at a better time. :)

My time at Santa Cruz Bible has been awesome, lately. I'm still doing the activities thing and the past few things we've done have been amazing successes! I love it, but am trying to find a good balance between church and school.

When I get home, I'll post some pictures from bowling. And maybe some news later tonight....

Hope everyone is doing well!