There are many, complex reasons that Michael and I have chosen to give up meat, at least for now. A few reasons include economics, sustainability, and health. This article is yet another reason why we have chosen to stay away from meat, especially ground beef.
Warning: Details in this article of how ground beef is produced may be disturbing to your meat-eating psyche.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Summer Pictures
I've been terrible about keeping up to date on this blog, but I wanted to post some pictures from the past few months.
In early August we went to a Cubs vs. Rockies game with our friends, the Bunces. We met the Bunces when we were living on the Oregon coast, but have stayed in touch over the years. They recently moved to Kansas, so they drove to CO for the weekend so we could attend the game. Being huge Cubs fans, they (meaning Josh) brought us Cubs shirts to wear. The funny Tom Sawyer hat was the free gift they passed out to all ticket holders.
Then of course there were a lot of pictures taken while we were living with Tim and Amy, mostly pictures of our niece Isabelle. Here's a montage of a few pictures with Isabelle this summer, and by a few I mean a lot.
Painting a frame for Buela (Grandma Bev). She has the Chapman/Ankeny-tongue-out-while-concentrating.
Photo Booth with "Butta" (Aunt Melissa)
In early August we went to a Cubs vs. Rockies game with our friends, the Bunces. We met the Bunces when we were living on the Oregon coast, but have stayed in touch over the years. They recently moved to Kansas, so they drove to CO for the weekend so we could attend the game. Being huge Cubs fans, they (meaning Josh) brought us Cubs shirts to wear. The funny Tom Sawyer hat was the free gift they passed out to all ticket holders.
Then of course there were a lot of pictures taken while we were living with Tim and Amy, mostly pictures of our niece Isabelle. Here's a montage of a few pictures with Isabelle this summer, and by a few I mean a lot.
Painting a frame for Buela (Grandma Bev). She has the Chapman/Ankeny-tongue-out-while-concentrating.
Photo Booth with "Butta" (Aunt Melissa)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Office Time
I interviewed last week for a job working at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary as the Administrative Assistant to the President and Director of Advancement. The interview went well, and they actually called me back later that day to begin reference and background checks, so I was feeling pretty hopeful about it.
Today I was offered the position, and I am going in tomorrow to begin orientation. There are some important meetings next week that the president would like me at, so that's why I'm starting so quickly.
The position is part-time. It used to be a full-time position, but due to cutbacks it's been reduced. At first I was feeling hesitant about only working part-time, but I've grown to like the idea. I've been surprised at how much I've been enjoying running errands, having the afternoons at home to relax, work-out, and get dinner ready. I think this will work well for now.
I'm looking forward to the job. There's been no one in this position for the past year. Actually, the old president resigned a year ago, and this new president has been interim until now, so there are some changes going on in the office. I will be working in a beautiful old house on the second floor, and I have a nice big office to myself, connected to the President's office. I'm excited to use my administrative skills to be organized and to help keep track of schedules and all the other tasks they will be throwing at me rather quickly. It sounds like there's been a need for someone to be back in this position, and I'm excited to work hard and do my best. I'm also thankful for this job, because there really aren't a lot of jobs out there right now, and the location and position I'll be in is perfect for where we are living. I've been slightly bummed out lately as I read all of my teacher friends' Facebook updates about starting school again and setting up their classrooms for their students, so I'm happy to have a job to focus on again. I'd love to be teaching, but I know this is where the Lord has us right now, and I'm ready for it.
Today I was offered the position, and I am going in tomorrow to begin orientation. There are some important meetings next week that the president would like me at, so that's why I'm starting so quickly.
The position is part-time. It used to be a full-time position, but due to cutbacks it's been reduced. At first I was feeling hesitant about only working part-time, but I've grown to like the idea. I've been surprised at how much I've been enjoying running errands, having the afternoons at home to relax, work-out, and get dinner ready. I think this will work well for now.
I'm looking forward to the job. There's been no one in this position for the past year. Actually, the old president resigned a year ago, and this new president has been interim until now, so there are some changes going on in the office. I will be working in a beautiful old house on the second floor, and I have a nice big office to myself, connected to the President's office. I'm excited to use my administrative skills to be organized and to help keep track of schedules and all the other tasks they will be throwing at me rather quickly. It sounds like there's been a need for someone to be back in this position, and I'm excited to work hard and do my best. I'm also thankful for this job, because there really aren't a lot of jobs out there right now, and the location and position I'll be in is perfect for where we are living. I've been slightly bummed out lately as I read all of my teacher friends' Facebook updates about starting school again and setting up their classrooms for their students, so I'm happy to have a job to focus on again. I'd love to be teaching, but I know this is where the Lord has us right now, and I'm ready for it.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Armpit of California
There's a lot I could write about. We've been in Fresno for almost two weeks now. A few things about Fresno that I'm excited about:
-Today I made $1.81 taking my boxes and other recyclable materials to one of the local recycling plants. I'm happy to have discovered that Fresno is a very recycle-friendly town. There are places everywhere that recycle everything from the usual bottles and newspaper to metal, wood, and just about anything you can think of.
-Farmer's Markets and fresh fruits and vegetables. Today I learned that if we tried a bit, we could basically buy all of our food (except coffee) from within 200 miles or so, meaning it's very easy to buy locally. We are right in the middle of a beautiful fruit region, especially oranges and peaches, as well as a variety of other items such as raisins, nuts, and rice.
-It's warm here. It's been about 100 degrees every day since we've been here. Granted, that's very hot, but it also means the sun is out a lot, which makes me happy. Plus, we have a pool right outside our apartment unit.
-This town is bike friendly. Michael has been riding his bike to work, and there seem to be decent bike lanes and bike trails.
-Almost every gas station in town offers cheaper gas if you pay cash. This is one more incentive for us to continue our Dave Ramsey-style budget and finances by living on our budgeted cash each month.
-Fresno has been called the "armpit of California," and partly this is because of how close we are to so many things (but also because an armpit usually stinks, and a lot of people could write a list of reasons they don't like Fresno.) We are within an hour or two of the mountains and Yosemite National Park. We are only a couple hours to the beach. We are less than four hours to Disneyland.
-We are in a very multi-cultural area. There are a lot of Africans, Mexicans and other Hispanics, as well as people from a lot of other countries. This means on a daily basis we get to interact with people from all over the world. It also means there is a variety of ethnic restaurants to choose from. We've already eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant and a Lebanese restaurant. We can see how the Lord has used our time in Africa to prepare us for being here. Now that we've been to Africa we can better understand African culture and thus African ways of thinking and working, which helps us empathize and have patience that we might not otherwise have or understand.
-We are happy to have found a decent apartment and a place to call home. We've met some great people already, and have a lot of peace about being here. We are still getting used to the heat, and to the layout of the city, but Fresno is already beginning to feel like home.
-Today I made $1.81 taking my boxes and other recyclable materials to one of the local recycling plants. I'm happy to have discovered that Fresno is a very recycle-friendly town. There are places everywhere that recycle everything from the usual bottles and newspaper to metal, wood, and just about anything you can think of.
-Farmer's Markets and fresh fruits and vegetables. Today I learned that if we tried a bit, we could basically buy all of our food (except coffee) from within 200 miles or so, meaning it's very easy to buy locally. We are right in the middle of a beautiful fruit region, especially oranges and peaches, as well as a variety of other items such as raisins, nuts, and rice.
-It's warm here. It's been about 100 degrees every day since we've been here. Granted, that's very hot, but it also means the sun is out a lot, which makes me happy. Plus, we have a pool right outside our apartment unit.
-This town is bike friendly. Michael has been riding his bike to work, and there seem to be decent bike lanes and bike trails.
-Almost every gas station in town offers cheaper gas if you pay cash. This is one more incentive for us to continue our Dave Ramsey-style budget and finances by living on our budgeted cash each month.
-Fresno has been called the "armpit of California," and partly this is because of how close we are to so many things (but also because an armpit usually stinks, and a lot of people could write a list of reasons they don't like Fresno.) We are within an hour or two of the mountains and Yosemite National Park. We are only a couple hours to the beach. We are less than four hours to Disneyland.
-We are in a very multi-cultural area. There are a lot of Africans, Mexicans and other Hispanics, as well as people from a lot of other countries. This means on a daily basis we get to interact with people from all over the world. It also means there is a variety of ethnic restaurants to choose from. We've already eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant and a Lebanese restaurant. We can see how the Lord has used our time in Africa to prepare us for being here. Now that we've been to Africa we can better understand African culture and thus African ways of thinking and working, which helps us empathize and have patience that we might not otherwise have or understand.
-We are happy to have found a decent apartment and a place to call home. We've met some great people already, and have a lot of peace about being here. We are still getting used to the heat, and to the layout of the city, but Fresno is already beginning to feel like home.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fresno Here We Come
We're packed up. Michael is getting the U-haul as I write this. We have mixed feelings about going. We are so very excited about starting this next phase in our lives. I can't begin to explain what a relief it is to go from not only being unemployed, but working random jobs over the past few years, to having a job with benefits and a salary and a sense of permanence. We are excited to begin looking for an apartment or house to rent. We feel lucky that the cost of living in Fresno is not terrible (especially after living near Philadelphia). Michael is excited to start his new job, officially two weeks from today. We are ready to settle down somewhere and be able to find a church home, and to just know we are staying in one place for a little while.
We are feeling sad about leaving Colorado, especially because we've had a great time living with Tim and Amy, and our niece Isabelle. Isabelle knows us and we just have so much fun with her, as she is daily learning new words and fun mannerisms. At least we have Skype, but we will miss her/them.
So, we will be heading out early tomorrow morning. We're planning on stopping somewhere in Utah the first night, and then finishing the trip on Thursday. Google maps says its about 17 1/2 hours, but since we're pulling a U-haul trailer it will take quite a bit longer. We had to replace our tires on our car today, so hopefully that will be the only glitch in our travels.
We are feeling sad about leaving Colorado, especially because we've had a great time living with Tim and Amy, and our niece Isabelle. Isabelle knows us and we just have so much fun with her, as she is daily learning new words and fun mannerisms. At least we have Skype, but we will miss her/them.
So, we will be heading out early tomorrow morning. We're planning on stopping somewhere in Utah the first night, and then finishing the trip on Thursday. Google maps says its about 17 1/2 hours, but since we're pulling a U-haul trailer it will take quite a bit longer. We had to replace our tires on our car today, so hopefully that will be the only glitch in our travels.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Moving! Again!
Well, it's been a while since we've written on our blog.
To be honest, there hasn't been a lot to write about. We've been living in Colorado Springs and looking for employment. We have had a lot of fun living with Michael's sister and husband, and our niece Isabelle. But, from the job hunt end of things, it's been mostly discouraging and frustrating.
I applied to almost thirty jobs in town. I interviewed for a few. I was offered a job as a building substitute in an elementary school, but felt I should turn that down. Last week I was called back for a second interview for a middle school social studies job in town, and was offered the job. I was very excited, but I got the call from the principal at the same time Michael was on the phone doing an interview with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee).
Sometime at the end of June Michael got a call from MCC about a possible job opening at their west coast branch in Fresno. Michael had applied for a job with MCC in Washington D.C. last spring, but we decided it wasn't going to work for us financially and otherwise. Somehow this branch got Michael's resume and information and wanted him to apply for an opening with them. We hesitated at first, partly because we had just moved to Colorado and partly because we had a lot of other job applications out, and partly because we weren't sure if this would be too similar to the situation in D.C. Well, it turned out it wasn't, and Michael applied.
So, a week ago when Michael was on his phone interview, I wrote "I got the job!" on a sticky note and put it in front of him while he was answering a question. I was excited, but also knew that this job in Fresno was a good possibility. We basically had to get some kind of assurance from MCC that Michael was a top candidate and/or going to get the job before I felt alright with turning down a job offer, but I knew I needed to let the principal know quickly. We talked it through and felt at peace about me turning down a job offer here.
Today, Michael got the official word that he got the job!
So, we'll be moving rather quickly; he will be starting on September 1st. I have a phone interview tomorrow morning for an office job in the Admissions office at Fresno Pacific University. Michael's offices will be on that same campus, so we are really hoping and praying I get this job, because it would mean only needing one car and being able to commute to work together. I've decided not to try to pursue a teaching job in California. I already have three teaching licenses (PA, CO, and OR), and don't really feel like trying to get #4 quite yet.
We feel so blessed that the Lord has so clearly guided us up to this point, with Michael getting a job that he didn't even initially apply for, and all the doors here closing. We're really looking forward to settling down somewhere for a little while. This is the first time since we've been married that there is no end date in sight.
To be honest, there hasn't been a lot to write about. We've been living in Colorado Springs and looking for employment. We have had a lot of fun living with Michael's sister and husband, and our niece Isabelle. But, from the job hunt end of things, it's been mostly discouraging and frustrating.
I applied to almost thirty jobs in town. I interviewed for a few. I was offered a job as a building substitute in an elementary school, but felt I should turn that down. Last week I was called back for a second interview for a middle school social studies job in town, and was offered the job. I was very excited, but I got the call from the principal at the same time Michael was on the phone doing an interview with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee).
Sometime at the end of June Michael got a call from MCC about a possible job opening at their west coast branch in Fresno. Michael had applied for a job with MCC in Washington D.C. last spring, but we decided it wasn't going to work for us financially and otherwise. Somehow this branch got Michael's resume and information and wanted him to apply for an opening with them. We hesitated at first, partly because we had just moved to Colorado and partly because we had a lot of other job applications out, and partly because we weren't sure if this would be too similar to the situation in D.C. Well, it turned out it wasn't, and Michael applied.
So, a week ago when Michael was on his phone interview, I wrote "I got the job!" on a sticky note and put it in front of him while he was answering a question. I was excited, but also knew that this job in Fresno was a good possibility. We basically had to get some kind of assurance from MCC that Michael was a top candidate and/or going to get the job before I felt alright with turning down a job offer, but I knew I needed to let the principal know quickly. We talked it through and felt at peace about me turning down a job offer here.
Today, Michael got the official word that he got the job!
So, we'll be moving rather quickly; he will be starting on September 1st. I have a phone interview tomorrow morning for an office job in the Admissions office at Fresno Pacific University. Michael's offices will be on that same campus, so we are really hoping and praying I get this job, because it would mean only needing one car and being able to commute to work together. I've decided not to try to pursue a teaching job in California. I already have three teaching licenses (PA, CO, and OR), and don't really feel like trying to get #4 quite yet.
We feel so blessed that the Lord has so clearly guided us up to this point, with Michael getting a job that he didn't even initially apply for, and all the doors here closing. We're really looking forward to settling down somewhere for a little while. This is the first time since we've been married that there is no end date in sight.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Free T-Shirts in 45 kilometers
Tonight we decided to go for our second Coloradan Adventure.
We drove downtown, hopped out of the car, and started running (we were a little late so we missed the official starting point).
The event is put on by Jack Quinn's Running Club, which is an Irish pub and restaurant that hosts a 5K every week of the year. I don't know how many people ran tonight, but last week there were 933 runners. The starting and ending point of the loop is the restaurant. After the run, everyone goes upstairs for free appetizers (spaghetti, salad, garlic bread) and a lot of people drink a cheap pint of beer. (Personally, I don't like beer, but if I did, I can't imagine downing a pint right after a 5K run.) We waited too long to grab food and it was mostly gone, so we went next door to Chipotle, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.
Our new goal is to run the loop nine more times so we get a free Jack Quinn's t-shirt. So, we may try to run this on Tuesday nights and the Manitou Incline on Thursday mornings. I was pretty happy with my time, but I definitely felt the altitude more than I did last Thursday hiking the Incline.
We're doing our best to adapt to the Coloradan lifestyle. :)
We drove downtown, hopped out of the car, and started running (we were a little late so we missed the official starting point).
The event is put on by Jack Quinn's Running Club, which is an Irish pub and restaurant that hosts a 5K every week of the year. I don't know how many people ran tonight, but last week there were 933 runners. The starting and ending point of the loop is the restaurant. After the run, everyone goes upstairs for free appetizers (spaghetti, salad, garlic bread) and a lot of people drink a cheap pint of beer. (Personally, I don't like beer, but if I did, I can't imagine downing a pint right after a 5K run.) We waited too long to grab food and it was mostly gone, so we went next door to Chipotle, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.
Our new goal is to run the loop nine more times so we get a free Jack Quinn's t-shirt. So, we may try to run this on Tuesday nights and the Manitou Incline on Thursday mornings. I was pretty happy with my time, but I definitely felt the altitude more than I did last Thursday hiking the Incline.
We're doing our best to adapt to the Coloradan lifestyle. :)
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