Blonde, Redhead, or Brunette?

I'm currently working on that. Who really does have more fun? more adventure? more class?

Yesterday, I was a blonde.
Today, I'm a redhead.
Who knows...maybe sometime next week, I'll be a brunette.

And don't tell me that I look better as a blonde. That's a bunch of malarky. God made me a brunette, and while I do not find any problem at all in having fun changing my hair color, I value the way he made me.

This last week's shenanigans with Natalie Patton and a few boxes of hair color reminded me of the last time I tried to do my own hair. A few of my readers may remember this.

Picture me.
Color my hair with a florescent yellow highlighter.
Now put me in Japan.

Uh-huh. I stuck out like a sore thumb.

Oh wait, this was after I tried to "brush on" highlights myself, resulting in a yellow patch on the top of my head, tried to color it up with color, to no avail, then actually stripped my poor, dying hair of all pigment whatsoever.

On our third day in Japan, I met my fellow-teammates for lunch at Chiba University - our first day on campus. My teammates told their new Japanese friends that another American girl was coming for lunch, but she would be late (I know what you're thinking, but I was teaching an English class). When I walked up, one girl turned to meet me, jumped back, covered her mouth with her hand, and snickered. Yes, snickered. She was apparently taken aback by a strange glow coming from my head, otherwise known as MY HAIR. Reiko doesn't remember that story, but I sure do. It wasn't like I was self-conscious or anything...

A month later, friend Matt Walker came from the US to visit his sister and brought a gift from my mom: a box of brunette hair color and a highlighting kit. The Japanese learned there really was a God who cared about his children.

After that fateful operation, I decided I would trust the well-trained "beauty technicians" at my local salon to care for my mop. So for the last 5 years, I have forked over exhorbitant amounts of money every 3 months to get my hair done.

Until now.

Cut, color, blow dry, and style from Studio Gerault: $ 120
Box of color from Wal-mart: $ 7
Haircut from random salon: $ 15
Another box of color from Walgreens: $ 9.50
Your boss asking if you're going through a mid-20's crisis: priceless.

Back to Square One

"I want to simplify your lives.
When others are telling you to read more, I want to tell you to read less;
when others are telling you to do more, I want to tell you to do less.
The world does not need more of you; it needs more of God.
Your friends do not need more of you; they need more of God.
And you don't need more of you; you need more of God.

For we do not progress in the Christian life by becoming more competent, more knowledgeable, more virtuous, or more energetic. We do not advance in the Christian life by acquiring expertise.

Each day, and many times each day, we need more of God.
Back to Square One."

--Eugene Peterson

Crisp. Cool. Clear.

...the weather this past weekend in O-town. It was unbelievably nice.

Yeah for fall!

(lets not mention that the heat index rose again today, ok?)

Happy Monday, folks. I'm thinking about ya.

Thursday night TV night

First of all: too many Thursday night parties, people. We need to consolidate. There are too many choices. At one house, someone is offering tacos and margaritas, at another, we get to meet someone's "special friend." Then there's the special lull of my own couch, in my jammies, with some hot tea. Hmmm....well, Angela won last night. She begged me to stay home and I did. Plus, I don't know many others who enjoy The Office like we do.

THE OFFICE...my word, how can you not be in love with Jim. "As your direct superviser today, I'm making the decision that we cannot move forward in this project until you get your potato chips." If the writers are trying to develop his character into a heartthrob, they have succeeded in my house.

GREY'S...geez louise. This week's word is back to *scandalous*. A few thoughts: Remind me never to get on morphine. McSteamy needs to take his sorry butt back to NY. In a twisted move, McDreamy has now really captured Meredith's heart by walking away. (at which point, I initially unleashed a proud "woo hoo" because he finally came to his senses) And, McVet will be sorely missed. One more thing: what would you do with 8.7 million dollars? My vote is open a "denny wing" at the Seattle Grace. Any more ideas?

Karaoke at my house tonight in honor of Angela and Ashley's B-days. Feel free to stop by.

check it out!

PIONEERS new communication package was unveiled today! Man, I am so proud of my co-workers. They prayed and worked and reviewed and worked some more on this web, print, and video package -- and it is well done. Excellent, my friends. This is excellent work.

*new website: www.pioneers.org
*new brochure that I would be HAPPY to send you.
*and an incredible video that I would also like to show you; you can't get it online. Just say the word.

I'm very thankful to be part of this organization!

wow. i just grew up fast.

Check it out: I just got a letter from the AARP.

It reads:
"Our records show that you haven't yet registered for the benefits of AARP membership, even though you are fully eligible."

Um, excuse me. Did someone NOT get the memo that I was born in 1982? What "records" are they referring to, and who would like to take credit for this masterful record-keeping?

"As a member, you'll have the resources and information you need to get the most out of life over 50."

Well, hot diggity dog. I'm sending in this registration and getting started on those benefits early. I'm going for it!

sniffle, sniffle

I've forgotten how comfortable my couch really is. I haven't lounged around on the couch for weeks...until now. It's me and a sinus infection. Not really a whole lot of fun.

Other than that, it's been a pretty good week. On Monday night, we had our second girls group. 9 of us are reading "Lost Women of the Bible" by Carolyn James -- discussing it, and our lives. We meet every other week and I'm absolutely lovin' these sisters.

Tuesday night, I had some gals from work over for dinner. This is an orientation week at PI, so a few co-workers and I hosted some candidates who are applying to serve overseas. Hearing their stories and getting to know them really rejuvinates me to press on at work.

Lets see... Wednesday was a miserable day at home on the couch. My mom brought me chicken soup. :) And I managed to make it to the church at 7 for our first English Cafe. We had one person come! woo hoo! I really wasn't sure if we'd get anyone, but I was SO excited when I found out that she heard about our English classes because of a particular flyer I put up last Saturday. I seriously prayed over those flyers as I posted them around town. Anyway, we're hoping for more students next week.

I came home early from work again today and a friend came over to make dinner. She convinced me that I really need to call the doctor tomorrow. I hope I can get an appointment and start some antibiotics. I'm dying here.

Thursdays are my TV night. The Office was pretty good tonight...albeit a tad weird. What was with the "hug it out, *****"? That's not quite what I expected...

And Greys! I love Greys Anatomy. Last week was quite scandalous; this week was really sweet. Alex has finally won my heart. He's usually really annoying, self-centered, and cocky as all get-out. But in tonight's episode, you caught a glimpse of his tender side. His conversation with Izzy outside the hospital was full of great lines. Good job, emmy-award- winning writers. And so our little interns keep moving along...

How was your week?