History in the Making

Pending no unforeseen issues and weather that behaves, the first Boeing 787 airplane will take to the skies on Tuesday morning, December 15, 2009, at 10:00 PST. You can watch the historic first flight from www.newairplane.com with live coverage starting 24 hours prior to takeoff. For up-to-the minute information you can follow the following aviation nerds reporters as they report live from Paine field in Everett, Washington.

FlightBlogger

Future Of Flight

And if you want to see a great picture of the nose off the ground from Saturday's taxi tests, click here.

Stressed but Blessed

So lately I feel like I've been at my wits end. I've missed my family and friends more lately than any time since I moved away. It's weird to me that all of these feelings would hit 2 years later, but it's true. I know there is a reason I am here, but some days I just want to move home and live with mom and dad. I'm not sure what I'd do, but I'd figure something out. Except I know that's neither realistic nor what God has planned for me right now so here I am. So, what I try to do when I get discouraged and stressed is think on what I have that others don't. So, in an attempt to be optimistic (when I really just want to throw the biggest pity party for one on the East coast) here are some things I'm thankful for:

1. My salvation, because honestly that's all I need.
2. Socks that mostly don't have holes in them.
3. Verizon, email, and Facebook (even though sometimes Facebook annoys me.) All of these things keep me so very connected to those I love and helps with the loneliness.
4. A roof over my head and blankets on my bed. So many do not have these luxuries, even here in our own country.
5. Food in my pantry and refrigerator. Even though most of the time it's not what I'm craving, it is there and I can eat it to sustain myself.
6. People who love me. And who tolerate me calling them daily or ranting when I just feel down about life. Or who make fun of me for being terrified of shots, but being willing to do whatever it takes to help me through that. Who just plain love me for me and not for whom others expect me to be.
7. The ability to buy a plane ticket to fly half way around the world to see one of my dearest friends.
8. A job. Even though 9 days out of 10 I am so stressed out that I just want to walk away, I know I am blessed to have this opportunity and that I am learning more and growing more in my abilities daily. Even when I feel like I've lost every single brain cell that connects what little I do know to the other little I know.
9. Christmas china. I love that for 1 month out of the year I get to pull it out of storage and feel like I'm dining like a princess. Even if I'm dining on Easy Mac or Captain Crunch Christmas Crunch.

So there you go. Just a few little things I think about that I can focus on when I start pity-partying like it's 1999.

Anti-Twilight

I don't read the books. I don't watch the movies. And I refuse to be a part of this cult following. I also don't do Harry Potter. Don't ask me why, but anything that seemingly was geared toward a younger audience and has somehow captivated people of all ages just seems weird to me. You can leave me comments that say how great they both are, but you will not change my mind.

P.S. I feel the same way about Lord of the Rings. I saw the first two movies because I was dating someone who loved them. The highlight of that relationship ending (other than it wasn't meant to be) was that I was not forced to sit through the third movie. 6 hours of my life I will never get back. UGH.

The Last Song

Thanks to Thanksgiving (haha) I had a few days off last week which meant I got to read a little bit. This is not to be confused with reading a lot because I have a cute as pie niece who needs attention too. But I did get to read and I chose the book The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. This is his most recent book and was made into a movie before the book was released for purchase. And this is where my problem starts. You see, I know who plays the main character in the movie*. Knowing this, ruined the book for me. I loved the main character. I loved the story. In true Nicholas Sparks fashion I cried. The book was great. But I kept hearing the main character based on the person I know is playing her in the movie. Main character in book = 17 year old girl from NYC. Actress portraying her = not a NYC type of girl. At all. I wish I had not known this prior to reading the book. But alas, the book was good. The jury is still out on if I want to see the movie though.

* You can too. Just go to www.IMDB.com and search for the movie. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.

And It's a Great Day to Be Alive

When you get a Twitter update like this:

It's Time to Plan a Meet Up

Ok, readers, I know who is interested in venturing to Florida to watch a space shuttle launch. There are 5 launches left. So, which one are we aiming for? Come on...we need to get this planned!

A Survey

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while blogging?

I don't usually eat while blogging, but I did just finish a nice bowl of Cap'n Crunch Berries prior to starting this survey.

2. What is one thing you wouldn’t want to live without?

My cell phone which keeps me connected to my loved ones who aren't near me

3. Beach, mountains or farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?

I live at the beach so I'd definitely choose mountains or farm. Preferably a farm in East TN where I could see the mountains.

4. What’s your least favorite chore / household duty?

If you looked at my house, you'd say the whole thing. But honestly, I hate doing the dishes.

5. Who do people say you remind them of?

I look like my mother. I act like my father.

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the family?

I love to be home. And I love to entertain small groups of people in my home. I do not like to go out to parties.

7. What’s your all time favorite movie?

The Wedding Date. Even though I would never take $5000 out of my 401k to hire a male escort as a wedding date. But I would take $5000 out to fly first class in the nice plane overseas.

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?

Unless I bathe at night, I sleep in it. It makes no difference in the status of my skin so I don't see the value in it.

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you’ve never had a chance to learn? What is it?

I would love to be able to cook gourmet meals.

10. What’s one strange thing that you’re really good at?

Making sausage gravy. Seriously. It's good.

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

I'm sorry, what part of single in the header of this blog don't you get?

12. What is something you love to smell?

Cookies baking

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

I have a really loud voice. I can't help it. My voice carries well. I need to work on this.

14. When you have extra money, what’s the first thing you think to do with it?

What is extra money? But if I did have some, it would go toward either the house/car or camper fund.

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

I think I'm a normal laugher. Not silent, not snorting, not loud.

A good comedy can keep me laughing for days.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

The internet. Seriously. I am not a shopper and if I can find/buy online, I am happiest.

17. What’s one thing you’d do more often if you had more time?

Spend more time with my family

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

A mix. I save adequately, but I will drop the money on something I want (normally electronics) if I can pay cash. I do not owe on anything except my house and vehicle (which I am going to pay off quickly!!!!)

19. Who is your favorite character of all time?

I have to pick two here. Noah and Allie from "The Notebook." I have read that book at least half a dozen times.

20. Would you want to be famous?

I generally do not like large groups of people, so I'm going with no.