Random weblog here.  Every Monday night a group of about eight women on average switch cooking different parts of a meal.  The group's original goal was to learn to cook better and try new recipes.  But of course, the staying power of keeping such a great group together isn't in the food, it is in the friendships.  We keep track of our recipes and meal schedules through Google Docs and Google groups.  We rotate being hostess, and the hostess always makes the entree.  This Monday it was at Jenny's house. YUM!

This summer's theme: one day at a time.

I can't believe it has been well over a year since I have taken time for my personal blog.  It makes sense though; this has probably been the craziest year of my life thus far.  I have been making time for my grad school blog where I'm listing all the new educational techno things I'm learning.  That page is at http://rachelfrick.blogspot.com.

Very short yearly synopsis:

Last summer was awesome.  I traveled to London, Arkansas, and Minnesota and somehow missed writing about all my travels.  The school year began and I started at a new school (Seabrook Intermediate) teaching a new grade level (8th grade).  I love Seabrook and I loved teaching 8th grade.  I sometimes miss the ever present adoration from my 6th graders, but it is fun having a group that catches on to my subtle jokes.  Plus, the curriculum is super-enjoyable.  It includes Shakespeare, Greek Mythology and Archetypal stories like The Dark is Rising Series, The Hobbit (Lord of the Rings), and more.  So, I was happy for the change, but it was very time consuming the first semester.  I was teaching myself the new curriculum and constantly searching for quality materials to establish myself as an eighth grade Language Arts teacher.

Then, Ike happened.  Being in Seabrook, most of my students were affected.  I don't think we ever completely caught up from all the time lost.

That fall, I started jumping through the hoops involved in earning a scholorship at UHCL for school library science.  It was great news that I did receive a full ride to graduate school; it was not so great news that ever since then, my life has been consumed by school.  I thought the summer would be better than the Spring.  In the Spring semester, I taught full time and attended night classes full time.  This summer I am taking three courses.  In grad school, two courses are considered full-time.  The first Summer Session I took two classes in four weeks that are normally done in five months.  When I figured the math, it was somewhere around 14 hours of school work a day to complete.  It was INSANE.  Now, I am in the middle of one more course squished into four weeks, but at least it is only one at a time.

Needless to say, I MISS MY SUMMER.  If it were up to me, I would have taken these courses slower, but the scholarship coordinators set my schedule and classes.  I know I will be grateful when this is all over in a year though.

Another crazy thing I up and did this year (in the middle of my worst four weeks of school this summer) is sell my old house.  Not only did I sell a house, but I bought a new house too (when I originally wanted to just rent on the water).  Next to my parents (hello, Everybody Loves Raymond).  Of course, by the time I have a family, I'm thinking it may be time to move on.  I just couldn't pass up this place.  A close family friend owned it, and I spent many summers here babysitting in my childhood.  It was a steal, and a definite profit in the future.  So maybe, by holding off on my water dream a little longer, I'll be able to afford a nicer place on the water someday.  That is, if that is where God leads me someday.  He definitely gave me the green light to buy this place through many signs, and even though I resisted at first, I'm trying my best to follow His lead.

Which leads me to faith.  I'm not where I want to be (and hopefully will never feel I am according to Paul).  I feel like grad school has stolen my time, my life, and even pieces of my joy.  I'm not going to quit at this point, but I need to find a balance so I can find energy to read His word too, not just textbooks.  I think it has become harder to find motivation lately too.  I have so many dreams that seem to stay unfulfilled and have had many disappointments in the area of my dreams this year. 

Giving thanks for all the wonderful things that have happened in the last year, I'm going to push forward and keep on keeping on "running the race" I am called to!

   I missed going to a game last season, so I was really happy to get a chance to go to Minute Maid Park last night for the ‘Stros game.  Maradee invited me to go with a group from University Baptist.  The game was exciting; we were playing the Phillies.  It was tied 1 to 1 for the longest time, and I thought we may go into overtime (I usually jinx us into it with the one I choose to go to during the season).  It didn’t happen last night though. We were on our feet most of the last inning, and we won 4 to 3!

     We had a nice surprise with a Friday Night Lights fireworks show after the game.  It was spectacular.  I’ve seen lots of fireworks shows, but I must say this one was the best I have EVER seen.  It helped that they opened the roof and we were watching with the Houston skyline as a backdrop.  Maradee captured some great photo shots.

Maradee and I enjoying the game.

Our view from the first base side.

Me really excited when they were opening the roof for fireworks!

OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Look at that skyline!!!

GRAND FINALE!

 Whew!  It’s been a busy week.  I flew back in last Wednesday from a 9 day stay in International Falls, Minnesota where most of my kin folk reside.  It is a bordertown of Canada and is aptly referred to as "the icebox of the nation" due to it's tendency to have some of the lowest temperatures in the winter months.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous – average of 70-80 degrees, cool breezes, woodsy scents, and all that wilderness jazz.  There are no big cities around, and it is crazy how many stars you could see at night. 

My cousin Steve was married during the time I was visiting, so I was able to see thousands (okay, I’m exaggerating) of my relatives.  Seriously though, I have large, close-knit families from all sides, and it feels like I’m related to half the town.  Here is a 3 generational picture with my grandmother, her daughter, and her daughter’s daughter. J

Here is my Papa and I dancing at the wedding…

And also my parents!

Another first in my life to see…:o)

And since this is my scrapbook of the summer here is more pics of my family – a plethora of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc…

Where I was staying with my grandparents, there are no computers and I have no cell phone coverage.  With no technology and the average age of the townspeople being 90, Rachel had to find other ways to entertain herself. 

So----I kayaked in the lake with my Uncle Tom and cousin Nikki.

I made several 10 mile biking jaunts on the country roads.  This is one time when I convinced Dad to bike instead of drive to the country store to buy fishing licenses.

Three-wheeling was another way to pass the time.

Accordian playing lessons!

And last but not least – two major fishing trips that turned out quite successful.

The end of the trip was a bummer – my Mom had to schedule a flight to leave a couple days early to be with my brother in the hospital.  My brother has to deal with Chrone’s disease and had to have surgery after a run to the emergency room due to extreme pain.  Please keep him in your prayers as we hope he is now on the upward mend once again.

Here is a pic of Travis and I last Christmas.

When I flew home Travis was a day out of surgery and doing better.  I rushed from Intercontinental Airport to St. Luke’s in the Medical Center to visit and then to the Seabrook Shipyard for the sailing races the same evening.  Needless to say, I had some deep sleep that night!

Btw…we won first place that evening! WOOHOO!  I am on to do a longer distance racing course in the bay on a J80 this Saturday evening.  I am so stoked- this has been a great adventure. 

God has blessed my summer in so many ways.  At the end of the school year what started as huge heartache and calling out to Him has switched gears into many moments of discovery and joy, and right now I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a love for life.  Well - the calling out to Him part hasn't changed but a new state of substantial peace has!  My hope and prayer is that in pain and happiness I remember to call out and to continually be open to ways I can be used as a “vessel” to share the joy.