Dubloons, Dinners, & Derelict Jack Sparrow

Well hello again!

After a year since last writing, it is now travel season again. And though I don't have too many astounding stories to share as of yet, I do have a few brief, entertaining ones:

Corban-wear Betrays Me
In the airport, I stood in front of an older couple of whom I was secretly envious. They were on their way to Hawaii, for vacation. Go figure. The husband, Mario, asked me, in a joy-eliciting East Coast accent, if I wanted to go, to which I unhesitatingly answered yes. As I turned around to talk to him, I noticed him noticing my Corban shirt. And quite abruptly, as if we had been talking about it already, he asked me how Dr. Wright was just out of the blue! It turns out their families are good friends and I am to tell Dr. Wright hello from "a big guy named Mario" and he is supposed to know just who that is. What a pleasant way to start the adventure. =)

Saving Dubloons in Lieu of Delectable Dinners
Bad news: I haven't been able to spend a bunch of money on restaurant food.
Good news: I've had two home-cooked meals in two days! First, I met some friends of my parents on Sunday (they planted Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, CA) and ended up haning out with them all day and spent dinner with them as well. Wonderful. Then, Monday evening I went to a student's house for dinner and a Corban discussion which ended up being three students and their parents. Turns out I actually gave the host family a tour of Corban last summer! Delightful. This was truly a blessing of an evening, considering I have been struggling with my travel schedule this season in comparison to last. God is truly such a King of blessings.

Jack Sparrow Confuses a Counselor
I received a return phone call from a counselor I had called in hopes to set up a visit. However, upon listening to the voicemail (the greeting to which is an impression of Captain Jack Sparrow explaining that Jared isn't here because he's swabbing the poop deck and that the captain will be taking the message), I discovered that the counselor was perhaps confused, understandably, not knowing my ridiculous sense of humor. She proceeded to leave a message explaining to Jack that she didn't actually know Jared and she was only returning a call which she had received from him. She also let the captain know that Jared could call back, but again reiterated that she was only returning a call she had received from this Jared person. Oh the joys of miscommunication. =)

Huggins

You gotta love huggers...or be afraid of them. I'm not sure which.

But apparently this particular school counselor was not afraid to give them. Who knew something as simple as remembering to bring a Corban T-shirt for her college T-shirt quilty thing would warrant a hug from an almost complete stranger. Yes, that's right. I did use a feminine pronoun. I randomly was hugged by a girl counselor and proceeded to do my typical internal Jared freak out. But it was over pretty quick. No worries. Until of course I gave her the "thank-you-for-letting-me-visit-your-school" cookies. Apparently that warrants a hug too. So I was blessed to have two healthy doses of internal panic all in a span of about 7 1/2 minutes.

Note to self: bring tube socks and brussel sprouts to high school visits from now on...

Irreplaceable

I have now received a long-awaited GPS system just prior to my final traveling adventure of this fall season. Naturally, I was eager to test it out, so I brought it with me...

I am pleased to say that regardless of where our technologically consumed society ends up, whether we actually do end up having robots demanding human rights decades into the future or not, we as human beings will be eternally irreplaceable. Yes, there is not a human I know who would instruct me to pass the southbound freeway only to turn left .2 miles up the road followed by a turn "sharply right" (which basically amounts to a U-turn) simply to reach the freeway entrance yet again and proceed to take the ramp. I mean, I'm sure there was a logical reason for it. You know, like the GPS unit probably knew there would be an accident that I would just miss by taking that extra little "roundabout." Of course, I never did see an accident on my way south...

My friends, we certainly shall be irreplaceable.

Amen.

Smellin' Good

It's important to understand that I work with all girls.

And there are times when one, being a male, can do nothing but shake his head and laugh helplessly at what comes of this fact. See, girls are very precious in the way of hygiene and fashion. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for them many of us guys would be in a world of trouble. But there are those times when it rubs off...literally. Having to share a car with several girls who frequently drive it sometimes results in a man's hands smelling fresh but very fruity/coconut-cocoa-buttery/effeminate due to the lotions such girls enjoy and utilize frequently. They have a tendency to rub off onto steering wheels...

A man must understand when he is outnumbered and laugh, accepting the fact that his hands are gonna smell girly from time to time.

Deputy Sheriff Bovey

Rob Bovey, formerly a Corban College Admissions Counselor has officially been hired as a deputy sheriff for the Marion County Sheriff's Department! This has been a long hiring process for Rob. It has taken six months to complete and we are all so proud of you that you made it!

Today, Monday, November 10th at 9:30am some of us were present to watch Rob sworn into the department and receive his badge (how cool is that!). The event was held over at the county jail located by the college. Some of us stayed behind and got a FULL tour of the jail. I will be honest in saying I don't think I want to go back! It was a huge eye opener for me and I have a better picture and idea of what is going on inside those closed doors. These men and women behind the closed doors are people I want to remember to pray for. We will be praying for you Rob as you embark on this new journey as DEPUTY SHERIFF BOVEY!

Happy Picture

SARAH IS BACK! Sarah Ernst that is :) Everyone has made an appearance in the office today except Heidi which I am currently not feeling bad for as she is in the Hawaiian sun!

Change

Oh how we love change! I thought I would make the blog look a little more FALL like! :) If you don't like it....it will not hurt my feelings and I can find a different background! I hope you all are doing well. Can you believe that it is November and travelling is soon over? I am sure you all are ready for some rest! Miss seeing all of your faces in the office!

PS. CONGRATS to Rachel who participated in the New York Marathon!