Saving Lives and Taking Names

You may be wondering why in the world I was awake before noon on the first day of the Fall Break. This is why:

So, I've successfully completed number four on the list! Waking up early and not realizing there was a "secret" back entrance to the Red Cross in my area is worth it now that I am prepared in case an emergency happens. Find your local Red Cross here.

On the Day I Voted Absentee

When I left my apartment-dorm and walked down the stairs to the building where my first class is held today, I noticed that the clouds were misty over the mountains. Now, the skies are beautiful blue, the breeze is cool, and the sunshine is warm. I know it sounds more like Spring than Fall, but I promise, this is a lovely Autumn day in Northeast Georgia.

It is also the day I mailed in my absentee ballot. Oh yes, I'm a real adult now. This has been a pretty neat experience! I mean, who would have thought that there is an "straight party" voting option? I knew there are two main parties and usually a third candidate, but what's up with having six options? And, for those of you voting in my home state, the question about governors and lieutenant governors at the end has more dependent clauses than a bad high school English paper.

But all of that aside, I'm so glad I got to vote in this election. Because I have to vote absentee, I also get to cross off half of number 26. It is an exciting experience to have a say in what goes on in our country, and I am thankful for governmental system we have here, even if it is flawed.

Mailing in my ballot!

 And no, I won't tell you who I voted for. :)

 Happy "Firsts..."

-- First time making  my own bulletin board! Used the Ellison die-cute machine and everything.

-- First time watching football on tv because I wanted to. And I enjoyed it!
-- First time voting in the presidential election!

-- First time having a published author sign a book for me.

Fall in Pictures

Wondering what's been happening in Alex's world recently? You came to the right place! Here's late summer and early Fall, in pictures, of course. I have done a lot of things "for the first time" since I last posted, and I wanted to share some of those exciting moments!

Back to school Luau with some friends

Found international fruit at Ingles! Got myself a dragonfruit!

No. 14 - Own a family recipe book. 

My beautiful new room, lovely and organized

Heart-shaped muffins!

Coffee Underground for the first time!

Had some friends over to the terrace for dinner. 

Knitted half-fingered gloves for a new-old friend!

Learned how to make hot and cold Chai Lattes!

Started to feel like an English teacher for real!

Saw Tenth Avenue North in Concert!

I love ladybugs!

Got cool shots of some "wildlife"

First time on a real hammock today... in my life!!

No. 26 - Vote absentee.
Received my absentee ballot in the mail today!

I figured it was time to make note that I had completed number 14, which is "compile a family recipe book." Last semester, a lovely friend gave the recipe book in the picture above for my birthday. I thanked her profusely, but I wasn't going to call it my "family" recipe book until I had "family" recipes in it. Now, I have my mom's Ham Delights and broccoli salad, my grandma's Taco Soup, and even my great-great-aunt's macaroni pie from scratch.

The only thing I'm missing is my grandma's "lard biscuits," but since both mom and grandma are on a diet right now, I've hesitated to ask for the directions. There is no written recipe. My grandma made those biscuits for years and years, until my grandpa died six years ago. I'm hoping one day I'll be able to write down that recipe and save it for future generations.

Also worth noting is that I'm well on my way to completing number 26: vote both absentee and in person. I got my absentee ballot today, and I'm looking forward to (and somewhat nervous about) voting in my first election, and a presidential election at that! I hope to do some research concerning this process and share some of what I've learned.

Thanks for walking with me on this journey to thirty and the rest of my life! I've shared recently on my personal blog about what I'm learning about God; check it out!

Happy "Firsts..."

-- First time at Coffee Underground

-- First time knitting gloves

-- First time making (learning to make) Chai Lattes

(First time falling in love with hot tea!)

-- First time seeing Tenth Avenue North in concert

-- First time on a real hammock

-- First time preparing to vote in the presidential election

Back from Asia!

The ladies of my team with our Lao friends.

I'm back, safe and sound, from an amazing trip to Asia. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and did the thing I thought I could not do. Believe me when I say that our God is a God of impossible things. I learned how to love on twenty Asian teenagers, plan and prepare three weeks of English camp, pray for the impossible, and trust God with each moment.


I was able to knock two countries off of goal number 6 and challenge myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. I rode the Hong Kong public transit system (MTR, minibuses, and double-decker buses) for the first time. I ate duck larp, fermented fish, tamarind, dragon fruit, longan, pomegrante, and duck for the first time. And I discovered how much I really love teaching!

My class!

My team at the beach on Lantau.

If you'd like to read more, click here to go to my LosingMyself blog.