Happy Birthday to US!!

Since i'll prob not be on the internet at all this weekend.... I must now say:

Happy Birthday to US!!! Me & my TWIN!

We're 25!

Also a shout out to these crazy cats who think we are so cool they copied our bday:

More on Sissy....

Jessica gave was interviewed for the Maryville paper back home... The Caption: Maryville Woman assists in Fatal Ecuador Bus Crash...   the last time either of us were in that paper it was always student or teen... we are getting old!  (1/4 a century on Sunday!!)

Check out the story here: The Daily Times

House Update

I had a four day weekend (thank you Jesus) all of which was necessary and used for moving... LOTS OF IT!  Special thanks to Justin Carlson and his crew of 4 rugid highschoolers from Covenant. 

We spent our first night in the house last night after a great dinner with the Hagers in E-Nash.  I kept having dreams that I was sleeping on boxes which made for a bit of restless night.  

On another note... we realized this morning that our shower only works when the kitchen sink is running.. and on top of that the hot water heater is broken... so if you think something stinks... its probably me as I have not showerd today...

My sissy helped rescue bus crash victims in Ecuador!

Below is an email I got from my sissy on Tuesday.  She left for Ecuador this past Friday with other students from the medical field and UK doctors doing medical missions for 10 days.  What she describes below is something I've never dreamed of experiencing outside of watching Grey's Anatamy (and I'm sure she ever imagine it either!)  I'll let you read for yourself....

hola mi familia!!  i´m at an internet cafe in santo domingo.  you will not believe what happened to us yesturday!!!! on ou rway from quito to santo domingo you have to go through a winding mountain, very dangerous!! we stopped at los banos before the hard drive....then quickly got stopped in heavy traffic...a tour bus went over!!!! we saw people on the hill but our bus driver wouldn't let us out.  2 docs from the other bus ran down there though....then they called for backup.  we went running!  i didn´t know what to expect but a huge holy crap came to mind and i immediatly thanked god for my life.  i started down the steep hill, losing my footing very luickly, the bus was in the creek upsided down, people screaming and more gore then i´ve ever seen.  i had no idea what to do, so people and some other students helped the ambulatory people up the hill, and i mean STEEP. it was awful, finally paremedics came with back boards but before that we were bracing peoples necks with shoes and ripped tshirts.  also it spelled like gas, but for some reason i wasn´t scared at the time.  there were a few fatalies from people under the bus, but the majority got out.  as i made my final descent to the top, it finally hit me and i fighted the tears, holding onto the rope someone let down to help. plus, all the older females on the trip were up there with hugs...and all the people out of there cars were thanking us.  unbelievable.  also there was a turned over gas truck.  finally we got to get going after about 4 hours, but right were the bus went off there was a sign that said "reducio velocidad ahora!!¨  it was scary driving by........what an experience!!! i´m ok now but wow what a shocker... i was exhausted and my quads hurt today.

For a fuller story click HERE.  Its very intersting and cool to hear what some of the doctors were seeing/feeling/doing.  Below are some pictures that I have found from various news websites. 

I'm so thankful for Jessica to have gotten to be a part of this.  God is a faithful God and I can't help but to see His hand in this as this for sure will be a pivitol moment in my sisters career and life.  I think it is so neat how God works to affirm His callings for us.  It was by no mistake that 40 people in the medical field happend to be behind this bus when it wrecked.  We have a God at work who is might to save!  

Jessica making her way down the steep hill carrying tshirts to be used as neck braces! I can recognize my sissy's curly locks anywhere!

The UK crew: Jessica is in a blue shirt towards the bottom right.

Blog Give Away!! - Dream Big Take Action T-Shirt

This is the shirt from last year's race for Ellie's Run for Africa. This has never been worn and is a size Medium. If you want to win this shirt, all you have to do is post a short tidbit on your blog telling your readers about how they can help support Ellie's Run this year. Leaving a comment about a cause you support gets 1 entry, posting about this on your blog gives you an extra entry, donating to support a child will give you 3 extra entries.

I'll even write the Blog for you (websites in parenthensies provided to turn into links because I don't think copy/past will carry over a link) :

I want to tell y'all about this cool oppurtunity to help raise money for children's education in Kibera, Kenya.  My friend/ a girl from a blog I read, Blair(http://davidandblairmcleod.blogspot.com/2009/05/ellies-run-help-me-raise-money-for.html)  is running a race June 13th called Ellie's Run for Africa (http://www.elliesrun.org/home) in Nashville, TN.  This race was started by a 10 year old girl with a dream to help educate children in Kibera, Kenya.  It only costs $25.00 to give a one kid the clothes, books, and supplies they need for a whole year of school!  Thats only 1 week of Starbucks or a shirt from the sale rack - hopefully an easy sacrifice.  Blair is running as a "Hero" which means that she is raising support for her run.  She has made a goal of $500.00 - thats 20 kids & she needs your help.  If you are interested in supporting Blair, you can donate ONLINE (http://www.elliesrun.org/hero/search)  and typing in her last name: McLeod.  For more information on the race & Ellie's Dream you can email Blair - kblair.s.mcleod@gmail.com or check out the race history HERE (http://www.elliesrun.org/race_history). 

I will pick the winner on June 5th.  Please make sure to leave a link to your blog & your email address.  If you donate online please make sure to leave your name on the donation form so that I can track your donation.  

David goes to the birds!

This Past Sunday David and I finally made our way to the Nashville Zoo (after all this time and with all our zoo loving can you believe we've never been!?) We had a great time- it wasn't hot and wasn't cold. The highlight was David getting to be the "professional grape tosser" in the bird show! He even got an ugly key chain for his skills. We also ran into Kelly VanCleave and Family! Kelly was one of my co-counselors my first summer at camp. We had now idea they have been living in Nashville so we are super pumped!  

On an unrelated note: I need your thoughts on this new blog look. Too busy?? I'm leaning towards yes. Please leave your comments & ideas.

Vandy Dumpster Diving 2009

This is my second year as part of the adventurous VDD team (Check out LAST YEAR with teammate Christie).  You just can't imagine what Vanderbilt students leave behind as trash! Unfortunately, this year I had to venture over alone, but have no fear - I was victorious over the spoiled VanderBrats! This year's booty included:

2 Pais of Rainboots (which I've been wanting for quite some time), an umbrella, 6 tie dye shirts that my bros-in-law will be quite excited about, a lamp, 2 cookie sheets, 3 under the bed storage containers (perfect for moving), 2 smaller containers, lots of hangers, a cute red purse WITH TAGS attached, sunglasses, RL polo, outdoor chair, big flash light, bathroom scale, soy candle, cookbook, fun necklace, the 4th Twilight book, a couple fun tshirts, giant Mad Libs book, bookends, fabreeze, 3 bason jars, unopened boxes of noodles and grahm crackers, Vandy Sweatshirt blanket (note: I also got one of these last year!), a not-so-mini fridge/freezer for David's studio (he'll keeps his paints and brushes in there!), and a TV-dvd player!  (I actually got a mini-fridge last year that was too mini and a plain mini tv... so i'll be taking those to goodwill now that I've upgraded!)

Tears of shear joy & happiness!

This is truly the BEST video I have EVER seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I seriously cried it made me SO happy!!

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Have no fear...

i am alive!  very much so & have lots of blog to prove it.... but I don't want to blog without pictures ... cause i've got some great ones (its just taking me a while to sort through the mess to get to them)... so stay tuned for Vandy Dumpster Diving 2009, first trip Nashville Zoo (what took me so long??!), and our house update!!  Also -- I'll have a BLOG giveaway!

Ellie's Run - Help me raise money for children's education in Kenya!

Its that time again!  Time for Ellie's run!   Y'all might remember this from LAST YEAR, but there is a 5k that was started by a 10 year old (Ellie, now 15) that helps raise money for children's education in Kenya.  Last year I ran as  "Hero" which means I worked to raise money to pay for 10 children to have the clothes and books necessary to enter school.  By the race I think I had enough for 11 or 12 kids!  Only 25 dollars is holding kids out of school.  A fortune to them, but what is it to us? 2 weeks of Starbucks? A new shirt from the sale rack? a lunch date?  Is a kid's education and livelyhood worth the sacrifice of a couple mochas or a shirt that you won't wear next year anyway? I hope you will find the answer to be a definite yes!  

This year I have raised my pledge to raise enough money to support 20 kids!  Thats $500 - 25 dollars per child (but I would love to help  25, 30, 100 kids... as much as we can!).  I would love for you to join me in this cause.  There are several ways you can help me-

1. Post about Ellie's Run on your Blog, linking to me and how someone can donate.

2. Send me a check made out to African Leadership - ERFA - Although 25 is the magic number, every little bit helps so don't be shy to send me a dollar - I'll gladly accept it! Please put my name in the memo line. 

3.  Go ONLINE to donate by credit card.  You will have a chance to put in my name as the Hero for which you are donating under.  

4.  Ask your family & friends if they are interested in helping.  Do you work with kids?  Educate them on kids like them in Africa.  Afterall, that is how this all started - someone teaching Ellie that Africa was not just an America with Monkies and Lions, but a place that is in desperate need of our help.  

If you would like to read more about Ellie & her God given dream click HERE to peruse the website.  Also, just to be clear- none of this money goes to me.  It all goes to Kibera Kenya!

You can track my progress on the top right of my blog!

I ain't ashamed!...

I saw Star Trek last night... and I LOVED it!  I thought it was awesomely entertaining.  Great action, great characters, I enjoyed the actors... it was way fun!  I grew up watching some Star Trek with my dad so it was a bit nostalgic for me.  J.J. Abrams (also the director of LOST!) did a great job of tying in familiar characteristics and taglines without being overly cheesy.  Kate (my boss) is making fun of me for seeing it... but if Trekky or nerd is the label that comes with liking this movie... then label away!  I'll hopefully see it again real soon with my daddy-o!

Pandora my love!

First thing when I get into work: open up work mail, gmail, blog, and Pandora!  Music is playing all day long!  I have several Pandora stations, but the most played are "Griffin, Norah, Krauss" and "Amos."  Pandora is brilliant and has been introducing me to some new favorites!  Listen to some of them below.  Be warned- its great work music and guaranteed to make you productive.  Its catchy, but mellow:

Some of the artists: Brett Dennon, Joshua Radin, Matt Nathanson, Sonya Kitchell, Kris Delmhorst, Alexi Murdoch, Tyrone Wells, Paolo Nutini, Jason Myles Goss, Donavan Frankenreiter, Garrison Star...