Chicago Video

Click Here to hear about my time in Chicago.

I had a wonderful stay thanks to some dear friends, Bray, Marsh and Lauren.

"What are you doing??"

Speaking of, everyone is asking “What are you doing?” Meaning, “Sarah Weaver, what the heck are you doing with your life? Why aren’t you at KU this year? Why are your facebook statues full of things like.. ‘on the beach in Southern California,’ ‘eating crab chowder in San Fransico,’ ‘float trip in Phoenix, AZ,’ WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE???”

What I Am Doing With My Life (as of now): Right now I am in what I call transition meaning I am able to pick up with the phone at three in the morning and then pack up my car to Chicago at a drop of a hat. This transition period means I am waiting until I leave for my next BIG trip.

Earlier this year, I applied for an Adventure Bible School in New Zealand through a school called Capernwray. So, I fly to Auckland, New Zealand on Oct 2 for a six week program. Before leaving for Capernwray, I will be visiting Kailey in Santa Barbara for a week.

So, to answer the famous question, “What about college?” The plan is to return to the University of Kansas in the spring. Meaning, January 14, 2010, I should be moving into Lawrence for good to have another go at getting that valued piece of paper, also known as a degree. Because of some community college I have under my belt, I will still be on track to graduate in four years just like society pressures us to do. Happy? I sure am! Know that plans can always change, but I am excited about this plan.

The last four months, I have been to over forty-five cities, fourteen states, nine countries, and two continents. So, you could say I have done some traveling. Thankfully, the traveling is not going to end soon either. I reckon I will be non-stop until my birthday, January 13^th. The only reason I will be stopping then is because KU classes stop the next day.

This is an amazing time in my life and I will never forget all the things I have seen, all the things I have done, and all the wonderful people I have met. I definitely feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to do all that I am doing. My hope is to never forget how wonderful the world really is. I will continue to embark on adventures everyday of my life regardless if I am studying in Kansas or jumping out of planes in Spain. It doesn’t matter if you are on-the-go or in a time of stationary life. What matters is how you treat everyday and what you create with the time you are given.

Meeting People

Yesterday I met a boy by the name of Nick. He owns a Yo-Yo and can do tricks. His girlfriend however cannot use a Yo-Yo. She does know how to ride a unicycle. Her parents met in the circus.

Meeting people is the best part of traveling. You would not believe some of the stories I have heard. I have met people from over fifteen countries, who speak over twenty languages (I am making up these number, but I bet if I took the time to think about it; they’d be close to true).

This entry could be full of stories of the people I have met. Life has been so good to me.

Islam Demopgraphics

I am not sure what to think of this, but I thought everyone should at least view it to see what they think of it. Think for yourself and don't let media influence you, but also learn to be an enlightened witness, so that you too can be educated. Try to educate yourself everyday about the world around you because like it or not everything affects you. Everything.

Click Here to view a clip on YouTube concerning the rise in Islamic religion and culture in America and Europe.

Please comment on my blog or contact me in some way to start a vital discussion about our future. I think it is so interesting to consider what our futures may hold with the influences of immigration. I would love to know more, so help me educate myself and together we can embark on a wonderful journey of education and adventures.

Full of Surprises

I successfully surprised Lauren Callison for the second time this year. The first time was when I flew to Spokane, Washington in April this year unannounced. That was an amazing trip.

I love surprises. And I really love surprising Lauren. This trip was super spontaneous and random. Yesterday Marsh and I hopped on the train from Naperville and caught the L with the brown line. Yup, I felt really cool using public transportation in Chicago. I love public transportation. Heck, that could be its own blog entry. Maybe someday it will be...

Back to surprising Lauren. I called her cute roommate Carly. I think being cute is one of Lauren's requirements for her friends because look at all her friends... Jenn and Megan from high school are gorgeous. Then here at Moody Bible School you have Braylen, who is hot, let's be honest. Then there's all the girls she lived with in Spokane; they are all beautiful. Dang it. I do not what to say about Lauren's friend picking other than - dang girl. Haha.

So, we call Carly and not only is she cute but very courteous. She met us outside the train stop, walked us up to Lauren who was a tad stressed out by the sound of it. Lauren questioned what Carly was doing and Carly told her she had a surprise for her. From the staircase, Marsh and I could hear the conversation. I hear Lauren say, "I don't want a surprise. I don't like surprises."

I laugh and enter the room by saying, "I hope you like this surprise." She was all up in arms. "You guys..." She was so shocked and hopefully, super excited. I know she is excited that we surprised her. Braylen was just as shocked when Marsh and I walked up to his dorm room. It is wonderful to see him.

Today was a really good day and there is so much to share, but Lauren and I have to go to bed early tonight because we have class and chapel in the morning. I am excited to check out the school a bit more and see what Lauren's life is like here.

My trip to Chicago

Yesterday started off sad, but ended joyfully. Unfortunately, I was up at the crack of dawn because Kailey had an eight a.m. flight. It was not a tearful goodbye at KCI because I myself will be flying from KCI to LAX in less than two weeks to stay with Kailey for a week before I ship off to New Zealand. So, thankfully, this was yet another “see you later,” for Kailey and I.

I left the airport with an empty car, well not exactly empty. “My bags were packed, and I was ready to go…” [insert song lyrics]. Surprisingly, I was off for another adventure myself. Why did I insert the word "surprisingly"? Is it a surprise to anyone these days that I am off to yet another place or embarking on some random spontaneous road trip. I just couldn’t let Kailey go home and actually head back to my house, too.

I was off to St. Louis. “Meet me in St Louie…” [insert sappy old movie title].

A mere few days before, I get a three a.m. phone call from a man by the name of Bryan Marsh. I met him this previous winter break through a friend. His adventurous spirit and outrageous humor has kept me in contact with him for the last nine months. Also, his best friend, Braylen Chandler, is dating my best friend, Lauren Callison, so, as long as the two love birds keep it going, Marsh and I are forever bonded. His adventurous spirit and outrageous humor has kept me in contact with him for the last nine months.

The Three A.M. Phone Call: It went a little something like this…

“Wanna go to Chicago?”

“I am going this coming Monday.”

“You… What?”

“Yup, let’s meet and go together.”

“Okay.”

That may be a bit brief, but that’s how it went down. “Meet in St. Louis on Sunday.” Deal.

The drive from the airport to St. Louis was pretty minor. I was a little bored and sleepy, but managed to entertain myself with some tunes and a few phone calls. Before I knew it, I saw the arch!

Marsh and I met up outside of St. Louis to continue the journey to Chicago together in my car. The drive to Chi town is notably one of the most boring drives through Illinois, but Marsh had me laughing the whole way. Our conversations were blessed with interesting insight and lots of laughter.

Marsh and I have quite similar stories, which didn’t seem to amaze us as we drove across the plains of Illinois. He just finished his freshman year at Northern Kentucky, but already is taking some off to country hop a bit. Sound familiar? Oh, wait, it gets better. He is headed to Mexico for two months and then Africa for six months with an organization called “Adventures in Missions.”

Hmmm. And Hmmm is right. Marsh and I are both finding ourselves called to leave college and abandon everything familiar for something new and challenging. It was really comforting to talk to someone who is doing something similar to what I am doing.

Yesterday, we met in St. Louis and drove to Naperville, IL to pick up my dear friend Susheel from work. I saw his wonderful family for the third time this summer, which is almost as much as I have seen my own family. His dad drove Marsh and I to the train station, so that I could save a few bucks by not paying for parking. What an amazing guy.

Truly, the Kumar's are amazing. When their boys walk in the door, they drop everything they are doing to ask them about their day and really care to listen. Also, they love the Lord with all their hearts. When I walk into their home, they want to cater to any need they can. They offer all kinds of food or beverages. I truly feel welcomed in their home. Their sons are so lucky to have parents like them. I am blessed to have them in my life.

I am blessed to have a lot of people in my life. I am happy.

Last Night at Kailey's

Friday, August 28: Leaving Berkeley was harder than I thought it would be. The town had so much to offer and there were a lot of great people to surround ourselves with. It was wonderful to see A.Jay and her cool pad. It was also great to meet Davis. He was quite the guy.

Smart Alec’s provided quite the delicious avocado burger. It was yummy and different. I am really trying to order things that I normally wouldn’t. How will I ever know what is good if I don’t order it? So, I am proud to say in the past few months I have tried a number of outrageous foods— some good, some bad and some things were the best I had ever had.

The drive down California wasn’t anything too exciting, but it really wasn’t too treacherous. I5 isn’t anything too great, but I saw some neat things and some not so neat things.

Arriving to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH, Highway 1) was the best part of the day. Seeing Huntington Beach is always a wonderful view. Finally, we made it to Steven Clark’s family vacation home. It was so close to the beach. I was taken back by it. I can’t believe his family gets to spend a vacation there every summer. I felt super blessed to be able to hang out there.

Aug 29: I woke up around noon in a beach house in Newport. Could life be much better? We got a late start, but finally made it to the beach after a shopping spree at Jack’s. The day was really hot but perfect weather to play in the freezing water. Jake, Steven, Jess and I played in the waves for a while, and the waves were big this time of year. I ate it twice, which was not a highlight of my day, yet still fun. After some intense body surfing, I dried off on the beach.

I bid my farewells to the interns and headed back North to Kailey’s. Kacie, Kailey and I watched some quality TV and bonded. It was really nice to see familiar faces and good friends.

Aug 30: Church with the VanderBaan’s is a guaranteed good time. I love hearing Tim preach. It was a fun way to start the day. Then we made a fatal mistake and paid actual money to see Post Grad, one of the worst movies I have seen in years. I did not enjoy one moment of this film. What a disappointment.

Today, Aug 31: I really cannot believe my own eyes. August is over. My summer is continuing until December to be completely honest. Try not to be too jealous, I know. But I hear the weather in Kansas is already turning to fall, which is weird, but knowing Kansas weather it will be 98 and humid by next Wednesday.

This morning Kailey and I woke up at 5:45AM and headed to Huntington Beach, one of my favorites. Something about the beach that early is so peaceful. All the surfers were out catching the morning waves while Kailey and I sat on the beach talking. Before I knew it, I was asleep. We both were passed out for a good two hours. Although, my back and neck were yelling at me for lying awkwardly on the sand, the rest of me was so happy to be sleeping on the beach.

The rest of the day was spent lounging around with an evening spent baking goodies for our trip.
Here in Southern California there is a mad heat wave. Doesn’t help that some of SoCal is on fire, literally. It’s hot here. Good thing we are on the road again soon. Oh wait, we headed even closer to the equator then over to the hottest state I have ever been to: Arizona.