Back to Life... Back to Reality!

It's 8:45am EST and I'm back in Ann Arbor for 4 days!

Only 4 days!

Let the errands begin. Gregor needs to visit the vet. His allergies get bad whenever I leave for a long time :( I've already scheduled an oil change - and I need to get some new pants I got for Christmas hemmed!

I ripped another pair of pants, so I have to go shopping (lose some weight already, huh?)

and I have no groceries! Off to the races.

I'm just praying that I get everything done that needs to be done prior to heading to MTI for a month. I'm going to stay relaxed about the whole thing though... calm and relaxed. I like being this way!

Check out the photo album from the Tahoe Trip

Cabin Fever

It's our final day in California and it's raining again! We were hoping to go out skiing again today (we're gluttons for punishment) but alas, winds up to 100 mph at the top of the moutain has closed a bunch of the ski lifts and we're staying home. I think it's almost noon and no one has had a shower yet. We're just moving slowly and playing it low key.

I finally wrote out Christmas cards today. So they're also happy new year cards, right?! I really enjoy days like today where no one is in a rush and we're all just relaxing.

I can't believe that a week from today I'll have been back to Michigan and left again for Colorado already! And I'll be 2 days away from James and Jana's wedding in Pennsylvania!

jbrake's journeys begin NOW!

Powder and Tempers

We woke up today to see at least 8 inches of fresh powder! Incredible. So we packed up and headed to Squaw Valley (home of the 1960 winter olympics). We hopped the gondola and headed up the mountain. We rode the first ski lift to the top and were nearly blown off the chair lift! Winds up to 50 mph! My face was covered in water from melting snow.

Back at the top lodge we purchased some new winter gear to survive the cold conditions (usually it's not that cold for skiing in Lake Tahoe). I ended up with goggles and a balaclava (covers your mouth/head). An additional expense - but VERY worth it.

The skiing was really incredible. I don't think I've ever seen so much snow (I didn't take pictures 'cause it was too cold). I know that I'm a bit out of shape, but I've never sucked wind like I did skiing today. I even saw spots (translation: I thought I was gonna pass out). Mostly I think the sucking wind is because of the altitude, but whoa - I'd be half way up the chair lift before I could breath again.

It was an awesome time. And the beauty of nature here can't help but make you think of creation and how awesome it is. More beautiful at every turn.

Then my seldom seen temper had a chance to flare up. I really don't get mad at other people... but I'm pretty hard on myself. We got back to the cottage and I discovered that I'd lost the brand new balaclava that I'd purchased. Ugh! I get so mad at myself for silly little things like this. Especially because it involves money. I really try to be a good steward of my money - and it was an excellent balaclava. If we go skiing again - I'm going to have to find another one!

It's one of those days when I need to practice lessons learned from my college buddy, Eliot. Laugh at yourself, silly and stupid things happen - really no big deal. No one was hurt, emotionally or physically -- and with these conditions -- someone could have easily been hurt.

I'm actually smiling now - blogging is quite cathartic actually.

Merry Christmas

The day started with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Tahoe. It was a nice follow-up to a night with almost no sleep. I've been a bit under the weather and my brother gave me an anti-histimine after dinner... and it kept me awake until almost 4am. I slept in 20 minute increments. Needless to say - I wanted to be grouchy this morning - but who could be grouchy on Christmas!

Such an awesome day. I like the significance of this day for so many reasons. First, of course - because we celebrate the birth of Jesus (and like I said yesterday - I know the timing is off - it's not that relevant). Second, it's really awesome to be with family. We're together for 7 days - and so far - we're going strong. It's tough when we're basically split it four different units and getting along could be really difficult. So far - it's really been wonderful.

Our Christmas exchange was really neat (this is, of course, the third reason why Christmas is so cool). Mom drew my name and got me a "life is good" long sleeve t-shirt and matching flannel pants. I love 'em (although - the pants could be worn by a small giant until I get them hemmed - the joys of a height challenged life).

We're getting ready for dinner (steaks and twice baked potatoes) and mom has made a special pumpkin bar dessert too (they smell amazing).

Off to finish doing laundry.

'twas the night before Christmas

...and all through the house not a creature was stirring... except Jeff - who is still wide awake. It's almost 11 o'clock here and EVERYONE is already in bed. I'm not tired enough to sleep yet (although my body thinks it's nearly 1 am. I don't sleep very well if I'm not feeling good.

On Wednesday this week (today is Saturday) I went to the doctor for my camp physical for Russia. He recommended I get two shots to be started for all my immunizations. So I got a flu shot in my right arm and a typhoid shot in my left (typhoid officially hurts more) - but flu decided to manifest symptoms. So I've got itchy ears, runny nose, and a quesy stomach.

Nothing that good attitude can't fix! So I'm powering through. My family is awesome.

Today I woke up to the smell of bacon - Will was cooking breakfast for the second day in a row. We went shopping for our "secret" santa gift - which is really tough I might add - when you all go shopping together. Prices in Tahoe are out of control. But who really cares about prices when it's Christmas?

The day was foggy and gray until the sun decided to put in an appearance this afternoon. No joke from like 50 to 70 degrees over the course of an hour or so! And I thought Michigan weather was shifty!

Looks like I'll spend a couple of hours awake here at the house alone. Kinda nice for some peaceful me time. I'm going to read a bit in my book, the Expert Expatriate - play some Fable (a video game) - write in my new journal - and read some Bible. It's been two days and I'm missing the connection.

Merry Christmas everyone. It's really the coolest holiday. Even if the birth of Christ was really sometime in the Spring... I don't know all the details.

Out of Breath

For more reasons than one today. The scenery is incredible out here – certainly some of the best there is. Breathless vistas.

And then there’s the altitude. I know that I’ve gained a few more pounds than I should have on my frame, but I’m out of breath walking up steps and I’ve got a headache to boot! More water! I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll be acclimated to the altitude.

Today we found a Christmas tree (we’ll decorate shortly with all of Todd’s crystal ornaments), we hauled wood up to the porch for our fire, and we rode a gondola up to 10,000 feet above Lake Tahoe (at Heavenly resort). We drew names for family Christmas and tried to get some shopping done, but it seems like the Brake family are just a bit too salt of the earth people for the resort shopping. We didn’t find anything.

The days highlight (besides being with family, of course) was Inspiration Point and the Eagle Falls. Gorgeous. I’ll post photos when I’ve got a moment.

Oh! And mom and dad made matching sweatshirts for the whole family – yeah, it’s cheesy, but it’ll be a cool memory.

Denied, Delayed, Departures, Destination

up at the crack of dawn - the brakes set off for Detroit metro. Seems like we were destined to practice patience today. Dad and I pulled into the economy parking lot behind another car and the gate wouldn't go up for us. So we pulled into the next lane and waited for the car in front of us to go through. Denied again. The gate wouldn't go up. So we pulled over another lane. Same story. Isn't the third time supposed to be the charm? So dad pulled the truck back up to see if it was some kind of sensor that the truck was too long? So trying the fourth lane - we finally got through and lo! The economy parking lot was closed. So we ended up parking on the surface lot.

Practicing patience properly pacing.

Boarding went fine and the whole family settled in for our first flight. We ended up delayed for a medical emergency on our plane. With a layover in Chicago and another in Las Vegas we were a bit worried about making our connecting flight to Reno/ Lake Tahoe. By God's grace, our connecting flight was only 3 gates over and delayed - so we made it just fine.

We're all nestled into our ski house overlooking Lake Tahoe, fire in the fireplace, rain outside (no snow at Lake Level) and relaxing like only family can do together.

Life is good, very good.

I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed. Destination - relaxation.

Christmas, Vacation, and Health

let the vacation begin! thursday morning starts the grand adventure in lake tahoe with the family. i'm really excited to spend time with them and enjoy some outdoor recreation together.

so i was reading a friend's blog today (Kevin) and i stole a great idea from him. you see - i've gained a bunch of weight in the past year or so -- and cutting back on high calorie beverages sounds like a great idea. so for the rest of december one or less soda per day (yikes). and by january - i'm gonna go for none - we'll see if i can do it....

the photo here is me hauling Brad's Christmas tree. i didn't put up decorations myself this year - too much time away from home during the season! i gotta admit that this has been one heck of a busy and tiring season and the time to relax is gonna be VERY nice

Growing Gills

so you know the phrase, keeping your head above water? seems like if i'm going to make it to next wednesday - i might have to grow gills. because - well - keeping my head above water isn't an option anymore. i can't see the surface.

i'm still optimistic about getting everything taken care of at work and with youth group and with Christmas and with the house and all prior to leaving for the break - but my emotions are on the surface and i'm not treading water anymore.

Tom (youth pastor) called me tonight to see if i'd be interested in taking some youth kids out to shovel snow for the elderly on saturday and i nearly cried just in the asking... i'm not much of a crier - so i figure i really really need some sleep.

so with that - i'm going to bed an hour early. 'nite

ps - someone shoveled my driveway for me tonight. i'm so happy - i'm literally ready to cry. thanks whoever you are.

ps #2 - i'm excited about reading a book recommended by katie: "now, discover your strengths" sounds really cool. maybe i'll get a chance to read it over break?

My life rated by a computer

So Jen (my right hand at work without whom I would not survive a day at work) suggested I take this survey online. Here's the results:

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	7.5
Mind:	7.9
Body:	5.3
Spirit:	10
Friends/Family:	5.4
Love:	2.9
Finance:	9.1
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

keeping track of Jeff (the journey begins)

everyone! here's a way to keep track of where I am in the world. it's going to be a crazy ride. here's my current itinerary:

• December 22 - 29, 2005 (Family Vacation) Lake Tahoe!
• January 3 - February 3, 2006 (Training w/ MTI) outside Colorado Springs, CO
• February 9 - February 18, 2006 (World Outreach Missions Conference) Phuket, Thailand
• February 3 - February 5, 2006 (White Pine Stampede) Bellaire, MI
• April 1 - April 8, 2006 (Katrina's wedding) Nagril, Jamaica
• sometime at the end of April 2006 (moving to Russia!) Tyumen', Siberia