Everything Else

In other non-running related news, things are good around the Neeley camp. Normal, as ever, and that's okay, too. We just like hanging out with each other. Lately, we've been watching a lot of movies at home, which is always fun. We pull out blankets from the chest and make a pallet on the floor and watch movies. I must admit, I've been getting more into action films. In the last month and a half, we've worked through the Die Hard series, the Lethal Weapon series, and now Rambo. Crazy, huh? Of course, we've worked a few of my movies in, in the meantime. We also caught up on all of the first three seasons of "The Office" the week Cliff had the flu, and are excited that the strike is over and new episodes are in the works! That's about the only thing we care to watch on TV these days, besides the news.

Our first married Valentine's was awesome. I came home that afternoon to a spotless apartment, a single white rose, and a homemade card and Cliff came home to a surprise dinner of salad, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, skirt steak, and chocolate fondue for dessert! I even bought a bottle of red wine (which I am not fond of, yet) because Cliff likes to be more adventureous. Then, on Saturday, we went out to Bonefish for our Christmatine's dinner thanks to Lampo. And that was awesome. Nothing beats crabcakes, riesling, scallops and shrimp, lobster tail, and creme brulee. Whew...

We taught our Sunday school class this past weekend, which was a neat experience for the two of us. We've never taught like that together (facilitating FPU is a whole different thing) and felt like it went really well. So well, we only got through half our lesson (which we created ALL by ourselves!) on "The Power of Words in Marriage: Communication in Conflict" that they asked us to finish the other half this coming weekend. So there's times of conflict and then "Everyday Communication."

And on the job front, I've officially applied for three positions. One back in December, that I didn't even get an interview for. One in early January, that I've followed up on and didn't get a yes or a no in terms of an interview. (So I guess you could call that a standstill.) And then one this month, last week to be exact, which I probably won't hear anything about for another couple of weeks because they're taking applications through the first week of March. By far, I have been most excited by this third one, strangely enough: Academic Advising at the largest public institution in Tennessee? A job with purpose, working with first-year students and undeclared majors, and assisting in schedule planning, major selection, and learning communities. Yes, please. So we'll see, but I'm just taking it at a week at a time and finding more trust and faith each day that I didn't realize was there. God hasn't failed me, yet. In fact, more times than not He does what is on the very exact opposite side of the spectrum and blesses me beyond my wildest expectations.

Oh, and then I start class (finally) this weekend AND I ordered my academic regalia for graduation. Craaaaazy.

Alright, off to Belmont!