figuring this all out

Levi Hernandez

So I'm learning my way around the big city of San Antonio. In the last year I've discovered I'm pretty good with directions-- if I can get there once I can get there for rest of my life. The only thing about here is all of our friends live in a 30 mile stretch that is almost a straight line, so really I don't know my way around the city much at all. 

Yesterday we baby-sat for some friends, the Hernandez family. Caleb, Alina and Levi have a special place in my heart and they are so fun to hang out with.   

I've dedicated hours each day this last week to looking for work. I've found a couple things, and am going to send my resume in today for a position as a Library Assistant at the University of Texas. Full time, benefits, you know. I think I'm getting tired of being on the internet however, one of my biggest frustrations is how convoluted everything is, and usually when it looks to good to be true, it is. 

However seeing as my job, until I find a job, is to find a job-- I press on. 

hero

This morning I woke up early, to this, out the dining room window. I sat with my tea and journal.

My heart has been heavy today for The Spinello family. They are so dear to me, and their little boy is sick. He had a brain tumor removed yesterday, and is now having a hard time seeing and can’t move his right side because of a stroke. He’s four. With people praying for him all around the world I want him healed with all my heart.

One day when the nurse came in dad said, “Now Cade, you have to use your super powers.” Cade in all seriousness whispered sternly, “Dad!! They are supposed to know about my secret powers!”

Cade is a super hero in disguise, you see.

James and I got to spend some time with some family friends tonight. The Petraks moved to San Antonio almost the same day I did and we have been helping them move in. I’ve heard so much about Jane and it was wonderful to finally meet her. I hope we will get to see a lot of them. 

You go, Caders. 

Lunch

We had lunch today, together. By together I don't mean we were on the phone, talking and eating at the same time together. I mean, really and truly we stood next to each other on his lunch break and made grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Together.

Lovely.

From Christmas to Texas

My new baby cousin's first Christmas.

He and my sister are like two long lost peas.

Family pictures, some of them were nice, and others of them were so goofy.

James' first day it snowed from morning until we went to bed that night.

Our first snowman!

We did a lot of resting.

We played in the snow as much as possible.

The view from the Pierce's deck, overlooking Dana Point.

Our favorite people ever!! James is still wearing those sillybands.

Elijah and James fell in love with each other again.

On the road again...

Sunrise in Arizona.


Christmas at home was fantastic. Before December, in 2010, I spent approximately three days at my parent's home in Cold Springs. Not enough. James flew in on the New Year's eve and spent a week with us there. We spent as much time as we could with family in the snow and then headed back down to Orange County to see some of our favorite people there. From Dana Point we headed to Phoenix to spend time with the Teaters family, and at 5:30 Saturday morning we started our drive to San Antonio. It was a long day of driving, but getting here in time to be welcomed home by everyone in our community was fantastic.

It happens to be my last day at Island Press.


I'm not really sure how I feel about it. I'm not excited about leaving, this has been wonderful. But I'm also not sad to leave. Ready-- ready is a good word.

I should probably go home and pack some tonight.

It snowed yesterday.

it was freezing today

Today was my last Monday at Island Press. The train ride into the city this morning was snowy and grey. I think I had my biggest fluffiest scarf wrapped three times around my neck all day long. It was 22 degrees, plus the wind.

I realized today that I know my way around now better than I thought. I know how to get most places between Union Station and Farragut North, and then from Dupont Circle down to there and everything in between. The area down by the Mall and Pennsylvania Ave is pretty simple, just walk and you will find everything importantly beautiful.

Our house is a boarding house this next week. Faith and her friend Bri came home and are the best to hang out with. They drove up to Philadelphia to get Steven tonight so that will be one more. Almost every room in the house has someone sleeping in it (there are 8 rooms to sleep in). I will absolutely miss this part about living here, all the people coming in and out. There is rarely a dull moment and though things are a little crazy sometimes--particularly with showers, food, and the noise level--I wouldn't change it for anything.

I think I'm a little homesick.

christmas tea

Yesterday was the Christmas tea at church, for which we invited about a hundred elderly women from different homes in our area to come and enjoy some tea, and fellowship. I was so excited to help--as I love tea parties of any sort--and was assigned the job of re-filler; it was my job to refill the tea pots as they became empty. I found quickly that this job did not require to much of my time and soon I got myself some tea and sat down at a table of ladies to join in on the conversation. We talked and ate traditional-tea things, tuna salad sandwiches, breads, tartlets and chocolates. Some of them couldn't believe I was 22 and finished with college, which I have been getting a lot lately. There was earl grey, cinnamon and vanilla chai tea and I even got to take home my very own cup. It was delightful to spend the afternoon with these ladies and I loved the hugs I received as they left.

chocolate chip french toast

It's the little things in life.

This morning I woke up around seven, to the smell of breakfast drifting into my room. I came down in my pajamas to chocolate chip french toast made by the amazing Steve Wecker. Dads who make breakfast in the morning are the best (I am proud to say I have the best of the best).

 A cup of pumpkin spice coffee, the heater blowing on my feet from under the counter, a cold fall day; here's to life, and waking up early when you don't have to.

rainy day

This morning I was laying in bed at 6:15 listening to the rain hit my window and the planes fly overhead (during storms BWI planes get re-routed over our house), thinking that the last thing I want to do today is go stand in the  rain and wait for the train.

But alas.

I donned by boots, brown coat, and a scarf and headed out the door. The rain slid down the train window and I my eyes had a hard time staying awake. I love the train, I am really going to miss it. I decided this morning to get some tea--Earl Grey with milk and honey--in Union Station, relax in the warmth, and listen to the Christmas instrumental they began playing this week. It was so wonderful.

Around 9:30 I braved the storm and walked my three blocks up Connecticut Avenue with all the other wet people. The umbrella nearly blew out of my hands a few times. It reminded me of Mary Poppins. Now I'm inside, the heater is on, and I may make myself another cup of tea. These next weeks should be busy, the editorial department has 14 new books to transmit to us.