I had a very nice night tonight. I went to Orange County to have dinner with David. I got to see Molly and his kids too—who truly are sweet and cute. It was nice seeing Molly. David took me to dinner and we had a great time. Somehow I think it is ironic that he is more accessible to me than some people I thought I had nearby—and he is 50 miles away. I am going back in a month. We are going to go over some official stuff he is helping me with, but we can’t do it yet. It was so nice being with him. He is still just my David. I guess in the long run, when you really examine it, he is probably one of my best friends ever—and probably always will be. It has been 15 years. I may have trouble making friends, but boy, when I find the good ones, I keep them!

My refrigerator is breaking. I am frustrated trying to get someone here to look at it and someone at my management company got the wires crossed because and order was put in a week ago. I called again and basically told then they HAD To get someone out tomorrow—period. If it is something have to pay for I have ONE day to do it. Meanwhile, there goes half my food. I am not happy about that.

Anyway, I am trying to book my flight to PA. My days were officially approved today. Talk about great favor. I have found a student travel site with greatly reduced fares, but the times are horrid. I don’t just mean for that but for ANY flights. Problems is I now lose THREE hours flying east instead of ONE. This matters when I am trying to make the Thursday night opening. Almost all the flights connect. But I am fixing to book a higher fare that is nonstop to get there early. I have to fly into Philly again, it seems, and rent a car—that is another two hours. Coming back it is great because I gain hours, and that will help with getting up—well, except for the jet lag—but I only have to work one day and then we are off the next day so that is good. Hey, this is funny. I found a flight to Philly connecting to Allentown (40 miles away form the location) for LESS money than the direct flight to Philly, farther away. Airlines are quirky. I will have to sleep on it. Right now the retreat center is full so I may be at a hotel in Allentown anyway. The great thing about the annual PA trip is that it cost nothing besides the travel expenses. You don’t shop or eat out or anything. So it helps. Other connecting flights allow me to connect in Minneapolis one way and Detroit the next way—I have never been to either state so of course I like that idea. Flying coast to coast will be hard because the flight times are longer an the 2 ½ LAX-DFW route was enough to drive me nuts. This is double! I am also about to book my Thanksgiving plans in San Diego. The beach in late November is not really popular so rates are low. I have to do something for my birthday—so what choice is there. One of my friends calls it running; I don’t think it is running at all. I think it is a proactive choice to keep yourself from a pit.

I went to early prayer at the other church today. Boy it was NOT Tyler Metro! We all gathered in a circle on chairs on the front. Me and 7 strangers. They pray with such passion and heart. Where do they get their energy? I am in awe of people like that. Anyway, it was weird because I got to introduce myself but then after we prayed this one lady—former member visiting—talked of a long time and I had to go to work so I basically left. It was like a appeared and disappeared and they had NO CLUE who I was. No one I met the other night was there. It was really odd. But I guess it was good because it lets me reflect without pressure. I can go back another day next week. It was INTENSE.

Anyway, I was rather awake all day and that was nice. I had more energy and could actually BREATHE for the first time all week. I had more fun with the kids—and I am getting to know them.

I met another Christian at work. He teaches English at the school because his wife is in seminary. It is nice to know someone who thinks getting up early to pray is cool (they do that with their Korean neighbors).

Work feels kind of normal. But the school feels bigger and I feel like I have a smaller part of it. Still I like it.

Everything is nice—but it still isn’t mine. I can’t explain it but something still isn’t right. It is not bad and I am not miserable, but it is not okay yet.

Nothing is home yet.