Happy Ides of March!
I'm still in Daytona Beach spending a restful week with my baby sister who has become quite grown up. She works most of the time, which means I get to borrow her car and get into lots of trouble on my own. Yesterday, however, she took a day off, so we went on some little adventures together and met some interesting people. Hopefully one of these days I'll be able to add pictures.
Andrea drove us about 20 miles inland to a gem of a place: Hontoon Island State Park. It's an amazing park that reminded me of a mix of Thailand, Jurassic Park, and the Amazon. The place is an island, like the name suggests. You can't swim through the alligator-y waters, but there is a little ferry that will take you for free across the water. There weren't many or really any people at all.
The island was about 6 square miles probably, and it is really quite exotic. The whole place is covered in palm trees and huge, elegant Spanish moss trees. The water matched the sky, which was nearly royal blue, it seemed. We ate our little lunches under the huge mossy trees and watched some locals fishing. Then it was time to go on a little hike without any maps or anything. We found a trail that ended at an ancient Native American burial ground. At the trail head, signs told us how to speak calmly to black bears and how to avoid black widow spiders and other fun creatures.
Andrea and I tramped through the jungle, with nearly a full canopy of trees arching over our heads. At one point we saw other humans, and stopped to chat. The woman wore a "Kansas" sweatshirt, and the man wore an Indiana University ballcap. After trekking through sand and marsh and grass, we ended up at the burial grounds, which were covered in billions of tiny white seashells. Then we turned around to head the mile and a half back. No black bears or animals in sight.
We reached the little ranger station and "visitor store." And older couple sat in front eating ice-cream. Andrea and I walked by and the woman told us, "All the cute guys went to the left." I was confused, and Andrea just smiled. Random people seem to always be saying random things here. Andrea tried the door handle to the ranger station, but it was locked. An older park ranger man burst through the door asking what we wanted. We said we wanted to look in the little visitor store. He said, "I'll tell my twin brother and he'll meet you over there." We walked the five steps over to the store, and old park ranger man opened the door for us. His twin brother was himself. We walked inside the store, which was about the size of a closet, filled with faded postcards and fishing bait.
Andrea and I decided to call it a day, so we went to sit by the docked ferry and hope someone would eventually take us back to normal land. A younger park ranger man appeared, carrying wheelbarrows of trash. He told us rather excitedly that he could take us back across. So we climbed onto the ferry, and young ranger man seemed to drive us as slowly as possible. We had the opportunity to hear all about his life--he's probably my age and was in the army for five years, where he spent time in places like Somalia and Iraq. It was his dream to be a park ranger. I asked if it's what he expected (like wheelbarrowing trash and working with the old ranger man). He said he's having the greatest time. I was a little skeptical, but working on a nice island in Florida probably beats Iraq any day.
Last night after our Gilligan's Island adventure, I went with Andrea to her Campus Outreach meeting on campus. There were probably at least 40 students there and all kinds of people--white, black, Indian, athletes, ROTC... The meeting is called, "Gospel in Life," and it was encouraging to see how God is moving on the campus of Embry-Riddle and using people like Andrea to reach them.
Now it's Thursday and I just spent the morning at the beach. I purposefully went there earlier in the morning, so I could try to spend some time reading my Bible and reflecting. I found a nice little spot on the beach, but foot and vehicle traffic picked up pretty quickly. You can drive on the beach in Daytona, and it happens to be "bike week" here, where everyone in America who owns a motorcycle descends like a locust on the area. I couldn't really hear the waves--just the choppy noises from the bikes. There were also ancient ice-cream trucks driving by and a couple of older men using little radar devices to try to find metal in the sand. One of them walked right up to me, scanning the ground, and then asked me if I was okay. Maybe I didn't look okay to him, because I was hunched over my journal, trying to write out thoughts that couldn't come because I was a wee bit distracted. I assured him I was okay, and then decided to take a long walk on the beach instead.
I walked along the water for a while, soaking in all beauty of the ocean. Then I heard an older, cultured-looking guy sitting on a chair say to me, "Excuse me, miss!" I was thinking, "What on earth now?" I said, "Yes??" He replied, "I wanted tell you you have EXCELLENT posture. The way you walk is EXCELLENT." I had no idea what to say or do. I just told him, "Thank you. I was a dancer," and kept walking. Again, random things random people say.
Tonight I'm helping Andrea babysit some kids, so that's all for now! I just wanted to share some of the sights, sounds, and conversations of late.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Hello, Florida
It's early Monday evening and I'm sitting on the campus of renowned Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, FL. I'm not sure if it's really renowned, but it's renowned for me, because I never get really get tired of this place.
I've probably been here about 5 times since little baby Andrea was a little baby freshman. Now she's a graduate, but still gets to be on campus for her work with Campus Outreach. I always enjoy seeing her friends who have become my friends. It's also fun to meet new people--there are tons of people from all over the world. It's also exciting when they freak out when they learn Andrea and I are sisters and try to figure out which one of us is older. Although I'm 25, I can still blend in on campus as a student or at least a grad student.
It's wonderful to reunite with my best sister! So basically I'm Andrea's shadow and have made some observations today.
-Chinese people are literally everywhere!
-Cute guys are literally everywhere!
-75 degree, sunny weather is quite heavenly.
-An engineering/science/flight school like ERAU and a liberal, liberal arts state school like Indiana University are as different as night and day.
-Maybe the sunshine and warmth would be less exciting if you lived here year 'round.
-God is doing amazing work on this campus through Andrea and the lives of other people living out the Gospel in an intentional way.
-I'm hoping God has somehow called me to live in Daytona Beach. :)
Happy Monday!
I've probably been here about 5 times since little baby Andrea was a little baby freshman. Now she's a graduate, but still gets to be on campus for her work with Campus Outreach. I always enjoy seeing her friends who have become my friends. It's also fun to meet new people--there are tons of people from all over the world. It's also exciting when they freak out when they learn Andrea and I are sisters and try to figure out which one of us is older. Although I'm 25, I can still blend in on campus as a student or at least a grad student.
It's wonderful to reunite with my best sister! So basically I'm Andrea's shadow and have made some observations today.
-Chinese people are literally everywhere!
-Cute guys are literally everywhere!
-75 degree, sunny weather is quite heavenly.
-An engineering/science/flight school like ERAU and a liberal, liberal arts state school like Indiana University are as different as night and day.
-Maybe the sunshine and warmth would be less exciting if you lived here year 'round.
-God is doing amazing work on this campus through Andrea and the lives of other people living out the Gospel in an intentional way.
-I'm hoping God has somehow called me to live in Daytona Beach. :)
Happy Monday!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Marching
February always seems like a rough month, and I breathe a sigh of relief when March comes around--even with its changeable weather and midterm exams.
Here's some random/interesting things happening recently:
-Singlehandedly designed a billboard poster, which will be placed at three locations around town for the Homeward Bound Walk for homelessness. Not quite sure how they'll look, but it will be fun to find out!
-Wore the beautiful work dress mom made me to school and the Women's History Month Luncheon. It was like being back in China with everyone commenting and going crazy. Halfway through the day, I was thinking I should change. I sat at the mayor's table for the luncheon, and he was much more interested in talking with me this year. Must be the dress!
-Have continued with Chinese lessons at the Asian Culture Center on campus. It's a very basic class, but I mostly go just to not forget what I've learned in the past and just to be around Asian friends.
-Rode on a Nanchang-like bus this morning to class. It's been pouring down rain, and the humidity is about 145%. Everything is just wet, wet, wet.
-Speaking of weather, it's been crazy and dangerous! Last Friday there were tornadoes that killed nearly 20 people in Indiana just south of us. On Sunday there was 2 inches of snow. On Tuesday it was 70 degrees and super windy.
-Remembering that God loves me for who I am in Him, and not because of what I do or don't do.
Thankfully next week I get to see my baby sister!! Happy March!
Here's some random/interesting things happening recently:
-Singlehandedly designed a billboard poster, which will be placed at three locations around town for the Homeward Bound Walk for homelessness. Not quite sure how they'll look, but it will be fun to find out!
-Wore the beautiful work dress mom made me to school and the Women's History Month Luncheon. It was like being back in China with everyone commenting and going crazy. Halfway through the day, I was thinking I should change. I sat at the mayor's table for the luncheon, and he was much more interested in talking with me this year. Must be the dress!
-Have continued with Chinese lessons at the Asian Culture Center on campus. It's a very basic class, but I mostly go just to not forget what I've learned in the past and just to be around Asian friends.
-Rode on a Nanchang-like bus this morning to class. It's been pouring down rain, and the humidity is about 145%. Everything is just wet, wet, wet.
-Speaking of weather, it's been crazy and dangerous! Last Friday there were tornadoes that killed nearly 20 people in Indiana just south of us. On Sunday there was 2 inches of snow. On Tuesday it was 70 degrees and super windy.
-Remembering that God loves me for who I am in Him, and not because of what I do or don't do.
Thankfully next week I get to see my baby sister!! Happy March!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Decision time!
Maybe I'll just come out and let my faithful blog readers know. I'm trying to decide what to do when I graduate. Of course that's what most people do when they're 2 months from graduating. I figured by this point I'd have a job or know what I wanted to do. Sometimes it seems like there are too many opportunities, and then the next second there are none at all.
As I try to figure out the next steps, they just seem incredibly unclear. I've been praying, getting wise counsel from trusted friends, and reading the Word. I've also been talking with a couple missions organizations about possibly going overseas again. Although I have a million different interests, here are the common denominators in my life:
-My faith
-Draw to Asia
-Heart for the unloved and marginalized
Currently there aren't any opportunities or open doors that seem obvious or fill me with peace. I just don't really understand... With other big life decisions, like going to Old Dominion for college and heading off to China, I felt like these were the most natural next steps in the world. There's nothing like that right now, even with Christian organizations I'm looking into at the moment. Something is making me hesitant, and I don't know why. I'm trying to trust the Father, but I feel either impatient or frustrated. What's wrong with returning to East Asia? Nothing probably, but then why am I not super enthusiastic and rearing to go? Maybe God is telling me, "Be still and wait."
I guess I just want to make the best decision out of myriad good choices, and want to honor God. This past week I've rested from trying to make any decisions, and I've been much more content. I've been able to love people well here and now.
There were some highlights from this past week. I started taking Chinese lessons at the Asian Culture Center on campus, which is a nice old house with lots of character. My new tutor reviewed some of the basics, and I was surprised at how much I remembered. Hopefully I'll be able to continue lessons each week.
I also am still attending ballet classes once a week at Windfall Dancers. If I could pick anything to do, without fear of needing to make a living, I'd definitely choose ballet. It's a huge blessing to dance to gorgeous music, release all my worries, fly through the air, and feel talented at something.
Today I also drove down to Bedford to be on the big Super Oldies radio station, which sounds pretty random. As the PR person for Homeward Bound, I get to interact a lot with the media--newspaper, radio, TV, etc. It was pretty enjoyable. The station building was a little box, like a step out of time right from the 1950s. The guy--Andy--interviewed me for about 10 minutes, which sort of is a long time.
I sat in a faded orange chair from a time when the Oldies were new songs, with a giant pink microphone in my face. Right before we went on air, with "Twist and Shout" playing in the background, Andy told me not to be nervous, because only a total of 150,000 people could possibly listen. I smiled, but was somewhat smugly thinking, "That's nothing! How about being on Chinese television, twice, in front of a good few hundred million people?"
Truth be told, though, I was nervous. I only lost my grasp on the English language a couple of times. But I was surprised at how comfortable I felt once we started talking. I felt like I could keep talking and bantering back and forth forever. At the end, after we went off air, Andy looked at me sort of strangely. He said, "That was your first time? You're a natural! I wish I could have you on the air another 100 times." So I felt relieved and a wee bit more confident as I walked out the quaint little building and drove out of the quaint little southern Indiana town into the wintry February morning.
Next interview: WISH-TV in Indianapolis. With that one, I can't look like I just rolled out of bed, and real people I really know could really be tuning in.
That's all I know for now! I managed to pick up a cold somewhere, so I just feel like hibernating tonight. Hope you are well! Let me know how you are doing!
As I try to figure out the next steps, they just seem incredibly unclear. I've been praying, getting wise counsel from trusted friends, and reading the Word. I've also been talking with a couple missions organizations about possibly going overseas again. Although I have a million different interests, here are the common denominators in my life:
-My faith
-Draw to Asia
-Heart for the unloved and marginalized
Currently there aren't any opportunities or open doors that seem obvious or fill me with peace. I just don't really understand... With other big life decisions, like going to Old Dominion for college and heading off to China, I felt like these were the most natural next steps in the world. There's nothing like that right now, even with Christian organizations I'm looking into at the moment. Something is making me hesitant, and I don't know why. I'm trying to trust the Father, but I feel either impatient or frustrated. What's wrong with returning to East Asia? Nothing probably, but then why am I not super enthusiastic and rearing to go? Maybe God is telling me, "Be still and wait."
I guess I just want to make the best decision out of myriad good choices, and want to honor God. This past week I've rested from trying to make any decisions, and I've been much more content. I've been able to love people well here and now.
There were some highlights from this past week. I started taking Chinese lessons at the Asian Culture Center on campus, which is a nice old house with lots of character. My new tutor reviewed some of the basics, and I was surprised at how much I remembered. Hopefully I'll be able to continue lessons each week.
I also am still attending ballet classes once a week at Windfall Dancers. If I could pick anything to do, without fear of needing to make a living, I'd definitely choose ballet. It's a huge blessing to dance to gorgeous music, release all my worries, fly through the air, and feel talented at something.
Today I also drove down to Bedford to be on the big Super Oldies radio station, which sounds pretty random. As the PR person for Homeward Bound, I get to interact a lot with the media--newspaper, radio, TV, etc. It was pretty enjoyable. The station building was a little box, like a step out of time right from the 1950s. The guy--Andy--interviewed me for about 10 minutes, which sort of is a long time.
I sat in a faded orange chair from a time when the Oldies were new songs, with a giant pink microphone in my face. Right before we went on air, with "Twist and Shout" playing in the background, Andy told me not to be nervous, because only a total of 150,000 people could possibly listen. I smiled, but was somewhat smugly thinking, "That's nothing! How about being on Chinese television, twice, in front of a good few hundred million people?"
Truth be told, though, I was nervous. I only lost my grasp on the English language a couple of times. But I was surprised at how comfortable I felt once we started talking. I felt like I could keep talking and bantering back and forth forever. At the end, after we went off air, Andy looked at me sort of strangely. He said, "That was your first time? You're a natural! I wish I could have you on the air another 100 times." So I felt relieved and a wee bit more confident as I walked out the quaint little building and drove out of the quaint little southern Indiana town into the wintry February morning.
Next interview: WISH-TV in Indianapolis. With that one, I can't look like I just rolled out of bed, and real people I really know could really be tuning in.
That's all I know for now! I managed to pick up a cold somewhere, so I just feel like hibernating tonight. Hope you are well! Let me know how you are doing!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Dear restless heart
What a week I would never want to repeat. This week I was broken, confused, fearful, and anxious. I made decisions and thought thoughts that reflected those sins. Each day seemed like such an incredible struggle, that I was nearly paralyzed. It was all I could do to keep putting one foot in front of another. And the even more difficult and uncomfortable part was that my shortcomings were blindly obvious to the whole world, especially to people or organizations I really care about! Yes, world, Laura does not have it all together.
But something amazing happened as I confessed my failings to God, my friends, and my family. Nobody turned their back on me, but were incredibly encouraging and supportive. I realized, maybe for the first time in my life, how I am truly, deeply loved! Instead of feeling lost and alone, I felt like the most blessed person on earth. The Lord forgave me. The Lord made His love known. The Lord gave me hope anew. Friends guided me. Friends encouraged. Friends hugged me. Friends did crazy, loving things for me. Family listened as I cried. Family loved me well. Family challenged me to grow.
And here's a poem from some girlfriends that touched me deeply:
Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;
God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;
Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.
Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God's own smile,
His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;
Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.
Dear restless heart, be brave; don't moan and sorrow so,
He has a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;
Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.
Dear restless heart, recline upon His breast this hour,
His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower;
Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power.
Dear restless heart, be still! Don't struggle to be free;
God's life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;
Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.
-Edith Willis Linn
But something amazing happened as I confessed my failings to God, my friends, and my family. Nobody turned their back on me, but were incredibly encouraging and supportive. I realized, maybe for the first time in my life, how I am truly, deeply loved! Instead of feeling lost and alone, I felt like the most blessed person on earth. The Lord forgave me. The Lord made His love known. The Lord gave me hope anew. Friends guided me. Friends encouraged. Friends hugged me. Friends did crazy, loving things for me. Family listened as I cried. Family loved me well. Family challenged me to grow.
And here's a poem from some girlfriends that touched me deeply:
Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;
God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;
Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.
Dear restless heart, be still, for peace is God's own smile,
His love can every wrong and sorrow reconcile;
Just love, and love, and love, and calmly wait awhile.
Dear restless heart, be brave; don't moan and sorrow so,
He has a meaning kind in chilly winds that blow;
Just hope, and hope, and hope, until you braver grow.
Dear restless heart, recline upon His breast this hour,
His grace is strength and life, His love is bloom and flower;
Just rest, and rest, and rest, within His tender power.
Dear restless heart, be still! Don't struggle to be free;
God's life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;
Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.
-Edith Willis Linn
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Times are changing
Happy mid-February! This is always a fun month, because it's bitterly cold, cloudy, and seemingly never ending. But a lot of neat things have been happening. Plus, when you have to stay inside, there are always great opportunities to read, reflect, and just continue to abide in Christ.
This past week has had an international theme. Well, more like a Chinese theme. I still help out at the English conversation class at our church, where about 95% of the students in the group are Chinese.
Friday was one of my Chinese friend's birthday. We ate hotpot in his apartment, which I hadn't had since China. It was very authentic, and felt just like we had been transported back to China. I was just sad that I forgot so much of my Chinese and couldn't really contribute to any conversations.
I also got to talk on Skype with Reborn in Xinjiang! She was still at her little home with her little family in her little tiny, extremely remote town where Kelsey and I visited exactly 2 years ago. When we visited, the Internet had been cut off for 10 months to the entire province, which is like a step back into the 1800s. Now they have Internet and her family even has a brand new desktop computer!
So I got to catch up with Reborn and see her dear little face. I also talked with her other family members, who seemed like they would explode with excitement. One by one they came to the computer to give their greetings. Her sweet, funny mom asked about my mom, tried to feed me a baozi through the computer, and asked about my relationship status. Then her dad came to sit down, and munched on some nuts in his navy sweater. He looked and acted exactly the same. He seems like the most serious guy in the whole world, but is actually really funny and has a huge heart. He asked me about my school, what I'm studying, etc. All of this was mostly relayed through Reborn the translator.
Last but not least, her grandma sat down in front of the computer! She is now 90 years old and still has her little bound feet. She is still extremely tiny, hard of hearing, and cute. She wore her pretty padded jacket, with a little hat on her head. Out of everyone, she was probably the most excited. I got all teary-eyed when I saw her. She remembered me, asked about Kelsey, and just couldn't believe I was talking to her from America. For the remainder of my conversation with Reborn, Grandma sat right alongside her, looking quite intently at the computer screen. Gosh, I miss them!
Hopefully you can be lifting Reborn up! We actually seem to be at similar junctures in our life. She is also figuring out what to do when she graduates this semester. But she isn't anxious, and we were able to encourage each other a lot. She also shared some exciting news about how 2 of her classmates I remember teaching as baby freshmen are now sisters! They started going to fellowship a long time ago with her, and are now reading the Word avidly. They are 2 students I never really imagined coming to know Him, but God works in much more amazing ways than I can ever think possible. And it's just incredible to think how God can use one person like Reborn to have a ripple effect for all eternity...
The only non-Chinese-y thing beside homework I did was going to the opera with my friends. Usually it's held on campus at a huge, very modern concrete theater that feels more like a spaceship than a theater. This opera, however, was held downtown for some reason at the Buskirk-Chumley theater which was built about a century ago. It's much, much smaller, and you feel just like you stepped into the 1920s. The opera, Albert Herring, was pretty entertaining, and was in English, which is rare.
Xingjiang circa 2010.
Xinjiang circa 2012 + Reborn's older sister!
Skyping with baby Reborn! She had just woken up.
Grandma Liu on Skype.
My fellow SPEA and opera friends looking quite glamorous.
Wearing Mom's dress to the opera--hopefully the audience wasn't too distracted! And I curled my hair for the first time in many moons.
This past week has had an international theme. Well, more like a Chinese theme. I still help out at the English conversation class at our church, where about 95% of the students in the group are Chinese.
Friday was one of my Chinese friend's birthday. We ate hotpot in his apartment, which I hadn't had since China. It was very authentic, and felt just like we had been transported back to China. I was just sad that I forgot so much of my Chinese and couldn't really contribute to any conversations.
I also got to talk on Skype with Reborn in Xinjiang! She was still at her little home with her little family in her little tiny, extremely remote town where Kelsey and I visited exactly 2 years ago. When we visited, the Internet had been cut off for 10 months to the entire province, which is like a step back into the 1800s. Now they have Internet and her family even has a brand new desktop computer!
So I got to catch up with Reborn and see her dear little face. I also talked with her other family members, who seemed like they would explode with excitement. One by one they came to the computer to give their greetings. Her sweet, funny mom asked about my mom, tried to feed me a baozi through the computer, and asked about my relationship status. Then her dad came to sit down, and munched on some nuts in his navy sweater. He looked and acted exactly the same. He seems like the most serious guy in the whole world, but is actually really funny and has a huge heart. He asked me about my school, what I'm studying, etc. All of this was mostly relayed through Reborn the translator.
Last but not least, her grandma sat down in front of the computer! She is now 90 years old and still has her little bound feet. She is still extremely tiny, hard of hearing, and cute. She wore her pretty padded jacket, with a little hat on her head. Out of everyone, she was probably the most excited. I got all teary-eyed when I saw her. She remembered me, asked about Kelsey, and just couldn't believe I was talking to her from America. For the remainder of my conversation with Reborn, Grandma sat right alongside her, looking quite intently at the computer screen. Gosh, I miss them!
Hopefully you can be lifting Reborn up! We actually seem to be at similar junctures in our life. She is also figuring out what to do when she graduates this semester. But she isn't anxious, and we were able to encourage each other a lot. She also shared some exciting news about how 2 of her classmates I remember teaching as baby freshmen are now sisters! They started going to fellowship a long time ago with her, and are now reading the Word avidly. They are 2 students I never really imagined coming to know Him, but God works in much more amazing ways than I can ever think possible. And it's just incredible to think how God can use one person like Reborn to have a ripple effect for all eternity...
The only non-Chinese-y thing beside homework I did was going to the opera with my friends. Usually it's held on campus at a huge, very modern concrete theater that feels more like a spaceship than a theater. This opera, however, was held downtown for some reason at the Buskirk-Chumley theater which was built about a century ago. It's much, much smaller, and you feel just like you stepped into the 1920s. The opera, Albert Herring, was pretty entertaining, and was in English, which is rare.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Close, but no cigar
Hi folks! Hope you've been enjoying the fine month of February so far! We've been blessed with nearly a week of unseasonably gorgeous weather. After work today I managed to run off a lot of my pent up energy on the cross-country course out in the beautiful sunshine.
I guess I just wanted to keep my faithful blog readers posted on recent interview/job developments. Apparently the company I interviewed for last week narrowed it down to me and another candidate. They had such a difficult time making a decision, that they had to discuss it the following day. I guess they were extremely impressed by my skills, experience, and application of knowledge to the business, but decided I wasn't quite assertive enough, which seems to be my biggest weakness in life. So ultimately they offered the job to the other person.
I'm disappointed, especially knowing how extremely close the decision was. I didn't expect to make it that far in the process anyway--just to make it to the final round of interviews and then to be in the top 2 was an honor (among a bevy of folks from Columbia and Stanford). But I feel like I don't have any regrets, especially since I put my best foot forward, represented myself well, and decided to trust God no matter the outcome.
Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement! It's always nice to know that I have a wonderful support network in Indiana, Kansas, and wherever else.
Enjoy Super Bowl weekend!
I guess I just wanted to keep my faithful blog readers posted on recent interview/job developments. Apparently the company I interviewed for last week narrowed it down to me and another candidate. They had such a difficult time making a decision, that they had to discuss it the following day. I guess they were extremely impressed by my skills, experience, and application of knowledge to the business, but decided I wasn't quite assertive enough, which seems to be my biggest weakness in life. So ultimately they offered the job to the other person.
I'm disappointed, especially knowing how extremely close the decision was. I didn't expect to make it that far in the process anyway--just to make it to the final round of interviews and then to be in the top 2 was an honor (among a bevy of folks from Columbia and Stanford). But I feel like I don't have any regrets, especially since I put my best foot forward, represented myself well, and decided to trust God no matter the outcome.
Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement! It's always nice to know that I have a wonderful support network in Indiana, Kansas, and wherever else.
Enjoy Super Bowl weekend!
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