My life resembles a pendulum.

Two days ago, I was driving down the crazy streets of Newark, rain on my windows, and single tears falling down my face while a faithful friend made a valiant effort to cheer me up. Thanks again :) I was lonely and bored and frustrated. I wanted to go into the City so badly, but the rain (and ridiculous lack of parking at the bus station) prevented by plans. I ended up wandering aimlessly around Ikea for two hours, admiring $6.99 curtains, and eating a burger at Ruby Tuesday's...alone. It was a low point.

Then yesterday, I had one of the best days this month...maybe this summer! I rose early and took the bus to the train station (no need to park), caught the train to the World Trade Center, and hopped on the subway to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was an hour and a half commute yet fully and completely worth it.

I made my way into one of the most extensive Egyptian exhibits I have ever seen (and I've seen a lot). I gazed wide-eyed at mummy after mummy, ran my hand across an actual sarcophagus (with permission, of course), and stood...STOOD...inside the Temple of Dendur. It's dated to around 15 B.C., and the carvings are still very much visible. The MET moved it to the states in the 1960's. It was one of those "wow" moments in life. If I never make it to Egypt, I will be partially okay. :) I hit up the American, European, African, Medieval, and Modern art exhibits too before finding the caf for a bite to eat.

Art stirs great things within me. I see so much of God's beauty and creation in a painting, a sculpture, a piece of woven fabric. He enables normal people to create timeless pieces of beauty from nothing. A simple tube of paint when paired with the master's hand produces such perfection. Even the modern pieces that seem to contain such disorder are, in reality, quite beautiful. Isn't that just like God? What we see as simple or irregular is a masterpiece in another's eye. Wow.

Anyway, after almost 4 hours in the museum, I made my way back to Jersey. More plans. :) I drove to South Jersey to meet up with Ed Pietrowski and Jerry McCarty. I went to Master's with these guys, and it was so amazing to see them. They understand an element within me that only another Master's alum can. They introduced me to an authentic Philly Cheesesteak (yum!). Then we threw knives at a tree...don't ask. haha Later, we hit up the county fair, complete with a petting zoo and full carnival. The tilt-o-whirl was fantastic. :) The evening concluded with a few hilarious rounds of Wii mini-games! Man, I wish I could hang out with them more. It was fun guys. :)

But it's back to reality tomorrow. I have a trip to Austin with another long layover. (If you live in or around Austin, you should hang out with me.) Then I head to Las Vegas on Sunday, ending with a red eye back to Newark. It should be interesting. Ha.

Good night :)

Yesterday morning at about 9 a.m. I climbed onto an emotional rollercoaster.

During the initial ascent, my phone rang with a 281 area code. Continental is in Houston!! I pretended to have already been awake and answered the phone. "Ma'am, I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to be a part of the final training class of the summer." I grabbed a pen and hurriedly scribbled down the information until he said, "you'll report June 2." I froze. My heart began beating wildly. I asked ever so politely about our September arrangements due to my being in 2 weddings this summer. He said they were no longer offering me that session and that June 2 was my only option. I explained my situation and asked if I could reapply for September. He said applicants had to wait 12 months to reapply. Yeah, that was the rollercoaster car plummeting into my stomach. I suddenly felt sick. My eyes welled up with tears as I told him there was just no way. He asked me to reconsider and gave me his telephone number. I told him if anything changed I would let him know by Friday.

Rollercoaster metaphor aside, I called my mom completely in pieces. Being the good mother she is, she reassured me that Alesha would understand and that I should just call her. It wasn't that I just felt bad about backing out of her wedding with such short notice, I want more than anything to BE in the wedding. Lesh and Kory have been my two best friends growing up, and I still can't imagine not sharing that day with them. So, I called her mom first. Her mother, too, told me this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and just to call Alesha. So, I made the call, and as I totally expected, she was cool and understanding and completely supportive. She told me I HAD to take the job. Through sobs and tears, I told her, "This is why you're my best friend." I'm such a dork. ;) Lesh, for real, I love you so much.

So, with bittersweet delight, I decided to take the job after all. I'm going to be a flight attendant!! OH MY GOODNESS!! It hasn't really sunk in yet that I'll be working...on a plane...all over the world! I start training June 2 for 4 1/2 weeks (Monday-Saturday, 8 am-5 pm) and then have 4 days to get moved. I'll find out about 2 weeks into training where I'm headed. I will either be based in Houston, Newark, NJ, or Cleveland, OH. Please pray I get Houston so I can be by my family and have a roommate. :)

On top of accepting a life changing job and having to tell my bff that I couldn't be in her wedding, I had to say goodbye to some very dear friends at SAGU. Most I'll see before I leave for training, but some...I honestly don't know when our paths will cross again. Let's just say, I cried a whole, whole lot yesterday.

Thank you for all your love and support and congratulations today. :) I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends in my life. I love each and every one of you! :)