we're finally home. first, a HUGE thank you to leigh, jim, kelli, blinn, tawd, sharon, fez, and josh for helping us to move into our new house. it went far smoother than it would have alone. this entire weekend has overwhelmed me with what an incredible community we're a part of here. my coworkers just left after lunch. we've been here just a weekend, and have already had guests every day. tonight, an entire seven-piece band is spending the night on their way to new york. i love having a house full of people and music! daniel and i both feel like this house was just waiting for us. sure, there are a few rooms to paint, but this is already our home. now, if only we can get everything unpacked by the end of the week... i have the day off today. (sort of - i only have two quick home visits this afternoon.) i love my job, but today is making me feel like it's going to be really, really nice to stay home for good some day. (or for a few years, anyway.) the only thing that's close to being missing is internet access, so that will likely mean less blogging for awhile. but at least there's a panera with wireless a short drive away. finally, a slightly belated birthday to my sister nathalie coeller, who is in the process of becoming the best doctor in the world. i can't even begin to express how proud of her i am - and how proud i would be even if she wasn't so smart. i love you, nathalie!

You Are 30 Years Old

30 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

"Since when did believing in God and having moral values make you pro-war, pro-rich, and pro-Republican? And since when did promoting and pursuing a progressive social agenda with a concern for economic security, health care, and educational opportunity mean you had to put faith in God aside?" "The Left mocks the Right. The Right knows it's right. Two ugly traits. How far should we go to try to understand each other's point of view? Maybe the distance grace covered on the cross is a clue." -Bono this looks like a book that is worth the cost and time to read. thanks to deb for pointing it out. jim wallis, the author, will be on fresh air today, and here is a review on slate. in light of preparing for the most expensive inauguration ever (despite the fact that our country is at war), it looks to be a refreshing change from all of the other "faith and politics" rhetoric we've been hearing... happy reading!

i've finally found it - my dream place to work after grad school... center for victims of torture there's some pretty good information on the site, if you have the time and desire to wander a little...

thanks, kelli, for a fun quiz! funny thing is, this guy looks a lot like my dad.

You scored as Geek. Drama nerd 50% Punk/Rebel 50% Geek 50% Loner 31% Prep/Jock/Cheerleader 19% Goth 19% Ghetto gangsta 13% Stoner 13% What's Your High School Stereotype? created with QuizFarm.com

martin
Originally uploaded by amy joy.

happy martin luther king, jr. day.

educate yourself today. here are a few stories to look at and listen to.

question of the day - what are you doing to facilitate racial reconciliation?

and why is almost everyone in the "emerging church" culture white?

we just got the official word that we can move into the house on saturday, january 29. the current residents are going to try to give us a couple extra days before then, but saturday will be our primary moving day, and sunday unpacking, if anyone would like to join us - we'll feed and water you! in other news, the snow is back, and it's all fluffy and pretty and non-icy. blaze loved running around in it and smelling everything. for those of you who like to learn, this is a really interesting fresh air interview with a woman who has autism and is an animal behaviorist. she talks about the similarities between animal behavior and autism, and it's pretty fascinating. daniel and i finally bought our very own gaming system last night. yes, we now possess an atari classic console. he wanted an x-box, but then we got to target and realized that that 20 games from the 80s that come with atari would probably be more fun for both of us, and it was only $20 after using a $20 gift card. last night daniel was super-husband, and whipped up some homemade eggrolls for dinner. hooplah! we were inspired by sharon, who made some for us earlier this week. yum. i love that my husband likes to try cooking! time for brunch!

time to breathe. whew. daniel just went to sell a couple of our movies and the thai chicken curry is simmering. our living room is stacked with boxes waiting to go to the new house. i'm determined to make this my most organized, efficient move ever. i think we may even be renting an actual moving truck. ahh...so much easier than calling everyone we know who has a pickup...as for the move, i'm just excited to get settled in and know that we most likely won't have to move all of our possessions again for years. at the same time, there's still that yearning to live overseas. anyone want to rent a huge house in ohio in a few years? we'll live the big furniture there for you! that curry is really starting to smell good. this past weekend was refreshing. daniel gave me enough alone time to finish up the epic "flesh and blood" (loaned to me by the lovely leigh) and devour douglas coupland's latest novel, "eleanor rigby," which is the happiest book about loneliness that i've ever read. sometimes i think douglas coupland secretly believes in jesus. reading is good for my soul. when i make the time to lose myself in a good novel, my brain feels more alive, and i think i'm a nicer person to be around... i hear daniel's muffler in the parking lot. dinner time!

brydenhouse
Originally uploaded by amy joy.

it's officially our's. we had the closing on the house this afternoon, and will be moved in by february 1.

life has been so full and near-frantic lately. we went to pennsylvania for christmas, had a crazy week at work, went to my aunt's funeral in indiana, and then spent new year's eve and day in muncie. so. a lot of time surround by people i love, and little time to breathe.

i've been stumbling onto people who i have lost touch with, or they have stumbled onto me. it's odd - i've been mourning for the friends i've lost touch with, and they keep finding me...

so sleepy. g'night!