Hiking, weddings, interview, USMC, and more

Might as well start with the first thing on the list...hiking. I have always loved to hike. Lately, I have gotten back into it a little. The problem was, I lost my job and started sitting at home, eating, and not getting out at all. that had to change! So, I started hiking again (plus I have a few pounds that need to come off before Erin's wedding-more on that next). I've done the Gorge twice in the past week. Here's a couple of pics of me, Elisabeth, and Allen hiking there last week. You'll notice that Elisabeth's way of hiking is not typical ;) As you can tell, we were dead tired by the end! It wasn't even that long of a hike.

On to weddings. Erin's wedding is 2 WEEKS from tomorrow! How the crap did that happen so fast?! I can't believe it is already right there. I still have some pounds to lose.....especially since I gained instead of lost since I got the dress....hmmmmm.....I'm kinda scared to try it on. Let's just keep our fingers crossed on that one. I still have to go out and get shoes and a bra (hopefully that will suck everything in), get a wedding gift, and more. I am so excited about this wedding. They are doing some really cool stuff during the ceremony that I have never seen at a wedding before and I'm really excited to see it all. For example, they are washing feet, doing a worship song, and just some other cool stuff. Two weeks after Erin's wedding, I'm off to Alabama for my cousin who is getting married. It will be my first time on a plane. I'm nervous and excited. I have never gotten motion sickness before, so I'm hoping this isn't the first time.

Interview....I had an interview on Wednesday morning with an insurance company. The guy was really nice and I loved the atmosphere of the office. I have a friend who works there and loves it. I am suppose to have another interview with the regional manager of that company in the next couple weeks. He has to come in from Lima and he is the ultimate deciding factor in who gets the position. There are a couple other people in the running for it. Again, keeping my fingers crossed and praying.....a lot!

USMC......The United States Marine Corps. My boyfriend, Allen, has wanted to be a Marine since he was really young. And on Sept 11, he officially enlisted. It's been a process. He's been to the recruiting center like 6 times in the past couple weeks. On Monday, they took him for testing and he stayed in Cleveland overnight and got all the big important stuff done. There's this test that everyone takes-it's a vocational test-and he scored a 98 out of 99.....that pretty much means he had his choice of jobs within the Marine Corps. He decided to do diesel mechanics. He passed his physical and signed the paperwork and is set to leave for Parris Island for Recruitment Training Camp on October 29. It's a 13 week training camp. That part kinda sucks. He'll be gone and only allowed letter communication for that whole time. He'll be missing all the holidays....Thanksgiving, my birthday, Elisabeth's birthday, Christmas, New Years. He'll get time off after graduating and becoming an official Marine, but then go to more training before he is given his first "assignment", which could be deployment or stationed somewhere in the US or overseas. It's going to be tough, but we'll make it through. Elisabeth will be confused. He asks about him anytime he's away (oh, by the way, he has been living with us...he actually came to stay for a couple nights just to get away before we even considered dating, and things happened, and he hasn't left. It's been working out for all three of us, but Elisabeth will be wondering where he is and when he's coming home.) I am so proud of him, but have to also admit that I am a little nervous too. Just remember to keep him in your prayers while he is gone.

On to the more stuff....I spent last weekend in Lancaster, OH near Columbus for the first weekend of the Rock-N-Rhyme Tour that includes the band ShiningSouls. ShiningSouls is the band that plays for our PraiZ services. I've been friend's with the lead singer for 23 years, known the bassist for like 10 (I watch his kids and him and his wife watch mine), Allen is the lead guitarist and I've known the drummer and rhythm guitarist for years-played in the church band with both of them for a little while. So, I went down and supported them. It was a blast. They played at a Christian festival on the fairgrounds on Saturday. There was this "mountain" (more like a cliff) across the street that me and the bassist and drummer decided to climb. I was in a skirt and sandals, but still made it up the side of the mountain in less than 10 minutes. Here's a pic of me on the top.....the view was amazing!

For more information on the Rock N Rhyme tour (coming to Kent and Cuyahoga Falls next weekend....Sept. 22-23), and to see some really good pictures, visit www.myspace.com/shiningsouls.

Well, that is all for the time being. I know....that was pretty long. There's a lot that I left out and will include in a future post. Hope all is well for everyone out there who reads my blog! Bye :)