Adventure Time

 
     This past week has been a roller coaster emotionally and physically.  Having to bike and walk everywhere is starting to catch up with my joints. Ow ow. Also I don't have my interviews until this Monday and Wednesday, so I have been feeling pretty useless, especially after watching Shallow Hal for the 10th time (Seriously why is it on every day). Fortunately, this week wasn't a total complete waste, and Marty and I had some fun adventures around town.

     We finally visited that farm next to us and it was amazing! There is a little area where you can play with the ducks and feed them bread. They had so much fresh and local food and I think we will definitely be shopping there from now on. Gotta support local! They had fresh apple donuts that were heavenly and a ton of cool cheeses (I don't know why I remembered that. I like cheese).  It is right next to the bike trail that connects Amherst and Hadley and the trail was gorgeous. There were trees completely surrounding the trail and little stops along the way that had picnic benches to rest on. My favorite part of the trail is when everyone passes me.

                                        

 

                                                    

   










     Yesterday we went to downtown Amherst and enjoyed all the fun little shops. There is a lot of music and art shops as well as book stores. There are also a lot of diverse restaurants, with a random Subway smack dab in the middle of it all. It ruined the ambience for me. I found a shirt that I really liked in one of the art/book/clothing stores.

el oh el

  

     We ate at a Italian restraunt that we heard was good, and it was amazing! They had food.  On the way back we saw the local fair was happening and we walked around. Marty didn't let me go on any of the rides because apparently we need our change for laundry. Who does laundry.

     Today we went to First Baptist Church. I'm glad we finally found a church that goes with our beliefs. There are very few true Christian churches out here, and I think we found a good one! I'm hoping we can join a couple's study soon. Today was baby dedications, and one of the couples dedicating their baby looked familiar to Marty, and we found out that he is also a grad student in music theory at UMass! We talked to the pastor and I guess there are a lot of musicians from UMass at this church. That makes sense because it is the building right next to the Fine Arts Building! Unfortunately we live in the valley of Pioneer valley and the church is on top of what seems like a never ending mountain that's three miles up. Get dem thighs a burnin'.  On our way back though we saw a little reminder of Lincoln!

Brueggers!

     Some prayer requests I ask for this week would be that all of Marty's meetings will go well (he has like 7!) and that his nerves will be calmed for the upcoming school year. I'm so so proud of him and that he will be going to attend the school of his dreams! And please pray that my interviews go well and I will get a job!!! Also, one of my most favorite things to do is walk to the mailbox every afternoon (I have to walk like half a mile to get the mail, I thought this was America) and check the mail. But I only ever get bills. So if you are super bored and wanna write to us, I would be sooooo happy. Even if you just send an empty envelope. Here is our address.

117 Brittany Manor Drive Apt E
Amherst, MA  01002


Johannah

Apartment, Apartment, Apartment.

     I hate unboxing. I just end up staring at the boxes and then lying on the floor and then falling asleep. But we are finally all unboxed! It's nice not tripping over boxes everywhere.  Here is some of our apartment....Sorry for the stupid format stupid blogger is stupid. I already showed you our living room, but here is our room and office. I still need to work on the bathroom, kitchen, and dining room.

  

Our room

            

My area

  

Our office front and back

  

      Marty also got his bike yesterday! He was so excited. It is also a Schwinn, but less yellow and girly. As you can see...our dining area is still lacking in dining-ness. That will come when I have more money and more motivation. 

     We also went and visited UMass. It was my first time visiting and it was very beautiful! The fine arts building is super big, since they put theatre, music, arts, film, etc all in one building. There was also a huge lake with ducks and swans. I'm pretty happy that he doesn't start school until September, because that gives us a lot of time to just relax and get used to the new area. I don't know what I would do if he was at school right now. I would probably roll around. We also visited the UMass student center, and I wish I got some pictures because it was really cool. There was a cute coffee shop and something else and I forgot the rest. Here is Martin next to our new mascot: the Minuteman

     

      So when we moved into the apartment, we noticed that there was no A/C. We were sweating like crazy no matter how many fans we had or windows opened. We didn't have money in the budget to buy two new A/C boxes, but to try my luck I went on craigslist. I found a guy who was selling his for only $40 each as well as throwing in a $20 microwave (which the apartment didn't have either). It was such a good deal but he lived in a town 20 min away. I asked if there was any way if he could bring them to us and we would reimburse for gas, and he agreed. When he came, we found out that he was a Christian and one of the leaders for an on-campus ministry! He is also giving us a ride to church on Sunday, since the buses don't run then! Thank you God!! 

      I also had to turn down the job I was offered due to it having a shift on Sunday mornings, which I said was a deal breaker. I am now applying (to the same mental hospital) in a different area and please pray that I am accepted and soon! Money doesn't grow on trees baby. 

Johannah

Burns, Brownies, Bikes and Baskets.

   

     So Marty and I decided to get groceries today, because for the past three days we have been eating nothing but dry cheerios and peanut butter sandwiches. Unfortunately the bus by our apartment doesn't run on Sunday mornings, so we decided to walk. I wasn't really in the mood to walk another 4 miles since we did that yesterday, but it was nice out and I really wanted to see if the animals were out on the farm. The weather was beautiful and cloudy so we figured it wouldn't be a hot walk. We got to see the cows and sheep out (the cows just had babies!) and we found a familiar site...

Corn! 

    

     Well the walk was pretty long and even though it was cloudy, we got pretty sunburned. So I decided it was time for a bike, since the bus isn't always reliable. I saw the color yellow and decided she was mine. It's a hybrid cruiser bike, so it's perfect for going down to the market or mall and back.  Got myself a little back basket so I can carry groceries. We also got Marty a bike online, because we get free amazon prime again now that we have another .edu email. Woot! He also got a Schwinn, but not so yellow. 

    The rest of the day was pretty chill...until I tried to make dinner and somehow the chicken came out half burnt and half raw. It was probably because the TV was on and I was half sleeping I think. Anyways I also got a yummy low fat brownie recipe that uses yogurt so we will see how that goes. It smells good...

     I got all the boxes out of the living/dining area and into the office and bedroom. Basically I'm just counting down the hours until Breaking Bad starts. I also think an elephant lives above me because every couple hours it literally sounds like someone is stomping or jumping around the halls. Now usually in this situation I would march up those stairs and give them some gurrrrllll attitude, but oh look the brownies are done bye. 

Johannah

Cities, Corgis, Cars, and Chowder

     Today Martin and I walked two hours through our neighboring cities to learn what shops were around us! We visited Downtown Amherst, Florence, Belchertown, and Northampton. If you have ever watched Gilmore Girls, then you know what I mean when I say that this town is a lot like Stars Hallow. There was even a Bed and Breakfast like Dragonfly Inn! (And for all you non Gilmore Girl fans...just think "cute")  Marty and I also got to try real New England clam chowder. MmmmmmMmm

Our Town hall!

     We looked at cars today- found some ok deals, but will defiantly keep looking around. We also looked at corgis yesterday- and it was a blast! Funny story, I have always wanted a corgi so I found a lady in Chicopee (about 30 min away) that was expecting a litter soon so I told Marty that we should go visit while we have the UHaul for one more day. We went and met Allie and Max, aka mommy and daddy corgi, and Lisa and her husband. We were thrilled to find out that Lisa actually is from Omaha! She went to Northwest High School. We played with her corgis that afternoon and she made us cookies and told us all about the towns we were by.  Her puppies will be weened after Thanksgiving, so that gives us enough time to decide if we are ready financially for a corgi! I am so excited. Lisa has been amazing to us, she even drove all the way back to our apartment when she found that MARTIN dropped his credit card on the floor of her house! She has also been checking up on us to see how we are adjusting. I think its a God thing :D 

momma corgi

daddy corgi

     We also checked out the bus system today..not the most convenient way of traveling, especially because they don't go to Hadley (where all the markets are), but we will manage until we get a car. Also- Massachusetts has a TON of weeping willow trees which are my favorite!!

like this x 10

     Now one last thing- Remember when I dropped out of college for a semester to "figure out my life, etc"? I remember that I got so many hurtful messages and phone calls from friends saying that it was a dumb decision and that I would never go back and graduate. Well I did. Remember when I got engaged in the middle of college and then married 6 months later? Same thing happened- people got angry, made judgements, called me irresponsible, the whole shabang. And lo and behold, when I announced we were moving to Massachusetts, I still had friends telling me it was a hasty, irresponsible decision and I should take a year off to work and make money. The thing is, and I know a lot of my friends don't agree, is that I fully one hundred percent believe that God is in control of my life. I believe that if I follow his plan for me that I will be taken care of 100%. He has never let me down in 22 years and I know he ever well. When it comes to finances, my health, school, etc, I put all my faith and trust in God. So in the nicest way possible, unless your name is Greg Bashford, Tanya Bashford, Dennis Ross or Debbie Ross, I probably won't need your advice unless I ask :) I already have 4 wonderful and wise mom and dads and I think that is enough! And I can't thank them enough. I have the best parents and in-laws in the world!

     So with that all said- please keep enjoying my blog, statuses I write, and pictures I post about my new move! :D Just know that it's for your entertainment, not for your critique.

Johannah

Hello Massachusetts!

     Oh my goodness oh my goodness we are HERE! After months of waiting we are finally moved in.

     Yesterday we left Indiana, drove through Ohio, a wee bit of Pennsylvania and A WHOLE LOT OF NEW YORK ( aka like 9 hours of it) and then we arrived at Massachusetts after 24 hours of driving. I don't think Marty ever wants to drive again. 

look how happy he looks

     We learned that Amherst is not pronounced with an "h". So it's like...Am-erst. We actually learned that from a random (homeless?) man who overheard me talking. We also learned that water fountains are called "bubblers". Woo hoo for random knowledge!

      So we live right next to an organic farm that has sheep and cows and tons of awesome veggies and produce! Also look at this view....aweSOME!! 

look at those mountains

     We live right next to Hadley (like 1.8 miles away) which has a Trader Joes, Target, Pier One, Walmart, Chipotle, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc etc. Also everything in that town looks extremely cute, even the McDonalds and Taco Bell looked like cute little brick shops. The weather here is just amazing. The kind of weather with NO humidity (thank goodness) and where you could either wear long or short sleeves. 

     I just want to give a HUGE shout out to Sinfonian Nick True who helped us move in. He drove TWO HOURS just to help us out. He deserves 100 hugs and a pat on the face. Love love love. 

     We have one room unboxed- our living room. I still need to hang something above the couch and add a vase with those fake sticks and stuff. 

     You should tune in tomorrow as Marty and I go somewhere very exciting! As for now... I think Marty is pooped. 

     Johannah

Halfway There!

     I never want to drive 12 hours crammed in a UHaul again....oh wait, I get to do that again tomorrow!  We left this morning at 5 am and arrived in Fort Wayne around 6:30 pm (with an hour time change).

Look we are big kids!

     The first 4 hours I slept and I'm sure I didn't miss out on anything. Good news though was that I managed to move stuff out of the way so that the cello wasn't on top of me anymore. 

      We also got to experience paying tolls for the first time: a grand total of $1.10.  

     I also saw this weird windmill thing...

   That's as exciting as it got! We got to Indiana and had a wonderful steak dinner outside by Marty's aunt's koi pond. Now we're just relaxing until we have to get up for another early morning! This post is kind of boring. Oh well. I'm just super pumped to get to MA tomorrow!

Johannah

And we're off!!

   

     Oh my goodness this past week went by so fast! First of all my Good Bye party was a BLAST thanks to my amazing mom and grandma. Almost everyone could make it and it was a great time to be able to see everyone and to say bye.

One of the cute tables-yellow of course

     Marty and I have been boxing since May but it seems like these past few days we did nothing but box and clean. Thankfully my family (and Marty's twin Bill...well I guess he's family too hah) helped all day loading the UHaul! Oh and by the way UHaul angered me greatly today by first telling me my truck was not ready today even though I reserved and confirmed it three months ago. And then they sent us to two different places. Looking back it probably wasn't that big of a deal but I was already pretty stressed out. Oh well!

     Then after a long nap we had one final dinner and said our last goodbyes to our best friends. It was really hard, but I don't think everything has sunk in yet. It probably won't until we actually get there and I realize I'm not coming back home after a vacation.

     I really want to thank my grandparents for letting us rent their home for the past two years and use their car when ours broke. I want to thank Marty's parents too for always helping us with our car problems (which frequent quite often...oops)

     Well now we start our first big journey as husband and wife...and spending 24 hours cramped in a truck with a cello on top of me! Pray for us and I will update when we make our first stop in Indiana! Love you all

Johannah

Farewell Nebraska

       Hello! I figure that instead of cluttering my Facebook with tons of pictures from our move, I would just put them all here! It's our last week here in Nebraska and we couldn't be more filled with mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety! As most of you know, Marty will be attending UMASS Amherst for his Master's in Music Theory as well as teaching classes with the Freshmen. I will be working with a mental hospital helping females in the Developmental and Brain Injury Services ward, and possibly getting my Master's as well. We will be leaving next Tuesday (August 13th) and driving 12 hours to Marty's aunt and uncle's in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Then the next day we will drive another 12 hours to Massachusetts and move in the following day! Thankfully Marty's Fraternity will help us move in.

Thank you Sinfonians!

So yes it's my last week here in the Midwest so I hope I can see all your loving faces one last time. 

Johannah