busy like a bee

Rather than my usual never-ending novel, I decided to add a bunch of pictures and some shorter descriptions of what’s been happening this month. Being May and all it’s a very busy month with banquets and dramas and graduations and birthdays; a bit of anything and everything.

Something that’s great about this country is being able to drive illegally. Ok it was just one trip to the grocery store and an occasional trip within the neighborhood. Actually, driving is something that I am worried about. When I was younger I couldn’t wait to learn to drive but now it scares me to think about being that responsible and in control. I do have a permit…maybe someday a license.

Anyway, here’s my summer plans and in case you’re anywhere near where I am I would love to see you. June 19 – I arrive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my mom and brother. While I’m there I’ll be visiting my friend Nate and his family and maybe going down to Alabama to visit my grandma and organize the carload of stuff I’m storing at her house. July 9 – I leave for Indonesia and spend a couple more months with my family before moving (most likely to California to live with Chels…yay!) in October. The last week of July should be a fun and relaxing time in Bali for our retreat. Lots of old friends will be there and I’ll be working in the nursery (with all those cute babies).

Three tragic things happened this month, however, they are not at all on the same level. First of all Chris got eliminated from American Idol and the rest of the season was ruined because Chris was just amazing. Katherine was second best and then Elliott but Taylor is just annoying and shouldn’t have even been in the top 700. The second was the earthquake in Yogyakarta that occurred near the active volcano, Merapi, about 220 miles east of where I live on Java. The third was the amount of theft that has been going on at our school. When I went to high school there everyone would leave their lockers unlocked and leave things under the lockers and all over the place and we would never worry about it. Recently there have been money, cameras, and cell phones stolen. And no one knows who’s been committing all these crimes.

Ok now for some pictures...


Of course I must start out with one of beautiful Zoe.
She's almost 5 months old now!


There were two graduations this month. The first was of the former senior class…I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since I graduated. I still don’t think it’s sunk in. The second was Abby’s 8th grade graduation. I haven’t been to one of those since my own 8th grade graduation. She got all dressed up along with the rest of her class and took lots of pictures and listened to everyone’s parents say happy, loving, and embarrassing memories about how their kids are all grown up now and how they’re so proud of them.


(Becca and Abby - aren't they beautiful?)


(Abby, Becca, Yumi, Young Shin, and Dana - five of the seven 8th grade girls)


(Me and SoRa - the "alumni" of the day)


(Jess, me, and Val)


(Joey, Zoe, and Sarah - the purple family for the day)


(Faith and some of her friends playing DDR at her 11th birthday party)

The banquet this year was of course another year of dressing up and having fun. There was a lovely presentation that the seniors had to honor Mr. Driscoll. It was at the Hyatt so the food was really good. Not too many long speeches or tears this year. Oh yes, one thing that was different this year were the ‘couples’ that went together. I think the most we’ve had in the past are 3 couple but this year there were at least six (although Stephen F. and Mari don’t count because they’re not dating…the picture is still cute though).


(Jeremy & Courtney, Stephen & Mari, Travis & Tomoko,
Vero & Steven, Tessa & Evan, Soo Ji & Fidel)


(Jon)


(Misha, Mari, and Cassie)


(My mom, Jon, and me)


(Val, Jess, and me)


(Whit, Court, and Jeni)


(Val and me)

Lost in Yonkers was the drama this year. Jon was a main star, acting as a “bad guy” mafia uncle. He was quite funny and I’m so proud of him. I’m barely able to get through 2 sentences in front of people but Jon had a ton of lines and he acted well.

Here’s the cast: Won Seop as the father, Jeremy as Mari’s nerdy boyfriend, Cassie as the aunt with a breathing problem, Jon as the uncle, Jeni as the German grandmother with a scary accent, Tim and Stephen as Won Seop’s sons and Jon’s nephews. Right before the play Mari fell off an ojeg (motorcycle) and almost broke her arm but she went on with the play wearing a sling. In this picture she was backstage getting her arm looked at.