Wild And Crazy!

Well today was an interesting, but fun day. I got my first ever Henna Tattoo! The 6 girl summer interns and myself ate lunch together in town and then we all got Henna done...this was their idea but it was fun! And contrary to some in my family that said, "Wow Charity this must be the craziest thing you've ever done!" No, it's not. Playing hide and seek in McClellan Hall late at night at Ouachita was, thankyouverymuch. Espcecially when we got caught and my roommate and certain other people left me to explain. You know who you are.

I walk on the wild side.


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And no Mom, it's not permanent, only lasts about 8 days, or so they say! The sweet ladies that did this for us were super fast, mine was done in less than 5 minutes- not kidding! All 7 of us were out of there in 30 minutes! The lady that did mine was telling me all about it and she's been a Henna artist for 7 years. They mostly do Brides a few days before weddings and they will often do complete arms, hands and feet. This place we went to uses a safe, herbal henna and it took about 20 minutes to dry.

You never what we'll get up to in this city! :)

Going To Your House For Tea?

Cerys came home from church singing this today....

Zaccheus was a wee little man, a wee little man was he
He climbed up in that sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see!

And when the Savior passed him by, he said, "Zaccheus you come down!"
"For I'm going to our house for tea!"

Seriously.

I've heard this before here, the UK version of this song, but I had forgotten about it!

(Just to clarify: "tea" in this country can be two things- a cup of tea or a light supper/dinner. If people invite you over for tea, it's usually a light meal or in my experience, they will say a "cuppa" if it's just literally a cup of tea. Have I told you about the time in Pontypool we were invited to "tea" and I had cooked dinner and we had eaten, thinking it was just a cup of tea. After that situation, we made to sure to clarify what it meant!)

Happy 4th

I've only just realized today is July 4th. I mean, I knew it was the 4th of the month, but it didn't hit me till earlier. Obviously, not a holiday that is celebrated here. I actually saw a sign in town today about some "American Disco" tonight at some pub. Interesting.

Today is Marc's mom's (or "Mimi") birthday! They are in the states for several months and all the family, including Marc's brother and his family, are in Atlanta celebrating today with a birthday party, a 4th of July parade and fireworks.

It's times like these that living overseas stinks. We hate that we can't be there.

Happy Birthday Mimi, we love you and wish we could be there to help celebrate with you!

Going Well

Hey, things with our big group o' kids is going well so far! Marc even said he was "surprisingly calm" as the bus load arrived Tuesday morning! 65 students. I will be the first to admit that I'm a very emotional person and can easily cry....and I'm probably a bit more emotional these days anyway but... I've been hearing stories already from the week and seeing how their world view has changed already in just a few short days, and I've been moved to tears several times. I told Marc last night "Why haven't I seen such-and-such place like that?" We were just agreeing that it's nice to see our city through "fresh" eyes. I know they have learned a lot, but so have I just observing them! They hit the ground running and have been excited, cooperative, flexible- even in the few downpours we've had this week- and have just kept on going! The 10 interns that have been here already for a week and will stay through July with us have been fabulous as well...such hard workers! The girls are already attached and it will be a tough day when they leave us at the end of July! They also brought us fun size Butterfingers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! How nice.

Just wanted to update you on how the week is going! They will be here till Tuesday, we will have 4 days to rest and get ready for the second group to arrive! :)

Happy 33rd To Daddy

Ok, so back in November Marc saw an advertisement in town for Dickey's BBQ. We thought surely this was a mistake- a Texas BBQ place in Cardiff? Anyway, one night we made our way to city centre to see if it was for real and try it out. When we got there the lights were off, door locked and a man-who we later found out he was the manager- was taking down signs and menus on the outside door. We inquired and told him we were from Texas and how excited we were about this coming to Cardiff. He was a very disappointed man and told us that he had NO business and they couldn't stay open. We hung our heads and walked away and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which was not very good at all. We were bummed. I don't even really like BBQ, and I was sad about this. Just ask my Dad sometime about my feelings for Spring Creek BBQ. :) He laughs at me everytime we ate there. Anyway.


This past week Marc was in city centre a lot showing around our group of 10 interns here for the summer and he came home saying that the place where Dickey's was, was re-opened and named Desperadoes. So, since Sunday was Marc's 33rd Birthday, we ventured down there for dinner, hoping it was for real! They were opened and had no one inside so we went right in. The customer service was lacking, but we've come to expect that here. Overall, it was yummy food and tasted like the real deal to us! I had chopped beaf, potato salad and BBQ beans, Marc had some of that too and pork along with it. There were references to Texas throughout the place and after our meal we spoke to our waitress about it. She said they re-opened 4 weeks ago under a new name and they've done really well so far. Apparently the day before, she said they were packed. Which would not be too hard seeing as there were only 6 or 7 tables, but still we were glad to hear it. I told her we were from Texas and she said they manager (same as before) had married a Texan years ago and his father in law was in the business as well, so they thought they would try it out here in Cardiff.

Overall, we were really pleased and will go back again! It's really expensive to eat in this country, but it's nice to have somewhere to go when we want good food. Nando's (if you have never had Nando's- bless you and if you come see us we will take you there!) and now Desperadoes will be our stand by choices. :) They even had red and white checked table cloths y'all! :)

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Bailey enjoying her free kids' ice cream that came with her meal!

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Woohoo! :) I'm sorry, I'm Texan and proud of it. (Marc just cringed!) :)

Too Tired

This will be short because I'm exhausted!

Today is Marc's 33rd Birthday, so leave a comment for him if you can! I made him a chocolate cake, spaghetti for lunch and we ate out tonight! (a Texas BBQ place, here in Cardiff????) I will post some pictures tomorrow!

We have 65 students arriving on Tuesday. And that's all I have to say.

Have a good week!

Busy Summer

We are alive and well, thank you for your comments about the lunch meat ordeal. :) I have been creative lately in our lunch options and it's been fun!

We are up for a busy few weeks! A group of high school and college students will be spending 2 weeks here in Cardiff as part of a cultural exchange experience. We've been "in charge" of getting all things sorted out from bus passes to accommodation! Marc has been really busy on this and it is finally here! A group of 10 interns arrived on Monday, they are getting to know the city and places to eat...they will be leading the group of 65 students next week! They are an impressive group of 10- the leader of them being only 18 years old. They are mature and have their heads on straight and it's really cool to see youth so passionate! Next week the group of 65 arrive- aren't you jealous you won't be here to help!?!?! :) Then we have a week off, then another group of 50 come the week after! So, if you don't hear from me much, that is why!

After the groups are gone, the interns will still be here for a few days and we hope to take a mini-retreat to bless them and just to get away from the city for a few days! After that we have our annual company meeting in August, a little family vacation planned to Paris (I think!) and then Cerys starts Nursery school in September. It's gonna be a busy summer for us!

Just wanted to update you on things here! It would be wonderful if you could remember to lift up these group of students that we are about to host!

Have a lovely week!

Ok, I've had this lunch meat problem for several weeks.

One day, when buying sliced ham and turkey for our sandwiches I noticed on the package that it said, for example from the ham package- "ham re-formed from selected cuts of pork leg meat."

Ok, does that make any else sick? I'm not sure where I've been my entire life, but has lunch meat like this always been "formed from" other cuts? This is seriously causing me problems because I just can't bring myself to buy any of it or eat it! My girls love PB and J anyway, like their Daddy, but I usually eat ham or turkey on a sandwich and I just don't think I can anymore.

Today at the store, I picked up almost every package to see and they all said this same thing- on the ham, turkey and chicken slices. I went over to the deli and looked at those, and even the freshly sliced stuff said that same thing. What ever happened to just a slice of turkey? Marc was just laughing at me the whole time because I refused to buy any of it. And I really don't want to eat PB and J everyday like him!

So, has anyone else noticed this? Does it bother you? What do you do about it?

I know this is really random, but it's really bothering me. As if you couldn't tell. :)

Why?

Why do 3.5 year olds ask so many questions? Questions that I wouldn't know the answer to.

"Why is that car parked there? Why is red?"

"Why is it raining? Why is it still raining?"

"WHY WHY WHY WHY?"

And why do I find myself so short on patience?!? I'm usually good till after lunch, then I get so frustrated and TIRED of the question asking. I need to pray for more patience. I need to respond in a better tone of voice.

I feel better for venting. Please leave me a comment and tell me that your kid asks all the "why" questions too and that you struggle with being patient in the midst of it? Thanks. :)

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