Chameleon

So I keep changing my blog template and layout. I think I've changed it three or four times in the past two days. I think it's because its the one thing in my life right now I can control, but I'm never happy with anything I do to it. It really makes me wish I knew more about html and web design. Well I guess there's still time...

I've been thinking A LOT lately about those other things in my life I can't control. I have an amazing husband who has the ability to remain calm and collected in times of change, while I'm dying inside feeling like I'm never going to see the end of the road.

(Who knew a Chameleon could be this small. Yes folks, thats the smallest Chameleon in the world).

Its like the things in my life I can change are the small things (noted picture above), and the big things are the ones I have no control over. It's so frustrating.....but I think that's the way its supposed to be. If we had full control over the bigger, more important things in our lives, then what would be the need for faith? Yes, we do help to direct the paths in our lives, but there is a larger force at play. He's the one that directs you to where you should go to school, who you're going to marry, where you should work, and who the one landlord in Minneapolis is who will rent you a spacious apartment for less than $1000/month. Yes, God works in mysterious ways, but at least we know he's there helping us...holding our hands when we can't see the end of the road.

Possible Dwelling

UPDATE ON THE UPDATE: The landlord found another renter....darn! So we're back to the beginning again. Anyone want to give us a place to live in Minneapolis????? PLEASE!?

UPDATE: We just found out that it doesn't have A/C and the landlord is still showing it to people...so if he doesn't find anyone else to start renting it June 1st, he'll offer it to us for July 1st. But we have to wait and see.

So Phil and I have been searching and searching for a place to live in Minneapolis and we think we have found a great place. We just want to see what you, our avid readers, think. So leave us a comment and let us know if you think we should rent it after reading the below information.


(Click HERE to see the listing on Craigslist)
It's about 4 miles from downtown and the U of M campus (Click here to see map). It's a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment with a dishwasher and free laundry in the basement. It has recently been updated with new stainless steel appliances, paint, and refinished hardwood floors. It has plenty of closet space (or so they say) and storage in the basement. We would have a reserved two car parking spot in the back of the building (uncovered). The rent is $850/month and we have to pay electric, gas, and cable/internet. The apartment is on the first floor of a 4 unit building. We are not sure yet if it has air conditioning....I guess if it doesn't we can use window units...

The guy renting it says he would be willing to lease it to us for 3 months in case we decide we don't like it and want to find somewhere else to live. Its a good neighborhood with a park down the street. Here are some pictures.






Questions we are asking ourselves....
1. Would it be worth it to live there without a/c for three months (July, August, September....assuming that it doesn't have it)?
2. Do we want to be on the first floor?
3. Would it be awful in the winter to park our car outside? (although not too many apartments offer covered parking)
4. Do we want to rent something that we have never seen or met the landlord?

Please let us know what you think.

What a Funny Kid

So for those of you who have never met my nephew Kade...here's a video you can watch on my sister's blog. Despite the awful lighting this is pretty much the funniest thing EVER!

Here's a picture of Kade one morning last summer, eating a donut for breakfast. It's pretty much the only thing he will eat for breakfast these days.

The Blog Heard 'Round the World

So this morning I put this cool tool on our blog that keeps track of the statistics of those of you who view our blog. Its a really cool service provided by www.statcounter.com...check it out! Anyway, I was looking up our stats just from today and I noticed we had someone visit our blog from The Netherlands! I think thats pretty awesome. I never knew the words I write could reach so many. The glory of the world wide web!

Welkom mijn vrienden!!

I Was Tagged

Because I have been accused of not blogging enough, I am fulfilling a request from my good friend Margaret Elva "Prego" Tueller Proffitt to answer the following questions:

4 Jobs I have had:
Instructor - MyGym children's fitness center
Intern ("do anything for anyone-tern") - HBS Executive Education
Intern - Community Action Services and Food Bank (a local nonprofit in Provo)
Research Assistant - doing lit review upon lit review on business ethics

4 TV Shows I watch:
American Idol
Law and Order
House Hunters
Oprah (cheesy I know, but sometimes interesting)

4 Places I have been:
Bermuda
Aruba
Ghana
Hawaii
(And all in the last year and 8 months!)

4 People that email me:
CNN Breaking News
Jules
Phil
Fellow students I'm working on projects with (I get LOTS of these...but not anymore come Monday!!!)

4 of my favorite foods:
Pad Tai
Cannolis....yummy
Cookie dough Sonic blasts (only for a limited time)
Sweet potatoe fries (because that's what I'm making for dinner tonight!)

4 Friends I Tag:
I abstain....

4 things I am looking forward to in 2008:
Moving to Minneapolis (or so we think)
Moving above the federal poverty line (based on whether or not I can find a job!!!)
Decorating a new apartment!
Being done with school (next week!!)

news

So this morning we found out Phil was accepted to George Washington University in D.C.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now our decision about where to move is more complicated. Please vote (see question to the right) to help us make this decision!

I'm a Butterfinger!!

So according to a precise test of my personality, likes, and dislikes, it has been determined that I am more like a butterfinger than any other candy bar....hmm I'm yummy.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

Phil's Gubernatorial Meeting

Wednesday was Phil's last day of his internship. The legislative session ended at midnight, and he finally made it home by 2 am! But at least he got a sweet pic with the gov.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT

So because I'm cheap and don't want to pay $ for graduation announcements...i'm using our blog to announce this momentous occasion in our lives

PHILLIP MCMINN SINGER
and
JENNIFER ANN CLARK SINGER
Are graduating!!!!!!!!!!

Phillip is graduating with his Bachelor's of Science with a double major in Political Science and Anthropology

Jennifer is graduating with her Masters of Public Administration

Please make checks payable to Jennifer or Phillip....hahaha just kidding! But we are both excited to move on to another phase in our lives and want to express our appreciation for all of you who supported us and helped us while we were here at BYU!

So What Does Phil Do When He Sleeps?

I know you all have been wondering....and now I have an answer for you.

Lately I have had trouble falling asleep at night, so i just lay there and daydream. But I am occasionally pulled away from my daydreaming by Phil's right arm sticking straight up into the air. He then takes his left arm and strokes his right arm rhythmically as if its some kind of instrument playing a melodious tune. I first noticed this last week, but he did it again last night...twice!! It took everything in me to keep from laughing out loud! I get so frustrated when I can't sleep, and this just made the experience so much better.

I would love to get a picture or video of it....stay tuned.