the way things are

This story kind of epitomizes the how things work at my job.

To get down into the basement where I work you have to badge in through two sets of double doors. Since there is no way to see through these doors, frequently people get hit by the door when they’re trying to badge in while someone else is coming out. I’ve been hit in the face on numerous occasions and had my coffee knocked out of my hands before. Management acknowledged this was a problem and that someone was going to get hurt. Instead of actually spending a little bit of money and replacing the doors (or cutting a small window for viewing), as a solution, they printed off a piece of paper that says “Please open door slowly, someone may be on the other side” and taped it to the door. Awesome. I love when we acknowledge problems or issues but instead of fixing it the proper way we take the low cost solution and put a band- aid on it.

Spicy Oven Fried Chicken

Megan passed this weight watcher recipe on to me and it is not only easy (and fairly quick if you don't count the 25 minute baking time) it is delicious!

there aren't really any measurements because it all depends on how many servings you're going to make

Spicy Oven Fried Chicken
Preheat oven to 400
Spray broiler pan with Pam

• Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash (we use hot and spicy)
• Mix 1 tbsp Mrs. Dash Spicy Seasoning with bread crumbs or corn meal (I used Italian Style Bread Crumbs)
• Coat chicken in bread crumb mixture
• Dip in Buttermilk (we use the powder kind you keep in the freezer)
• Coat in crushed corn flakes
• Put on baking pan and lightly spray with Pam

Bake for 25 minutes

it's a God thing

every so often something comes along to remind me that God is in control.
today's example:
my back has been killing me lately (this isn't anything new, i've had issues for years, but lately it's been unbearable) so wednesday i broke down and decided to finally find a chiropractor here in massachusetts. i got on the blue cross blue shield website and found a promising choice- a practice that has three board certified chiropractors and that is less than a mile from my apartment. however, when i called their voicemail said they were closed until friday. doubts immediately filled my mind - what kind of business (besides small family owned dry cleaners and restaurants) just closes in the middle of the week? i left a message with my name and number but then decided i would call another chiropractor that was actually open. however, things got super super busy at work and i never got around to looking up another chiropractor. this morning i got up, showered, packed a lunch, caught the early train into work, visited the emergency department and did some work for them, decided i really just didn't want to be in the office (i had a ton to get done and figured i'd be much more productive without the distractions of the office- besides, it's been a long week) so i ran to the train station and barely caught the last morning train back home so i could work remote. during my train ride home the chiropractor that i had completely forgotten about called (seriously, i had to ask them the name of the doctor and what their address was) and said they had appointments available for today. had i not decided at the last minute to work remote i never would've been able to go. but, see, God knew all along and had the situation completely under control. thanks, God. glad you know best.
side note: i was moderately worried about an office that has last minute appointments but i actually really liked the guy and my back feels much much better. so does my ankle. definitely a successful visit and i will be going back.

memorial day brunch

note: the pictures for the next three posts were all stolen from angela. :)

it's time to meet my friends.
disclaimer: this post sounded good in my head a few hours ago, but i got tired so comprehensive thoughts are eluding me right now.

this is rachel. she's eating a delicious scone made by nicole. rachel works as a nanny in wellesley taking care of three little girls.

this is angela (blond) and nicole (brunette). angela is from california and is currently working on her masters. nicole is from washington and will start her masters in biblical counseling in the fall in north carolina at southeastern.

she's so pretty!!

group shot graciously taken by angela's mom. not the best as we are looking directly into the sun. the joke is that whenever someone says "let's take a group pic" we all just get in a line. it is a good thing we don't have more friends or we wouldn't all fit.

me, ben, eduardo, nicole, angela, rachel, randall

eduardo is responsible for the next set of pictures. consequently, that just made me realize he doesn't have a cameo. eduardo goes to yale and is getting his masters in divinity. he also does some part time preaching at our church.

this is ben. ben works at starbucks and is going to plant a church.

this is me. you know me. i work for dell.

candid laugh from nicole.

randall does not promote shirtlessness. and, in case you were wondering, this is the appropriate shirtless distance apart for two men to be when conversing.

this is randall and rachel. they will be getting married in california on july 24th. randall currently works in the financial aid office at boston baptist college. eventually randall and rachel will move to pakistan and be missionaries.

God has provided me with such a great group of Christian friends.

memorial day church bbq

i love this face:
wanna race?

mal was being sweet and brought me a brownie then sat in my lap to eat it

these next two pictures are two of the best ever. hannah's face is priceless! whit kept stealing the ice out of hannah's cup, sucking on it, then spitting it out and putting it back in hannah's cup/

"oh, no, you didn't!!"

this picture is completely josh (pastor's youngest son). he is 100% all boy. rough, rowdy, and out of control (but sweet when he wants to be).

the sawyers (shown here with angela) are our small group leaders. i am incredibly blessed to have them in my life. they not only open their home to college and career kids every sunday, mrs. sawyer also cooks for us every week.

the sawyers and nicole

pastor, nicole, and kim (pastor's wife). once again, i am incredibly blessed. i have a pastor who is unashamed to boldly preach the Bible. not easy to find up here in boston.

angela and nicole:

nicole and eduardo

last small group bbq

this is one of my favorite pictures ever of nicole, angela, and rachel:



yes, i'm a picture ruiner:

this may be the only picture ever taken where noone is making a face:

oh, amber, how i love her, the one person who makes more faces than i do:

Boston's Run to Remember

After weeks of training today was finally race day. It was my first half marathon and Allison's first ever race. It was a beautiful day to run in Boston (seriously could not have asked for better weather).

Allie and I before the race (after a year and a half of friendship this is our first picture together). Bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to go. Side note: we picked our outfits totally independent of each other. that we both went with Nike tops and bottoms and wore green was just a coincidence. Another side note: 5436 was my apartment number freshman year of college.


Some (I'll spare you all the details) race stats courtesy of my amazing new watch:
Distance: 13.31 miles
Elevation gain: 915 feet
Calories burned: 1535
Time: 1:54:58
Fastest full mile: 7:48 (mile 13)
Slowest full mile: 9:13 (mile 1- explanation: there were lots of people)
Average pace: 8:37


Post-race. Still smiling is a good thing...

Then we went to the Annual Metro West Baptist Church Memorial Day Picnic. Food + Friends + Fun = good times.

Afterwards, the rest of the day was pretty much spent like this:

Please note the milk AND the chips in her hand.

whit kept the goggles on longer than mal did (all of about ten seconds).

she has such a cute little tushie.

Mine and Allison's post-race treat: Grilled Peeps!

Many thanks to Allison for introducing me to this delicacy.

Note: lesson learned - only grill one at a time

The master griller

YUM!