a backwards glance...

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

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

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

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!

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

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...

(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.