25.. What?

What? I'm 25? It totally snuck up on me so fast. I can hardly believe it. What are the cool things that happen when you turn 25? Like, your insurance goes down.. right? And.. you can rent a large van or something like that. What else is cool about being 25? Let me know. There are lots of things I need to do now that I am a quarter of a century old. Crazy.

Girls Gone Wild.

"Its Friday night and I feel all right the party's here on the Westside."

I have never been more excited for it to be Friday.

* My best friend Maria is HOME!
* I have a bachelorette party to go to tomorrow.
* Girls night out in Portland.
* 3 Day Weekend baby!

Here are some fun things to look forward to..

1.) Girls night out in P-town.












2.) Via Stretch Limosine.












3.) Cocktails with a few close friends.

















... the only thing that would make this weekend complete.. would be to go see the Sex and the City movie tonight.. on opening night... and have a few cosmos to celebrate the occasion.

If I ruled the world...

So.. last week was really cool. I don't know if any of you knew this but the big New York Rapper NAS was in the Northwest. He was in Eugene Wednesday, Portland on Thursday and Seattle on Friday. I really wanted to go to his concert.. but admit I didn't know much of his new stuff.. only the old school days of .."If I ruled the world." So, I didn't want to pay $30 for the ticket. But, Wednesday afternoon I was on my way home from work when they announced on the radio (and yes, I listen to the radio in my hooptie ride.. not an iPod, or even a CD player) that they were giving away NAS tickets. So, I called in only to my dismay I did not win. The DJ told me they would be giving away their last set of tickets within the hour, so I should stay close to the radio. I did just that, cranked 94.9 Jamz in my house while doing some cleaning... I heard the announcement to call back in and be caller 21. I did. Caller 9, busy, busy, busy, busy, caller 16, busy, busy, CALLER 21! The call sounded something like this.

DJ: 94.9 Jamz
Mac: You better tell me I'm caller 21.
DJ: You're caller 21.
Mac: SHUT UP! SHUT UP!
DJ: Woah girl, you don't gotta tell me to shut up, I'm giving you some NAS tickets.
Mac: My bad, I just didn't think I would win..

Hillarious.. and awesome.. who really wins crap off the radio? The show was amazing! I'm glad I won!

Stop Killing the Children...

In October 2007, ten year-old Arthur Jones was on his way to buy some candy when he was caught in the crossfire of a gang feud in Englewood. Arthur is just one of 24 Chicago Public School children who have died this school year due to violence. The situation is tragic and alarming. So what is being done to stop the violence? I watched a town hall meeting tonight aimed at solving the problem of violence in Chicago. Solutions offered were many and varied, touching on education, employment, parenting and policing. As city leaders shared, it became obvious that the problem facing our city is complex and widespread. Though certain neighborhoods are considered hot spots, the affects of violence reach everyone and everywhere. That means everyone, everywhere needs to be part of the solution. Sadly, it seems much of the Body of Christ isn’t getting involved. There are some concerned groups of believers who are hitting the streets to make their presence known. I joined a prayer group this morning outside a public school in Englewood. It was good to pray, but I left thinking, ‘If more believers and more churches were actively pursuing peace, then we could really make an impact.’

... although I am not in Chicago.. I am still very much touched by what is going on there.. this was taken from a recent prayer letter I recieve from the Harry family who is serving there with Here's Life Inner City Chicago. Its alarming.. and scary to me, and I wanted to share it with you guys. The last time I was there about a year ago, a 16 year old student was killed while riding the city bus when to boys opened fire. The 16 year old boy jumped in front of a bullet that was aimed at a young high school girl. Just wanted to give you an idea of what's going on there and how you can be praying for the city of Chicago, and those seeking to bring peace to the city.

Wow. 2 Months.

Hey All.

Wow. Two months since I last blogged.

Craaazy.  I'm taking a little break at work.

I now have a full-time teacher's aid position in Junction City. So I guess I'm a tiger.

I loooove it here.  I feel like I have known the staff for 10 years.

The students are phenomenal.. I laugh so much every day.. and that is good for the soul.

Junction City isn't that far from Corvallis, so Corvallis crew lets hang out, or Monmouth crew.. lets meet in the middle!

I just moved in to a new house.  It's technically in Springtucky (Sprinfield), not Eugene.

But it's bigger.. better.. and just all around great.  

3 Bedrooms.. 2 1/2 Bath.. big backyard. French doors to the living room.  Its beautiful.

Come visit me.. I want to have a bbq when the weather is nice! (Friday nights and Saturday's are good for me.)

Belgium or Bust.

I have been looking for a new job.. it turns out they gave that full-time position to someone else.. oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be. I've been applying at all kinds of agencies in Eugene and Springfield that provide in-home care. Today, I had an interview on the spot, (It wasn't my favorite companies though, but I am hired pending orientation and a drug test.) I also have another interview next Tuesday, and a possible interview late next week.. so job hunting is fun!0

So, other than teaching little kiddos.. and looking for a second job.. Belgium, and well Raymond.. are the only thing on my mind! I just got my passport about two weeks ago.. so I am saving for our trip.. he is saving too.. and when we have reached the needed amount of funds.. I'll be on a big airplane flying across the Atlantic Ocean! I CANNOT WAIT!!! I think it is getting hard on both of us with all this waiting.. I know its hard on me. Passports are so nifty looking you know?!? Its my first one.. so I still look at it like everday.. and think about that day when I'll have Belgium stamped inside.. and I'll finally meet the man of my dreams! :D

Soo.. until then I try not to day-dream all day.. and stay focused! If you want to the "Michaela meets Raymond Fund," feel free! (I don't think they are tax deductible though) Just kidding, but really... :D

Everyone a far update me with how you are!

On Mckenzie On Mckenzie Best School in the West!

Hey Friends.

First of all.. I must say that I'm sorry I have been a horrible blogger. Life is busy what can I say? I am loving life right now though, its great! I'm LOVING my new job, i've been subbing at a specific school for the last several weeks. Yesterday they told me that a full-time position is opening soon because a girl is going on maternity leave... and they are considering me for the position! Saweeet. I've already gotten used to the kids there and started to build relationships, so it would be awesome to get to stay, plus I'd have a consistent schedule each week.. and the consistency of working with the same kids!! Basketball is going good. We're in league playoffs right now.. we lost to CROW High School last night, so we have to play Saturday at 2:30pm for 3rd in our league.. then we will advance to the state playoffs and travel a LONG ways away for our first round. If you are not up to anything Saturday afternoon, swing by and see us at Junction City High School.. where we will be playing the Alsea Wolverines, (sorry Rubes, we gotta beat 'em!).

I'm posting a really cute pic of me and one of my seniors, Katy. She's one of my favorites!

miss you guys.