Changes in itinerary

My trip has been delayed a week and extended several days, as Brett will now be able to join me in visiting J, K, & K! We are so excited to have this opportunity!

Missing the good life...I mean, parents

Last weekend at this time, we were dining quite well as we went with Charlie and Jo to some fantastic restaurants! Instead, we've finished some leftovers and Brett has done the dishes. Not quite the high life we get to live when family comes to town! Here's a picture from dinner at El Tiempo Cantina. We had a great time having them here...even without all the restaurants!

Kiran's Restaurant

A few days ago, I noticed a restaurant nearby named Kiran's! I'd never before heard that name until Kelley and Jonathan named their daughter, and here it is again! The restaurant specializes in Northern India cuisine.

Canterbury Tales

I found out this morning that I would be in charge of leading a discussion of the Canterbury Tales while subbing as a Senior AP English teacher. Sadly, the first thing that came to mind was the man from A Knight's Tale who entertains and woos the crowd before Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland begins his joust.

7 Wonders

Brett and I created a list of our own 7 Wonders of the World.

What would you put on your list?

Merritt:
St. Basil's Cathedral - Moscow, Russia
Taj Mahal - Agra, India
Colosseum - Rome, Italy
Great Wall of China -Beijing and more
Machu Picchu - Cuzco, PeruPyramids - Giza, Egypt
Niagara Falls - New York

Brett:
Coliseum - Rome, Italy
Taj Mahal - Agra, India
Christ the Redeemer Statue - Rio, Brazil
Pyramids - Giza, Egypt
Hagia Sophia - Istanbul, TurkeyTemple Mount - Jerusalem, Israel
Parthenon - Athens, Greece

We've both been to the Colosseum, but have not been to any other on our lists. Tell us if you've been to any of these!

Redskins

Washington Redskins 31

Houston Texans 15



Enjoy tonight's showing of TAR (The Amazing Race), as we'll be out to dinner!

The Menil Collection

Brett and I have a book called 1000 Places to See Before You Die. We've begun to mark all the places that we have seen together, and today we accomplished one more!

There are about 5 places listed in Texas, and in Houston, the book suggests the Menil Collection. It's noted for being one of the greatest surrealism collections, but it also includes a number of artifacts from the Byzantine Era, some dating back to 2000 B.C.

Charlie, Jo, Brett, and I enjoyed getting a little culture and are excited to say now we have less than 1000 places to go!

Social Butterflies

The last few days have been busy ones for us:

Thursday nite, we went out with several of Brett's co-workers and their wives/fiances to Star Pizza, a place Brett and I love! We left at 930ish, after 2+ hours of fun conversation, but heard today that several people were still there chatting until 11pm. Brett and I had been asleep for an hour!

Today, I picked up Charlie and Jo from their hotel and made sure they had the opportunity to get their daily dose of Starbucks! Then, we got to see Brett's office and meet his boss. Then the four of his, his two co-workers, and the boss went out to lunch.

Tonight we went to Nino's, a great Italian place, with Charlie and Jo! Mmmmm...

Now we are wiped out! I hope to put up some pictures of Charlie and Jo's visit tomorrow or soon thereafter.

Countdown to India!

Small world

Tonight, Brett and I attended our first Bible study meeting (called Growth Group). It was mostly a get-to-know-you evening. There is a mixture of singles and marrieds in the group, and we look forward to building relationships with one couple specifically...and having friends in general!

As we were talking, we found out that one gal, Katy, also attended FU, graduating in 2005! It was so fun to have that connection with her! It also came up that she is from Wingate, NC, and knows one of my friends Holly! What a small world!

I used to always be jealous of my Southeast coast friends who had all these random connections; now we have them here in Texas! Furman is spreading.....=)

(Remember to keep voting for our vacation!)

Asia, Africa, Europe, oh my!

Brett and I are in planning mode today. We are planning for our super-fabulous post-bar vacation that will happen in August/September 2007. We have lots of ideas and want you to tell us where we should really consider going! You can vote one time per day.

Where should we vacation?
	China and Japan
	South Africa
	Egypt
	Maui
	Australia
	Europe
Free polls from Pollhost.com

P.S. Only one vote per household per day. Sorry--I can't change it to more than that...

The Amazing Race

Brett and I went out to lunch with two other couples who work where Brett does and who also attend our same church. I was the only non-lawyer amongst them! We found that we all share a love for playing board games, so we hope to have a game night in the next few weeks.

The tenth season of The Amazing Race begins tonight! Kelley got me hooked on this while we were in college and it has been my one reality TV indulgence. I'll try to pick out my favorite team tonight and see how long they last! (CBS, 7:30 CST)

Hermann Park

Brett and I made our way over to Hermann Park today--the first Saturday we haven't had rain since living here! We felt as though everyone in Houston must have gotten an invitation to something going on in the area except us, because it was bustling! Hermann Park consists of not only grassy area, but an outdoor theatre, zoo, Japanese Garden, golf course, and a number of museums.

We took a ride on the pedal boats. It reminded me of the first time I visited Brett in D.C. while we were dating, when we rode the boats at the Jefferson Memorial. After that, we threw the frisbee and football for a bit before heading home to hit the pool!

Now that we have had our fun, it can rain!

An Indian Night

OK...well, this title may not be PC, but it sums up our evening:

Brett took me on a date! First, we went to dinner at Khyber, a Northern Indian restaurant. Guess he's trying to prepare me for the food I'll be eating in January! :) We made a stop at Starbuck's on the way home and then we watched a movie: End of the Spear. It's an incredible movie about a Native Indian tribe in the Amazon who were responsible for the deaths of Nate Saint, Jim Elliott, and several other missionaries. Go rent it! The two Indians don't have much to do with one another, but we had a great time! Nighty, nite!

Small things

Here's how God worked today:

After subbing for part of the day, I went to meet a teacher for whom I will sub a full day next week. As we talked, we discovered that I had been told to come on Thursday instead of Wednesday, when she would be absent. I'm so glad I went to talk with her!

Then, as soon as I got home, I received a call from another school asking if I was available on Thursday of next week! Thanks to my new discovery, I am! And the exciting part is that I'll actually be teaching Spanish classes! Que bueno!

Candy corn

I...can't... stop... eating... it.....the bowl was full yesterday....now it's empty.....someone must have come in the apartment and stolen at least three handfuls of candy corn but ignored the two laptops...I swear....I couldn't have eaten it all....

Where were you...

....this day five years ago?

I was in class in Madrid. Melissa and I came back to our apartment in the afternoon and our host mother frantically showed us the TV, as the World Trade Centers were just being attacked.

Grandparent's Day

Happy Grandparent's Day to Grandma, Grandpa, and Grandma Bee!
We love y'all very much!

O-Week at FU

It was this week seven years ago that Brett and I were moving into our first dorm rooms on campus at Furman, though we wouldn't meet until the next year. I was probably just a tad more excited about all the socializing and meeting of people during Orientation Week than Brett was, but I think both Brett and I agree that we met people during this and the first few weeks that have become our very best friends! Ahhh...college...how we miss you...sometimes!

Kiran Elizabeth

Kelley and Jonathan have a baby girl! She was born at 11:55am, September 7th. She weighed in at 7 pounds, and seems to have Jonathan's height! Kiran is a Hindi name meaning "ray of light"! Congratulations!

KELLEY IS IN LABOR!

Kelley (see birthday post from Sept 3!) is in labor right now! Please pray that her anxieties and fears will be taken away; pray also for strength and stamina! Ask that Jonathan would be a wonderful encourager. Also lift up BabyGirl--that should would drop and turn like she needs to! And a special prayer for Kelley's mom who is traveling overseas to see her next week; I know she's disappointed she can't be there helping now. I can't wait to see pictures and finally figure out what her name will be!

Girls just wanna have fun

Today, Mom and I went to visit my sis Jeni and daughter Madi. Madi is so inquisitive and already has an eye for shoes, necklaces, and diamonds!

Sherwood

Sherwood is my parents' cat. Actually, she was given to me in Jr. High; but then she decided she liked Marty better. Then both of us left the house, so she's decided she will tolerate my parents.

She's been a fun cat because she never acted like a cat. She's older now and doesn't do as much, but still provides enough entertainment. For example,
-she swatted at the balls we threw her when she was on the balcony
-she napped in the top of our chimney (yes, IN)
-she took walks with us like a dog
-she climbed the roof and meowed at the windows to get in
-she talks to us constantly, as if we are actually having a conversation
-she eats grass......maybe she thinks she is a cow? or maybe she just knows she should be on a diet....

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom, have a great day! I am thinking about you and wanted you to know that I love you!

Visitors!

Brett and I had our first visitors to our apartment: my mom and dad! They drove down on Saturday and stayed through Labor Day! We had a great time showing them the parts of Houston we know and eating out at a few places! Their verdict is that Houston is really a nice town, so y'all should come visit us!! Happy Labor Day!

Happy Birthday, Kelley!!!!!!!!

Today is Kelley's 25th birthday!!

Kelley, I hope that you have a great day, and that you feel so special! You will always be known as my roommate even when you and Jonathan have been married for 50 years! I love you so much, and am thrilled that we can be such perfect friends even with all the hundreds of thousands of miles between us! Happy 25th!

She said "YES!"

Brett's best friend Richie is getting married to Liz!! These are pictures of Richie and Brett and some of the guys from the last several years. Congratulations, Richie and Liz!