You Can't Text 911; Trust Me, I've Tried.

A few nights ago I had a real scare. 

I awoke at 3:30am to the sounds of a man breathing.  Confused, I looked through my blinds to see a man's head in my window.  There was a man sitting in the chair on my porch in the darkness.  Seeing as he was about 12 inches from where I lay alone in the house and only an open window separated us - I began to panic.  Please keep in mind that I have had a life long terror of intruders.

I figured the man might just be a homeless man.  Or a drunk man needing a place to sit.  But once he started shining a light around my porch, I decided I needed help.  

So I texted 911.  Only you can't text 911.  Here is the reply text I received: "Please make a voice call to 911.  There is no text service to 911 available at this time."  

And my question is this: Why is there no text service to 911 available? How does this technology not exist yet?  How about when someone is being abducted? Or witnessing a crime? I can text in my order for Chinese food and to refill my prescriptions.  Yet, when there is a strange man in my window, able to hear my every move, texting is somehow not an option. 

In the end, with the support of my brother in law, Jeff, I had the courage to start turning on all the lights in the house. The man on the porch ran away.  

Oh, and Bear - I realize you were in REM cycle #3 at the time, but I really needed you baby!

What I Love About Sundays

On a day when the only scheduled activity is homework- homework - homework, there are still little miracles to get one through the day. 

For Bear, it was uncovering the broken tennis ball that he lost in the neighborhood last week during a rain storm.  Such uncontrollable joy.  You better believe he refused to drop it until I wrenched it out of his jaws. 

For me, it was an impromptu family picnic in Wash Park.  At Sunset.

This is what I love about Sundays. 

Hello, My Name is Carmen

Last weekend, a gentleman in a bar told me that I looked like Carmen Sandiego. 

At the time, I was outraged.  Stormed off dramatically.  Made a scene. 

However, the next day I realized that it might have been the best thing I ever heard. 

The resemblance is truly uncanny. 

In other news, this weekend is THE weekend.  My last weekend as a graduate student.  All that stands between me and that diploma are three curriculum sketches and a huge ass portfolio. Due on Sunday.

And that's kind of a lot of stuff. And I haven't started.  And I might be home sick tomorrow (*cough cough*).

I am lacking motivation.  See if you can spot the reason why I can't get myself to stress my final portfolio grade:

Yup, I'm a shoo-in for A+. 

But let's be honest, I could kind of use my Carmen Sandiego hat right now.

Here I Come!

Whenever I feel the need for good, solid entertainment, I always go straight to Travelocity.com.  Luckily for me, I was in the flight-booking business this weekend.  

First up: Flights to London for Miss Joanna Claire Noble's wedding.  

But Travelocity was in a secretive mood today.  She even got herself a Carmen San Diego mysterious hat.

 "Travel Agencies are unable to display the name of the airline and exact travel details for this itinerary until after you purchase the fare." 

God, I can never remember the rules for Travelocity gambling!  Do I stay or hit?  Oh, no - the flight deals are going to time out on me! Hurry! Bear! Help me!

You're useless. 

Second up: Flight from Kosovo to Prague. 

Turkish Airlines - pull yourself together.  I am going from Kosovo to the Czech Republic - I don't need a 17 hour lay over in Istanbul!

You already made me have a one night stand there last summer when I was flying from Uganda to New York.  Stop pimping out Istanbul on every flight you run.  I'm disappointed in you. 

Bear, Is That You?

This website called "Texts From My Dog" totally made my day. 

And reminded me that Bear is home alone today for 8 hours. Crap.

Some More Easter, Please

Anyone who knows me, knows that Easter is my favorite holiday of the year.  Christmas is sooooo overrated.  I love Easter because its message requires personal reflection and sacrifice, not just a trip to the local mall.  Allow me to give you a little glimpse into why Easter rocks my socks. 

Easter week for me always begins in Littleton, where we celebrate Palm Sunday with my Gramma and her church's donkey - who carries Jesus past Romano's Italian Restaurant, just like in Jerusalem. 

Next comes the annual mother-daughter Easter egg dying extravaganza.  Even the dogs get an egg decorated.

 

On Sunday, as expected, Jesus returned to us.  Unexpectedly, he also brought with him my Driver's License that I lost last weekend (thanks, Jesus!) (I really need to stop taking it out of my wallet at the bar). 

After an early church session, the Broyles/Kinghorn family descended on my parents' house for brunch. 

Our nearly monthly family gatherings bring together 4 generations of insane women, lots of drinking, wild dogs, live music, and avid sports consumption. Easter did not disappoint.

This year, we added water guns to the party.  I'm sure my mother thought it was a great idea to buy these at the time. 

The sunshine, the laughter and the copious amounts of chocolate are truly a dream come true. 

However, throughout the day, my thoughts kept returning to one of my dearest students who ran away from home last week following the tragic, sudden deaths of his mother and sister.  I wait everyday to see him walk through my door, but instead I am filled with fear and sadness.  I pray for him, that he might be allowed the kind of joy that only Easter can bring - chocolate bunnies, lilacs and uncontrollable laughter. 

Lord, help him find his way home. 

Sometimes I Fist Pump

One of my favorite students wrote this little gem about his dancing choices. 

You can't argue with logic like this:

I hope your Easter weekend is full of fist pumpable moments.

Yi from Slacker and Steve!

I'm famous!  Kind of. 

I am running a community service project at my school to benefit the Children's Hospital.  It is really starting to take off!

To help celebrate my students, I emailed Slacker and Steve, two famous radio hosts here in Colorado.  Slacker and Steve run their own fundraiser for Children's Hospital, so I figured they might want to hear about our work as well. 

To my surprise, they emailed me back! And not only that, they want to help find some prizes to give our students.  

I can't believe I got a personal email from them!  What will happen next?!

The email:

"WOW!!!

Can you guys be anymore AWESOME??!!

We are going to ask our Promotions Department if they have any ideas or resources to help out your cause, Emily!

We are so humbled by your email and your efforts to help the kids of Children's Hospital!!!

Did we mention that you are awesome??!!

Slacker & Steve

Afternoon Dorks

Alice 1059

www.facebook.com/slackerandstevefans

www.twitter.com/slackerandsteve"

Here's To The A's!

This week is one of importance for three of my best friends - and I wanted to take a second and celebrate you.

(And also I want to show off my new favorite website, http://whatshouldwecallme.tumblr.com.)

Shout Out to Allison!

Happy 30th birthday, pretty girl!  The first week we met you told me: "Punctuation is the way to a better life."

As always, you are right.

You teach me so many important lessons.  But most of all, the importance of taking a memorable picture.  

30 is lucky you have you. xoxo. 

Shout Out to Alyssa!

I am so sad that you are leaving me for 6 weeks for work!  But I guess I can forgive you, since you are going to my favorite place - Uganda! 

Life will be empty without you.  After all, you are the life of the party, and who is going to help me make the most of my afternoons?

You are going to have a blast working in the field - I can't wait to hear all about it!

Uganda is lucky to have you.  xoxo

Shout Out to Andrew!

I am so very happy that you found your dream job!  I am less happy that it means you have to move to Canada.  It's really cold there. 

You have found your calling.  Now go get called. 

I'm not sure when I will see you next, but remember that I will always have your back, and that I am excited to come visit.  

In the summertime. 

Oh, also, I'm really sorry for that time that I refused to go on safari with you in Kenya. The face you made at me still haunts me. 

The world of  the employed is lucky to have you.  xoxo.