peacefulshout

I...feel free

2011-05-21T14:10:00.005-04:00

Signs of summer... fresh air through screens, happy music blasting, bicycle rides to everywhere, smiles, lilac smells, motivation, local produce, rainy warmth, dirty contentment, pleasantly aching muscles.

to do or not to do

2011-04-18T17:24:00.004-04:00

to do: run, bicycle, do push-ups, do crunches, write the beginnings of a story, research bilingual education (dual immersion?), write new cover letter, do more laundry, do dishes, fill the goodwill bin, write Alena a letter (yes, by hand)

It is so easy to think of the many things waiting to engage my brain and body. I'm not even imagining my school 'to-do' list, because that stuff will 'get done' at school. However, these household 'to-dos' will not get done. Why? Because I find zero motivation after waking up to a snow-covered car. I feel no purposeful energy after coming home from a half-day training that covered everything that was already covered in the previous training. I lack any sort of drive to accomplish things when all I want to do is snuggle up under a blanket and find a relatively empty contentment... as in an EMPTY mind. I get tired of the daily racing-mind frustrations and today I opt for the opposite extreme, which sounds soooo incredibly lazy. Yet, on this COLD mid-April day, I am quite okay with my choice to do absolutely *nothing*. I'll get to my to-do list... tomorrow.

p.s. It helps to have a kitty and a hubby feeling the exact same way. The extent of our workout today will be the creation of a thai curry dinner (with some needy meowing thrown in by the feline friend).

please excuse this blog for hibernating (we're back!)

2011-04-13T19:28:00.005-04:00

Already mid-April? Time has been moving quickly, and of course, as we move into warm weather, my brain gets all discombobulated, thoughts going every which way. That fresh air rush of emotions to the mind... making me happy with a bittersweet base. We are in a good place.

Crazy job that I love in a crazy district that I laugh about and have learned to navigate. I've made a few friends at work, including one fantastic partner-in-crime. We seek out the good in our middle school world, encouraging the kiddos and spreading a 'positive' vibe. I often say to people that I'm lucky I'm old, and that I have years of experience, because otherwise this job would have suffocated me. But instead I was able to make it my own, even with no support or direction. Hmmm... I suppose it helped that I had the Abu Dhabi experience first-- couldn't get any more disorganized than that!

My hubby and the Bilbo cat snuggle me regularly, so I can say that home life is fantastic. Nate has been substitute teaching this year, and he is really good at it. He also scored high enough on the LSAT to qualify for a full-ride to law school at Cooley next year, so that will be a new adventure. Bilbo has gone from being the under-the-bed-only cat to a cat that cries sadly when I leave and sprints over to me when I get home. Mr. Bilbo Baggins Boy is quite possibly my best friend.

Friends! It's been especially fun to make some new down-to-earth friends here in Grand Rapids. People here seem more inclined to venture out or come over or have us over, and we do wine nights and game nights and bar nights. I'm definitely excited for this warmer weather so we can do more bicycling to friends' houses. We biked to a fun bar last weekend, and it was great to get the exercise and also feel that we were saving gas. Nate has been obnoxious (but yes, admirably so) all winter with his "I bicycle to school" gig; he refused to get dropped off at his sub jobs and instead opted to ride his bike ALL WINTER LONG. Awesome, most def, but obnoxious because he simply put me to shame. Maybe now warm weather will help me redeem myself.

I've also never fully known how nice it is to have family close by... Nate's folks are a half-hour away, my parents an hour away, and Nate's brother's family lives within walking distance. And it's just perfect. I feel a little lucky that we did our crazy brief UAE stint-- It made 'this' all the more valuable; 'this' being our space in time here in lower Michigan.

p.s. Follow this link to find a yummy recipe blog as well as a chance to enter and win the give-away; I was kind of excited about the mug I could win (it looks like a large one, quite pleasing to the hand)... So, add your comment to this blog entry, and we'll see who wins. The oopsitsvegan folks live in Ann Arbor, my old college town. :)
http://oopsitsvegan.blogspot.com/2011/03/national-pancake-dayand-give-away.html

...and a happy new year

2010-12-30T13:36:00.003-05:00

2010 comes to a close, and we are in a happy place that we never were really trying to find... which is a welcomed surprise. My job is fine (both vague and VAST, but I'm working on defining it), we have an awesome apartment in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids, we got a new cat Bilbo, Nate took the LSAT (awaiting results) and is subbing, and we are super close to family and friends on both sides. I guess sometimes surprises are good. :)

residual anxiety

2010-11-01T23:41:00.002-04:00

Lindsey asked me today if I have "residual anxiety" from my UAE experience. And I think it's funny that I didn't realize it until now. Let's look at the things I've been worrying about...

*Will the principal know I am coming on Wednesday?

*Will I have any guidance whatsoever?

*What if everyone hates that I don't speak Spanish as fluently as the other teachers?

*What if my paperwork doesn't get processed and I don't get paid?

*What can I plan for the day in order to be 'prepared' in every single possible scenario upon my arrival?

But don't worry, because I'm no longer worrying. After emailing the HR person to inquire about the situation Wednesday, I have learned that the Response to Intervention teachers (that's me!) will be meeting with the RTI Coordinator before going to our sites. We will get the full scoop on job expectations. (Wow, you mean they'll actually make sure I understand my job?)

And after Lindsey pointed out my anxiety (and commented how I have never shown anxiety in the past), I realized that indeed Abu Dhabi still haunts my brain, and I can leave it at that. It can haunt all it wants, but my mind is moving on to better things.

the little things

2010-10-20T16:16:00.003-04:00

cat stevens, fall leaves, smiling hubby, crisp almost-arm-swinging speedwalks, contemplative jogs, interviews already, kitty cat craziness, family time in both kzoo and gr, the lovely niece nora racing 'round the block, not being in the uae, songs songs songs, chill of winter waiting in the wings, new friends that were old friends (eric!), hopcat drinks, the best salads in the world, friends forever funny (jenny!), the giving tree (thanks to the ali b girl), and being 'me'.

culturally speaking...

2010-10-10T16:51:00.002-04:00

The following are things I heard in the UAE news, stories from fellow teachers' blogs, or tales from friends currently teaching in Abu Dhabi... I've changed all friends' names to either John or Jane to protect identities. It sounds strange to say that, but it's probably the reality that frightened me most-- that the UAE government seems to be able to do whatever it wants. It is most unsettling. As Nate says, even though here in the States the government upsets us on a regular basis, at least we have the "ideals" as a foundation... you know like free speech, innocent-until-proven-guilty, and all that. And so, here we go...

**John gets in a car accident (not his fault). The police say he has two choices... He can accept blame and pay a huge fine, or he can deny fault and spend a few nights in jail while they investigate.

**Jane gets hit, spit on, bitten, and her hair pulled during her regular work day. And the crazy thing is that this happens to other Janes too.

**John is asked to remove student work from the walls, because the principal finds it ugly.

**One day, a student accused John of hitting him in the eye. Luckily, another student knew enough English to say it wasn't true. The Arabic teacher told John, "God saved you today." The Arabic teacher said that if the police had come, they would have believed the lying student.

**A couple of Janes walked out of their school the other day because they have had no support. In this school kids have ganged up on other students, a student's eye was stabbed with a pencil and gushed blood, students climbed up dangerous shelving, and the Janes work together to cover classrooms because no one wants to be left alone with the students. They are afraid for their safety and the students' safety.

**John had a 45 minute meeting with his principal. The principal told him that he cannot use "discipline" or "consequences" in his classroom... CANNOT.

**A journalist spoke out about the practices of a newspaper (sexual favors in exchange for work, etc.)... He, the journalist, is being charged with "disparaging over the internet an English-language newspaper and accusing its management of being unethical and immoral."

**An Emirati man is sentenced to three months in jail for having consensual sex. He was accused of kidnapping and raping a Tunisian woman, but the courts evidently did not believe her.

(There are sooo many stories like the final one, even regarding young boys/girls being raped and then being blamed. Quite eye-opening, since the UAE is a very "progressive" middle-eastern country. I recommend keeping up on the crime section at www.gulfnews.com, simply because it can be both fascinating and frightening.)

Abu Dhabi in the distance...

2010-10-07T04:25:00.005-04:00

... and we are safely on American soil. Funny how I never referred to myself or things here as American before. Always felt that was too arrogant, since North and South America are bigger than just the US of A. But, over in the UAE, we are "Americans", and I've taken a liking to this, even to the extent of using a fake accent when I say it. But, all kidding aside, I am quite thankful that we were welcomed back to America.

As you could probably tell from previous posts, Nate and I entered this Abu Dhabi teaching adventure with the openest of minds. I embraced the go-with-the-flow pace of life, the endless sitting around and waiting, the chaotic organization of meetings and document-gathering/receiving. I didn't mind waiting 3 hours to get my med card or bank card... Well, maybe I minded just a little, but you didn't hear us complain. I was the perfect picture of someone who went over there with no expectations, as they keep telling people to do.

But after two weeks of nothing-getting-done-and-it's-okay, on the first day of school, I was thrown into my classroom with zero guidance (after being told there that our first two weeks of school would be planned out for us). And from that day forward, anxiety began to eat me alive.

Now, before I even begin with the details, I know there are people over in the UAE that are happy with their situations. Some people have good schools. I have noticed a lot of the folks enjoying their situations are in schools with western principals and a lot of western teachers. I'm also under the impression that most of the people who have stuck it out (or returned for their second year) are teachers who either have no choice financially, or have given up on the idea of 'really changing things'. They've accepted the system for what it is and are putting in their time.

The first couple of days at the boys' school, I tried to stay positive... trying new things, using different manipulatives, moving around a lot, singing songs, etc... to no avail. Very quickly, I moved into the state of mind that it had to be solely about the money, because I was *not* going to be able to teach using the western methodologies we were brought there to share. And finally, I realized that my mental and physical health deserved better... I refused to compromise myself professionally, even for a huge salary and luxury apartment.

The hardest, and most unexpected thing, was the behavior of my students, especially my Grade 2 group. At all times, there were students strangling, hitting, kicking, shoving, running, climbing, crawling, and destroying things. I have never seen anything like it in my life. Out of 24 students, I had 2 who behaved appropriately on a consistent basis (poor Amin and Hazza, right?!), probably 5 more who chose to behave occasionally, and about 15 students that ran wild and exhibited zero control. The strange thing for me was that I didn't connect to any of the out-of-control students.

Here in the States, I've had students that exhibit violent tendencies and deal with anger issues... I've had kids knock over desks and chairs, throw things, and bang their heads-- and typically those are kids that I've formed special relationships with, because they seem to need the most loving. In the UAE, it seems to be the culture causing the behaviors, not some deeper issue. Students would run around the school, knocking other kids around and avoiding teachers. They would bring 3 bags of junk food plus lollipops for their snacks. They would keep smiling, even when hit by an Arabic teacher.

As a plea for me to stay, they said they would put an Arabic teacher in my classroom. Well, for one, I didn't believe it would happen. A western teacher requested the same thing last year and is still waiting for them to follow through. And really, I wouldn't want an Arabic teacher in my room, at least not one from that school. The Arabic teachers suggested I "get a big stick" to control my students. They use hitting, twisting ears painfully, and smacking with a switch as their primary forms of behavior management. I wouldn't be able to stomach being around that every day.

Anyhow, back to the disrespectful behavior being a cultural thing... My friend Diana teaches kindergarten over there, and she had a parent ask her, "What's the difference between schools here and in America?" Diana told her, "In the States, the students don't usually hit the teachers, and they don't fight as much." The mom said, "Here we don't tell them no. They play how they want to play, eat how they want to eat. We don't say no this, no that." We confirmed her statements through observations of families at the malls.

Malls are a really big thing in Abu Dhabi; I went to the mall more during our time there than in the past year here at home. We've heard that malls provided a safe place for Emirati women to come out without their husbands constantly alongside them. Anyhow, at the mall, you will see children running wild. I saw a young boy hit his dad hard, and the dad did nothing. Nate saw kids kicking each other while wearing ice skates. And the arcade was full of children at 9:30 at night on a school night. And, actually, now that I think about it, Diana and I noticed that the malls seem to be a kids' paradise... TONS of play areas, lots and lots of junk food places, and crazy statues of kid stuff (Snow White, dinosaurs, and more). Most of the kids are raised by their nannies, so you'd mostly see the children with their mother and nanny, sometimes with their dads.

Each morning, before school, I would wake up around 4, stomach hurting and mind wishing the school day wouldn't arrive. Then, we'd get up and have breakfast, then I would cry as we said goodbye. Each afternoon, I'd come home and burst into tears. And so, instead of battling against a culture of wildly-behaving children, I decided to flee. And Nate supported my decision wholeheartedly, as he was not the biggest fan of the UAE.

Abu Dhabi was a strange place. We met many amazing people... but the amazing people we met were not from there. We saw some neat sights... but something doesn't quite fit when I'm more interested in the slums than the flashy new buildings. There's obviously a whole lot more to write about, but this entry needs to come to an end. Stay tuned for my next analysis.

adjusting

2010-09-10T14:49:00.003-04:00

The cultural part of our orientation offered up a good challenge... turning 'tolerance' into 'acceptance' and 'appreciation' through understanding. A lot of teachers here are going out to expat bars and the hotel restaurants (beyond our free breakfast buffet), and quite honestly, Nate and I are staying strong in our determination to save as much money as possible. I most definitely don't judge any of those teachers who are having fun and living it up '5-star hotel style'; what a great way to get to know other teachers! But it is simply not in our personal reality, at least for the time being.

Anyhow, the funny thing is that, because of our search for cheaper options, I think we are moving rather quickly into the acceptance and appreciation (well, maybe 'fascination') stages of this culture. For instance, in an effort to save money, we decided to try out the public bus system to see if we might use buses instead of taxis. A taxi ride costs about 14 dirhams to go to the Carrefour (the cheaper grocery store) and 14 to come back. A bus ride *anywhere* costs 1 dirham per person, making it a 4 dirham round trip for the two of us, so it's definitely the way to go if there isn't a time constraint. Anyhow, we rode the bus all around today with our friend Kim, and we gained some insights into the working world of Abu Dhabi. We walked the streets amidst sooo many Muslim men as we searched for a local place to eat (didn't find one open so ended up at Subway, but it was nice to be in a 'street' subway instead of a 'mall' subway)... We never once saw an Emirati woman on the bus or walking around neighborhoods; the only women we saw seemed to be of other nationalities, with most of them from India.

I feel like we sort of witnessed the 'innards' of Abu Dhabi, if that makes any sense. And it dawned on us that the more we walked, and the more we rode the bus, the more comfortable we became in our surroundings. We realized that our bodies seemed to be adjusting to the heat, and we weren't worrying about looking funny or out of place. Adapting doesn't require any huge epiphanies; it simply takes time. So, I am thankful that our financial circumstances (or perhaps I should say financial hopes, as we really just want to save instead of spend!) are leading us to being a bit more local in our activities... cheap Indian dinner, free football game, bus rides, and more.

superficial bits of wonderfulness ;)

2010-09-05T12:03:00.013-04:00

My mind is feeling too tired to get into depth on Abu Dhabi's grand educational reform (which we learned a lot more about today), so instead, I will ramble about the fancy stuff and the little things that make me happy inside... things like fresh juice at breakfast (pineapple, orange, mango, watermelon, and grapefruit!), a climate that works wonders for my complexion (all of my facial flaws are drying up and disappearing!), and setting the air conditioning at 21 C to comfortably snuggle beneath the duvet.

The city lights shine from the window wall of our hotel room at the Fairmont Bab al Bahr, and the cars pour into the lot... Ramadan evenings are very busy! I still can't get over the beauty of our hotel; never have I stayed in any place remotely like this. It is simply beautiful everywhere you look.

We walked to the Souk down the road this evening after swimming and lounging by the pool for a bit. The souk is like a fancy mall-ish place (see photos below), and we bought some cheap snacks from the deli and some hummus to have with our bell pepper bargains (from Carrefour, 4- with only 1 green- for what would be less than 2 u.s. dollars). A light breeze made the temperature somewhat comfortable for the walk home.

The signage here is so clear... I found it funny that I was so impressed by it, but really, they have everything marked so well in both English and Arabic, and often with pictures. For driving, this will be a welcomed sight! I also appreciated the "exit" signs here-- no words, simply a picture of a person opening a door with an arrow, lit up green. It just seems more universal (obviously) than our 'exit' signs in the States where people have to read. Nate also remarked on the fact that U.S. money is horrible for people who are visually impaired, since all of the bills are the same size. Here, the bills are different sizes.

Our shopping experience at the Marina Mall was... interesting. I was pleased that Carrefour (which they say is similar to a Walmart) has a stellar selection of fresh produce (photos below of Carrefour shopping); having heard it was the 'cheap' spot to shop, I imagined a lower quality. Not that I've seen anything else to compare it to, but this selection was indeed fantastic, so the Carrefour part of the mall trip was successful. As you can probably imagine, Nate and I are not the biggest mall 'fans'... In the case of Marina Mall, I found it interesting architecturally (as I find most everything here, including overpasses, bridges, and walls), but the shops were definitely not up our alley. Not the biggest buyers of Guess, Dior, Tiffany & Co., or Gucci products. ;) BUT- If we feel like going ice skating, the mall is the place to be.

(yummy fruit and spices!)

In spite of the crazy fanciness of it all, a line from the musical I've always dreamed of starring in comes to mind... "I think I'm gonna like it here." (can you name that musical? and yes, I know I could no longer play the lead.) :)

and the journey continues

2010-08-30T22:53:00.005-04:00

I really feel that my life has been on-the-go since meeting Nate... crazy bicycle trip, fun homeless summer, and now we are on our way to Abu Dhabi. We fly out of Detroit (short flight to O'Hare) this Thursday afternoon, then Chicago to AD that evening. When we arrive it will be evening the next day in the UAE (but only around noon here!). Jet lag will be our enemy for a while, I suppose. This life of journeying feels good. Especially happy to be taking it outside the United States. Going, going, and finally almost gone. But we'll be back... occasionally. :)

while we wait

2010-08-23T11:39:00.002-04:00

I thought perhaps I'd put a photo of my "happy face" (courtesy of Lindsey Steffes, photographer extraordinaire), as a reminder that I need to stay positive as I wait and wait for the flight info. :)

Visas are held up in the Abu Dhabi Immigration Offices, not because of any bad things, but I imagine simply because it's Ramadan, and the pace of life has slowed, and meeting the supposed 'needs' of impatient Americans is probably not their top priority. So, it looks like the last folks will be getting to the UAE in early September, and that includes me.

And so, I'm going to keep this Hoxeyville smile on my face for another week or so.

a backwards glance...

2010-08-17T15:05:00.003-04:00

So, Nate and I visited Detroit this past weekend. Stayed at Larry's, and Heather joined us for the evening too! I told Nate that I used to make it to Larry's at least twice a year, but it had really been a while, so I'm glad we made the trip.

Anyhow, it got me thinking about my Markley friends... Larry and Heather were RA's with me at U of M (Markley was the dorm), along with many other fabulous friends, and most of us are still close. Honestly, I think it was a very rare, lucky thing that we all connected so strongly. Kind of dorky, but really, quite perfect. We would eat endless lunches and dinners in the cafeteria, and I don't think I have ever laughed that hard for that long that often. What an amazing year; I think it was the 99-00 school year. The RA's on-duty would meet late in the evening, and somehow a large group of us would manage to show up for some laughs before bed. We held the Best Damn Karaoke Jam Ever, and the famous Condom-Mania (complete with a dirty "soundtrack" of songs from the early 90's), and we spent our orientation week playing Mafia late into the night. And in the following years, we had weddings to attend together (including Amy and Matt's... RA marries Resident Computer Geek!), and we try to meet each winter for our annual gathering.

And so, here's to us, Markley Gang! I love you guys-- Larry, Heather, Jen, Matt, Amy, Katacia, Erin, Steve, Dana, etc.!

going, going... not quite gone

2010-08-16T11:08:00.000-04:00

Still in that holding pattern... No ticket yet (perhaps that's not a big surprise), but the good surprise is that Nate is most likely going to fly out with me! At first I thought it may have been a fluke in the first travel group (that spouses got tickets too), but then it was confirmed by the ADEC email. Sooo, Nate and I should be on a flight together by the 28th of this month!

The ping-pong table is still covered with my travel piles... carry-on section, clothing for checked luggage, and "other stuff" for checked luggage. Still need to do the power-of-attorney thing for my dad, let banks know we'll be going overseas, and get vpn witopia for the computer. I also want to go through the storage unit stuff again to be sure I didn't miss any teaching materials. I'll make a small box of things my mom could ship me if I discover I want them. We aren't bringing any extra luggage beyond our allotment. If you go over the weight requirement or add extra bags, you can end up paying a lot extra.

I went for a short "sprint" around the block as it was getting dark last night. I am anxious to get back in shape... This waiting-for-flight-info time has been poorly utilized by me! I've become a couch potato, only instead of watching t.v., I can't tear myself away from the computer. So, I'll do another run today, and maybe a workout video? I'm going to do crunches and push-ups everyday too. And perhaps my dad will go play disc golf or mountain bike with me this week.

the unspoken

2010-08-11T11:56:00.003-04:00

So, I just posted a thing on facebook (oh, the horror) that might anger a few of my fb friends. And, I think it's rather wimpy of me that I haven't mentioned "this" before to many people. Even though I've always welcomed political debate, I feel like "this" is different... It gets my heart racing, my gut sinking, and tears rise up. Because really, it's ignorance. And soooo often, I think we (or maybe just I) let ignorance slide... We chalk it up to someone growing up in a small town, watching only certain news stations, and not seeing the world. We say, oh, well, that's because his/her parents were way worse than that, so somehow that's okay. Or we might say, "welcome to northern michigan". But I'm done with that. The thing she said was horrifying (she told it to my hubby Nate, who willingly engaged in a verbal battle with her, full of facts), and I do wish that she would have said it to my face.

This is it... Apparently, according to this acquaintance, I am going over to Abu Dhabi in order to teach English so that "they" can more easily infiltrate our country. And you know, when Nate told me about it originally, I laughed at the absurdity. But it's just continued to eat away at me, because I know that there must be a lot of people that think that way (but simply don't say it out loud). I mean, this person I am talking about is an educator... That's how I know her. It makes me want to vomit.

And what's funnier (if you can say that)... is that really Abu Dhabi has its act together. They *know* that they are going to run out of oil one day, and they are preparing for that by investing in education. They are spending a TON of money on their schools and teachers. I am honored to be heading to a country that values what I do so much, because the U.S. is certainly falling behind in that respect.

the weirdness of done

2010-08-09T12:49:00.005-04:00

This going-away-thing subtly exposes realities, like true friends and homeplaces. What I'll miss, who will miss me, how ideas of time differ from person to person... My time, this time, our little bit of time.

People's priorities in part reveal their heart; what matters most, what can wait for later, what memories are made. I am thankful for this going-away-thing; thankful for kindred spirit friends who make time, thankful for the many homeplaces we've found along our summerway.

...and anxiety hits!

2010-08-01T20:30:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I am totally comfortable with ending up in another country soon, and I'm totally comfortable with not knowing anyone upon arrival (and relaxing in a lovely hotel room!). However, I am FREAKING out at the sudden reality that my time is now limited. It is August 1st, and I could be flying out the 8th or anytime after. The likely date is the 10th, as ADEC mentioned that date specifically for the first group, and I'm feeling like I'll probably be in the first group (because I interviewed so early, and my paperwork has been processed). ACK!

Therefore, I am declaring tomorrow a day of action. Secretary of State to change address (so I can get my international driver's license from AAA right after that), shopping with mom (nice sandals, book for plane, favorite pens), go through clothes and put in piles (take, storage, for-nate-to-take-if-he-has-room), figure out which school manipulatives/supplies will fit in luggage, fill out power-of-attorney-ish form for Dad, finish getting EVERYTHING on the new laptop, write thank-you notes and letters to students (I got 3 lovely letters from my old students!).

So, until tomorrow, I will try to breathe deeeeeeeply and RELAX. I'll hug my kitty cat Lucy, and I'll finish the trilogy I've been reading (that is way too big to take with me!). And then I'll sleep well to be ready for tomorrow, my day of action. :)

how lovely is this nothingness that is everything

2010-07-21T21:05:00.004-04:00

The title of this blog entry is a phrase that came to mind while we were in the Upper Peninsula just outside of Paradise... I'm not sure if I'd heard it somewhere before, or if it's something I came up with on my own, but either way, I love its truth. "How lovely is this nothingness that is everything." We were in a place that felt like the middle of nowhere, and it filled me with happiness.

We are homeless by choice this summer, always with the option of staying at our parents' homes or crashing with amazing friends (thank you, betsy, phil & becky, nancy, and jenny!) or chillin' in our home-sweet-tent. My car is a disastrous mess of biking gear, clothing, and random finds. We have stinky clothes, because even though we tend to bring a lot with us, we feel most comfortable in biking tops and running shorts... And I always seem to wear the same t-shirt and skirt when I do "dress up". So, we bring a delightful earthy smell with us everywhere we go. :) The car smells a bit vinegar-y on top of the exercise odor, because a bottle of kombucha exploded while we were on beaver island... oops.

I recently learned that Americans breathe much more quickly than some other developed nations. An educated friend informed us that one country's citizens (I cannot recall which one) average 8 breaths in a minute, while we average something like 15 or more. Soooo, I have started slowing down my breathing, and amazingly, it has helped me "let go" of the small stuff more easily. Breathing deeply settles the soul, it seems.

Nate's band played at the Beaver Island Music Festival last weekend, and it was such a fantastically relaxing environment... All of the motorists waved at us happily as we bicycled to the festival (such a change from the mainland's dirty looks!), and the pace of life was slow. And soon I will post a couple of photos to show you the beauty of the forest setting!

Last night, we sat on the dock with Jenny and Will, overlooking Cedar Lake (jenny's family's cabin!) and the darkening sky lit up with pinkish lightning blobs. It lasted for probably 3 hours before any rain came, so I imagine we must have sat there from about 9 until midnight, in awe of nature's beauty and power.... And don't worry, we laughed a lot too. :)

i want to ride my bicycle, i want to ride my bike...

2010-06-15T22:03:00.001-04:00

(queen fun song, if you didn't notice)

So, we cruise up to GR and up north on Saturday, then depart from Kalkaska on a bicycle trip... We have about two weeks to head up to the Upper Peninsula and tour around there, then back down to the Kalkaska/TC area. I am very very excited and ready for some time with minimal possessions-- Just my man, our bicycles, a tent, and no luxuries. LOVE IT.

downsizing life

2010-05-28T20:24:00.004-04:00

Funny to realize how little most possessions actually matter. We have been steadily stocking Goodwill for the past 3 months. The boxes come and go from the kitchen, and the cats take full advantage of new cozy sleep spots. We keep the essentials: books, movies, photos, and very few decorative items. I am continuously appalled by my wardrobe, which maintains a status of HUGE despite the many clothing-filled boxes given away. Old t-shirts lead to the greatest separation anxiety, and luckily they have helped us pack up wine glasses safely (any excuse to avoid saying goodbye to the soft comforting tees).

Another tricky thing is categorizing our "keeps"... Storage unit for next two years, storage unit only until we leave for the UAE, keep up here but only until school is out, storage unit but only until we bicycle away from K-zoo in mid-June, etc. It overwhelms my brain at times.

I

2010-04-29T19:24:00.005-04:00

"It's no use trying to pretend that mostpeople and ourselves are alike.

Mostpeople have less in common with ourselves than thesquarerootofminusone.

You and I are human beings; mostpeople are snobs."

-e.e. cummings

Here I am, and this is what you've got... Me. Simple me, quirky me, chaotic me, watching you, watching me.

Funny how I thought everyone would think badly of me when I made these crazy life decisions to change, change, change. I imagined people looking down on me, wishing bad, making fun. And instead people have applauded me, encouraged me, and embraced my Change.

I began searching for the Why and discovered my luckiness in the midst of this adventure-ready peace of mind... Luckiness becacuse I indeed have managed a re-do in a world where everyone is afraid to confront mistakes. Yes, most of my friends are supportive because they love me, but there are definitely a number of people who applaud me simply because I courageously accepted my do-over opportunity. I was brave enough to acknowledge my unhappiness and change direction. And now, here I am, choosing to live life a little more selfishly, seeking out happiness.

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people that have come alive."
-Howard Thurman

where in the world??

2010-04-04T11:23:00.004-04:00

I realized that last map was probably a bit zoomed in for some of you to actually be able to visualize Abu Dhabi/Al Ain's location in the Middle East, so here's a better one...

small scoop

2010-04-03T15:55:00.007-04:00

**Al Ain is the small city directly east of Abu Dhabi on the border of Oman!**

So a lot of you have been asking for "the scoop" on our future in the UAE and our upcoming adventure in the Middle East, with an estimated departure date of August 2010. The contract has now been signed, scanned, delivered (by email)! (Hopefully you got that little motown reference.) I will be teaching for 2 years in Al Ain (the guy who interviewed me said we'd like Al Ain best) for the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC). I will teach early elementary (probably first grade).

Nate and I are both free spirits, in a sense, and neither one of us is deeply in love with winter... So, we decided to search for opportunities overseas. The ADEC opportunity was the best one in many ways. Most well-paying overseas gigs are in private schools, which I didn't want. Even though I will still probably be teaching a lot of rich kids, at least they will be locals who can teach me tons about their culture! I found the ADEC teaching positions listed on the Teach Away website: www.teachaway.com Teach Away is the recruitment agency for ADEC.

Anyhow, although it seems kind of insane for the two of us to be heading to the richest area of the world, the experience should be pretty incredible... They are undergoing huge educational reform (which is exciting and challenging), Nate and I get to learn Arabic, there are outdoorsy things to do (desert camping, mountains in Oman, camel rides...), we'll experience life in a Muslim country, I'll still be teaching in a public school system, and we'll be able to save an amazing amount of money (so that we can then buy our plot of land somewhere and a yurt!). Plus, I figure if we make some good money working the richest area of the world, we'll then be able to travel and volunteer in some of the poorest areas of the world.

pinch me please?

2010-03-23T18:30:00.005-04:00

Please ignore the university logo at the top of the page... Instead, please feast your eyes on the surrounding landscape and images. This is Al Ain, a city Nate and I may soon call "home".

I intend to keep you posted.

My interview was absolutely amazing yesterday... or else I wouldn't be on here teasing you with bits of the UAE.

So, consider this an invitation to be patient and stay tuned.

MLK, Jr. quotation

2010-01-16T00:34:00.003-05:00

"In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends"

Each day if I have nothing in particular to write about, I think I shall search for a quotation that strikes a chord or at least makes me contemplate. I like this one, because today we did some chatting about Martin Luther King, Jr.... How he encouraged people to use words instead of fists and love instead of hate. My first graders really seemed to get that message. One of them even made a connection to another story we had read (4 feet, 2 sandals i think it was called, about a refugee camp in afghanistan), where the girls were not allowed to go to school but the boys were. I think the idea of "unfair laws" is a grasp-able concept. The Discovery Education streaming video I found was totally age-appropriate... A good pre-cursor to the book "Martin's Big Words". If anything, I have more kids verbalizing the fact that everyone should get along and make an effort to be nice to each other. One of my girls said, "I like it when people are nice to me, so I think I should be nice to everybody."

dry.

2010-01-10T10:34:00.002-05:00

While reading Dry., by Augusten Burroughs, I came to a part that immediately brought tears to my eyes. A woman is at an AA meeting with Augusten sharing her story-- how she was diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to many other areas of her body. She is talking about the alcoholism in this next section, but I truly think it can apply to us with regards to anything that we are spending time on that isn't "right" for us (like an unhealthy marriage, or bad habits, or jobs people hate)...

""When he told me I had maybe four months to live, my very first thought was, I'm going to go get sloshed at Old Town Pub. But then I thought, I am not going to die a drunk. I am going to try to live the best I can. And that means as somebody who is sober. You see, even though back when I was drinking I thought nothing bad ever happened to me, something did. Time passed. A lot of time passed. In bars, at parties with people I didn't care for. It was always the drink. It wasn't about love or reading the Sunday paper in bed. Or housebreaking a puppy. Or anything that people call 'life'. It was about drinking. So actually, something bad, very bad, did happen to me. I wasted my life. And now, what little I have left, I want.""

And I think maybe it made me get teary-eyed because I know how that feels. Don't we all really? Doesn't everyone at some point find themselves facing their choices? I am just so thankful that I chose to make my life more like the life I want to live.

The book is good, by the way. And Magical Thinking is his short-story book that I absolutely loved... totally laugh-out-loud funny.

15 months ago

2010-01-08T21:11:00.006-05:00

Just found a journal entry from October 5, 2008...

"Not feeling well today; is it illness, allergies, or the blues? Throat + tummy hurt, didn't get anything done.

Making my playlist because somehow I find solace in song. The aches of my inner mind unfolding in melody. Does everyone find themselves here? Wondering how we became ourselves and if it's true to our souls?

I am lonely. Fake Plastic Trees is on now. And I can identify because it wears me out to be me in a spot I might not want to be."

I like the last line. And 15 months later, I am happy to report that I am feeling quite the opposite today.
.

pet bliss

2009-11-10T17:35:00.005-05:00

Obviously the pets don't mind the mess of us still unpacking boxes and cluttering the house. Lucy especially seems to be incredibly at ease! :)

November mood

2009-11-04T18:35:00.002-05:00

snow, rain, snow, sun, clouds, light, dark, sweaters, leaves, winter hats, heat blasting, toasty blankets, foggy breath, chilly rides, early sunsets...

Every year I find myself loving this transition from autumn into winter, my mind mixed in flurries of past and present smells and sounds, feeling the briskness of air with each breath.

2009-11-02T18:47:00.003-05:00

Back from hibernation...

We had a most smurfy Halloween! And can I just say, I love Nate to pieces and am so happy to have met someone willing to go on adventures with me and enjoy the littlest moments in life.

I've become more aware of the people that I'm lucky to know... friends, family, colleagues. Despite being ill for a lengthy amount of time (bronchitis, asthma stuff, early pneumonia), I am really trying to appreciate the litlte lucky things about each day.

wishing backwards

2009-09-10T20:02:00.010-04:00

looking back and missing it

catching up

2009-08-30T21:13:00.003-04:00

So I most certainly neglected this blog during the last bits of our biking journey... And, I don't feel much like recapping at the moment, so it will have to wait. Also, I lost my camera battery charger at some point, so there are many photos awaiting upload. Perhaps once I get a new battery, I will also be "recharged" and ready to share the splendid stories of the journey's end!

But for now, let's consider this a quick catch-up. Catching you up to the crazy newness in my life!

A little over a week ago, Nate got word about a job in Cadillac as piano accompanist for the high school choir classes (they have 5!). So, he did a couple of phone interviews with the director (who had seen him play keyboards before during gigs with UV Hippo etc.). We didn't really expect him to get the job, since he wasn't in Michigan to actually play the piano for her... But he got it! So instead of just me, we both flew back Thursday, and here we are.

Of course there is much to be done... Finding a place where we can have Nate's dog Django, then moving there, getting my classroom ready, going through the TONS of boxes that have sat in my spare room all summer, and oodles more. Tonight has been the first burst of productivity. We are filling up boxes to take to Goodwill (and KAIR, kalkaska's local thrift store). Nate's going to continue with that project tomorrow while I spend HOURS at school getting ready for the school year. I am already anticipating the numerous worried looks I'll get with people saying, "Are you really going to be ready?" Rather aggravating, because of course I'll be ready. And I actually work better under a tight time constraint.

This fall definitely promises to be a busy one. I am excited, though, because for the first time in a long time I actually feel good about the changes coming.

oregon obsession, northern cali coast/mountains

2009-08-12T12:40:00.002-04:00

So, it's obviously been a long time since the last post... Well, perhaps not so long in the regular sense of time, but in biking sense, a lot has happened. I will spare you the rambling (save it for my upcoming memoir) and fill you in quickly on what you've missed.

*traveling homeless folks... best campfire company yet!

*hiker/biker camps (cheap state park stays in oregon and california)

*oregon is amazing-- bike-friendly, kind people, varied landscape, good worker vibe (didn't seem to be many snooty folks)

*coastal chill... We were shivering on downhills, even with arm and leg warmers on!

*birds of prey sightings

*touring bicyclists from mexico, new zealand, canada, germany

*rowdy campfire with the kids from wyoming

*endless fog our first days in oregon

*tales of the "bike house"... still hoping for a sighting!

*tips on cheap alaska travel

*overcoming my fear of being launched into the Pacific and actually enjoying some of the cliff views of the ocean

*slippery sleeping bags... I have a bad habit of waking in the night and not being able to get comfortable again because I feel "on the move".

*Portland stay with Tim and Erin and kids... great hosts!

*beautiful ride from portland to the coast... 8 mile uphill stretch after our sketchiest campsite yet (amidst thorny bushes on the side of a road) into the mountains then a steady scenic downhill to the coast

*99 cent Indian dinners at the rainbow grocery outlet... as well as cheap cookies and 4 buck Sasquatch wine

So, while our earlier days of travel were filled with colorful characters of the local variety, this past stretch has been filled with characters on the go.

We are currently in the mountains of Hayfork, California visiting Nate's friends Mike and Jamie. It is simply incredible here... peaceful with awesome views from the house porch and the yurt deck. Jamie picked us up in Arcata, luckily, because a bike ride in would have taken us over 3 days most likely, if we didn't get run off the twisty roads! Jamie will take us back out to the coast tomorrow morning, when we will once again head south. Our next stop will be Bodega Bay... my pen-pal-since-first-grade/best-friend Alena will be coming to get us, and we'll spend a night or two with her in Rohnert Park. Then we'll be on our way to San Francisco.

I fly out on the 27th, which will give me *plenty* of time to prepare for school (ha ha ha )... Nate has some work out here for the next couple months but then plans to endure a northern Michigan winter with me in Kalkaska. He is liking the idea of ice fishing with our friend Mike (stacey's hubby). :)

It feels good to have my flight booked; I was starting to panic in my head, even though I haven't been worried at all the whole summer. I think when we hit California (or perhaps August!) my subconscious self couldn't help but start thinking ahead.

I have lots of great photos but my camera battery is currently charging, so I'll add a couple a bit later.

hundred degree days, flat tires (not the beer), oregon arrival

2009-07-31T12:58:00.004-04:00

So, this bridge is the Lewis and Clark Bridge going from Longview, WA to Rainier, OR. The day we crossed it was a too-sunny day, so the pic is nothing like it looked in real life for us, but I liked the photo nonetheless.

Anyhow, this bridge and its disastrous messy shoulder caused Nate's 4th flat of the trip in about 4 days. On the Oregon side, we sat under an overpass while he changed the tube, and I actually napped for about 10 minutes. Yet, despite the temp being 106 degrees and getting a flat, we managed to pull out 85 miles to arrive in Beaverton that evening (about 15 miles west of portland downtown).

Looking backwards... the rest of our Washington journey was pleasant. I'm discovering that I tend to prefer riding through middle-of-nowhereness which tends to be more inland, as opposed to the coastal overlooks that are often surrounded by mansions. We head to the coast from here, so I'm hoping there will be a lot of park land and such, because I sure do grow tired of biking through the playgrounds of the wealthy.

Oregon is apparently the only west coast state that has declared the whole coast public. No one can "own" their own coastal beaches. So, I'm excited to camp next to the ocean one or two of these upcoming nights and enjoy the public's access.

Our route maps have been really great so far... Adventure Cycling gets you off the main road as much as possible. And even when you have to ride on one of the busier highways, they always have humongous shoulders so you still feel safe. I'm nervous about riding the Pacific overlooks, though... am hoping there is a lot of space and that drivers are used to seeing bikers there.

west coast beginnings

2009-07-22T20:34:00.007-04:00

We arrived in Bellingham a week ago tomorrow, I do believe. On our Amtrak ride from Williston, within the first 5 or 10 minutes we spotted 3 coyotes, some muledeer (we think), and a herd (pack?) of antelopes hanging near a herd of cattle (would have been an amazing photo). So, we were happy with our decision to take a train to Washington! Not to mention the endless length of Montana... Plus we'd heard a few nightmare stories about small shoulders and crazy drivers. And, luckily, we went through Glacier in the evening (not night) so we did get to see some spectacular mountain views there.

The train arrived in Everett, WA, so we set north for Bellingham to visit Nate's friend Matthew. On our way up, we spent a night with two amazing new friends, Garrett and Mark, near Mt. Vernon (just north of Big Lake). They live on the beginnings of an organic farm they call "Flora and Fauna". I'll put a few photos from our night with them at the end of this post. They sent us on our way the next day with a loaf of bread, dried peppermint leaves, vitamin water, and many good memories.

We took route 9 partway up to Bellingham then got on Chuckanut (sp?) Hwy along the coast to witness some beautiful scenery on a bike-friendly twisty roadway. Bellingham seems to be an awesome town with such gorgeous surrounding areas. Matt works at a food co-op here, so while he's been at work, we have explored some local parks/lakes, done laundry, and eaten yummy food (not much of a thai selection in north dakota!). One of the lakes we went to was a popular weekend spot but even though it was crowded it seemed so peaceful, and it was easy to hike off with no one on the trails with you. Amazing. The land here is simply amazing... Matthew is homeless by choice (during the warm season), so he camps around, and we got to see 3 of his spots. The first one was on a river where you could hike up just a short ways to some steep waterfalls... Unfortunately my camera battery was dead.

We had a fun time tubing two days ago but it was a definite sacrifice-- Nate got horribly burned, and my thighs got fried, even though we absolutely LOADED up with sunscreen. Soooo, we decided a couple nights in a motel were needed for quick recovery, and we've been holed up in the Econolodge.

After a fun week with Matthew and a lot of unhealthy food and drinks, it will be interesting to see how our bodies respond to riding again... I already feel like my belly has increased in size! :) But thank goodness we have places to go and people to see; otherwise Bellingham would be a tempting place to hang out for a long long while.

So, here is one photo from Flora and Fauna... this internet connection is awful so will have to add more later; if you have read this, feel free to add a comment at the bottom-- I love hearing from people!

fab day, time wasting, destination washington

2009-07-14T15:24:00.004-04:00

fab day-
104 miles two days ago, ending at Lewis and Clark State Park... Knew we had 3 days to make it to Williston but figured we'd knock out most of the journey leaving time to waste (hence my longest library visit yet). So, we started out on 2 heading west, then jogged south on a paved road that met up with hwy 1804... 1804 was quite possibly the hilliest road yet (plus there was a crazy moment on 2 when the landscape seemed to change from ND-like to Montana-like with an insane hill); one of the hills was longer than one mile according to my bike computer. And, while the scenery started out interesting (somewhat disturbing-- the oil industry is taking off here, and there was one sign that said, "poisonous gas may be present"), on 1804 the views changed to mosquitoes zooming around our heads dodging our sweaty swats. BUT, on this day, we not only kicked butt on hills and did over 100 miles, but we also reached the 1000 mark for total miles traveled!

time wasting-
Williston, ND has been a pleasant place to spend a couple of days... We checked our bikes and the trailer at the Amtrak station (see next section for more info), set up our tent in the city park, and so have been roaming freely, looking a bit odd in our only non-biking clothes (think Star Trek character and James Bond villainess). We saw Public Enemies last night and tonight might hit up the late-night showing of the new Harry Potter flick. We are planning on Chinese for dinner. Oh, and for the second time on this journey, our city park campsite was attacked by the sprinkler monsters! We must not be very observant when setting up the tent... luckily the sprinkler heads were *outside* the fly. :)

destination washington-
Tomorrow morning we hop on the Amtrak to head to Everett WA... Then we're thinking we'll head north to Vancouver, then come back down to stay with one of Nate's friends in Bellingham. From there we'll hit up spots along the coast. I will even get to see one of my oldest and dearest friends, Alena, who has been my "pen-pal" since first grade! VERY exciting. Ultimately, we'd like to get down to Santa Barbara and perhaps do some wine-tasting and see the sights along the way. Since we managed over 1000 miles on this first leg of the trip, we're not feeling guilty about Amtrakkin' it. More time to enjoy friends and scenery along the Pacific route!

deeee-libera-a-tion...

2009-07-11T15:21:00.002-04:00

So, just for laughs, I thought it would be fun to list the reasons why occasionally Nate and I have slacker mileage days...

*late nights at the local bars
*tick infestations
*we are extremely slow packers and sunscreen applicators
*sleeping in is quite lovely in a tent
*hellish headwinds
*we like to eat (apparently now this includes eating turkey and gelatinous gummy bears too)

And, with regards to deliberation, we have been loosely calculating time/miles, realizing that it might be wishful thinking to think we could get all the way to San Francisco by the end of August. So, originally, we thought we could take the Amtrak down some of the coast, but are now considering another option... taking the Amtrak TO the coast so that we can enjoy the Pacific Coast Trail as well as take time to have quality visits with friends along the way.

And so, there may be a great leap in locations for the next posting... and it's not because we are super-speedy bikers!

on day 7, a day of rest :)

2009-07-02T12:36:00.003-04:00

We are visiting my cousin Scott, his wife Bernette, and their son Sam right now in Minneapolis MN... one day to wash clothes and not be on the go! Plus they are awesome company, so it will be hard to say goodbye! Here are a few little highlights/notes about the trip so far.

*longest mileage day- 87 miles

*fave camping spot--Jim and Chrissy's yard... James is the soon-to-be-owner of the best bar in Wittenberg, WI, and they also own a trucking business.

*ended up staying in the yard of the head townsman, Harland, in Colby, WI (he didn't really have a title other than "everything")... they actually let us shower!

*on one of our short mileage days (only 40) we spent the first half waiting for Nate's bike to get fixed up at the Rib Mountain Ciclery... where a very cool guy Brett totally hooked us up! He rode to California two years ago so was geeked that we were there. He only charged for parts (nate had him put a 3 ring dealio in the front instead of the 2) and threw in shot-bloks, a tube, dog spray, spoke repair kit, a light recharger, two pairs of good biking gloves, and some other "goodies". :)

*Nate jammed under the bridge in Stillwater, MN with Tommy while Jeremy and I watched and chatted.

*local bars rock!

*cows and horses are fascinated by riders

*4 of our 6 riding days were pretty much sunless

*It takes only a day to absolutely stink.

diva cup

2009-06-22T22:20:00.004-04:00

The diva cup was today's purchase, to arrive before our departure. I heard about this back in college, and my friend in the peace corps. raved about it... Figured I might as well make my bike ride more pleasant and be good to the earth at the same time! :)

reality check

2009-06-22T16:13:00.002-04:00

Ali and I went to see this movie at the State Theatre this morning, and both us felt good to have had a sort of "reality check"-- a reminder of the world's largeness, of our luckiness, of the strength of human spirit in the darkest of times. I kept wishing I had gotten a degree in something else so that I could get a job working/volunteering in a refugee camp somewhere, where the need is so obviously apparent. Anyhow, I also felt glad that I am biking endlessly this summer, removing myself from my normal materialistic routines, a chance to distinguish between my needs and wants, and a chance to think about the others out there who would be thrilled to even have a bicycle, period.

bonnaroo images

2009-06-21T20:21:00.009-04:00

the to-do list

2009-06-21T10:58:00.006-04:00

Let's lay it out there, so you all can experience the last-minute planning with me...

xcall landlord about paying rent ahead by cashier's check (didn't reorder personal checks as my last name will be changing)

xput away boxes in the spare room, clean up, move kitty stuff to my room

xcancel cable

xgo to bank-- get cashier's check and money out

xmail sunglasses insert to mom to give to eye dr.

xget memory duo stick for new camera

xbuy sports bra to wear with jersey

*find good compression sack for sleeping bags

xget "quick release" on my brakes to actually be "quick" (and easier, for the many flat tires I'll have to change!)

*clean out fridge

*figure out court stuff for future divorce date

*stock up on kitty litter

*return one pair of bike shorts to nashbar

*maybe that's all??

stolen inspirations

2009-06-20T21:34:00.004-04:00

ch-ch-ch-changes

2009-06-19T18:57:00.007-04:00

So, here's my new bike! Replaced the hybrid tires with skinnies, and it's good to go. The Bianchi wasn't working out as well-- couldn't easily attach a rack for panniers, and the rear cassette only had about 1500 miles left on it, and those parts are hard to find. So, for LESS than what she was asking for the Bianchi, I got this fabulous Kona Jake!

quickly....

2009-06-17T09:40:00.002-04:00

no time, no time... but here is a short list of some folks I saw at Bonnaroo (not necessarily "enjoyed" but "saw").

*ani difranco, ben harper, phish, beastie boys, bruce springsteen, snoop dogg, jeanine garofalo (and some other comedians), bon iver, jimmy buffet, the decemberists, the lovell sisters, merle haggard, erykah badu, brett dennen, andrew bird, zac brown band

and definitely some others.

agenda for today-- drop off sunglasses rx insert measurements at glasses place, let Mom get me a trip journal, buy better (and more compact) digital camera, finish laundry, head back north for a fun night (finally get to see Stacey again-- Ali, perhaps you'll join us on her porch tonight?!) and have an incredibly productive day tomorrow.

boring but not bored

2009-06-10T21:19:00.003-04:00

My creative juices are not flowing tonight. Today has been fantastic. Blasting music while driving with windows down and two bikes on the roof, with the sun shining in FINALLY. It actually felt like a summer day, and vacation is suddenly a reality. I stopped off in Grand Rapids to see Nate and pick up the mixed tape he made me... I know, I know, I'm a bit behind on the times with a tape deck in my car. Anyhow, I'm enjoying listening to the tunes because he used songs from his vinyl collection.

I arrived safely, and Mom and I went to Walgreens (got a great clearance deal on Burt's Bees lotion and shampoo) then to a Thai place for an early dinner, then on to Meijers for my Bonnaroo shopping trip... I got tons of fabulously healthy and tasty options. When we got back, we prepared to ride. I convinced my mom to join me for the first part (she did last 15 minutes!), and then I continued on for a rolling ride along lovely countryside. I felt good. My legs are still strong... I always wonder how that happens when I know I'm not the most in-shape. Leg muscles won't be giving me troubles on our journey this summer, thankfully.

And now, I really need to shower, I really need to organize food for the trip, and I really need to get some sleep in preparation for Curt's arrival at 5-ish. He had to work tonight so we won't get down to TN until 2 or 3 tomorrow afternoon. I just hope I sleep well so I can drive while he sleeps!

Happy Bonnaroo, friends! You may not see another post until the 16th... Hopefully with some fun photos from the festival.

2009-06-09T19:18:00.003-04:00

"beyond ideas
there is a field

will you meet me there?"

-Rumi

free

2009-06-08T19:36:00.003-04:00

	Cat Stevens - If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I keep wondering what I've been doing all this time... I guess just gettin' to where I am today. Because, wow, I never realized how easy it is to choose happiness and health and things you love. My mind experiences this new pleasant vibe that it's never quite known before, and am I ever thankful.

weekend synopsis

2009-06-07T16:25:00.008-04:00

Staff party at Tom's was delightful, sitting on his deck overlooking Torch, chatting with good people. Got down to GR around 10:30... Bonfire in the backyard with Nate and Lindsey, followed by the best sleep I've had in a long time ;).

Ventured to Lansing and met Nate's amazing cousin Laura. And picked up this rather nice road bike, which I'm thinking I like... Let me know if you've ridden a Bianchi Veloce before and what you thought about it.

Headed to K-zoo and visited with mis padres (Dad injured a fingernail while helping us repair a flat tire), and then met Lindsey (and Juddy Buddy!) at Bell's to hear some Greensky Bluegrass. I slowly transitioned to eating food on this day in order to be able to drink a couple of Bell's brews (normally you "ease-out" of the cleanse in a 3-day process, which I condensed into one day).

Then this morning, we had a lovely visit with Lindsey's sister and her hubby. Once back in GR, Nate and I treated ourselves to some Indian "cuisine" (hee hee, buffet). And now I am home again. Need to hit up the store for some veggies and fruit, then FINALLY do report cards.

	Ben Harper - By My Side

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

racingmind

2009-06-05T16:05:00.003-04:00

day7cleanseeathealthybuyfoodprocessorhopefullybuynicebiketomorrowinlansinghavetoheadtograndrapidstonighthappybecauseigettoseenateagainiwonderifhiscousin'sbikewillworkthenineedtodoreportcardsstaffpartyattom'stonightnodrinkingoreatingformelotsoflaundrytodobonnaroocomingquicklyhavetofigureoutplanswithcurtishopestaceycancheckinonthecatsbeforemymomgetsuphereeyedoctorappointmentinkalamazooon17thhopingtogetrxlensestopopintomybikingsunglassesooohalmostforgothavetodetourtochicagoonthe15thtopickuptrailerwillmymindeverberelaxedagain?

update 2

2009-06-04T16:38:00.005-04:00

(this empty space will not go away no matter what I do... )

	Indigo Girls - Get Out The Map

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Change in Route... Due to the high possibility of 100 degree temps and the lure of northern wilderness and pacific shoreline, Nate and I are now planning to depart from Manitowoc, WI (after taking the ferry across) and then head across the northern United States. Once we hit Washington's northwestern corner (almost), we'll go south along the Pacific shoreline as far down in California as we get. The trip is taking shape!

update 1

2009-06-03T11:56:00.004-04:00

hee hee... So, my main reason for doing this cleanse is *not* to lose weight. I just thought you might enjoy that cheezy ad. Ultimately, I am awful at moderation, and I have been eating unhealthy food nonstop for the last few months, so I am hoping this drastic approach will help me be able to switch to a healthier gear, by forcing me to say "no" and showing me how my body and mind feel when they are not weighed down by all the fatty grossness of my typical diet.

I am on Day 5 of the cleanse, and still doing really well! I have not yet had any pangs of hunger, which I find incredible.

happy thoughts

2009-05-31T13:26:00.003-04:00

	Ben Harper - In The Colors

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

*just began "master cleanse"... day 2, going well. day 1, i kept imagining peanut butter.

*bonnaroo music festival coming soon... curt and i head down to TN to see Phish, Ani, Ben Harper, the Beastie Boys, and oh-so-many other fabulous folks.

*met a rather amazing guy who makes me feel so myself

*planning to bike across the country with aforementioned kickass dude, most probably departing the end of june

*summer shines ahead, finally, and with it, my attitude improves immensely.

looking forward

2009-05-31T13:03:00.005-04:00

Wow, so for my blog-viewing world (which has probably completely disappeared since it has been so long), I have been embarking on my new life since december-ish (and for those close to me, it's been a long time coming). I now live in an apartment with just my kitties, and I've been forced to take a close look at myself, which I guess comes from having no one next to you to place the blame on for those little problems encountered daily. :) So, I am happily, freely, finding my way on my own. Breathing more easily, surrounding myself with people who bring out the best in me, and allowing myself to be me.

I plan to post a couple more things today, but figured I should start with this first one, just to fill people in on my state of mind and place.

	Melissa Ferrick - 12 everything I need

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I nearly puked...

2009-03-25T18:00:00.001-04:00

Lucy must have had an upset stomach today-- lots of small poop spots/splatters in the guest room; some were hardened and therefore my rug-cleaner didn't work (hence the "semi-cleaned" bedroom). Anywho, then I decided to do the litter box, which is swheat scoop flushable litter (which i use all the time)... It clogged the toilet first-flush; I don't own a plunger, and so decided to scoop it out with my hand. Honestly, I don't get too grossed out by the wheat litter-- but it smelled like SEWAGE. Toilet does get unclogged-- phew (notice the "ph" although I was also thinking "pew"). I decided to dump the rest into the garbage bag which needed to go out anyway. Then I notice the garbage bag has a small hole in the bottom and is leaking coffee grounds! Now all is well. Luckily I have a strange sense of humor! This all started with two HUGE splats of bird poop on my drivers' window after school.

that urge to be somewhere else

2009-02-19T09:23:00.002-05:00

Yet another book I've had for a long while... I know I started it way back when, but now I'm beginning it again, and I had forgotten the fabulous first paragraph. It's the kind of paragraph that may not ring a bell with everyone, but if it does with you, you'll know it. Here is a short excerpt from Travels with Charley, in Search of America by John Steinbeck.

When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch. When years described me as mature, the remedy prescribed was middle age. In middle age I was assured that greater age would calm my fever and now that I am fifty-eight perhaps senility will do the job. Nothing has worked. Four hoarse blasts of a ship's whistle still raise the hair on my neck and set my feet to tapping. The sound of a jet, an engine warming up, even the clopping of shod hooves on pavement brings on the ancient shudder, the dry mouth and vacant eye, the hot palms and the churn of stomach high up under the rib cage. In other words, I don't improve; in further words, once a bum always a bum. I fear the disease is incurable. I set this matter down not to instruct others but to inform myself.

Steinbeck's short introductory chapter contains two more paragraphs, and it's the second paragraph's first line that makes me smile even more.

When the virus of restlessness begins to take possession of a wayward man, and the road away from Here seems broad and straight and sweet, the victim must first find in himself a good and sufficient reason for going.

Don't worry, Mom, I just like a good book. ;)

anticipation

2009-02-16T14:43:00.002-05:00

I've been taking the easy road with blog postings lately... using somebody else's words! The following is a short excerpt from Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks. I've had the book for a few years (i think I meant to give it to my dad for Christmas way back when), and I've just started it today. So far, so good.

"You're not listening to me, little brother. Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work's important, family's important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You're cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what's coming."

winter's spring

2009-02-08T15:51:00.002-05:00

36 degrees, sunny, melting slosh such a welcomed sight... Winter's spring fever for a second day. Last night we walked the streets of Bellaire with just sweaters on, grateful for the warm air that wasn't really warm. Ali said our bodies must have adapted for the bitter cold, so that our scale of warmth perception has shifted. We were only outside for one minute between the car and Shorts', but how lovely to not have to sprint through the sharp slivers of icy air.

2009-02-07T18:05:00.001-05:00

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts.... We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes. "

Dr. Viktor E. Frankl

holiday nostalgia

2008-12-29T13:31:00.008-05:00

My first stocking... later got a new one that was a bit wider-- this one would get stuck on the stocking stuffers because it was knitted with threads hanging on the inside. But how I loved it.
This was always at my Grandma and Grandpa Gardner's house.

My favorite wall dec-- notice it is now taped in many spots! Yet my mom still hangs it up. ;)

Probably the most memorable Christmas decorations-- I played with these endlessly... the deer pulled the sleigh below, attached by my favorite piece of red yarn.

And all of these trees would come to life.

A rather hideous sleigh, but it certainly flew well, launching off of Dad's recliner!

Santa's boots

While playing a card game this Christmas, my mom asked, "Did you see what Dad hid by the mean tree?" And (because I am a big dork I knew what she meant), I immediately looked to "the mean tree" (it was always the bad guy in my christmas decoration playtime), and there was a hideous elfin creature lurking in the shadows! Clever, Dad, clever.

snow watchers

2008-12-07T11:49:00.004-05:00

Grommit and Harley at Greta & Nicole's house

The last 20 minutes of my drive home from downstate-- it got worse!

winter woods

2008-12-02T18:03:00.011-05:00

A delightful snow day afternoon with my dad, Bryce, and Cosmo snowshoeing... topheavy branches, psycho snow dog, catamount-ready Dad armed with spear/ski pole.

Couldn't ask for anything more!

conflicting realities

2008-11-28T18:35:00.002-05:00

This morning, my parents, Bryce, and I waited for our breakfast in a McDonalds. Dad and I sat at a table watching the news on the television mounted on the wall. Two young children raced over to the table just under the t.v; both of them early elementary age wearing pastel brand name winter clothes, missing a couple of teeth each, and laughing happily together. I wished that I'd had my camera with me, because the image of those girls clashed so greatly with the images on the television screen above them... footage from the terror in India.

And now, as I write this, full from my yummy pie and cranberry-orange relish, I see news of the worker who was trampled to death when he opened the doors to his Wal-Mart store. It just sickens me.

Commercialism, materialism, and the current state of the world brings fear to my heart.

Yet, we got to watch Miracle on 34th Street on the big screen of the State Theatre this morning at 10:30 for 25 cents, and the theater was packed. It was inspiring, reassuring, to see the families watching an old classic about the real spirit of the season and about having faith in something "when common sense tells you not to". So, I have faith that good will prevail, and hopefully I'll be able to do some part in bringing about goodness in my own small part of the world... surely if enough of us share our devotion to peace and love, the rest of them will catch on?

lovin' the north

2008-11-23T12:42:00.002-05:00

Saturday night outside the Kal-Ho... You can see the Trout across the way!

happy snowy non-snow day

2008-11-21T16:51:00.004-05:00

the walk to school this morning

Despite early morning disappointment at the absence of a snow day phone call, I had a rather lovely day at school. Highlights: bringing my snowpants and playing in the snow at morning recess with my first-graders (going down the super-fast slides too, and sliding down the pole), making "stuffed" snowmen (the kids did their own shapes, as I am very anti-cookie-cutter-activities, so there were some hysterically shaped snowmen).

the walk home

predictions

2008-11-21T00:14:00.003-05:00

I am always quite skeptical when the rest of the teachers are gleefully exclaiming about the possibilities of a snow day the following day. Tonight, however, at a bit after midnight, I am feeling more confident than usual. Being the practical forecaster, I must cite wunderground's traverse city/williamsburg forecast which expects 6+ inches of snow during the night tonight. Surely Kalkaska will end up with more, being in the snowbelt?? So, I am hesitantly optimistic. I even ventured to the Kal-Ho tonight with Rachel, which is not my typical school night activity.

Based on past experiences, though, the above letter and photo might apply tomorrow morning. I will let you know how things work out.

morning update: WE HAVE SCHOOL--ACK!

cold nights, warm kitty

2008-11-18T16:21:00.002-05:00

Welcome, winter! I envy my kitty cats and their amazing ability to warm up instantly. Sometimes I feel guilty that we keep our house so cold-- I'll touch Lucy's ears and they feel like ice-- but then I totally use the cats as heaters, pulling them under the blankets with me to toast my body... a live fur blanket.

So I walked to school today; it just takes about 10 minutes or less, and I've decided I like the feel of crisp winter air. I'm not sure that I will be so hardy when the winds kick up... but at least for these early winter days, I can save gas, get exercise, and let fresh air energize me first thing each day. I know that I should be walking *every* day, but this fall was a blur. Too much to do, late sleep-ins due to illness or busy nights, and a frantic need to get to school asap. Now it's like it's almost pointless to start the car early to warm it up, clear the snow off if I've parked outside, and then drive... takes almost as long as just walking!

I think I shall heat some water for raspberry tea.

this historic moment

2008-11-03T23:48:00.001-05:00

teaser

2008-11-02T20:30:00.003-05:00

Halloween, 2nd night.
more photos to come-- once the election is done! I'm too overwhelmed by my mind to do much on here...

awww... very cute video from Alaska

2008-11-02T11:12:00.001-05:00

a Happy Halloween, for real

2008-11-01T13:36:00.006-04:00

We had such fun getting "dressed up" together-- What a nice day & night, all in all. We got ready at our house... then headed to the Kal-Ho!

Tonight I'll become an 80's prom queen, so I should have some good photos to add tomorrow. ;) I'm feeling the effects of being 30 and having a happy Halloween,

which is my excuse for this being a semi-lame blog post!

the right stuff

2008-10-30T19:22:00.001-04:00

Awww, yeah. Jill, Angie, and I-- Wearing the shirts with pride!

swollen face

2008-10-27T14:35:00.002-04:00

So, I went to school today knowing that the right side of my face was still a bit swollen... It had started in the jaw (even though Larry told me he couldn't see any swelling-- it's quite clear in the photo of us), and it started to spread to my cheek and upper neck. Kelly kept telling me it was looking worse and encouraged me to go to urgent care this afternoon. Jill swooped in to sub for me, and I have now begun my course of antibiotics for a facial infection! Weird. ;) I head back to school in about 45 min. to go to our staff meeting. What an odd day.

Top 10 on 30th weekend

2008-10-26T18:06:00.012-04:00

Donnie Wahlberg and Jordan Knight are still HOT.

Larry is a good self-esteem booster, assuring me that my thirties will rock.
My old NKOTB t-shirt still fit and actually looked cuter than it used to.

Road trip music mix on mp3 player... rusted root, phish, missy higgins, ben harper, melissa ferrick, etc. ... makes me smile!

Crazy weather... downpours, hail, rainbow, sunny skies, ominous clouds, unusual cloud formation (hee hee)

Hangin' Tough with a little We Will Rock You thrown in for good measure.

Night out with Larry... Pontiac bar bands, Jumbo's drinks, Beevis & Butthead (don't ask), Psychedelic Horseshit spending the night too (don't worry- just a band from columbus), 4 a.m. bedtime

Detroit driving-- my favorite

Drinking wine and watching Arrested Development with Larry on an early night in (midnight-ish instead of 4)

I am thinking that 30 isn't so bad after all.

New Kids on the Block, let's rock

2008-10-24T14:24:00.002-04:00

So, I am home sick from school today, and it's a good thing I am, because if I had gone in, I surely would have grown crabby and unhealthier. I have a scratchy throat and feel feverish, but I have taken medicine, had plenty of liquids, and SLEPT for forever. The reason this is important is because this weekend is a big one... turning 30 on Sunday (ack), heading to Detroit tonight where I'll see fabulous friend Larry, and tomorrow night I will be seeing in concert, for the first time in my life... Danny, Donnie, Joe, Jon, and Jordan! Woo-hoo!

I think I am gaining some energy, so I must be feeling better? Fingers crossed...

friends

2008-10-14T20:22:00.003-04:00

lucy baby

2008-10-12T19:21:00.002-04:00

She truly brings me peace of mind.

This photo is from a couple of weeks ago, but Lucy is my cuddle-bum kitty on a daily basis. And when she's not snoozing in my arms, she likes to kiss my face!

my republican friends

2008-09-30T18:10:00.005-04:00

I haven't posted in a long time because I can't get my mind to focus on anything but politics. So, since it's been a while, I'm just going to post-- about politics!

During my canvassing and phonebanking experiences in Kalkaska, we encounter mostly undecided folks who welcome the chance to discuss politics freely, because it's typically quite taboo in the workplace and social gatherings around here (yes, I'm trying to break free from that societal constriction).

So, the biggest two "beefs" that I have with McCain supporters is that the ones I have met are actually people who I consider friends, and I can't understand the logic behind their choice, and that has caused me some great frustration.

First, one of the issues people I know have struggled with is the whole pro-choice/pro-life drama. I don't quite get it... because if people look at the approaches taken by Obama and McCain with regards to sex education and accessibility of birth control, it is very clear that Obama's ideas would prevent unwanted pregnancies in the first place! Hence, leading to less abortions. There is a much more eloquent opinion piece about this here, and I think it shows that Obama and Democrats take a much more common-sense approach actually in tune with the times.

The second issue that frustrates me is the whole identification with the Republican Party. People say that they believe in what the Republican Party represents... but hello!? The Republican Party has done anything BUT represent what they originally stood for. Small government? Less spending? Give me a break. Under some *new* democratic leadership from Barack Obama (that hasn't been completely overtaken by the power of big corporations), we surely won't see as much money being wasted on war and owed overseas. We surely won't bend over backwards for the big business people, and there will be some actual accountability where citizens can actually see how their tax dollars are being spent.

Note that I said *new* leadership... I am greatly aware that Democrats have been just as guilty of misleading the public and bowing to big business. But I believe that Senator Obama is different, and that he will lead our country to a better place.

slacker uprising

2008-09-21T22:22:00.004-04:00

Tonight at the State Theatre, Michael Moore had a free viewing of his newest movie Slacker Uprising, which will also be available for free download on Tuesday. The movie was awesome-- footage from his 2004 Slacker Uprising tour to get out the vote, and even though we know how that election turned out, the film does a superb job of documenting the emergence of energy from young voters, and it really makes you want to get out and pound the pavement for the 2008 election.

Anyhow, one of the amazing things is that Bryce and I were quite involved in the 2004 campaign, and this film will help us share the "history" with our children someday. For one, it starts out in Elk Rapids, and you even see a shot of my head for a brief moment!

As we were driving home, Bryce mentioned how we were there at the beginning (in Elk Rapids), and how we were also with Michael Moore the day after the movie's end (election day... we watched the results come in at a friend's house, and michael and kathleen were there too). Right after Bryce said that, we noticed a mini-van next to us in the right lane-- and Michel Moore waving out the driver's window! Hilarious. So, we waved back and flashed the peace sign, once more amazed that northern Michigan has given us such a unique entryway into the world of true progressive thinkers.

only up north: raccoon rescue

2008-09-12T18:48:00.008-04:00

After school yesterday, I was on the computer when Cosmo began barking ferociously from the couch. I, of course, yelled at him, because he always barks ferociously but it's not allowed indoors, but as he leaped down from couch, I saw a glimpse of a small furry animal climbing along the stone ledge of our house, turning the corner towards the flower box. I hustled over the dining room window and saw a baby raccoon peer around the corner. I grabbed the camera, ran outside, and got some photos. The little buddy was moving slowly and awkwardly, so I was very concerned about him.

I got online and found some wildlife rescue/removal numbers, and I called one up. By now, the raccoon sat in the middle of the road. The man on the phone said, "Let nature take its course," and I said, "even in the middle of our neighborhood?" He said being hit by a car would put it out of its misery, as surely it was sick. A car stopped in the road, and I went out to shout out to the driver-- He said call animal control, because the raccoon could be extremely vicious if someone went near it. So, feeling sad that the animal was headed to certain death, I resigned myself to the inevitable and got on google to find the number for Animal Control.

Suddenly, a car drove by quickly and came to an abrupt halt just past our house. The next time I glanced outside, the raccoon was gone! I jogged to the front door and spotted... a young guy carrying the raccoon in his arms, getting into the vehicle. I opened the door and called out, "Is that your pet?" (not sure what else to say), and he said, "Well, sort of," and got out of the car. I walked over to him, and he told me his story. Mama J has a license to raise raccoons, and they just happened to be driving by and spotted this one. At this point, another guy got out of the car, and 2 more climbed out of the back hatch. I was chuckling inside, because they truly looked like a gang of hoodlums... but they were the wildlife rescue teens apparently!

I asked why the raccoon didn't bite, and he said it is truly a baby and hasn't developed any of its senses yet. Vicious my a**! I told the guys that I had been so worried that the raccoon would end up dead, and they told me not to fear, "Mama J knows what to do." I asked, "Is your mom really good with animals?" and was told, "Mama J's not my mom; she's Billy Bob's mom, but yeah, she's good with animals." He offered to let me hold the baby, but I chose to just pet it instead. By now, the car had taken off and the boys were awaiting Mama J's arrival. One of the guys assured me, "Don't worry-- we've got tons of forest behind the house." I smiled in relief.

"There's Mama J now!", one shouted, and sure enough, an SUV was flying towards us. I managed to get a thank you in to Mama J, a middle-aged woman smoking a cigarette, as the head guy handed her the baby raccoon. But the group was too busy making plans for the baby and keeping it comfortable, so I made my way back towards the house... glancing back over my shoulder in awe, fascinated by these local wildlife heroes.

viewer discretion advised

2008-09-09T18:35:00.003-04:00

exhausted

2008-09-08T19:02:00.002-04:00

No, the cat is not dead. It is simply *exhausted*, and it was the 2nd image to appear in my google image search for "exhausted"... and I thought it was appropriate, considering I am a crazy cat lady, my mother just thought that Ali had posted a photo of a dead Willow cat (not the case), and I am simply EXHAUSTED.

Allergies are on the attack, much later this year than usual. So, in addition to beginning the 2nd week of the school year (with a rather *lively* group of 1st graders), I am combating my itchy eyes, stuffy/runny nose (it goes back and forth), and scratchy/itchy throat. Itchy eyes mean that I forgo the contacts, so my glasses give me that greasy Christmas morning feeling (you know, when you're in your pajamas all day and don't shower). Stuffy/runny nose means my face is red and blotchy from rubbing (you know, when it somehow feels good to push down on your sinuses), and scratchy/itchy throat means I get impatient quickly (you know, when a drink of water doesn't offer relief and you have 22 kids demanding your attention).

The start of the school year (combined with election time) always overwhelms me with the onset of a busy schedule, much in the same way that summer's empty schedule overwhelms me at first. Any working person can relate, probably even non-working people, but let me do the quick list anyhow because it will help settle my mind... mentor meeting, mentee meetings, P-Bit refresher, Action Wednesdays, Saturday canvassing, Roman House Party, Obama House Party, Polish Fundraiser, Debate watching plans, DIBELS, switch times, KEA committee & Exec board, Curriculum Development Committee, entering voter data, and MORE lurking around the corner.

I need to remember how much I love staying active-- I am much happier when I am busy and using my time productively. I think perhaps I will up my allergy meds to perk me up! The other thing I need to remember is that the election stuff will be over in November, and that's the stuff that overtakes my thoughts on a regular basis. Just a healthy display of the OCD part of my brain! ;) It could be worse. Hehehe.

So, if another week or two pass without a new post, please take pity on me... and don't give up hope!

rally: on the road for change

2008-09-01T15:29:00.010-04:00

My mother and I took a day trip to Battle Creek yesterday to attend a rally where Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden spoke to a crowd of over 16,000. Although the speeches were short and it was difficult to see the stage, the energy made the wait completely worthwhile. Unlike the time I saw Obama in Ohio during the primaries (a smaller townhall meeting), this was certainly a big event. My mom and I waited in the line for over an hour, then plopped down on the grass (we filled the field of a baseball stadium) to wait for another few hours with thousands of others... what a delightful group of people willing to give up their Sunday afternoons/evenings to see a man who inspires us all to do more than we have ever done before to fight for change.

On the more humorous side, I was hoping someone would scope out the crowd for people to place front and center for the speech-- I tried to look somewhat cute yesterday, but my mom really had the "look"... a battery-powered fan visor! The visor, combined with her spray bottle and electric handheld fan, certainly shouted "pick me" to the staff. Unfortunately, no one came around in search of us. Also on the humorous side-- we spotted some of our family friends the Jennings selling buttons for my old middle school history teacher, Mr. Hosner! I remember his classes, drawing political cartoons and holding the mock election in 7th grade (I "voted" for Ross Perot). And Mr. Jennings told us that they sell buttons at both Democratic and Republican events, and the Republicans are much more *conservative* with their purchases, whereas the Dems will buy them buy the bundle! :) I think we can wear them more proudly!

I almost forgot-- one of the most exciting moments was seeing Obama's bus leave with the entourage of police escorts and secret service... They had megaphones and forced cars to pull off the road, as it was the main exit from the stadium! When the last Secret Service SUV drove past, I gave a knowing smile to one of the men poised to spring out of the opened back... and he smiled knowingly back at me! I was thrilled.

Anyhow, here are some photos from our day-- forgive the out-of-focus stage shot!

chills

2008-08-29T11:12:00.005-04:00

I have been reading the transcript from Barack Obama's speech last night, and I am still getting chills from it. Let me share with you one of my favorite parts, because it truly gets to the heart of his campaign...

"...I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer, and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values.

And that's to be expected, because if you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters.

If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things.

And you know what? It's worked before, because it feeds into the cynicism we all have about government. When Washington doesn't work, all its promises seem empty. If your hopes have been dashed again and again, then it's best to stop hoping and settle for what you already know.

I get it. I realize that I am not the likeliest candidate for this office. I don't fit the typical pedigree, and I haven't spent my career in the halls of Washington.

But I stand before you tonight because all across America something is stirring. What the naysayers don't understand is that this election has never been about me; it's about you.

For 18 long months, you have stood up, one by one, and said, "Enough," to the politics of the past. You understand that, in this election, the greatest risk we can take is to try the same, old politics with the same, old players and expect a different result.

You have shown what history teaches us, that at defining moments like this one, the change we need doesn't come from Washington. Change comes to Washington.

Change happens -- change happens because the American people demand it, because they rise up and insist on new ideas and new leadership, a new politics for a new time."

You can see the rest of the speech here, and there's a good article about it here.

three of a kind...

2008-08-25T19:31:00.002-04:00

...not! I couldn't believe it when I turned around and caught these 3 hanging out together a few weeks ago; this is a very rare occurrence. And it's nuts that they actually stayed put while I ran for my camera.

I think my cats keep me sane. Or, maybe that's not the best way to put it (considering that being a crazy cat lady is probably not viewed as the sanest way of life). I guess I mean that they help me keep things in perspective. I woke up the other morning laying on my stomach, and Lucy was asleep on my back-- so, I started the day with a smile, because who wouldn't smile knowing they had a cat on their back?

sunny thoughts

2008-08-23T17:00:00.004-04:00

Too cute. I took 13 photos of these two little guys in an attempt to share them with you, and they never moved! :)

I'm trying to remind myself to think happy thoughts, as I take a short break from endless hours in my classroom (during which I tend to waste time chatting or procrastinating)...

my lovely familia

2008-08-19T20:32:00.006-04:00

A kindly stranger took these photos of us after we climbed up onto the Lake Superior rock outcroppings... a silhouetted one and a close-up. :)

(We had a pizza/pop dinner watching the sunset!)

Lake Superior sunset

2008-08-17T18:17:00.004-04:00

I have been neglecting my blog, because we were away in the Upper Peninsula for a week, and I've also been busy since we got home. Anyhow, I will soon have *many* photos to show you, but for now, I will leave you with this peaceful sunset pic. I took it on a roadside beach just south of Copper Harbor, and I think I want to print it and frame it! Ah, relaxing...

Michael Moore: not a hypocrite

2008-08-07T03:48:00.004-04:00

It blew my mind after Mike's Film Festival Surprise when a girl asked Michael how he keeps from feeling like a hypocrite, especially after watching an hour of Mike doing a monologue on stage in London during which he continuously challenged the audience to think critically. The crowd at Lars Hockstead Auditorium in Traverse City inadvertently defended Michael as movie-goers thanked him for everything he's done locally and nationally. Michael, however, answered the girl's question in his reliably humble manner. He said that yes, they have a nice house and send their daughter to a good school, because they are able to, but they also continue to do what they can with what they have. In another after-movie Q&A, Michael and other filmmakers discussed the notion of guilt, and they basically encouraged people not to feel guilty for being one of the "haves" in a world of "have-nots". In fact, the "haves" are the lucky ones, not just because we have wealth or health care or material goods, but because we are able to do something to make the world a better place. (Please keep in mind that Michael also sent a check to the government in the amount of his Bush tax cut that profited the wealthy and left us little guys behind. He is doing what he can to avoid any level of hypocrisy.)

Michael also pointed out the fact that his successes have been lucky-- whether or not he profited off of his books/movies/etc., he would have done what needed to be done. In one of Mike's books, he talks about how he is actually quite introverted and gets really nervous about confrontation. But he does it, time and time again, because he feels so passionately about opening up our eyes to this harsh reality in which we live. We live in a society afraid to talk about difficult things-- politics, government, inequalities. And until we can start opening up about these things, we need people like Michael Moore, who are willing to take on the task. It's almost like we live in a dreamworld of preferred ignorance because then we don't have to give a damn.

las floras en mi jardin

2008-08-06T10:30:00.005-04:00

The garden is making me happy! Flowers, flowers, everywhere...

in my pumpkin patch,
on my tomato plants,
and in the cucumber lair...

Flowers, flowers, everywhere.

moment of glory story

2008-08-03T11:33:00.005-04:00

Bryce ran into Kathleen Glynn (Michael Moore's brilliant wife) downtown last week, and she asked him, "Is there another Erin Kennedy around?" Bryce said he didn't think so, and she said, "Well, I think I saw your wife in the Northern Express!"

That was how Bryce discovered that a photo from our PURE Procession made it into a weekly progressive paper. And I was absolutely THRILLED that Kathleen remembered my name! :)

p.s. you can only see a bit of my head in the photo-- I am the 5th dancer in line.

what lies beneath

2008-07-31T15:45:00.006-04:00

What mountain bike ride would be complete without a little... spelunking??

Check out what Ali and I discovered on our ride a week ago from TC to Suttons Bay.

one hair-raising garage sale

2008-07-27T21:11:00.003-04:00

Stay tuned for more photos from my Friday morning/afternoon ride with Ali up to Suttons Bay...

These photos couldn't wait-- 2 incredibly creepy items at one of the garage sales we visited! (See Ali's post for another interesting trend.)

new cat tree

2008-07-24T17:33:00.008-04:00

Well, we have inherited a winner. Heather from down the road got a new cat tree and gave us her old one... and the girls LOVE it. It's the prime spot for lounging, playing, and hiding. I'll post more pics once I get them off my camera. At first Zoey and Lucy ruled the tree, but finally, after picking Dory up and placing her on it a few times, she too is comfortable enough to rule the roost. :) Currently we've positioned the tree in a prime viewing area, and I must say, I hate the thought of it being anywhere else.

chimes in the breeze

2008-07-23T12:57:00.002-04:00

Yesterday's sky filled quickly with storm clouds. Here is a photo taken by me trying to be a bit artsier than normal! :)

smile!

2008-07-22T21:15:00.002-04:00

To end my day of non-production, I thought I'd share with you the latest 'look' sported by our dear garden friend...

My, how he has grown.

woo-hoo!

2008-07-22T12:27:00.003-04:00

Once more, a link to a great post!

(for my republican readers, you'll just have to deal with my political posts...
These are promising times for progressive thinkers!)

p.s. boyne photo

2008-07-22T10:54:00.003-04:00

balancing act

2008-07-22T10:49:00.003-04:00

It always makes me chuckle when Zoey attempts to "lay" on the back of my office chair. Bryce's office chair is thick and comfy for her, but when she gets on mine, she spends most of the time tearing it up with her claws in order to stay balanced. Here is a photo of Zoey in a supposedly relaxed position (note her paw grasping the chair).

ha ha ha

2008-07-21T22:32:00.002-04:00

From the Daily Kos blog today...
"LOL! McCain Versus Obama in Today's Images"

I've gotta say; that's the 2nd time today I've found something incredibly worth a look on the Daily Kos... perhaps I need to spend even MORE time procrastinating on a daily basis through online shenanigans. Classics.