Amazing visual picture

I love mapping out data just to get a visual picture of what I'm reading in the bible. Timelines, geneologies, etc. I like to break things down to get a better picture of what went on. This picture is way more intense than I'd ever do, but AWESOME none the less.

How many of you out there believe that you don't need to believe the whole bible, or that the Old testament is no longer valid after Jesus came down as our Savior? No need to answer. Just nod if you believe that.

One of the Pastors at my church shared this picture with us tonight. It's a picture of how the bible verses from Old Testament and New Testament are so interconnected, from Genesis to Revelations. A couple pastors took the data they collected, and laid out the bible. The white vertical lines below are all the chapters in the bible, and the length of the those lines are how long each chapter are. The arcs above are the number of cross-references in the bible (63,779) and where. For example, the largest arcs you see is Genesis referenced in Revelations. The link below explains the whole picture better than I could.

http://www.chrisharrison.net/projects/bibleviz/index.html

Some would say that the Old Testament is null and void after Jesus came, but Jesus said:

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets, I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished." Matt 5:17-18


"It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the law." Luke 16:17

"Every word of God is flawless;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words, or He will rebuke you,
and prove you a liar."
Prov 30:5-6

Am I a Radical?? Wow.

Random Thought (though it's been rolling around in my mind for a while)

One of my friends from San Diego came to visit me about a month ago, and one of the conversations we had was our experiences in the Midwest (east coast for her). We're west coast girls. We haven't heard or experienced anything east of the Colorado Rockies until the Lord moved us out here a couple years back.

One thing that blew us away was how "liberal" we are to the Midwest. In California, we were always tagged as conservative (maybe ultra-conservative) in our Baptist upbringing, but in Missouri I was called a "Radical" in my face. How in the world did that happen?!! That was a year ago that I heard someone call me that, but it still stumps me to this day as to how am I a radical.

Of course, since Austin is the Liberal dot in Texas, I'm conservative to everyone here.

Why I love Texas: Reason #451

September has been a rough month, especially for Louisiana and Texas. The Texas coast is still picking up their lives that's been blown and swept away by Ike, and still waiting for power and water. This has been my first Hurricane season here in Austin. Last Hurricane season wasn't so bad to consider it as my first. This year, though, a lot of my friends at work compared this season to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Same 2 areas threatened, but Houston this time wasn't as lucky as before. My friends were telling me stories of how the hospitals in Austin were affected during Katrina and Rita, even though they didn't experience the Hurricanes directly, but they received a lot of patients from those that did. This year, it's the same.

This is another reason why I'm lovin' Texas. A lot of us stepped up when needed most. A lot of the staff at my hospital worked extra hours, and even called in to be placed On-Call if the hospital needed extra hands. I heard many times on the radio and news Texans saying, "We need to help our fellow Texans." It was more like family than pride. Texas is the second biggest state in the US, but it's the most close knit state I've been in. Like a family bond, and its probably why people that move here from another state don't want to leave. We just want to be part of that "Texan" family.

My prayers are still going out to those still unsure of their lives post-Ike. We still have patients from Houston, Galvaston, and Louisana. Pray for them, and if you hear of any ways to help them, please do.


Reason #452 is the Smokehouse BBQ ;-D

Why am I a nurse? Why do I love my job?

When bad days come around, like this one, saying,"Ilovemyjob Ilovemyjob Ilovemyjob Ilovemyjob Ilovemyjob" is just not going to cut it.

WHY do I love my job?

• Watching patients coming in unsure of the outcome, but relieved, even a little, when I walk in their room to update them on their care, and assuring them.
  

• Watching parents and grandparents cry with joy as they watch their (grand)child walk again for the first time in weeks or months after an accident.

• See patients that were severely injured, and unsure if they'd survive the trauma, return to the unit months later to visit and say "thank you."

• Enjoy using my gift of helps/service daily in a job that its required.

• I was called by God to be a nurse, and here I'll stay until He says I'm done.

There will always be bad days at work, but it's the memories of why I remain a nurse that keeps me going. Good or bad, I love being a nurse. I love being God's hands when caring for His children. This list will probably grow even more if I think harder, but my brain is too tired. This is more as a reminder for me, in case I ask that question again after a bad day. If you hear me say it, remind me of these points.

Thanks.

What's your Viper?

I needed to share this. I went through this study, and it can't stay in my journal for myself.


There are times when I'm reading that I come across a story that I've skimmed by many times, and nothing has jumped out at me before, until this time around. This is one of those times. I've read this story in the bible before, and skimmed passed it. This time, something caught my attention. Paul has gone through a lot before this situation. He's been in jail for years without a plausible cause (more for protection than a crime, and placed on a ship for Rome only to be ship wrecked on an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Paul gathered a pile of sticks and was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him in the hand. The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand and said to each other, 'This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but Justice does not want him to live.' But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt. The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, 'He's a god!'" Acts 28:1-6

Everyone saw Paul bitten by a snake. The natives on the island have seen the outcomes of everyone that's been bitten by that type of snake, and probably haven't been good since they're waiting for Paul to "swell up and fall down dead." Instead, he sits by the fire saying to himself, "great, what next," but holding onto God's promise that "do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar." (Acts 26:24)

What's your Viper? What's your poisonous snake? What's our "viper" that might have bitten us that people would look at, and think that we will never recover? Or, that I might think I may never recover from? Was there, or is there, any situation or moment of our lives that would cause others, or even ourselves to think that we won't recover? The damage is done. Nothing can fix it.

"You of little faith. Why do you doubt?" Matt 14:31
"When the Lord All-Powerful makes a plan, no one can stop it." Isaiah 14:27 NCV

Not even me.

"Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt." Acts 28:5

Whatever whispers or discouraging remarks I may hear from others or from Satan, I need to shake it off, and continue on. The Lord will redeem me. God is faithful, even though my faith falters.

"I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again.
They will rise up as an eagle in the sky;
they will run and not need rest;
they will walk and not become tired." Isaiah 40:31

"That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eteranl glory that is greater than anything we can imagine." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

The Lord says it a whole lot better than I can.

God of This City

I love this song. What makes this song even more amazing is the story that brought this song about. It was not written by a little blond guy from Texas, but by a group called Bluetree from Belfast. They were invited to do an outreach in Thailand, and found themselves in the darkest city they've ever been to, to sing worship songs, and hope to touch hearts. Below is the link of the story that Bluetree shared. Read it, and then come back to read the lyrics. I hope it breaks your heart not only for the city or the bar they sang this in, but also the city you're in right now.

When I heard the story from my pastor, we sang the song at the end of the service. My heart broke imagining what Bluetree saw while singing this song in that city and in the bar as they sang this song in.

http://octagus.typepad.com/steph/2008/01/god-of-this-cit.html

God of This City

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You Are

You're the Light in the darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

Bridge:
For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Chorus 1:
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

Verse 2:
You're the Lord of Creation
The Creator of all things
You're the King above all Kings
You Are

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You Are

Chorus 2:
Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for you and love for you
In this city

Greater things have yet to come
Great things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things are still to come
And greater things are still to be done here

My first Triathlon season

My first Triathlon season is now complete. It's amazing how I even got talked into it, but it has been a great incentive to get back into shape. In April, I was talking to one of my friends about my new bike, and somehow the conversation shifted directions, and I found myself saying "yes" when Anita asked me to do the Danskin Triathlon with her and Jennifer. When I searched the internet about the triathlon, I found out that it was considered a Triathlon SPRINT: 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run. I thought that I could probably do that. I may not be a runner, but 3 miles shouldn't be that bad, along with swimming and biking that I love. Yikes! I was in for a surprise.

I had 2 months to train and prepare for the Tri, so I used my gym membership more frequently, and tried to get into jogging (I hate running). I have been a strong swimmer, and I biked long distances a few times in SD (thanks to my brother Wayne..), so I thought I didn't have much training to do, just combine them to increase my endurance. What I neglected to remember at the time was that it's been QUITE a while since I've been on a bike and since I've been in a pool. My endurance did increase, but I later found out it still wasn't enough.

By the time the Triathlon came I already was able to swim 1000 meters (in a pool) and bike the 12 miles (lets not talk about the jogging). This was my first time to swim in open water. A couple things about triathlon swimming is that it's in open water (Decker Lake), and you're trying to swim around a lot of arms and legs of other swimmers. This is the biggest women triathlon sprint that Austin has, so there were A LOT of arms and legs. I started off pretty good, had a good rhythm, but ran into someone's legs and got kicked. When I slowed down to recollect myself, I got slapped by someone's arm that was swimming by. I was told that if I got tired during the swimming to just float on my back to rest before continuing on, but when I did that I got splashed on that there was no rest. What would take 20 minutes for me to swim, it took me nearly 40 minutes. The good thing was that there were plenty of volunteers in Kayaks to rest and wait until there was an open spot in the sea of people to continue on without battling others to swim. When I finally made it to land, I praised God that was over, until someone yelled, "Way to go! One leg of the race down, 2 more to go!" WHAT?! Can I just finish now?

The biking and running were not as bad, since they were both on dry land, and I could rest more often without worrying about drowning. I did pretty good with the biking, except with 2 steep hills that a lot of women actually walked their bikes up. There's one interesting hill that surprised everyone even when we were warned about it at the pre-race meeting. There's one hill that you would go downhill and pick up speed, but as you turn the corner of the trail there's an even steeper hill to bike up. You would have to change your gears to the lowest gear as possible before you get to the bottom just to take the steep hill around the corner. I didn't get to that low gear in time, so I got half way up the hill before I had to walk the rest of the way up.

Of course, its not a complete bike ride for me unless I fall off at some point. While I was biking, my seat somehow became loose. I decided to stop to fix it. [Ok, before going on I need to say this: I don't like clips on my pedals (instead of pedals, bikers clip special bike shoes into specially made pedals for more pedal control). Fearing that my shoes won't unclip off the pedals in time before I stop, I decided to use a cage and strap pedal that you can slip the toes of your shoe into.] When I was slowing down to stop, I slipped my right foot out of the strap and was going to lean to the right as I stopped (you know where this is going, don't ya.) Instead, my bike started leaning to the left, and I couldn't get my left foot out of the strap in time and I fell down on my left side (I'd say "how embarrassing", but that's me --I might as well embrace it), and I almost got ran over by another biker. Needless to say, I got my seat fixed, my abrasions cleaned up, and what pride I had left back on the bike and rode on. By the time I got back for the running portion, I was ready to walk the rest of the way. I did jog every so often, and especially at the last mile. Praise God I made it to the finish line on my feet.

After the Danskin triathlon, I was determined to finish a triathlon sprint, but swim non-stop, bike non-stop, and run non-stop. I signed up for another Tri Sprint with my friends Jocelin and Dana, and trained a lot more. My second and last Tri Sprint of the season was this past weekend. The swim distance was 500 meters (less than Danskin's), but I still remembered my last experience in open water and was getting nervous. I prayed I wouldn't choke like I did at the Danskin, and the Lord reminded me what I've always done whenever I swim: find my swim stroke rhythm and pray while working out. I went into the water with my swim wave group, and prayed how awesome He is. I had friends motivating me, but none did as great a job as the Lord did. Thank you, Jesus. I swam non-stop, and had a few arms and legs, but not as bad as the last time. I got out the water, and ran to the transition area where our bikes were racked at (1/4 mile away from the lake shore). I got my bike equipment on, and off I went. I biked 14 miles, non-stop, and then run/walk non-stop (it was hot (96 degrees)). I ran the last mile in, but felt a whole lot better in my accomplishment (especially the swimming portion). Maybe I'll do another Triathlon season next year, but let's see how in shape I am by then. Hopefully, I might have actually found the love for jogging by then.

Click here to check out my photos on Facebook.

Another Texas experience?..

Ok, about a month or so ago, I met this fabulous lady named Jen. She moved from St Louis about 3-4 months ago,and has been learning about Texas as well. One story she shared with me recently is so funny that I can't even describe it as well as she did, so below is the link to her blog site to read her adventure. Jen, thank you so much.

http://healthydoseofgrace.blogspot.com/2008/08/for-those-of-you-who-may-have-been.html

Enjoy.
Leona

Is Texas a foreign country?

It's incredible to see how much things have changed in my life. When I first moved to Texas, I could only describe it as a another country. I've lived in 3 states so far when I first got here, and I've seen how different it is. When I was first here, I was constantly reminded that I was in Texas by every billboard I drove by on the freeway, and I found myself saying, "wow, I'm in Texas. What am I doing in Texas?" I have to admit, I didn't like it at first. A lot of pride, a lot of country music, and no friends or family. I learned that the kids learn World history, US history, and Texas history. I've heard of different laws here, that I've never heard in other cities, like: if you lend your car to a teenager, and they are at fault of a fatal crash, YOU are charged of the death even if you weren't in the car. There are other things, but I can't remember them now.

But, Texas has grown on me now.

I love living here. Living in Austin, the liberal dot of Texas. I love the live music I hear especially on the weekends as I run passed a little leagues baseball field. I love the green lushest sceneries only the Hill Country of Texas can give you. Not the same as SD. I love the friends I've met here. The hospital I work at. Even the church that I'm going to, Austin Stone Community Church. My heart has changed, and I've been assimilated ..TO A POINT. I still have the salty ocean in my blood, and San Diego is always on my mind and a special part of my heart. I now have 2 homes: San Diego and Texas. (BTW, did you know there's a San Diego, TX here? Nothing like the real thing though) Of course, some things in Texas throw me for a loop, and on occasion its still a foreign country to me.

On the Trails again (to the tune of On the Road again.)

Yes, that's right. I bought myself a new mountain bike. Check it out. I'm back on the trails. Actually, I'm not on the trails yet. I promise I will be careful this time.





For those of you that don't know, I've had a history with mountain biking before I stopped. I gave my mountain bike to my niece when I was getting closer to leaving as a travel nurse, and I couldn't take it with me. (Others would give another reason, but I like mine better.) We don't need to revisit the past. And, like I said, I'll be careful..

Austin is filled with so many trails to ride, and quite a few for novices. However, I haven't taken it on the trails yet. I've been training for a triathlon sprint right now, so I changed my tires out to slicks (road tires) to ride on the roads. I did my first Triathlon sprint in June, and crossed the finish line on my feet!! Big accomplishment there. I have yet to get the pictures for that, but I promise (Wayne) I will share them when I get them from a friend. My next Triathlon Sprint (shorter version of a triathlon) is on Aug 24. I'd say wish me luck, but luck has nothing to do with it. By God's grace, I'll finish, so pray for me that I do better than before.

A "friend"-ly visit

I haven’t written in my blog for a while. (last Thanksgiving) I’ve been trying to think of what to write about, and a few of my friends gave me some ideas: make it a non-travel blog, write a different journey, write about my experiences in Texas/Austin, about life, etc. So, be prepared to see interesting trips, silly and trivial thoughts, and whatever comes to my mind. Since it HAS been a while since I last written, there’s a lot I need to update you on, but I won’t bombard you with it all at once.

Recently, my friend Kerrie made it to Austin, TX, on her way to San Diego, and I’ve been touring Austin with her for the past week or two. I don’t have any pictures to share, since I’ve been to most of these places, and I also forgot my camera. I’ll steal some of her pictures once she downloads them, and share them with you.

We went to Barton Springs Pool which is a natural spring, and as cold as the Pacific Ocean. Well, the temp of the ocean in San Diego (60’s), opposed to in Vancouver area (40’s). It was nice. No waves, we were able to float and chat, and stay cool. The difference was that instead of seaweed floating on the water, it was moss. LOTS of moss. There was a point where there was so much moss floating around us, that we attempted to move to a more clearer area. Still moss, but not as much. Afterwards, I took her to lunch at an awesome place called Austin Java. GOOD food.

One of the things that Austin has besides independent coffee shops/restaurants, live music on every corner, and a health-y atmosphere (almost everyone jogs here), they are famous for their largest urban bat colony. Yes, those rat-looking creatures with wings. The bat colony made a home under one of the bridges in downtown area, and every night at dusk, the bats fly out from the same spot of the bridge in a black/grey ribbon. I took Kerrie to that bridge to watch, and the whole side of the bridge where the bats come out from under it had people lined up at the railing to watch. Austin also has a park at the bottom of the bridge for people to sit and watch from. When it was dusk, the bats were punctual. They dumped before they flew out, and it was “potent”, as Kerrie described it. We watched 3 ribbons of bats coming out from under the bridge, and came together as one big ribbons as they flew higher. They didn’t fly above us, so we were good. The stench was not as bad, and we didn’t get any of the guano (bat poop) on us. Neither did the observers at the bat park.

The next outing we had, we road tripped to San Antonio. This is the second time for me, and the first for Kerrie. We went to the Alamo and The Riverwalk. The Alamo tour had a LONG line, so we just took pictures of the Alamo, and then spent the rest of the day at the Riverwalk. We took a boat ride tour of the Riverwalk, but most of the time just window shopped and caught up on what was going on in our lives since we last saw each other in San Diego.

Right now, we’re just relaxing at a Coffee shop, and enjoying a sunset view over Lake Austin, while playing on our computers. This is a day of rest for both of us. Be ready for more stories. To be continued….

Leona

A Texas Thanksgiving

Hello, all.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Crispy atmosphere, pumpkin pies, turkeys, and football games. Since I'm new on the block here in Austin, I have to work on the holidays. However, that's not ALL bad. I enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch with my colleagues and patients' families at the hospital, and then later went home to warm up in front of a fireplace with hot chocolate. I can't complain.

I'm thankful of so much that I can't even think where to begin!! My Family, friends, my latest career adventure as a travel nurse, ....... Too much. That's not even scratching the surface. This has been an awesome (and quick) year, and now it's time for Christmas. Wow!!

What made this a Texas Thanksgiving for me was a football game. There's this huge college rival between Univ of Texas Longhorns(here in Austin) and Texas A&M Aggies(in College Station) . Every year, day after Thanksgiving, they have their game, and this year it was in College Station. One of my friends at church invited me to come with her to watch the game live. It was interesting, educational, and entertaining. Interesting words for a football, huh? It was a great game to watch, but I was intrigued with A&M's ....um.....traditions. A&M has A LOT of traditions, but what made it entertaining were their "Yell Leaders". That's right. They don't have cheerleaders, they have "Yell Leaders" that look like they time traveled from the 1940's. Letterman cardigans, white pants, and crew cuts. During the game they have these hand signals that the students obviously know, and the whole maroon crowd (Aggies) would yell what consisted of vowels "AAAAAAA" "OOOOOOO" "UUUUU" with each hand signal. I guess you have to be an Aggie to understand, because I still don't. I also found out the Aggies means farmers (Agriculture). This is a farming university. I saw some students wearing overalls painted with maroon and white, and then it finally dawned on me. "AAHH. Farmers. Farming college." Took a while for me to get it.

UT lost, but I came away from the game learning a lot more about Aggies (A&M). It's one thing hearing about it, but another to actually see it. I hope this has been entertaining for you though confusing, as it has for me.


Happy Thanksgiving, all!!!
Leona

Pictures of the UT/A&M game

Prayers from Austin.

Hello, all.

Even though I'm here in Austin, my heart's in San Diego, especially now. I heard about the fires Monday night from the Rock Church. My brother WAYNE told me that I-15 was closed, but didn't say why. Later I got an enews e-mail from the Rock giving an update and what was needed for the evacuees. I've been staying updated AND praying that everyone will be safe. So far, my family is safe. At least, the ones I could reach, but I've heard from some of you that you evacuated and already returned home. Praise God. If you haven't returned home yet, my prayers are with you. I wish I could do more.

Just to distract you guys a bit from what's going on in San Diego: I am finishing my travel assignment here in Austin, and will start a permanent position here on 11/12 in the same Unit. My company couldn't find a travel assignment in Austin, and I've decided to stay, so I took a permanent position, and a significant pay cut. (Lord provides and is faithful) My roommate and I will be moving out of the apartment my company is leasing for me, and moving into our 2-bedroom apartment in the same complex, but smaller and cheaper. We love the apartment we are in right now, but it's too big for us, especially since we don't have much furniture. Even less furniture when we move into our new place. Since my company has been putting me in furnished apartments in every city I've been, I'm starting from scratch. Only furniture I have with me is my air mattress I've used for my family's visits. I didn't think I would stop traveling this early on.

Of course, many of you that have been reading my e-mails have noticed how much I lean on the Lord's guidance on which city to go to and when, and He's the reason I'm staying here. I've got something to do here, but I don't know what that is yet. He'll reveal it soon enough. So far, I've just been planting my roots in Austin: changing my permanent address, drivers license, and license plate to Texas. Now, I'm going to be permanent staff in Austin. I'm at peace with it all. If I need to settle somewhere, I'd choose Austin (now that I've already experienced it earlier this year).

I'm going to work at Brackenridge hospital, Central Texas' Regional Trauma Center. Best place to get trauma experience. This place is much busier than Grossmont Hospital (who would have thought that's possible). I'm going to take some classes for a couple certifications while I'm here, so I can be "more marketable" if and when I return to Travel Nursing. I'm still going to Austin Stone Community Church. I returned to the church when I got back from St Louis, and it's like I never left. Of course, I still have acquaintances and friends coming up to me asking when I got back, and surprised I've been here since August. (it's a big church)

That's it about what's going on. I've been working more often, and familiarizing myself to South Austin, my commmunity. So, no new pictures. Sorry. I promise if anything happens here that's newsworthy, I'll notify you.

Love ya, and I miss everyone.
Grace and Blessings,
Leona

Labor Day fun

Yet another late blog. Let's celebrate Labor Day again.


Happy Labor Day!! (though it's a couple days later)


I got a chance to celebrate a holiday. WooHoo!! One of my friends owns a boat and invited us to celebrate Labor Day with him and his friend Travis. It was fun. Since it was overcast, not that many boats were on the lake. But, I doubt that would matter much or not. Lake Travis is HUGE. We were driving across the lake for an hour, and we have yet to see half of it. We finally stopped, and swam a bit before being pulled on an inner tube.

Lesson 1: do not go any faster than 20 mph when pulling someone on an inner tube. We didn't know that until AFTER the fact. Travis was no typical boat driver. He went 40 mph like everyone else, but decided to do figure 8's, zigzags, and loops with me. So, I was holding on tight. The smile is pasted on (or actually frozen on) my face when the picture was taken. I could feel the water touching my feet, and it wasn't soft while he was going fast with me.

Afterwards, they took us to a restaurant located on the edge of the lake. We drove the boat up to the restaurant's dock, parked, and walked in. A few of restaurants and coffee shops like that here. Pretty cool.

No other new updates in my life. I hope everyone had an awesome Labor Day, not laboring.


Love ya and missing everyone. Click to see Labor Day Pics.

Leona

Back in Austin

This is a VERY LATE blog I drafted, but forgot to send. ooops. Be on the look out for more late blogs. :-) (sheepish grin)


Hello again.

I'm back in Austin, TX. I made it safely. I stopped at Branson, MO for a couple days to visit my friend Vicky that I met in Seattle last year. Since she's from Branson, I got a personal tour of Branson. We went to a show called "Dixie Stampede" with singing and horse riding performances. Dolly Parton started it in Tennessee at Dollywood. We also went to an attraction park called "Silver Dollar City" with craftsmen making basket, glass blowing, candy, candles, etc., AND (most importantly) there were a lot of water rides to cool off with. :-)

Later, we went to a Go-Kart park, and rode go-carts with my friend's grandkids. It was so much fun. Drive figure 8's 3 stories up, and come back down for 15 mintues. (pictures will explain it all) Vicky's brother also owns a pizza parlor just north of Branson. She has been talking about her brother's restaurant for so long that I had to taste his pizza. VERY GOOD, but hard to find if you're not a local.

I started off for Austin on Wednesday, stopped in Little Rock, AR, and then made it into Austin today, this afternoon. I'm staying with a couple of friends for the night before I can move into my apartment. I'll send pictures of my latest travel once I have them downloaded.

Leona

Downtown St Louis

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	Downtown St Louis (1 album)		I took one last trip around St Louis Downtown. Here's my last sightseeing trip in St Louis before leaving. Anyone eager to come to St Louis and check it out for yourself yet? - Leona View photos Sign-in and be rewarded! Sign-in before the slideshow and get a special offer at the end! Not a member yet? Get 20 FREE prints when you join!
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Back to Austin I go.

Hello again, all.

My assignment ended this past week, and I'm packed and ready to go back to Austin, TX. There wasn't an assignment available for me, and Austin was an "If all else fails" option. I have my license in Texas, and a great rapport with the hospital I worked at. I'm also considering settling in that area, and travel from that point. Maybe. I do miss my friends there, and I can still tour some areas that I missed before I left. Traveling the way I have has taken it's toll since I don't have some anchor in a city. I love San Diego, and I miss everyone there, but it's the most southwest point in the country (and expensive to live there). I use my parents' address for my mail, but other than that, I technically have no "home". A transient nurse. Austin is more centralized than San Diego, and I don't have to live in snow for the winter (just heat and humidity). I still have hills to hike (and maybe bike), and Town Lake and Austin Lake may not be the Pacific Ocean, but it'll do.

I have a week to kill before my apartment in Austin is ready, so I'm leaving today for Branson, MO for a couple days, and then I make my way to Austin via Little Rock, AR. I should be in Austin by Thursday late afternoon or early evening. I'll stay at a friend's house that night before heading to my apartment on Friday.

Of course, with a week off, I went to visit my dad's side of the family in Michigan this past weekend, and found out a lot from them and my dad, and also where he gets his "quirkiness" from. It's a hereditary thing. I also got to visit my great aunt Irene (my grandfather's sister). She's a feisty and funny lady. Though she may have Alzheimers, she's still has a quick wit. I also met a lot of my dad's cousins. I miss them already.

I'll stay in touch with everyone. If there are any changes on my end or any adventures, I'll share them with you. After my trip to Branson and Little Rock, I'm going into settling mode and won't be traveling for a while until the Lord says it's time to go back out. It's been fun. I enjoyed visiting my family and hopefully will be able to go to the east coast later. I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures and e-mails I sent of where I've been. It was fun to share it with you.

It's not over yet. Just a break.

Leona

MO Botanical Garden Pictures

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	Missouri Botanical Garden (1 album)		Here are the pics I promised. Enjoy Leona - Leona View photos Sign-in and be rewarded! Sign-in before the slideshow and get a special offer at the end! Not a member yet? Get 20 FREE prints when you join!
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