dinosaurs, geckos, arabia...oh my!

Every weekend that I am here, my goal is to explore some of the city and take in a little Atlanta culture. On Saturday, I visit the Fernbank Natural History Museum. I have always loved museums and the omni was typical Saturday outing when I was a little girl. I had high hopes for the museum, but was sadly disappointed in the permanent collections. I have to say as a true Texan, I wasn't too fascinated with the evolution of the Georgia topography over the last 3 million years! Other exhibits included dinosaurs and lots of live geckos. While I'm sure my two nephews would have loved these geckos, little snake-like lizards REALLY aren't my thing! However, despite the lack of excitement from the museum I did really enjoy the IMAX: Arabia. It was about the Middle East and the Arabic culture. It made me miss and want to go back to Qatar! It's amazing how even a thousands of miles away just watching something familiar really made my day. In addition to the great film, the building was beautiful and all in all the museum wasn't a complete bust!

Fernbank Natural History Museum:

It's hard to believe that tomorrow starts my third week at work! I feel like I just got here and am still getting lost to prove it :) But I am finally starting to get the hang of it! Less than two weeks from today, I will be in NYC!!!!!! Whoop!

Missing you all terribly! Until next time, mal

summerfest & sunday.

What a wonderful weekend!

On Saturday afternoon I headed out on my adventure to Target across town and ended up in bumper to bumper traffic. Hundreds of people were all walking down the street. There were young couples, families, and everyone in between. After a few miles of following the traffic, I decided that I had to check it out. After walking about a mile, I ended up in the middle of "Summerfest," an annual art show, in the middle of Virginia Highland. It was a long street, full of local art vendors with little booths that reminded me a lot of the Granbury square on Fourth of July weekend. There was a live band playing and I really felt like I got a since of the local crowd for the first time here. I really enjoyed the afternoon and all of the little boutiques in Virginia Highland! After my two hour detour at the festival, I finally made it Target which strangely enough I had to take an elevator to get to! An underground Target was definitely another first to add to the list!

This morning I went to church at the Northside United Methodist's contemporary service. It's a huge church, but the familiar songs and friendly people were very welcoming. The sermon was about Saul's change into Paul and the opportunity each of us have everyday to become more like Christ. The pastor talked about how real change is often uncomfortable and even awkward at times. I felt like the sermon's was directed right at me and my current situation. My entire life I have been surrounded by my incredibly loving family and wonderful friends. They have encouraged me through every trial and rejoiced in every success. For the first time, I am truly on my own and am learning to navigate a new city by myself. The Lord (or as I heard it this morning, Lawd :) brought peace to my overwhelmed mind and reminded me that I just need to take it, one day at a time.

It's back to work tomorrow and I'm excited for week two! 

Lots of love! Until next time, mal

eastern standard time.

Hello family and friends!

Since many of you have been asking how Atlanta and work are going, I figured I would create an easy way to keep everyone in the loop! Now I can't promise that it will always stay updated, but I will do my best!

As most of you know, this summer I will be living in Atlanta, GA as an intern for the Points of Light Institute. I can hardly believe that my first work week is already finished! Wow, what a week it has been! I live in a downtown neighborhood and can actually walk to restaurants and little shops! Definitely a little different from home! It is an urban atmosphere with lots of young couples. It is going to take a while to get a lay of the land (since I'm not the best with directions), but I am making improvements. I finally got to work the same way twice yesterday! Now that is progress!

I love work! Little different than the past two summers at Glen Lake (man, do I miss those Nike shorts everyday!), but I am really enjoying it! Everyday is something new and different. I feel like I have already learned so much and it's only been four days. For the first three weeks, I have been put on "Conference Planning Team" that plans the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. Just a little context, but it is the largest conference on volunteerism and changes locations every year. This year it will be in New York City, I can't wait! http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/ <-- better idea of what it is! Since conference is "convened" with a service corporation out of DC, there are daily multiple conference calls with the DC office. I really like face to face conversations, so I'm having to get used to these for now. I have definitely jumped in head first and am already working. If you follow NCVS on facebook, you can see my daily updates on the Resource Exchange from now until conference!

Well that's a rundown on work and Atlanta for now and I'm off to start exploring the city a little! It's Saturday and I am loving having some downtime! I've researched some churches in Atlanta, so I'm excited to try one tomorrow.

I love and miss you all! Until next time, mal