"Anything Less than the Best is a Felony"

An upside of staying with friends the last week has been exposure to new and some new old things such as the musical compilation named "Living in the 90's" (disc 2; in case you want to order it), resulting in me instinctually and immediately breaking out the Electric Slide. It's interesting to see how how much my environment influences my choices. Last week I stayed at Leslie and Ivy's house while they were on their first "married folk vacation," and my computer wouldn't work with their internet. So I found myself watching a movie, which I never do. And I felt quite domestic watering their plants and grass each night and tending to their cat Angelina. Speaking of said cat, I used my bags to keep the bedroom door (no knob as the owners are remodeling) closed the first night and to keep Angelina out. Around 4:00 a.m. I awoke to glowing eyes staring right in my face. I jumped out of bed, turned the lights on, and began hissing at the cat in attempt to get her to leave. Needless to say, I found heavier objects to block the door thereafter. And like any "good" annoying cat, she still did her best to get in the bedroom. Fortunately I won round two.

The last few days I've stayed at my friend Laura's while she's been out of town. She doesn't have cable, and it has been so nice and quiet. I've read and listened to music and sermons more and have generally felt more rested. And I've finally gotten some things on the to-do list done that have lingered for weeks now. It makes me think that I should be more intentional and thoughtful about the environment I create for myself wherever I end up. Speaking of which, I am currently having informational conversations for volunteer mission positions in Nashville, Miami, Hollywood (CA), and San Antonio. Phone interviews should follow later this week, and I may know in the next week where I'll be for 11 months starting in September. Exciting! And a little scary as I think about the reality of living on a stipend of $400/month, sharing a bedroom with a stranger, and all of the adjustments that will come with any major life transition. But mainly I'm excited, and I leave a week from today for my trip. Fun!