The Year of Doug (err, the Rabbit)

When I started working at Vandy I signed up for a program where I'm matched with a student who came from a foreign country. It's sort of a friendship exchange program. I was matched with Sophie, who is from Taiwan but did her undergrad at Purdue. I went into it thinking I would teach her all about America but not only is she totally at home here, she's taught me TONS about Asia! She's in a one-year master's of finance program at Owen, sort of like what Doug's doing but sort of not really. Anyway, Sophie is awesome! We had her and her roommate Wei over for dinner one night (I hope I'm spelling your name right!)


Sophie invited me to the annual Chinese New Year's Celebration which was last night on campus. It was awesome! They had an amazing dinner of Chinese food and while we ate they broadcast the New Year's Show, sort of like Rockin New Year's Eve here in NYC. I learned this is the Year of the Rabbit, which is what Doug's mom has called him since he was tiny. (He had more energy than the energizer bunny, still does!) So ... it's the year of Doug. :) Anyway, after dinner came the performances, singers, student films, tiny kiddos doing cultural dances, ballerinas with swords, it was all very entertaining! I have learned tons about the Chinese/Asian culture and have made a new friend too. :)

Doug and I at the New Year's Celebration

Sophie and some of her friends (terrible picture quality, I know!)

The tiny dancers. What could be cuter than little girls dressed as bunny rabbits?

Vanderbilt is doing something this year called 365 at VU where they post one picture from campus each day for a year. I am seriously in love with this winter skyscape and think I'm going to frame it and hang it on our bedroom wall. Will be a compliment to the giant vintage map of Dallas over our bed. (I know it sounds like we're obsessed with Texas, and I never thought so, but maybe, just maybe, we are.)

But I think these colors are so pretty...

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

This weekend is Vandy's homecoming. They are playing South Carolina, and they are going to get killed. That's okay though, I don't know many who really attribute much football prowess to the ol Vanderbilt Commodores. Doug and I went to a game against Eastern Michigan (and Vandy happened to win!) but it was more like a high school football game than anything else. I am from West TX okay, I would know!


Anyway, Vanderbilt schedules the class reunions the same weekend as homecoming, probably to sort of hide the fact that they are going to lose the big game. What they lack in athleticism they make up for in school pride, really! Tons of events are happening all weekend. Tonight, I am working the Class of 2005 Reunion party under a tent on the lawn on campus. I will just sort of take their tickets or money and point them to the food and margarita machines. Not a bad deal.


Every year at homecoming the student organizations on campus host a big concert called Commodore Quake. They bring in all kinds of big name pop or r&b stars. This year? None other than Snoop Dogg - lol. Is that not hilarious?



Tomorrow Doug and I are going to the Owen Business School tailgate (it's always a great party - let's be honest we are probably skipping the game.) I am looking forward to this weekend - it will make for some good people watching and hopefully a good story or two! Happy weekend, everyone!

Last Few Dallas Days...Part 3

*I am writing this while the movers are at our place. I'm so thankful it's not me carrying our stuff down our 3-story condo! When we moved in we enlisted family and friends, and I basically cussed the entire way. Doug and I promised we'd pay people the next go-round. And now that day has arrived, 18 months later. They had to remove our banisters as they carry the big furniture down the stairs. It's a looong way down and I'm currently a basket case!*

Now back to the topic at hand:

Tuesday
After a fabulous Monday off, I went back to the office for my last 4 days of work. As I rounded the corner from the elevator this is the first thing I saw:

this sign --

and as I continued down the hall--


getting closer to my department's area--


So fun!


An homage to Texas Tech and Vandy--


Can't forget about food--


And my desk! People came by all week to visit and get a "goodbye kiss."

Hooray!

This morning at 9:15 I was showing my co-worker the video of *Doug getting his head shaved *(priorities, right!) when my phone rang and it was a Nashville number. Instantly I freaked out a little then tried to compose myself and prepare for news - good or bad.


THEY OFFERED ME THE JOB! I could not be more thrilled. Even if we weren't moving, this is a job I would be interested in doing anyway. What a blessing, and thank you Lord that it all worked out in the end. I'll be working at Vanderbilt under the Development/Alumni Relations department, specifically doing research to discover new donor prospects. It will be interesting and challenging and something I'm excited to sink my teeth into.

Today, about a bazillion of you have called/texted/sent messages of congratulations and to be honest, I am completely blown away! We have such wonderful friends who love and support us and genuinely want to see the Lord's will for our lives. Wow...it's setting in that we're actually leaving and now I have to put on my big girl panties and deal with it...

Now we're both Vanderbilt Commodores...!!! Doug and I are going out to celebrate tonight!

*Video of the head-shaving will be posted soon!*

Quote of the Day

image: lovely & true, via la dolce vita

Flying to Nashville for a job interview...be back late Tuesday!

Pins and Needles

You know when you get news, really exciting news, but you have to hurry up and wait?

Well, today I got a call from Vanderbilt University about a third (and possibly final) job interview. They are flying me out there mid-June for a day packed with interviews and meetings with the heads of different departments. It has always been a wish of mine to be working in the educational setting, and it would be such a fabulous treat to work where Doug's attending school. So...until the interview, I am trying to keep my mind busy...