Pictures & Chocolate Chips

(H) I really should be getting back to studying..but I put up my new digital frame in my kitchen..and quite frankly, would prefer to stand here, watch a picture show..and eat chocolate chips (purchased for baking endavours..instead, they are my cheap therapy).  I cannot stop thinking about a week from today.  I will be enjoying time with the best people I know.  I cannot wait to hear the dogs barking at every sound.  I cannot wait to have my Dad turn off all the lights behind me (commenting on how an airplane could land in our house).  I cannot wait to watch ER with my Mom (even though she falls asleep 5 minutes into every episode).  I cannot wait to make tuna helper, eat icing, and spend an entire day watching Grey’s Anatomy with Mellie.  I cannot wait to laugh until my stomach hurts with Phil.  I am excited to enjoy our live Christmas tree (complete with three newly super glued ornaments).  Mostly, I am excited to be back where I belong.   

Roadtrips..they make flights available for a reason..

(H)  I am writing my first entry from Portland, Maine.  This will be my attempt at a happy entry..I have a feeling my next few will not be so chipper.  That being said..
My awesome parents hitched up the U-haul and drove my keester 24 hours up to this cold rainy city..at least this is how it has been since we arrived last night.  Unfortunately, I packed all my cute Florida cut offs..little did I know, the end of August means highs of 62..with torrential rain storms.  I can't wait to hit orientation tomorrow :)

Almost there!!

We made it..despite my iPod cord breaking in the first hour..

Our ride...

First day..sure hope my rain boots made the shoe cut..

To the Best Seamstress in Gainesville

(H&M) Today we worked on making our second set of aprons and completing my Gator game dress.

The sign of avid sewers.

<3

Pretty bows on the back.

Praising the Lord that they're finally finished, haha.

No iPhones? WHAT?

(M)

Although Phil wouldn't be a guest blogger, he did show me the funniest thing on geekologie today..

Projects or Penthouses

(M)
We are spending the week in Maine trying to find an apartment for Heather. Who knew Gainesville was apartment heaven. If you enjoyed apartment hunting, Gainesville would be your place. Like outlet malls for our fellow shopping addicts who love finding deals. Not Portland. You have two choices here, projects or penthouses. Hence the lack of current pictures past day 1. No one likes sad faces running out of smelly houses.

Posted using iPhone 4

Video Blog #1

(M)

So I'm about to go get my oil changed in anticipation for our beach camping trip this weekend, but I wanted to leave you with a video I put together from our Philippines trip.

After watching so many other people have awesome videos, we decided to document our trip in a new way.  Us talking.  Haha.  Although many people may argue anything but new.

Enjoy :)


Philippines Trip 2010 from Melanie Atkinson on Vimeo.

Short Reflections

(H) I returned about 3 hours ago from an eight day trip to the Philippines. As I was getting in my car..and breathed in the pleasant aroma of clean leather..on my way to get whatever I wanted to eat..I was struck with the overwhelming reality of how incredibly easy we have things in America.  Maybe I am difficult to reach..maybe things take a while to set in for me..maybe my parents going on outreach trips since I was a child made these things seem normal..but I think I am finally starting to have my eyes opened.  As I write this, I am sitting on a bed three times too big for me..with a mattress I have to climb onto..after a hot shower..and fresh toothbrush..the cricket singing outside will stay there, because I have a screen in my window.  It is with my freshly clean hair blowing in the breeze from the air conditioner I realize..I don't need very much.  I had every single thing I needed this week.  Did that include three meals a day I was pumped to eat?  Hot shower? Cloud like bedding? Nope.  It included the opportunity to provide a little bit of hope.  No matter what happens with school over the next few weeks, I will be ok..because I have all I truly need, wherever I am..God's plan for my life..and my family.

Full blog to follow :)