a few more years shall roll

What a great weekend!
Friday evening, I spent time with my mom, dad, and sister in Carlisle. Abby recently moved into a new place with her friend, and has redecorated her room and bathroom with such artistic flair that I can’t believe we’re related. It was fun to get to stay overnight with her and catch up a bit. I also found a great pair of shoes to wear to the wedding I attended the next day. Mine are the pink, flowered heels in this pic:

Saturday. Since I was missing the Live8 Concert back home in Philly, I better have had a good excuse. I did. I got up early, had a leisurely breakfast with Abs at Panera, and hopped on 81 south to go to Charlottesville, VA. I love driving through the Shenendoah Valley—it’s really one of the most beautiful drives around. And with surprisingly little traffic, I was in C-ville in 3 and a half hours. I was there to attend the wedding of Sarah and Brandon. I first met Sarah nearly four years ago at an Andrew Peterson Christmas show in Lynchburg, VA. We’ve stayed in touch and it was wonderful to get to see her and Brandon begin their new life together. I will post some pictures on my picture site soon.

I ran a few errands, and waited for Dawn and Katey to arrive from North Carolina. They took a detour to Monticello, but found it harder to spot than expected. However, we did get this lovely picture of the three of us there after we changed for the wedding. We had a fun time, seeing friends from the internet (gasp!) and celebrating!

Up very early the next morning, I left Dawn and Katey and drove back to Philly. Again, no traffic at all, so a relatively quick trip. As you may have read, my car stereo was stolen a while ago and I decided to sing on my own. I was surprised by how many hymns I remembered! All four verses of some—five of Come Ye Sinners. It was a good way to pass the time Sunday morning, especially since I missed the morning service. I got to church at 10:30, in time for the beginning of our 5-6 hours meeting for our trip abroad. One of the workers over there is in the States for a while and spent the day with us, giving us a better sense of what we’ll be doing there. It made the whole trip very real—almost felt like we were on our way. And, in fact, it won’t be long now. We leave next Friday! After our meeting, we went upstairs to grab some leftover cheesesteaks, then headed to La Columbe for some coffee and more hang time (we’re getting good at this spending time together thing!). We stopped back at the park to sit for a few minutes, where I snapped the end of my roll of film from the wedding.

After evening service, I returned my friend Joyce’s cat carrier to her. She is my ever gracious friend, who lets me borrow the carrier on the rare occasion I actually take my cat to the vet! Then, a bunch of us the wandered the streets searching for sustenance. Actually, three of us got ice cream, and everyone else real food, and we reconvened in a circle at Rittenhouse Square. The night was gorgeous, and we just sat and chatted til about 10:15.

Monday, the fourth of July, was my All-American day. Seriously, it was the real deal. Sarah and I joined a bunch of friends for a BBQ at the guy’s house in Germantown, where we ate, and talked, and tossed football, and played street wiffle ball off their front porch. Classic. Then, we caravanned (is that a word?) over to another friend’s house, where we played about six volleyball games before jumping into the pool to cool off. Ate a quick dinner and rushed (seriously—we were like a secret service caravan of cars speeding through the suburbs to catch our train into the city) to the station. We made it to the Parkway by the Art Museum in time to catch the end of the parade (it was ok). At 8:30 the Celebrate Freedom concert began with Bryan Adams. He was followed by Rufus Wainwright, Patti LaBelle, and finally Elton John, who sang the longest version of Rocketman ever. Seriously, he ended the song four times. In general the concert was so-so, but the fun was being there with so many other people. We had fifteen in our group, but we added about 8-10 more throughout the night. Fireworks finally went off at 11pm and were a nice display—I’ve never been that close to the display at the Art Museum—usually I see if from the highway on my way home! We joined the hordes leaving the area, and got to the train station in time to get our train back. We didn’t have to pay either way—the train was too jammed for the conductors to get around. Sarah and I got home at about 12:45—a long day, but so enjoyable. Food, sports, friends, music, fireworks—a great 4th!

My posts are few and far between these days. I had a great time at the baby shower for robyn, enjoyed a lovely day on Saturday with Steph and Gary at their final yard sale. They managed to get rid of quite a few things, although there was still a lot left when I headed out. And, beside two lovely chairs, I got a sunburn. That’s what I get for not wearing sunscreen on a beautiful sunny day. I’m still a nice shade of pink.

Time is moving quickly towards our departure abroad–just three weeks and a few days before we take off. It’s been fun to get to spend more time with the team members, and that time is making me really look forward to our time away together.

I’m posting just to say I posted, I think.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend one of the best weddings I’ve been to in a while. If you know me at all, you know that I like things to be simple, but meaningful. Jason and Nicole, two future “workers” overseas, met this year in training in Dallas, and got engaged in February. The wedding on Saturday was a joyous celebration of their love and the covenant love of God. The bridesmaids carried oil lanterns to symbolize the aniticpation of the return of the Bridegroom. They had six friends read from 1 Corinthians 13 in six different languages–none of which was English. Most of the music was beautiful hymns–the bride walked down the aisle to Praise My Soul the King of Heaven, and we (the congregation) got to sing one of my favorite hymns, How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place.

We went right upstairs to fellowship hall for a simple reception with international desserts, fruit, nuts, coffee, and punch. My friend Joyce, created several beautiful floral arrangements–she is so talented!–and managed to make the reception run effortlessly. It was a quick reception, but everyone was having a great time, catching up, chatting, laughing. Further confirmation to my theory that sit-down receptions are NOT necessarily better (and have the potential to be worse).

At 9:30, they left to the light of sparklers (a good idea in concept, although not as beautiful in execution–smoke inhalation and sparks near flammable clothing . . .).

Many blessings to Jason and Nicole!

I believe I can officially consider myself a Philadelphian.

After nearly 11 years of living in this city, I have experienced the true joy of being a city taxpayer. Yes, that’s right, my stereo was stolen out of my car Tuesday night. It was parked right on my street, too. I’ve parked in much “worse” sections of the city, and never had an issue.

But, the temptation of the 17 CD set of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was clearly too much for the vandal, and he (or she) deftly unlocked my car and took it, along with my CD player. If I hadn’t checked the CD set out of the library, I wouldn’t be so upset. It’s more a hassle to have to replace it for them than anything else. No broken windows, no stolen music CDs (guess they didn’t like my taste), no stolen registration or license.

But, I feel that I belong now. I have my urban story. I am a city dweller.

Maybe I’ll even get around to reporting it to the police one of these days.

seriously, i’m sitting in a starbucks, typing into my ibook laptop, using a wireless internet connection (thanks lara! it worked!). and, i’m in the suburbs. but i live in the city, really i do.

and the most american thing? i’m typing a BLOG entry!

i feel like should get into an suv when i leave this place.

but, then i remember that i have charged certain friends to shoot me if i ever have an suv. another bullet dodged.

the laptop is mainly so that i can do my summer writing from home with a bit more ease and enjoyment. it will allow me to check my email too without going to the local library, although i may stop by there anyway. where else would i find the latest copy of harry potter or lemony snicket?

i’ve noticed one thing about this blogging thing–if you get out of the habit (or skip several weeks) it’s hard to know where to begin. if you hadn’t noticed, i’m having a little trouble focusing my thoughts this fine evening. partially, that’s because i have limited time so i don’t want to write a long, detailed entry, but i feel this pressure to write something meaningful since it’s been so long.

so, let me tell you about my trip. last summer, i got to spend 10 days there with a large (50) team from church. it was a wonderful trip, allowing me to see the beautiful country, but also to begin to get to know some of the people there. i’m thrilled that i have the opportunity to return this summer. i knew that a smaller trip was going to happen–i sat in and took notes at the meeting where it was discussed. (by the way, you should try taking notes at a meeting there–i never felt so American, with my trying to outline things, and determine goals, agendas. it just doesn’t work there, and that’s not a bad thing!) i figured that the group would be made up primarily of college and career aged people from Tenth, and although I do have a career, it seems I don’t really categorize myself that way. But, my ways are not the Father’s and I have (happily) joined the team. This time, instead of travelling all over the countryside, we’ll stay in just two cities and really have time for getting to know the people and the culture. there are fourteen people on the team, including me, and i only become more excited as we get to know each other further. we’ve been meeting regularly just to hang out and talk, and that has been so good. it’s not a novel idea, it’s not something i was unaware of, but something that i don’t think i really believed ten years ago that just spending time with people was so important. that might explain the fact that i didn’t attend my 10th college reunion this past weekend.

I just bought my own personal laptop (yay for ibooks!), so I might actually post more often.

For now, you should check out this fun matching game. Work quickly or the flood and lightning will come.

Speaking of exercise, today is the beginning of the running events at the Penn Relays, so campus is crowded with track teams from around the area and country. Past and future Olympians will be participating–it’s a big deal around these parts, appropriately. It’s been a long time since my high school track days, but I always enjoyed spring track meets, especially as we moved into late April, early May when the weather was warm and we got to leave school early to get to the meets on time.

I joined the track team on a whim in ninth grade. My sport had been field hockey, which I began playing in fourth grade and continued through the end of high school. Track, on the other hand, was not something I had ever considered. At my high school, anyone could join the team. A friend of mine was a jumper and thought I might want to give it a whirl. I remember the first practice with all the stretches and calisthenics, and then the decision time came. We had to decide that day which events we were interested in, so I figured since I didn’t like to run at all, I should try something like jumping or throwing. I ended up spending four years as a discus thrower (with some javelin and shot put on the side). I made it to districts a few times, but my high point was probably sophomore year when I was chosen as “Most Improved” for the team. A far cry from the success of the Penn Relays participants. Fond memories, though–the long bus rides (we sometimes competed with teams over 90 minutes away), the fun at McDonalds on the way home (who thought fast food was a good thing for athletes to eat?), the excitement of contributing points to the team’s efforts, and the cheering for the final events especially if our winning meant the difference in the meet.

someone needs to go with me to the gym and stop me from doing extra lunges and squats when i’ve completed my sets but think i haven’t worked the muscles hard enough.

it’s no good to exercise when you can barely walk the next day.

pass the tylenol, please.

I hit the most perfect weekend weather in north carolina, I do believe.

70ish on Saturday, and must have been 80 on Sunday. What gorgeous blue skied days to enjoy with my friend Dawn. (you know, my music friend, the one I met at a concert before we started staying in touch via the internet).

The weekend started off well, because despite a delayed flight, I sat across the aisle from an Eagles player Darwin Walker. Of course, on the flight, I didn’t know who he was, only that he was an Eagles player since another traveller bought a hat and had him sign it.

Saturday was spent shopping for party supplies and food for Dawn’s roommate’s birthday party on Sunday evening. Fun times–we had to go to all three grocery stores, because Dawn, like me, is a bargain shopper. Oh, plus, we visited the Carrboro Farmer’s Market! I recommend it.

We got done in plenty of time to head down to Franklin St in Chapel Hill, which was a little overcrowded with all the UNC fans buying NCAA Championship t-shirts and such. I was even color coordinated with the fans in my blue gingham top (although I didn’t realise this until I was surrounded by seas of Carolina blue). We headed to Greensboro to meet up with a group of (shh!) internet friends. We met at Steak N Shake, because I wanted a shake, and they have great service. Well, the first is true, at least. Our waitress made more mistakes than seemed possible, but we were there for three hours, so I guess we deserved it. It was such fun to catch up a bit with folks, laugh a lot, recommend terrible first dance songs to Brandon and Sarah for their wedding in July.

Dawn’s church meets Sunday evenings, so we had the morning to finish preparing for the b-day party. Sunday afternoon we went to Weaver Street Market, where we sat outside in the sun and shade and chatted and played cards. Church was good–lots of i-grace hymns and communion, where everyone comes up front for the bread and wine. I like that because it really makes the community of the saints more tangible (although I understand how impossible it’d be at a church as big as Tenth–or would it? anyone go to a big church where they do this?).

The party afterwards was a big success–I’m still amazed at how many people fit into Dawn and Katie’s apartment. I met some fun folks–I can see why Dawn enjoys her church family.

So, Pittsburgh, North Carolina . . . what’s next weekend? How about the caribbean? yes, I’m heading to Grenada next weekend for five days. Poor, poor, pitiful me.

so, pittsburgh is a fun city. the sun even shone. my conference was just fine. but the best part was getting to leave the conference each night and drive to mike and robyn’s house! it’s so much more fun to visit cities where you know people. we went to this great restaurant called Church Brew Works. it’s a gorgeous old brick church that’s been converted into a brewery and restaurant. the outside still looks like a church and even when you walk in the front door, there is a narthex that still has the feel of an old church. it’s not until you push the door to the eating area that you are struck with the sacreligiosity. check this out: they’ve kept the beauty of the church building, while creating a delightful place to enjoy a meal. it feels a little weird walking down the center aisle to your table, and if you go, be sure to request the bar menu so you can get the buffalo burger or the pulled pork sandwich. the stained glass is gorgeous, and the pipe organ is still in place. read the history section of the website if you get a chance. they brew very nice beers–i chose the blast furnace stout, but Mike got the sampler.

if you ever get to the ‘burgh, be sure to stop at this fun spot. if you’ve ever visited tenth presbyterian, you’ll be struck by the resemblance in architecture as well.

i’m off to pittsburgh for a few days. no april fool’s joke here. i get to go to a conference, and see my brother and sis-in-law.

I don’t usually write about relationships. In fact, I don’t think I have in my year of having a blog. But, I was talking with a friend last night about relationships, and knowing about “the one.” In thinking about dating and figuring out if the person is “the one” she realized that when we talk to married couples who say “I knew this was the guy/girl I was supposed to marry from that first day, or by the second week/month/whatever” it makes perfect sense. They have the enormous benefit of hindsight. They’re married, so of course the person was the one. The giddy feelings early in a relationship turned into the reality of love. And, that (do not get me wrong here) is wonderful!

But what about relationships that don’t work out? Do they talk about those? Were there not some of the same initial feelings? Why else would you have gone on the second date or continued the relationship for several months? Because you thought the person was worth knowing, because you saw something in them that you were attracted to (whatever your list of qualities might be), because maybe, just maybe, you thought they were “the one.” Or, you weren’t sure, and you thought it would be worth giving a chance, because you didn’t really buy into “the one” theory anyway.

ps. my vision is really bad. even my hindsight isn’t 20/20.

I was going to title this post “it’s been a while” and then I did a quick google search on that, and realized that everyone and his sister starts their post that way when they haven’t posted recently.

No apologies.

Since I last wrote . . .

1. I found out my brother Mike and his wife Robyn are expecting a baby, due in early September.

2. I am definitely going back to the Middle East this summer. July 15-26th. This will be a future entry, I trust.

3. I’ve seen a fun movie Bride and Prejudice, an adaptation of Austen’s work by the same director of Bend It Like Beckham. It’s a light and fluffy homage to Bollywood and Austen. I highly recommend it.

4. I’ve helped cater three large dinners, and attended a financial planning seminar. Did you know that Jesus talks more about money than heaven and hell? I did not. I don’t come to the conclusion that money is therefore more important than those things, however. Do you have a written budget? I’ve gotten a little away from doing that over the past few months, and it really makes a difference. It’s a good test of my discipline to watch where my dollars are going each month, so I’ll be pulling out a new excel sheet this week.

5. Despite the craziness of my work schedule, I’ve managed to get to the gym more than usual. This is in no small part because my roommate Sarah joined my gym, so I have a buddy to go with. It’s amazing the difference that makes—she even makes me try new machines.

6. I’m deep into practicing for Mozart’s Requiem, which my choir is performing on Good Friday evening. That’s March 25, in Philadelphia, for all those who’d like to come. It’s free, and should be a great evening of music.

7. Oh, and my bible study switched to a new songbook, which includes lots of the indelible grace hymns, as well as some other good newer songs. There are still a few poorly written songs in there, like the one I just couldn’t bring myself to sing last week. “Draw me close to you. Never let me go. Etc. etc” No reference to why in the world I’d want to be drawn near, and no acknowledgement of the fact that He will never let me go and that He’s already drawn me near. In fact, I don’t think the song really mentions God at all. I could sing it about my boyfriend just as easily—well, only if I had one, I suppose. Digression—the point was that the change in songbook was primarily a positive one!

today is a rare day in the year. i had to come to the office on saturday to finish up some statistics before monday morning. my job is pretty much 9-5 with a few evening programs, and the flexibility to work at home several days a week over the summer. i never come in on weekends. but today i did. and now i’m enjoying the quiet of the office and the actual time to post something to my blog!

i’m heading home soon, so don’t worry! i have a tea this afternoon with a bunch of my friends from choir. then, sharon and i are driving to frederick, maryland to meet up with a bunch of folks for the caedmon’s call/andrew peterson show there. a late night it will be, but worth it! tickets are free since bryan got us on the guest list. i was planning to go anyway, but the free-ness makes the trip all the sweeter. i’m hopeful that andy will play his new song, Far Country, that he played at last night’s show in Richmond.

FAR COUNTRY

Father Abraham, do you remember when
You were called to a land and you didn’t know the way?
Cause we are wandering in a foreign land
We are children of the promise of the faith

And I long to find it
Can you feel it too?
That the sun that’s shining is a shadow of the truth

This is a far country
This is a far country
Not my home

In the dark of the night
I can feel the shadows all around me
Cold shadows in the corners of my heart
But the heart of the fight
Is not in the flesh but in the spirit
And the spirit’s got me shaking in the dark

And I long to go there
I can feel the truth
I can hear the promise of the angels of the moon

This is a far country
This is a far country
Not my home
Not my home

I can see in the strip malls and the phone calls
The flaming swords of Eden
In the fast-cash and the news flash
And the horn blast of war
In the sin-fraught cities of the dying and the dead
Like steel rock graveyards
Where the wicked never rest
To the high and lonely mountain
In the groaning wilderness
We ache for what is lost
As we wait for the holy God
Father Abraham
Father Abraham

And I long to go there
Out of this far country
Out of the far country
To my home
To my home

Out of this far country
This is a far, far country
Not my home

sharon and i are hoping to get a rendition of his ode to la hacienda, the mexican restaurant we visited in nashville. maybe after the show.

my morning routine was perhaps a bit different today, but that’s no excuse for forgetting to put on makeup, right? i went to the gym at 6am, and then decided to swing by the grocery store at 7am since we were out of milk and bread. so, yes, my routine was off by 15 minutes or so. but i completely forgot to put makeup on. i even remember thinking that was the next step of the day’s preparation, and then it completely slipped my mind. i remembered on the bus as i was looking at a picture of the oscar nominees for leading actress and realized how different they look in real life vs. on-screen.

in other news, i might be going on a trip again this summer! i need to decide soon, but i’ve been asked to consider going with a team of college and young career age folks from my church.

It’s been a while. The snowstorm was delightful. I had a great time introducing michaela and cameron to my snowy Philadelphia streets and season one of arrested development. It was fun to be snowed in with company! The quietness that comes with a heavy snowfall is delightful, and even digging out my car the next day was pretty fun.

There was an incident while I was digging my car out that made me laugh. The street is narrow and one way (as many streets in Philadelphia). It was not impassable, but it was no fun to drive on. a woman who was clearly uncomfortable driving in the snow was traveling at a reasonably slow pace down the street, when an emergency vehicle came down the wrong way on the street (now, there was no need to go the wrong way past a certain point on that street since there is an easy turn to get back to the main road). An impasse. I am aware that emergency vehicles are permitted to go through red lights, etc when their lights are on, but this vehicle’s lights were not flashing nor was there an audible siren.

The driver of the emergency vehicle was the rudest man ever. He not only cursed up a storm at this poor frightened woman (who, I remind you, was driving the correct way down the street where there was no pull off option), but he tried to get bystanders involved at yelling at her too. Thankfully, he was unsuccessful. She would have had to back out about 200ft to get out of the street, while he could have backed up 10 feet and turned to go the proper direction. He argued with her for a full 25 minutes, and then had the audacity to say to a bystander who tried to calm him down that he had a patient in the back so he could get upset. If he were really that concerned with the patient’s welfare, he could have backed out easily.

How often do I do the same thing? So convinced of my own way of thinking, I refuse to make even the smallest correction in my path. I push forward, forcing others out of my way, claiming someone else’s best interest is at stake, when it’s really my own stubbornness, my own interest. I wonder sometimes if I’ve grown at all from the days when my dad used to imitate me by saying, “I’m Chris. I’m right and you’re wrong!” I’m a quiet person. I don’t yell. I rarely appear angry. No one who saw the driver and who knows me would consider us similar. But I know myself. And I’m ever the more grateful for the blood that washes me whiter than the snow.

PS. The front gutter on my house fell off yesterday. Too full of ice, apparently.

so, a snowstorm’s coming. and i have company this weekend. good times. lots of hot drinks, movies, chili, and perhaps a good book are in order, i believe. getting a philly cheesesteak might be harder than i thought.

this is quite a change from last weekend when i was enjoying st. petersburg weather. cold for them was 65 degrees!

sorry i’ve been so slack in updating. either my life is boring or i’m really busy. i think i prefer to think it’s the latter.

aahh, it was nice to be away. christmas time when one works for a university means at least a week’s vacation, which i thoroughly enjoyed. i spent several days at home with the family, and received a gorgeous oil painting from my sister in law, robyn. i came home and immediately began searching for a perfect spot to hang it. i found a spot where it fit in my living room, but it’s not prominent enough. i want everyone to notice it when they walk in.

i had a few days at my house to get organized a little, clean some, go through my closet and get rid of clothes i never wear. purging is great. my grandfather gave me his bose wave stereo so i could get rid of the large cd changer/system. that helped me streamline my living room. and, after a number of months, my hallway project is coming to a close (i think!). we put the first coat of paint on it–it’s a warm color called amber waves (looks more like terracotta than fields of grain though). i love it and can’t wait til it’s all done and all the spackling stuff and tools are out of my room!

it feels good to have a fresh start for the new year, though. and, the week of vacation gave me lots of time to get to the gym. now if i can just stick with it.

is it possible to work out for three hours straight on wednesday night so i can watch lost then alias on the gym’s tv with good reception?

i’m thankful for:

breakfast this morning with my theology study group
a tiny space heater that actually makes my office warm
dinner with my cousin and her family tonight
all my christmas shopping done
visit from my brother and sister-in-law last weekend

and no, still no overview of the concert. read teamredd’s review (see links to the left)–i was sitting right next to them!

because i will write a post about the music later (promises, promises), you get a review of the food of the weekend. now, if you know me at all, you know how much i like to eat. and, i was with my two friends Sharon who are also fans of food. therefore, our main objective for the weekend was to eat good “nashville” food. in fact, eating lunch at panera was the low point because 1. it’s a chain, 2. it was packed with college students, etc), and 3. my bread bowl was not competely full of french onion soup.

for dinner on Saturday, we went to Rotier’s, a Nashville institution apparently (it’s been reviewed in Gourmet magazine) for some great cheeseburgers on French bread, fries, onion rings and to top it off, a chocolate milkshake split three ways. oh, yes, and some local yazoo ale. nice.

sunday, before church, we went to the pancake pantry, another nashville institution, if you believe their sign. we didn’t have to wait for a table because of the early hour. we had stopped by on saturday around 12:15 and the line was around the building. a little overpriced, in my book, for pancakes, but the sweet potato pancakes were excellent. i got the pecan pancakes, which were so-so. i ate two of sharon’s sweet potato ones, so it was all good.

after church, we travelled east of nashville to la hacienda highly recommended by eric peters and andrew peterson as the best mexican restaurant ever. after eating a huge steak burrito with excellent guacamole and salsa and yummy chips, washed down by a small, icy cold dos equis, i am inclined to agree with their assessment.

no dinner was necessary, although we did stop at fido for a great cup of coffee before the show. and, a nice guy let us take over his booth so we wouldn’t have to sit on the big stools in the corner.

monday morning, while listening to randall’s new cd (see previous post), we drove all around nashville after checking out of our hotel. we were looking for a good diner for breakfast and none appeared. no problem, we said, because we have great music and good fellowship! then, as we wound our way back towards our hotel, we made a quick turn and came upon the elliston place soda shop where we had a true southern breakfast with eggs, biscuits and gravy (no grits, thank you).

on this, my third trip to nashville, i feel like i’m getting to know the city pretty well, and heck, i’m already planning my meals forthe next visit.