the underdogs

Today was a fantastic day for US soccer - the men's team upset Spain, beating them 2-0 in a game they were largely expected to lose. I don't know what happens when I watch those games, but I get all antsy and my heart beats really fast and I "say" things like my dad - Switch fields! Outside, outside!! Be there!!!

Fortunately, we have a big TV in our office, so we watched during lunch and I am not lying when I say that I literally jumped out of my chair when we scored the second goal. Here are some highlights: Footytube (just click on it). I don't know what language it is, but all you need to know is that US's goalie had a phenomenal game and the foul at the end was a ridiculous call.

I leave for Nicaragua in exactly one week and I cannot wait - to see Beth, to meet Nicaragua, to speak Spanish and to relax. The plan is to head to Laguna de Apoyo and stay for a couple of nights at Crater's Edge and it looks amazing. Hopefully we don't get rained out.

Two last things: FutureMe - a website that allows you to write emails to yourself in the future, provided that you keep the same email address. I think I might do it. And the verse I've been looking at all week on our new kitchen message board:

oh the irony

I don't think my roommates found this as funny as I did. Maybe it was because I was trying to talk to them while they were on their computers.

You know you do it!

please excues the typos

I think I was an English teacher in my last life. Or at least an editor. I have a thing for words - I'm kind of spelling spaz, I'm always fake-typing when I'm bored and it drives me crazy to see typos and easy grammatical errors - especially in public places. Maybe I need to define "public place" but recently I came across a blog where the author excuses her spelling errors because it's just a blog. Granted, she writes every day, but it's not like it's a blog about her dog or the pie she made last weekend. It's more like professional career advice, writing about jobs and work - where a typo can cost someone an interview or a new client.

Some might argue that if one's point is made, if the idea is conveyed, then the minor details are a moot point. But quality is quality - from the tiniest of details to the grandest of ideas. And I'm worried that we're increasingly satisfied with decreasing standards.

So, in a small act of quality control, I urge you to be conscious of what you are sharing with the world - whether it's an email to your friend, a birthday card for your daughter or a blog post about how cool it is to be Dutch. If we don't insist on the best, who will?

a few things:

1. I promise to write more - if not for your enjoyment, for my much-needed practice.
2. God is good. He has given me so much in Portland, and though I miss my family like crazy, I am here, and present.
3. Some of the craziness that I call my life lately:

• my girl Steph visited last weekend, and even though the weather was not great, we went to the coast, hiked in the Gorge, got a tour of a brewery and ate out SO GOOD. She and I are kindergarten buddies, and she will always be a close, close friend.
• My car is on clutch #2 - in nine months!
• Nina Simone rocks my world.
• I am headed to Nicaragua in 3 weeks to visit my friend Beth!
• I had a visit from my volunteer bud Christy on Sunday - I miss that girl (and her hilarious laugh!)

On a more serious note, I know a lovely couple in Grand Rapids who recently found out that one of them has a brain tumor. David and Amy are two amazing people, and David's courage and faith is reminding me about who God is and who he calls us to be.

I've also been thinking about purpose, drive, passion and reality lately. After I graduated from college (8 years ago!), I worked in marketing and it was an interesting experience. But I chose to quit my job and move to Chile for four months - now I'm not sure where I stand. I'm not sure what I truly want to pursue, although I know that there is something that I am passionate about. It's just escaping me, or I'm afraid to go after whatever it is. I'm needing courage right now, determination, and a healthy dose of reality...