It's not as if I'm invincible.
Just like you I have a breaking point.
Stop.
Please, stop.
I'm not perfect, but surely I'm not
The person you keep painting me to be.
Really.
Pinch my skin.
Find there's a real person.
Capable of Feeling.
Hurting.

Blah

Day....how many of feeling blah? I don't know but it sure stinks.

Communication

Ever met someone who is excellent at public speaking, can pull out all the charm but stinks at common sense communication?

Me knowing about something in general does NOT mean I know the details or the plans. It just means I'm aware of its general existence.

Hello, Surprise!

For 6 years we've managed to successfully family plan naturally. That streak ended a couple of weeks ago when I wasn't feeling normal and took a test that came out positive. WOW! What a shocker. The good news is, with every pregnancy and thinking it could be our last, I just loved treasuring that amazing experience of feeling a baby move and wiggle and kick inside of me. Now, I get to experience that AGAIN.

This came about amidst some hard decisions for us. We were weighing the options of returning to Indiana as originally planned, or walking through the door that was opened for us in Georgia. After much prayer, discussion, research, and thought - we decided to take the opportunity in Georgia. There were just too many instances of Divine favor for us to walk away.

So, now, two adjustments coming up. We will add to our family and we will move to a new state. We want to settle in Georgia permanently while our kids are in school. Our next decision will be regarding the opportunity to live in Columbus, GA for a year in free missionary housing and then move to Athens or we could just move directly to Athens.

God is amazing and even though this isn't something I would have ever chosen on my own or even thought to want, I do feel more peace about than I could have thought imagined, which reminds me of the kind of peace God promises us. That kind that passes ALL understanding.

Tattoos and Ruth

Darn, somehow in the middle of a post my browser closed. Starting over. :)

If you know me fairly well, you know that tattoos aren't really my thing. I've never considered getting one much because 1) I couldn't think of a good place where I could get dressed up and fancy and not have a tattoo showing. and 2) what could I possibly like enough to permanently put it on my body.

Which leads me to Ruth. I picked up a study/devotional called Ruth: Loss, Love, and Legacy by Kelly Minter. It's been a great study for me because it isn't just a fluff inspirational reading for the day. At the same time, it's not so theological and deep that it's unapproachable. It's the perfect balance.

I got to Day 3 and came up to the part where we read Ruth 1:8 " May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me". Naomi is speaking to Ruth as Ruth has followed Naomi back home to Bethlehem and leaving her home country of Moab.

We learn in our study that the word translated as kindness, actually falls very short of conveying what the word is in Hebrew. The Hebrew word is hesed. Here's what Kelly quotes from another author:

"A strong relational term that wraps up in itself an entire cluster of concepts, all the positive attributes of God - love, mercy, grace, kindness, goodness, benevolence, loyalty, covenant faithfulness: in short, that quality that moves a person to act for the benefit of another without respect to the advantage it might bring to the one who expresses it."

WOW! Is that not just beautiful!?!

Of course, Israel associate hesed with God's covenant relationship with her, despite Israel wandering at times and disobeying, Yahweh was steadfast in His covenant loyalty with her. Reading that short bit in my study caused me to want to know more. What do other scholars say about hesed? In different places in the Bible, hesed is translated as love, kindness, loving-kindness, mercy or goodness. One scholar says:

The word is used only in cases where there is some recognized tie between the parties concerned. It is not used indiscriminately of kindness in general, haphazard, kindly deeds;

Love that first off, it represents a bond or tie between people and that it's not used flippantly. In an age where we love everything from pizza and jobs to people and places, it's good to know this word hesed is used very deliberately when it's used in the Bible.

and I continued reading to find:

The theological importance of the word chesed is that it stands more than any other word for the attitude which both parties to a covenant ought to maintain towards each other. Sir George Adam Smith suggested the rendering 'leal-love.' The merit of this translation is that it combines the twin ideas of love and loyalty, both of which are essential. On the other hand, it does not sufficiently convey the idea of the steadfastness and persistence of God's sure love for his covenant-people.

I love the idea that it's an action towards each other and that while loyalty and love does an okay job of describing it, hesed encompassed a steadfastness and persistence too. This just kept reminding me of marriage and marriage vows and a marriage covenant that is made. Then, I began wondering what marriages would look like if we took our relationship and lived out hesed.

A couple of more findings:

In the Hebrew Scriptures hesed refers to the kind of love that is promised and is owed 'a mutual exchange of affection and loyalty based on mutual obligations' love formed in the bonds of covenant.

and

This bond of covenant love between Yahweh and His children, like marital love, it is neither optional nor unconditional. It is obligatory and its intimacy limited to the beloved. This is not to say hesed as covenant love is forced or compelled. The covenant partner enters freely into the bond of love. Just as in marriage, love cannot be forced but it is expected in fulfillment of the union. This covenant love may be freely and graciously given but from the biblical perspective, there is no such thing as "free love." In this way hesed is not so much a feeling as a decision of will.

Which brings me to a tattoo. I loved the idea of being challenged by this word hesed and thought perhaps I could get it tattooed on my ring finger. It could be neatly hidden under my rings but still a reminder for me to know it's there.

חֶסֶד

Accent Vlog

Alrighty, following in the footsteps of Susanne and Niki, I've recorded how I say certain words and what terms I use for certain things.

Dinner For Four

It was supposed to be a great night. Dressed up, gift card, good food, great friends. Of course, the day had begun rocky to begin with. Kids off of school = fighting, blaming, food spills, biting ----> it was the day from hell.

I thought my night out was going to be my escape (insert Relient K song music) , I thought I was going to feel safe.

It started out well. We were a sharp looking bunch with gift cards in hand. We tried to talk life and the future, and (mostly) avoid office chat. The topic of our future came up and there is was, it fell of someone's mouth like it was a truth deeply ingrained in the heart. Only, It. Wasn't. True.

It's been 14 years since I left the front door of my parent's house on Stone Avenue. I headed to college with a lot of unknowns. All I knew was, it wasn't Portage and there were no preconceived ideas of who I was nor were there expectations of me based on my past. The world was wide open.

Through the last 14 years, there have been times where it's been insinuated and even times where it's been downright said, that I have to be near my family. Not in a "she really enjoys being near her family, they are really close", but a "she's attached, she doesn't function without them" kind of way. Now, what constitutes near for some people isn't near for others. This last accusation, it would hardly be "close". No closer than I was when we lived in Wisconsin. In fact, it would be even further. Considering where we are now, it would be "close". It's all perspective.

When do I get to drop this "reputation"? And when, does a person who is supposed to know me better, finally stop thinking about their self long enough to actually hear when I'm talking? I've given very specific reasons to contradict this thing that was said. Things I meant, and things I really feel.

It's as if this persons really OLD conceived notion will never die and no matter what happens, it's more fun to pin this on me. Here's a quote as to why I think this hasn't and perhaps won't die.

All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy.

What it comes down to is this. It's easier to displace the lack of knowing the future if you can just throw the focus on someone else. If this person has been listening at all over the last few months, they'd know that they were displacing things so that they didn't have to turn the spotlight on themselves and actually answer questions. Pride is one of the most dangerous ways to make decisions. It wasn't attractive when it was someone else you were watching do it. Why think the result will be better for you?

This person watched as I excused myself from the table, and headed to the bathroom where the tears fell more freely. Thankfully, another dear friend followed and hugged me and waited until I could collect myself.

Tired. I'm tired of fighting this image. I'm disappointed and hurt that this person didn't bother to apologize and reexamine their thinking.

“Memory in youth is active and easily impressible; in old age it is comparatively callous to new impressions, but still retains vividly those of earlier years”

Charlotte Bronte quotes

A Little Dose of Follow Through

Sometime, I'm guilty of not following through with my children. I definitely try to make sure I do, but there are those moments when it would cause me more hassle to follow through than I have the energy for.

I've been "promising" my daughter if she keeps putting CLEAN clothes in the DIRTY laundry hamper that I was going to make her do her own laundry. I'm tired of wasting soap, time, and energy on redoing laundry simply because she doesn't want to put it away the right way, the first time.

So, lucky for her, I'm feeling a burst of follow through. She has 2 loads of her own laundry that she will be folding when she gets home from school. Merry Wednesday, daughter.

Now, if I could work on my follow through with my littlest guy, the charmer, who tries to smile and laugh his way out of everything.... or my middle child who throws on the water works when things don't go his way.

Parenting is hard work!

Boundaries

I don't read often. Not often enough. As a kid, I'd get a book and finish it in the same day. I just can't do that anymore with little ones around constantly needing a drink or a snack or helping going to the bathroom. So, mostly, I stick to reading magazines or newspaper articles, you know, things I can get through in a sitting.

However, the exception is in the car. James and I will take turns reading to each other, especially on long road trips. James has been reading a lot over the last few months. Most of it, required reading that came with the internship. I have read parts of those books with him.

Most recently the book, Boundaries. Now, I won't pretend that I didn't see/read things that challenged me personally. Goodness knows, I stink at boundaries in many areas. For example, I bake/eat when I'm stressed, worried, depressed, .... bored. ALL terrible reasons to eat. I should set boundaries for myself but I fail more often than a boundary prevails.

I should have set a boundary for how much coffee I could have and how late I could drink it today. If I had, I might not be sitting here, wide awake, unable to sleep. I went to bed, but laying there wide awake, proved frustrating.

So, I was reading aloud to James this week, and in one of the chapters, an example of a situation is given when a wife is exhausted, worn out, and feeling like the family is not a priority. Her husband is gone at work often, and often working late. She decides she can finally talk with him about this and he breaks down, cries, and gives a sob story about how he just has a hard time saying no, and how he doesn't like to disappoint people.

The wife's response? "I found someone you can say 'no' to. Your wife and kids".

As I read this passage, I sat in my seat, wondering if it would "click" with James. We've had similar conversations in our very own home. I've heard all about how ministry is not a 9 to 5 job. I've heard how there are "seasons" of busyness. In the end, I don't think my issue is with seasons of busyness, but the lack of empathy and the inability to readjust the priorities.

In the end, the boss or co-workers, they have the advantage of my husband not wanting to disappoint them or make them mad, or let them down. When do I get to be on the receiving end of that?

Our schedule last week was fun, but crazy. Thankfully we did some things for James' job that enabled me to bring the kids along. However, they started back at school and James at work and Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat night all had activities, and Sunday was church and then required prayer in the evening. Then we hit this week, Monday we snuck in a family game of Sorry! before James finished his report for the rest of the evening, but that led into today which was small group, and tomorrow which is leaders meeting, and Thursday which is service. Of course, that's in addition to being in the office every day for the full day. Friday is an off evening (for now) but he scheduled an event for Saturday. Our "Sabbath". The ONE day we don't have any prior commitments or requirements. It matters little to me that it's an evening activity when the kids will be in bed. It's just one more night, alone, for me.

Ugh.

Boundaries. The Sabbath is a principal worth practicing since we're commanded to keep the Sabbath in the Bible. It's not just about Spiritual health, either. I believe, it's a discipline that will safeguard our physical health and family health.

This wasn't meant to just badmouth my husband, that wasn't my intent. There are plenty of things that he's GREAT at! Nor was it meant to whine and complain. I was just mulling over the topic of boundaries and my coffee induced insomnia led me here.

The Countdown

Has begun. We're less than a week away from our trip back home. I can't wait. I want to be there NOW! I'm looking forward to the white fluffy stuff that falls from the sky up North. haha!

Flip flops in November were nice but nothing can replace being with my family. I miss them so much.

Now, the trick is figuring which days are best to travel to Wisconsin. With Christmas on an actual weekend day, traveling is going to be extremely not fun. Anyone have any predictions as to what the best days to travel will be to avoid extremely high travel days?

Emotions are Footprints in the Rain

and I wish mine would just wash away.

What is a servant leader?

TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SERVANT-LEADER - Larry Spears

1. Listening receptively
2. Acceptance of (and empathy with) others
3. Foresight and intuition
4. Awareness and perception
5. Highly-developed powers of persuasion
6. Ability to conceptualize and communicate concepts
7. A healing influence upon people and institutions
8. Ability to build a sense of community in the workplace
9. Practice contemplation
10. Willingness to change.

I came across this list and it made me stop and think. Of course, I've seen "servant leadership" preached by running people around like madmen "serving" and teaching them to be "humble".

The insight that this list provided definitely makes me more open to wanting to understand what servant leadership really is. I think God would want me to want to understand since His Son was the best example of serving that we have.

I need to contemplate more on this. Any thoughts?

Forever is a long time

“We promise according to our hopes and perform according to our fears.”

Interesting quote. I wonder if it proves true more often than not? I was having a conversation about marriage vows the other day. At the height of love and wedding planning, the words that we plan to say to our future spouse on our wedding day are ones that I think most mean with as much context and understanding as they have.

I'll be honest, when I said my version of in "sickness or health", I was thinking, chances are, we'd be more healthy than sick. And by sick, it probably meant a nasty cold or the flu. I didn't ever think we'd have to battle cancer together, or one of us be paralyzed in an accident. Those things just don't come to mind.

And when I said something like "richer or poorer", I'll be honest. I never figured we'd be rich or well off, but I can't say that I thought we'd have to face a year where James was unemployed for several months. That happens to "other people".

There are more examples I could give but they're a bit personal. Looking back, if we had to include the ugly in marriage in our vows, I don't know I could really utter them and have meant them the way I naively meant the ones I did say.

In the over 9 years of marriage I've experienced, I'd like to say, I've grown. I've lived, and loved more. That I better understand what making vows to love and be with someone forever. Perhaps I do understand that better, but I also understand how much fights against a marriage these days. While the challenge of in laws or dirty socks can feel rather moutainess at times, I've come to understand that when something bigger than dirty socks comes in and rocks your world, you have a choice.

You either choose to keep loving or you don't. Love is beautiful in the hearts and flowers of new love, but I think it's even more beautiful when you can love in the really ugly times.

My baking adventures

I bake a lot, but I haven't really shared much of that here. I figured I should add some diversity to my posts and share what I make, when I make it. So, here is the recipe for a homemade strawberry cake that I made for Ekaterina's birthday. I topped it with a homemade cream cheese frosting.



James had the guys small group at our house that night so they got to share in the festivities. Since purple is Ekaterina's favorite color, that is what I colored the frosting to be.

I've tried box mixes in the past for strawberry cake but they have an artificial taste to them. I made a strawberry cake from scratch a few months ago but it just didn't have the flavor that I wanted. Also, it's color was kind of bland. So, I went searching for another recipe. I came across a recipe replicating Sprinkle's bakery strawberry cupcakes. It said it made 12 cupcakes so I doubled the recipe, and then I added a little more than called for strawberry puree. To get my puree, I simply bought frozen strawberries in syrup because I wanted it to be on the sweeter side. By doubling the recipe, I got just enough cake batter for 3 layers in 9 inch pans.

Ingredients

Sprinkles Cupcakes' Strawberry Cupcakes (as found on Oprah's website)

• 2/3 cup fresh or frozen whole strawberries (thawed if frozen)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour , sifted
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. coarse salt
• 1/4 cup whole milk , room temperature
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter , room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg , room temperature
• 2 large egg whites , room temperature

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.

Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree. Add a few more strawberries if necessary, or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla and strawberry puree; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.

With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended. Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.

Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

I added a little pink (from the NEON colors box) food coloring to ensure I'd get a color worthy of being called a strawberry cake.

Tada!

What does peace sound like?

Sometimes, I dig out The Message and want to hear something that helps me get past the language I've always read a verse in and see into it, a deeper meaning, maybe the spirit of the verse, versus the thees and thous.

I read my daily devotional email that I get and thought I'd check out one of the verses in The Message.

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

^8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

You know, it's pretty easy for me to worry. I don't consider myself a fearful person but I am a worrier. What's the difference? Haha, I don't know. Maybe I'm delusional about myself. What I do know is that I don't have to worry. God's promised me that the burden is light when I allow Him to help me.

Recently at a Chi Alpha gathering, one of our students shared what she felt God had spoken to her. It was as if, we were at the bottom of a mountain, and Jesus is standing next to us. As we are at the mountain, preparing to hike up, we often times, complain about our hiking pack that we're carrying. We whine about it being so difficult and heavy and wearisome. All the while, Jesus, who is standing right next to us, is wondering why we don't give it over to Him, because He's already offered to help us. Sometimes, it's guilt we're carrying around. Sometimes, it's fear. Sometimes, it's doubt. Sometimes, it's hurt. Sometimes, it's shame.

Jesus, His Spirit, His blood, His power, they can take on any of those bags we're carrying. I'm so glad this student shared that night. She could have been too afraid to share, but she stepped out and I was encouraged.

Which brings me back to the verses. Usually, when I read "In everything, with prayer and supplication" (the verse in an actual translation) sometimes I think praying through something is overwhelming, but I like how The Message encourages me with the wording, " Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns". Reminds me that if I choose to praise God amidst the storm, my praises will be shaped into prayers and praying won't seem so overwhelming.

Next the verse talks about wholeness coming, a beautiful pictures, I think. Then it moves on to, It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

I looked up displace and found:

dis·place (ds-pls)tr.v. dis·placed, dis·plac·ing, dis·plac·es

1. To move or shift from the usual place or position, especially to force to leave a homeland: millions of refugees who were displaced by the war.

2. To take the place of; supplant.

Ah, Christ taking the place of worry. This does take obedience and submission on my part though. When that happens, Christ can become the center of my life. These two verses end by saying "Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies". Reminds me of movies and soundtracks. How lovely music accompanies many of the sweet moments in the lives of characters. That God's way of working everything together, produces a lovely soundtrack for my life.

Now, many Christians like to quote this verse to other Christians who have something bad happen in their life. They quote it as if God causes everything bad that happens so that He can use it for good. No, God does not cause everything in our life that happens. We have free will, we make choices. His Word does promise us though, that He -can- -use- everything to work together for good. I sure am thankful. I am thankful that God's peace, that passes understanding, sounds like a beautiful symphony, harmonizing in perfection.

Beautiful. God, help me to follow Your Word so that I can have a faith and peace that passes understanding and doesn't require an explanation or reason.

Celebration of a daughter

Ekaterina turned 9 today. Really, where did the time go? Nine years is a long time and yet, I like to think of her as a kid and not someone on her way to becoming a young lady.

When I was pregnant with Ekaterina, I wanted a daughter more than words can describe. Every ultrasound, I hoped we'd get a peek at the gender of the baby I was carrying, but no, the baby was always a stubborn being and never gave in.

Ekaterina is still stubborn. ;) When the doctor declared, "It's a girl", my eyes welled up and I don't know that I knew such joy was possible. Ekaterina was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen and I wasn't sure how I had been blessed with the privilege of raising such a treasure.

I find that now, I expect more from her than I ought. She's a good helper and I depend a lot on her. She's taken an interest in going to the store with me when it's just she and I and I have to say, life really changed when Octavian came around. What she'd grown used to, became completely different. Now, when she asks, if it's possible, I let her come. I enjoy those mommy daughter moments. Just she and I. The girls. I hope that she doesn't grow tired of time with me as she matures and continues to grow into the person she is.

She loves to nurture other little kids around her. She loves to bake with me. She enjoys making lists and using her creativity. She has come out of the reserved shell that she used to have and is definitely more socially adventurous than she used to be.

Still, the one thing I want most for her, the desire I have above all else for her life, is that as she grows, she wants to grow more in her faith. Cultivate that relationship that she chose, without us pressuring or making her. I want the Holy Spirit to be a voice that she recognizes and is sensitive to on her own.

Finally

After a few days of the returned humidity, today the weather finally gave in and the rain has begun. Woooohoo! I didn't even hear it but Zachariah saw it out his window in the room.

I asked Zachariah if it was still raining and he said "It's raining faster". Cute! It's interesting to hear how a child chooses the word they'll use. I'd say "it's raining harder". Faster makes sense too.

Today I pondered why, despite knowing the tendencies most common in parenting the baby of the family, I'm falling into the trap of not being as firm. I know Zachariah is too cute for his own good. It's not even that though. I think it's because I don't have as much energy as I did when I only had one child, or then two. I just don't have it in me to put up the fight.

I say that as almost every single wall in our apartment is now covered in his artwork. I need to motivate myself because I don't want to fall into the trap of being easier or less consistent.

So far away

Ridin' restless under broken sky,
Weary traveller, somethin' missin' inside,
Always lookin' for a reason to turn around.
Desperate for a little peace of mind.
Just a little piece of what I left behind:

It's Closing Time....

I've been thinking about this for the past week or so. When I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to go away to school. It wasn't a small urge, I HAD to get out of Portage.

Reflecting on that need to leave, I was trying to figure out why I felt that way. I had a GREAT relationship with my parents. I had lots of family in town and my life was good. Being a first born, overachiever, people pleaser, I got to wondering this week if I wanted to leave, not because I couldn't stand where I was, but because I wanted to experience more, have more freedom experiencing new things.

At home, I'd like to think I was pretty good about honoring my parents and following the rules. It wasn't so much a burden to either, it was just part of who I was. Perhaps I didn't want to stay, have the urge to "live more" and that put a strain on my relationship with my parents. I didn't want to disappoint or push buttons.

The funny thing is, by "live more", I'm talking about things like going to the movies and not having that "what are you going to see" question lurking. What if I wanted to stay out til 1am? haha While I'd like to think I was a good kid and more leniency could have been extended, I wasn't angry that it wasn't, I just wanted to put myself in a position to where I didn't need to
ask.

What's ironic about that is, I went to a private Christian college with a curfew. Mom still tried to monitor that from home. She'd called, back in the day, prior to cell phones and I didn't answer my dorm room phone. I'd call back and get the third degree about my Target shopping trip. ;)

Now, anyone that knows my mom knows she does this with people she loves. She's not trying to give me the third degree. She's just curious. We eventually grew in our long distance relationship and she learned I wasn't going to call and give her an update on my every hour and I learned to just answer the questions.

Being the introvert that I am, it's funny to think I was so adamant about going away. It makes no logical sense. My time at NCBC/NCU was priceless though and as much as I had to get away, I feel the need to be close to them now. The priceless investment my parents make in my children lives and our lives is something I'd never want to pass up.

This is not a well written, or inspiring blog post. I felt the need to share something though and this has been on my mind. If you went away to school, what prompted your desire. If you didn't, but still went to school, what prompted your desire to stay close to home?

Things you should know

I thought I'd make a silly post about "The more you know" about driving in Tallahassee.

Since movie to Florida, it has come to my attention that drivers here, are above the rules and common courtesies of the road. Yes, they don't need to follow any of them. Also, there are just some odd quirks about the place too. For example:

Did you know that almost every parking lot here are made of up aisles that are both up and down at the same time. Now, we have some of these aisles back in Indiana, but that means they make them extra wide so that two lanes of traffic can drive through them. Not here. Nope, they're skinny as heck.

Also, if you're in Tally, you don't follow the slower traffic keep right rule. (and I'm not even talking about letting the speeders go in the left lane). No, Tallahassee rules dictate that everyone should go at least 5-10 under the speed limit in every single lane.

Things like going at the green light and stopping at the red light are completely optional.

So is pulling up at the green light if you're in the turn lane and have to yield. You should just stay behind the line and completely wait so that no one in the lane gets through the green. Weird!

U turns are completely normal. In fact, the roads are made so that you cannot see any businesses that you need to get to and that makes turning is nearly impossible. This means the constant U turn by the whole of the population becomes actually necessary. (Now that explains why they're poor drivers!)

The streets here are in a wheel/spoke system going around the city and at diagonals and not a grid. Giving directions is nearly impossible. The fact that the streets have several different names based on where they run through town, also makes this difficult.

You have a GPS? Forget it working in Tallahassee. Tally is like a GPS black hole. I've gotten mostly used to the fact that getting around just isn't going to be easy. The way I fix this is that I just don't get out much. haha.