I'm Not In The Country Anymore

Life in the city is sure different from back home. OK, so Orlando's not a HUGE city like Chicago, but compared to Waltz, Michigan, it's gigantic. On the way to work today, there were 2 police cars parked in front of a house near the corner of Mills & Virginia. There was a man standing next to one of the cars with his hands on the trunk. It looked like he was about to be arrested. Then on my way home, the cops were still there and they were wrapping the site in CAUTION tape. I tried watching the news tonight to see if they would report on what happened. Well, they didn't say anything. Instead, I heard all about how our mayor returned to work after being indicted on fraudulant election charges. I also heard about all the sex offeners that are living in the greater Orlando area. The only real "good news" was the weather forcast.

There are many advantages to urban life, though. One big one is that I'm so close to everything. I've been known to make atleast 3 trips to Target in the same day. When my family was here over Easter, mom was BBQing by the pool and realized that she needed some butter for the potatoes and garlic bread (which I didn't have). So I just said, "I'll run up to Publix and get some." I went there, got the butter (and a few other things as well) and came back all in about 20 minutes (maybe less). I am easily within walking distance of the mall, the movie theater, the grocery store and Target (if I really wanted to). In about a year, I'll be able to walk, or rollerblade, or ride a bike to work (I'm sure you're all placing bets on whether or not I'll actually do it). We'll see. It makes it a little difficult when it downpoars every afternoon/early evening during the summer months (if it's not raining, it's incredibly hot and humid - almost unbearable for a lengthly period of time, even in the early morning). I do have to say that I'll take Florida summers over Michigan winters anyday. Hooray for air conditioning :)

I'm Still Here

I knkow it's been a while since my last post. But frankly, nothing really exciting has been going on which warrented me to log on at home. I've also been busy during the evening hours. Monday I had a volleyball game (we lost). Tuesday, I had bible study. Wednesday was the Way and Choir practice. Some interesting news about that is that I'm now singing with the praise band during the Praise & Worship time. I'm really enjoying it (just don't ask me to sing a solo). Ok, moving on, today I had softball practice for the one game we're going to play in a couple of weeks. We have some pretty good players. I'm not one of them, but I still had fun. Tomorrow, I'm going to see a performace of Oklahoma! starring Bethany & Brianna Dickens. Saturday, I'm playing in a sand volleyball tournament with work people.

All Caught Up

Since my lack of access to blogs at work, I've finally caught up on everyone's blog. I can't believe how much I've missed: pictures from Georgia, food and music memories (I just might have to compile my own list), big screen tvs, and many other things.

Hi. My name is Amy, and I'm a blogaholic...

Just Call Me A Fireman

Forget the title, "architect." Just call me a fireman. Sometimes it seems that all I do at work is put out fires. Like today, I had to get about 5 jobs out the door. I do have to say, though, that it sure makes the day go by faster.

In other news...I'm sorry about the late update. It seems that I can no longer blog at the office. We've installed some new web filter software which blocks my ability to post and read blogs. Now I'm forced to only blog at home, but I rarely go online here. I guess I'll have to make an effort to do so I can help Mom and Amanda get their daily blog fix.

In other other news, I feel so blessed to have such great friends here in Orlando. This past weekend, we practically spent the whole weekend together, watching independant movies at the Florida Film Festival, watching Shakespeare's "Midsummer's Night Dream" at Lake Eola, and a Peter Frampton concert downtown.

Travelin' Gal

I've just finalized all my travel arrangements for the next 3 months! In 3 weeks, I'll be heading down to Miami for Sonia's Bachelorette Weekend Extravanza. Memorial Day weekend, I'll be heading home to Michigan for the bridal shower. In June, it's my half-brother Paul's wedding in North Carolina. And finally, to Chicago, 4th of July weekend, for Mike & Sonia's wedding. After that, my calendar is completely EMPTY (but I know it won't stay like that for too long).

Insomniac

I don't know why, but for some reason I literally got NO sleep last night. I just lied in bed, eyes closed, but no sleep. The hours just ticked away, 3am...4am..7am my alarm goes off and still no sleep. After I got up to turn off the alarm, I lied back down and finally started to drift in and out of consciousness, but now it was time to get up and go to work. I did somehow make it, but I wasn't entirely productive this morning. I felt like I was like back in college when I used to pull all those all-nighters in order to finish a project. I met Becky for lunch, but afterwards decided it best to go home and go to bed. When I got home, I immediately crashed in my bed and didn't awake until about 5 when my phone rang. I didn't get up to answer it (figuring it was probably a telemarketer anyways). While I was still a bit tired, I did get up for fear that I may not sleep tonight either. It's not like I got too much sleep over the weekend (not more than usual atleast). I was really tired. It was just that I couldn't shut my brain off. I just kept thinking about stuff. Nothing important or stressing about anything. Just random thoughts and I don't even recall exactly what.

Anywho, the rest of my weekend went well. Saturday I went to Cypress Gardens. There was a concert that I wanted to see and I also wanted to check out the place. They had added some rides, but they were kind of lame. The botanical gardens were nice, but nothing more spectacular than Leu Gardens here in town. I did see a very interesting sight on the way down, though. As I was driving down I-4, I say a momma duck and about 8 ducklings trying to cross the highway. They crossed right in front of me. Don't worry, I didn't hit them (and as far as I know, no one else hit them either) I saw them in plenty of time to slow down and stop. I sure hope they made it. On the way back from the park, I listened to the Michigan State game on the radio. When I stopped at Universal Studios to try and make the Mardi Gras concert, it was half time and we were winning. Well, I got to the park too late and couldn't get in, so I headed back home. When I got back to my car, we had lost the lead and never regained it :( Oh, well. It's just a game. It's an accomplishment just to make it that far. It is really difficult to follow basketball on the radio, especially when you're not familiar with the players and who play for who. I could hear all the MSU fans in the background which helped a little. So that was just Saturday. Sunday was much more relaxed. After church, I took a walk around Baldwin Park. I found out that it would take 20 minutes to walk the mile from my apartment door to where our new office is going to be (if we ever get around to building it). I think that with a bike, I could cut the time in half. I don't know that I will actually walk or bike to work. I know I should, but if you have any familiarity with the summers down here, you'll understand why I might not. It's just so hot and humid (and it rains nearly every afternoon (often times right around 5:00). But the place is really starting to become active. There are a few restaurants and shops open. Many are very close to opening. Later that evening, I went with Jen, her daughter Isabel, and her mom to see Ice Princess. OK, I admit it, I'm a real sucker for kid movies. Thanks to Jen's daughter, I can have an excuse to see them. The movie was cute, but there were these kids sitting in the back row who kept throwing things and something actually hit me. They were also being loud and unruly. Jen got fed up and went to tell the manager. He came in and talked to the kids and they were pretty good after that. I think I'm going to go to take a shower, turn on the basketball game and go to bed early. Hope everyone has a great week!

Empty House

The last of my guests left yesterday morning. Last night was the first night in a week that I had my apartment to myself and I could sleep in my own bed. But don't get me wrong, I love having guests. Everyone made it home safe and sound. I hear that the weather up there is getting better. Sure it's not like it is here, but it's better than when you left.