Why Not?

Video Contest!

2011-06-27T14:16:00.000+01:00

I entered the Living Lutheran video contest! Follow the link and vote for my video, please? Yay! VOTE FOR KATIE

Just in time!

2011-04-23T21:42:00.000+01:00

Tonight is the season premeire of Doctor Who on BBC America! And we just signed up for it yesterday. I think Victor must have known that it was coming. I'll be at church but we're recording it!!! I LOVE DOCTOR WHO!!!

Whether the weather...

2011-04-20T19:59:00.000+01:00

There is something about a long, loathing winter that gets into your bones and makes your heart soggy. However, on this dreary day, I have received a great epiphany: I love it! Since I was small, the winter has always been the season that makes the rest of the year completely amazing. Living in places like San Francisco Bay Area and Albuquerque really made me long for winter. Yes, it gets relatively cold in these places, but nothing like the MOUNDS of snow that descended upon us in New England this year. MOUNDS that still exist in places.

I love it. Well, let's say that what I love about it is the common pain that we are all facing at the moment. Every person I have encountered has commiserated with me. A little comment here, a sad face there; this weather sucks. Yes, I reply, it DOES suck. And then we are a little closer because people bond in the face of suffering. It makes us happy that another person recognizes how awful we feel about the crappy weather.

And yet you may not see this as such a big deal. Well, let me tell you, I've also lived in the Pacific Northwest and that small amount of 12 months gave me incredible insight to the human psyche. You see, people in that area of the country know that the weather is going to be crap 99% of the time and they are totally ok with that. On a grey day like today, they wouldn't even flinch an eye. When a complain would be voiced, immediately someone would have to say, "oh, it's not that bad." Yes, the sun is not out and it's been raining for about four months, but it's not that bad.

It IS that bad. Really, it is. When you are going through a rough time and someone tells you "it's not that bad" you want to punch them in the face. Sometimes it IS that bad and when we are able to recognize the pain in other people we gain their trust. Sometimes life IS that bad. Our suffering can be relative but to completely ignore the pain others are feeling can only add to their disconnect from humanity. After my season of winter in Seattle I have learned to let people complain about bad weather, even if I think it's not that bad.

Really, I just want it to be warm again, don't you?

Take me out to the ball game!

2011-04-13T18:21:00.000+01:00

Yay!! My dad and step mom came into town and we all went to a baseball game! It was really fun and since Martha is a Tampa Bay Ray's fan, she had the best time because they beat the Sox.

photoshop church photos

2011-04-08T00:18:00.000+01:00

We had a photographer come to church the other day to capture some candid photos of our congregation. On one hand, it's nice to have some photos of Sunday morning. On the other hand, I would not hire this lady. Yeah, I'm practicing some photoshop skills just so we can save a few.

Happy Birthday Victor!

2011-04-06T20:19:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I'm one day late! But I did think of posting a happy birthday message yesterday. It was quite a full day of excitement and adventure...and work.

Victor has now passed the all important age of 35. I think he's starting to feel that his age is considered "old". But since I'm still 27 (yeah, inside joke) he will forever be...um...30. And there's my math for today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTOR!! I LOVE YOU!!

Talkin' 'bout a Revolution...

2011-04-03T13:09:00.000+01:00

Last night I went to my first Revolution Major League Soccer game. It was interesting, to say the least. Still not sure if I can say it was a good game. After being used to watching European football, these guys were like watching a college team. They played Portland and even though the score was tied, Portland was the better team. Ball control, passing, whining; they had it all. I got pretty frustrated a few times and I'm sure to the embarrassment of the people around me. Yes, I might have been "that guy".

AND it was SO Americanized I wanted to puke. Well, not puke really, but it sort of took away from the game at time. Maybe it was the OVER THE TOP announcer, like when they announce the starting line up; it felt like a basketball game with all the hype. BLAH.

But my favorite part of the game is always right at the beginning when the players walk out with the kids. I even get a little choked up.

Happy Anniversary!!

2011-04-01T14:13:00.000+01:00

Also, not another joke, today is my mom and step dad's anniversary! Yay!! They were married in 1997 which would make this year their 14th year of marriage.

I'm not going to lie, that was some hard math.

Love you mom and Carl!!!

Cruel Joke

2011-04-01T14:07:00.000+01:00

I wish that I could say the joke mother nature played on us this morning was a good one. However, I'm not laughing as I'm sure, many others are with me on this one.

It began last night around 6:30 and I'm not sure it stopped all night. While I was out last night it was difficult to see the road and the flakes were quite large. But I kept thinking how beautiful it all was. Yes, I'm complaining about it because it's Spring for Pete's sake! On the other hand, I'm not really all that crazed. Tomorrow it's going to be 50 degrees and I hope it melts before we to see the Revolution play!

I have decided that this gives me a great excuse to laze around and knit all morning:) Well, actually I'm doing the laundry so I have to spend the time between loads doing something! I have a few projects that I'm making for weddings that are only a few months away. It's going to be TIGHT!! Really, it's my own fault that I didn't get on it sooner. Then again, who else do I have to blame?

Well, time to put the fire on and cuddle up with my favorite knitting! Yay!

Day out!

2011-03-30T18:41:00.000+01:00

Today I finally drove up to Lowell to check out the American Textile History Museum. It was outstanding! I do believe it's just what I needed to get me on the way to figuring out where I fit in around here. There were so many things to do and see in England that I'm feeling a bit thirsty but this museum was so fabulous. I'm even going to become a member! Here are some photos:

And did you know that Lowell has a minor league baseball team? Well they are the Lowell Spinners! How much better can life get?

Epiphany

2011-03-28T16:03:00.000+01:00

I just realized this morning why I miss England so much. I lived in England for TWO whole years. Not only that, but two whole years in the same house! I haven't lived anywhere that long since I was in high school.

Problem resolved but not forgotten. Yikes.

I think I just need to start taking some photos. SOON!!

I do love Coldplay

2011-03-27T19:57:00.000+01:00

Victor was looking through some old photos and found a few from a Coldplay concert we went to in London. It was an amazing show and I even have a few videos from the concert. They really are not very good and I wouldn't want to post crap on the blog. So enjoy this little video of Strawberry Swing.

I love you Coldplay.

I can hardly wait****EDIT

2011-03-26T13:25:00.001Z

Today, at a farm down the street, is Woolapalooza. Yes, you heard me. I am going to partake in a day of wool at a farm no more than 10 min away from my house. If my bike was assembled (and it wasn't freezing outside) I cold ride my bike.

I promise to bring my camera. Let's see if these Americans know how to do it right.

This photo is from a similar event in England at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

*** Well, it's noon and I don't think I'm going to head over to this farm for two reasons 1) It's bloody 32degrees outside (wind chill is 20) 2) It's rather expensive ($10) for something I've already seen AND after research it doesn't look like it's going to be anything more than a bunch of sheep...lame...

Or, it could be that I'm getting to be a big sissy!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T15:20:00.000Z

Lent 3

2011-03-22T14:20:00.000Z

I would say these little videos are getting better. Not as dramatic as before but still better. I'm getting ready to make one for the website and it's going to be stellar!!

looking back

2011-03-21T10:00:00.000Z

I'm up early this morning to take Vic down the street for a 6:15am air port shuttle and rather than stay in bed, I decided to stay awake!

Looking back through photos on the computer, I realized that I took a crap load of photos in England. Now, on the other hand, I hardly take any. And it's weird photos too: my house, spiders in my garden, a snow day, close up of a brick building, clouds...the weird list goes on. What is it about my life now that I've decided it's not photo worthy? This could be the answer to why I've been feeling rather blah about life in these United States. Now that I'm back to the same old, same old everything is the same. But that couldn't be further from the truth.

However, I just might have to organize the past few years of photos before I think about adding too many more to the collection! Yeah, it's a bit overwhelming.

And in honor of St Patrick's day, I'll post a photo of our Dublin trip two years ago. I'm glad we didn't get locked into the crypt of that cathedral...true story.

Happy Birthday, Italy!

2011-03-17T13:57:00.001Z

150 years ago today, Italy was unified! This is my favorite unification photo from our trip to Venice.

Wordless Wednesday...even though I already posted today

2011-03-16T15:23:00.001Z

Back in the saddle again

2011-03-16T15:00:00.004Z

Recently I feel like I'm getting back to the things I used to do before I moved. And basically that means churchy stuff. Recently my pastor got the brilliant idea to do a two minute bible study each week on the texts in the lectionary. Since he got the idea at his laptop, he decided to use the camera on the screen and record it himself. Well, it looked a little weird. If you've ever skyped with someone on a laptop, they usually look a little strange: big close up, looking down on you. Yeah, I couldn't take it so I volunteered to record and edit his weekly rants...I mean...weekly insights:) I'll link to our church's YouTube site and if you are so inclined, check out the video I made as well as one of the older ones and tell me what you think?

Lost but not for long!

2011-03-14T17:26:00.002Z

My sister likes to get me interesting things for Christmas and I love them. One year it was a chocolate fountain. This year it was a cotton candy machine that uses hard candy to make the fluffy goodness that I love. We busted it open when the family was together at Christmas and it was the hit of the season! Everyone was amazed at how you can make cotton candy out of a Jolly Rancher. After the chaos was over and we packed up to leave, the cotton candy machine made it's way back to Boston.

A few months later I'm invited to my good friend Spencer's 4th birthday party and I decided to bring the amazing cotton candy machine. However, when I got it out of the box, the most important part was missing: the extractor! Well, you can have cotton candy with out the extractor so I found that a replacement was $15 and today I ordered a replacement and all will be right with the world again.

It's the little things, you know.

More than I am

2011-03-13T18:20:00.003Z

This morning in church, out pastor was announcing the services we are going to have on Wednesday evenings and surprised me a bit by adding that I had written a new liturgy. Does that sound like I actually wrote all the music and stuff? Yeah, well, I didn't! Ha ha!! I did, however, pick out music and form a service from already existing liturgies I found just lying around but I didn't really write it. And after the service one guy congratulated me on my accomplishment! Oh, I'm still laughing a bit. Well, I did correct him but I'm only wondering what people will be expecting come Wednesday night:)

It should be fun.

I'm off this evening to Marshfield Mass to visit my friend Mark. He started a new congregation called Sanctuary and I think it's been going really well for him. This will be the first time I've been for a worship service and I hope I don't fall asleep. Losing an hour last night really kicked me in the behind. I'm glad that I use my phone as an alarm clock because I TOTALLY forgot to set the time back before I went to bed. That would have been fun; an hour late to church! I did go early once in the fall, thinking, "why is everyone still in church when it's time for Sunday School?" Yeah, I still think it's better to be early than late.

Two a day? I must be missing facebook!

2011-03-13T03:44:00.003Z

I did get on facebook tonight to check if anyone posted a 'yes' to my sunday school event tomorrow. No. But that doesn't mean no one will be there, it just means no one is telling me in advance.

I think the real reason I'm back on the blog is to explain why I've been away for so long. Now that I'm back in the USA, I must subconsciously think my life is boring. I haven't really taken any photos, visiting many sights or really found people who knit. I know that all of these things are out there, I just need to be motivated. It's just that the last place I lived was so freaking fantastic that I can't get over leaving. And I've ALWAYS been good at leaving!! Why now? Why this move? What was so special about England that I'm fighting with myself to really put myself out there?

The funny thing is that I've been so involved in things since being back. I'm going overboard at church, I run a group with the spouse's club, work out with friends once a week, joined a soccer team...the list goes on. But it's like my heart isn't in it all the way.

I think I need to grieve. I didn't have time to grieve. This might be the moment I start to cry.

Lent: really?

2011-03-12T15:58:00.003Z

So I gave up facebook for lent. Yeah, it sounds really trivial, I know. But it's only day four and I'm already going through withdraw. The first clue is that I've decided to update my blog. After living life through the medium of social networking for at least three years, I'm taking a self imposed break. I've done this before but usually when I'm on vacation and can't get internet access. Now I'm just sitting around the house and meaningfully ignoring that facebook tab in my bookmark bar! I also deleted the app from my phone.

It's strange to not update my status on the weird things I do every day. When I'm doing stuff I actually think that I should post it on my profile. For example, yesterday I had Kraft Mac and Cheese for lunch...wanted to post it...spinning alpaca, watching Downton Abbey, and missing England...wanted to post it...lost our last soccer game...wanted to post it

However, I haven't left facebook totally. I still run the group for the youth at my church so I've decided that I can only log on if I'm going to check in on the group, create and event or communicate to any of the members. And if I log on, I can only be on for 30min once a day. So far, I've logged on once to create and event! I didn't make any comments, likes or updates on my page but I will have to say that I did check out my news feed, just to see what people are up to.

I wasn't sure that this would really be a sacrifice worthy of lent but it's panning out to be better than chocolate, soda and sex. Or should I say rather than better; worse.

Wordless Wednesday...some day soon I'll update for real

2010-10-21T00:52:00.005+01:00

Working at LUSH for the Holiday season!

In transit: UK to USA

2010-09-12T23:02:00.002+01:00

It's Sunday evening and we're five days away from an airplane flight to Boston. I can't believe two years has gone by this fast. When I look back at all the things we've done, it amazes me. The people, the countries, the roads, hours in the car, on a train, in a plane: how do you measure two years? It reminds me of the song in Rent; 525,600 minutes, moments, laughs, breaths, sighs, cries in a year. How do I measure two years? Where do I begin to express the friendships I've made or the place I called home? Leaving is never easy but it seems that this time is so very different than all the others. This time I'm leaving with my best friend, my partner, my husband and unlike other leavings I don't go alone. When we left Albuquerque we were freshly married and still getting to know each other. There have been so many learning moments over the past two years that would have been so different had we lived in the USA. How do you help your husband order food from the French menu when it's only in French? When do you get to bring your wife on a ski trip to Italy and when do you have to leave her at home?

There are too many things running through my heart at the moment that I'll have to get it all out at another moment in time. Maybe that's why I've been putting off my blog posts. Too many things to write.

Wordless Wednesday (sorry that I keep posting on a Wed)

2010-08-04T14:27:00.002+01:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-28T15:28:00.003+01:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-30T15:33:00.001+01:00

Home and away

2010-06-07T13:16:00.002+01:00

I just got home on Saturday from a trip cruising around Southern Croatia and then leave again for London to pick up my Aunt Connie and Uncle Steve for another adventure that also spans to Paris. Of course, it doesn't stop there. But rather than drone on about travel I would like to share a story that happened to me last week.

So on the boat there were a hand full of Aussies and most of them at the retired age. However, there were two other couples our age that we ended up hanging out with over the course of the week. They were from Australia and New Zealand both on their honeymoons. It was a great week and we really enjoyed seeing the sights and meeting new people. Of course everyone wants to know, "what do you do for a living?" and I was never sure what to say. Well, I came to the conclusion of telling people that I studied to be a pastor and that went well. I got asked a few questions, since it's not quite a job that many women take I also got a few strange looks.

Now Victor and I are not quite the partying type or real night owls so we usually went to bed before the other couples and we sort of gained the reputation of being rather lame when it came to night time revelry. On our second to last night on the boat we were convinced to head out on the town of Hvar with our new friends. I'm usually not a big drinker since one sip of wine will make me fall asleep and I really hate the taste of beer. (Yes, most, if not ALL beer is disgusting to my taste buds) However, I will admit I love Malibu rum. As in it is so yummy even if it does taste like the smell of sun tan oil. Ah, Malibu! We started out at a little bar with sofas next to the water where I proceeded to love two Malibu and cokes. After that we headed over to a small dance club where we shared drinks with big straws. Good times. So by the end of the evening I was feeling good and having a great time dancing and laughing with Victor and our new friends. Since I'm not a big drinker, I have always believed that I can tell when I need to stop before I feel like crap and therefore I begin to drink water and get to bed at a reasonable hour. We left early, of course, and were the first to leave the bar at 2am.

However, the point of this story isn't to tell you about my only drunken evening in a few years but something that was said to me during our night out. While dancing with the two girls from our new friends one of them decided to tell me that she was proud of me for staying out late and having a few drinks. Then she proceeded to let me know that I was the kind of pastor she liked: the real kind. They both agreed that if they went to church, they would go to my church.

That's actually just what I needed.

Today is amazing

2010-05-21T10:10:00.003+01:00

I've been getting up early every morning sans alarm clock and it's been great. Back in the day I used to practice yoga and I say practice because I believe it is something I will never truly master and I'm ok with that. I even bought my own mat and everything! It's been collecting dust for the past few years and this week I brushed it off and started a routine. Even after one week, I'm feeling great! I have yoga flash cards that I lay out in a sequence for the work out and even put together a play list. In fact, the workout is so great that I want to extend my playlist another few songs to make it longer. Right now from start to finish it's about 30min but I think more would be better. Now that I'm starting to loosen up, I have the confidence to do more positions that were strenuous at the beginning of the week. I just wish that we had a place in the house that Victor and I could have a go at the same time. It's a bit cramped around here.

Speaking of cramped around here....we're officially moving to Boston in September! Which means I get to look for another place to live. And this time it will be for at least four years. Crazy. This two year assignment is the longest I've lived in one house for about 10 years. However, I am really looking forward to seeking out the new place. So if you've ever lived in Boston, heck, if you've ever visited Boston and have any suggestions, I'm open!

And since I haven't posted any photos from the European adventure, here is a foretaste of the feast to come:

Back online!

2010-05-20T15:57:00.002+01:00

Our router went out a few days ago...ok more like two weeks ago...and today I got a new one in the mail and guess what? We're back on the world wide web from the convenience of our own home. Remember when I went to the library to check my email? What decade was that? Ok, that was in 2001 but still, I was living with my sister and her internet was so slow! What am I talking about? Her internet is still slow. I live in England and she calls me to help her book plane tickets and hotels.

So now maybe I'll blog more. Right. I have some catching up to do.

2010-05-17T10:06:00.002+01:00

It's been a while since my friend Jenny came to visit but I was just reminded of her trip the other day. I was explaining to someone this weekend that when I go to London, I tend to go to the same places every time because most of the time I go, I'm taking a friend or family member. Most of these people want to see the same things. For example, I've been to the Tower of London about 5 or 6 times. I could be a tour guide! Of course, it's not really the place for me, it's the people. However, the next time I go to London I'm going to CHIPOTLE!!

Take a closer look

2010-05-11T18:20:00.003+01:00

I'm all for Jesus, don't get me wrong. However, there is something about putting Jesus in modern times (or in this instance modern times in Jesus) that sort of freaks me out. What if Jesus were to be alive and kicking today? I'm not sure I would believe anything he would say. Well, of course I wouldn't be seeing him through the Christian lens. I don't mean if Jesus were to come back, I mean say there was never Jesus back in the day and he really came now. Because let's admit it, we're pretty messed up as it is and he DID already come. I'm not sure if this makes any sense but maybe one day it will.

Back home again

2010-05-03T08:35:00.001+01:00

It's going to take a while, but I should be uploading photos soon!

On the road

2010-04-22T09:00:00.002+01:00

It's hard enough to keep up with the blog at home, let alone the road. We are currently in the Czech Republic on our way to Austria. It's a road I've traveled before but I can hardly believe it was 10 years ago. That may not seem like a long time if you're a bit older but at my age, 10 years is my nephew's lifetime.

The trip has been pretty good so far. I was quite a bit under the weather for the last few days (ok, week) and now that I'm feeling better, Victor and Nicki both start going down hill. Well, I guess we all can't be healthy when living in such close quarters.

Time to get going again!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-15T00:59:00.002+01:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-09T00:29:00.000+01:00

"There you are in a room that's full of incredible grief. People crazed with grief. People drunk with grief and the minister is the designated driver and you take people where they need to go saying the old words about death. There are no new words to be said about death."
Garrison Keillor

Family Visit!

2010-03-28T20:34:00.001+01:00

I am so tired but it's GREAT to have my sister here with her family. And that's all I can write about that:)

Happy Spring!

2010-03-21T23:54:00.003Z

I was on Skype with my grandma today and I told her about standing an egg upright on the Vernal Equinox. So rather than just talking about it I did it! The photos might not be so great but I think you get the idea. I owe this great feat to my high school physics teacher, Mr. Fowler. He was one of the best teachers I have ever had.

Two more days of lazing around!

2010-03-20T13:36:00.004Z

Monday begins the crazy time of family visits. I'll be traveling to London to meet up with my Dad, step Mom Martha and Nana. Tuesday Nana and I will head back to my house for a short visit to see where I live and hang out with Victor. Then on Wednesday back up to London to meet up with Dad and Martha. Thursday say goodbye to those three family members and hello to cousin Marta and friend Jenny! Stay Thursday night in London and then bring Jenny back to my house. Either on Saturday or Sunday I'll travel back up to London to pick up my sister and her family. We'll spend three days at my house and then go back up to London on Wednesday (that's the 31st) until Friday when we go to Paris. We'll stay at Disenyland Paris until Monday (that's April 5th) when I take the train back up to London and meet up with Victor and his sister at Heathrow Airport and fly to Sweden. There we will meet up with his brother and family for seven days. Fly back to London, drive home and hang out for a day before we take the car train to France and start to drive around Europe until the end of April.

Does this sound crazy to you? Because it sure as heck sounds crazy to me.

And with all this crazy travel going on, I am most excited to see Curtis and Callie. Oh, and my sister and brother in law... I just hope Curtis is more excited when visiting me than he is in this photo:

My comments have been hacked

2010-03-19T09:53:00.002Z

So if you want to leave comments now you'll have to prove you're a person.

I never thought about who was reading my blog but I definitely don't want any hackers perusing the pages of my life.

Actually, I set up this blog for my family to see what's going on where ever I'm living but I'm not sure if any of them ever visit it. And I've never followed a topic intentionally. It's sort of a mish mash of what's going on in my life whether it be knitting, traveling, sewing, thinking, nothing or something. I'm glad that I amuse you some of the time, confuse you part of the time and perhaps entertain most of the time.

Union Jack Pillow!

2010-03-18T08:51:00.002Z

On to a new project! I've always wanted to make one of these pillows and I didn't have a pattern so I just make one up. I think it turned out ok! I think I'll give this one to a friend for her new living space. Hopefully she doesn't read this before I see her today!

Lambing!

2010-03-18T08:39:00.003Z

One of the ladies at our spinning group lives on a farm and on Wednesday we all went out there to see the new lambs. They were so cute! Yes, that sounds very cliche but it was true. It was great to get outside on a nice warm day and I even bought my first pair of Wellies!

Wordless Wednesday...I stole this idea from a friend:)

2010-03-17T09:18:00.002Z

Pompeii, Paestum and the Amalfi Coast...a few months ago

2010-03-13T10:14:00.004Z

Rather than overload my blog with photos, I'm just posting a few here and making a larger album on facebook. Here are some of my favorites.

I took way too many photos at Pompeii to pick my favorite but this comes close. It was a very surreal experience to visit such a historical city that has no people living there. I always assumed that it was buried under lava or ash but that's not the case. Yes, ash from Mt Vesuvius did fall and covered quite a bit of the town but the thing that ended lives was the suffocating gasses. And rather than recover and rebuild the town, the survivors just came back to take all the personal belongings they could find and move to a new town, never to return. It was an amazing trip back in time.

Paestum is a little knows city of ruins South of Pompeii, yet still in the guide book! We took the chance and drove down there on the day of our arrival and it was worth the trip. The city was built in 650 BC by Greeks who were on the run (sort of) and was abandoned in the middle ages when the people became infected with malaria. The temples were very impressive and are also the best preserved, even when compared to temples in Greece!

The Amalfi Coast was an amazing place to take a drive. The weather that day was the best of the whole trip! There were some nice towns to drive through and the place we stopped for lunch was the perfect little Italian seaside town. And since we went at a low tourist time, we rubbed elbows with the locals. Perfect!

Rome....a few months ago

2010-03-13T09:54:00.003Z

We went to Rome for New Year's and here are a few photos of our adventure! And it was quite the adventure!

I tried to get Victor to put his hand in the "Mouth of Truth" to see if he has ever lied to me but he wouldn't do it. That might tell me something...

The Roman Forum as seen from Palatine Hill. Well, about half the Forum. It was a pretty big place!

Colosseum! Once again, from Palatine Hill.

Inside the Colosseum on a tour. I highly recommend you take the tour.

Trivoli Fountain at night. We threw our coins in but I'm not sure I'll make it back to Rome...you never know!

A short taste of what our wedding was like

2010-03-10T14:21:00.003Z

I made a little video of our wedding ceremony. Finally! It's only been about two years. Hope you like it.

I love knitting!

2010-02-25T15:33:00.003Z

Many of you know that I love to knit! A while back I went to the Alexander Palace in London to a knitting extravaganza and it was total overload! I went with my good friend Inny
and we didn't even see everything due to the extensiveness of the event. But it was a great day and even though it was a long time ago, I thought I would show you some of the good times I've hand in England.

2010-02-09T11:33:00.002Z

My mom came to visit over Christmas and we hand so much fun! Of course I miss my mom but I think I miss her much more now that she came to visit. We've been in the UK about 17 months now and only a few more until we move back. I'm half ready to go and half not ready to go. There are still so many more things I would like to experience and it doesn't seem like we'll have enough time. But on the other hand, I'm looking forward to getting back to a place where I can visit my family on a more regular basis...and eat good Chinese food...and Mexican food.

There is a list of places to go before we go floating somewhere around our house but I'm never really sure where it lives. So I ask you, my loyal followers, where should we go? Any fun suggestions?

Something interesting

2010-01-14T22:20:00.002Z

When I was in Italy I noticed that Italians can be quite loud when engaged in conversation. Not that I didn't know that already, but I noticed something pretty fantastic that was not around the last time I was there: cell phones. You know how when people are on a cell phone they tend to talk about ten time louder than they normally would? Well you would imagine that people in Italy would be obnoxiously loud but I will tell you that Italians are respectfully quiet while talking on their cell phones. Loved it!

I love commercials in this country

2010-01-14T22:19:00.000Z

My New Favorite Kid

2010-01-11T18:04:00.002Z

This kid is 5 years old and lives in Japan. He learned to play the ukulele with his dad from a five week TV program. Amazing.

How have I survived?

2009-12-30T20:27:00.002Z

Not sure. I want to tell you this story in case I don't make it back from Italy. Holy crap, the drivers here are insane. First of all I have seen, on more than one occasion, a person driving with a child under the age of three on their lap or wandering up front near the driver. Second, people here don't know what the lines on the road are for and road signs are just a suggestion. Third, and the ultimate story, we were in the left lane on the highway and with only two lanes altogether, a guy passes the car beside us by going BETWEEN our car and the one in the right hand lane. I might not make it home alive! And I know I've said this before but people in the UK are WONDERFUL drivers!! I think my driving has become much more polite sine I've lived in the UK. And I also know that most of my family is Italian but I don't think I inherited their INSANE driving skills. Although, I did do some of my own pushing out into traffic today. Whenever I hear honking, I just assume it's for me. And what's with the flashing of the brights ALL THE TIME!! In England, if you flash your brights it's a "thank you" or a "you may pull out ahead of me" signal. Not here. In Italy it means "get the hell out of my way or I WILL run you over along with every one else on the road tonight!" Think of the worst driver you know and put him (or her) in EVERY vehicle on the road.

YIKES!

PS- Other than that, Italy is pretty fantastic:)

Someone once taught me

2009-12-23T09:35:00.003Z

how to knit. It was a random occasion in 2002 when I was in a church band that traveled to different churches every day. If you don't know that part of my life, I'll tell you another day. One evening we were having dinner at a church when I spotted a lady knitting and said "I've always wanted to learn how to knit". The next day we had a day off and that same lady came over to my host family house with three skeins of yarn and a pair of needles. She taught me how to knit prayer shawls and for the rest of the time I was on the road, the majority of the time I spent in the van, I was knitting. Well, other than the times I was driving.
This is a photo of me and my teammate Heidi with two ladies from the church that taught me how to knit. They gave us a prayer shawl to take with us on the road. When our year was over I gave the shawl to the kids in the Youth Encounter office to pass on to the new North East team. I would like to think that they still have it...I wonder where that prayer shawl is?

And that is the beginning of my current obsession with wool.

Catching up...one weekend at a time

2009-12-15T13:01:00.008Z

I went on a little outing this weekend while Victor was staying home sick. So I looked up a few places to go in my English Heritage book and headed out the door.
First stop was Avebury stone circle. It is a World Heritage Site and is considered to be right up there with Stonehenge, except that no one really knows about it. Well, no one outside the UK. I mean, seriously, how many of you have heard of the stone circle at Avebury?

And then I had lunch at Appleby's which is pronounced like the US chain Applebee's. And even though they may be pronounced the same, they are nothing alike. I prefer the UK version.

In the afternoon I visiting Farleigh Hungerford Castle and saw a 600 year old painting on the chapel wall. 600 years! This is OLD!

The contract is up!

2009-12-10T15:24:00.003Z

My last day of work at Tile Barn was last week and I can hardly believe it's been a year! I really enjoyed working with the kids and getting to know the staff. I've learned a lot by working at Tile Barn and most of it has been about English culture and words you shouldn't say in front of kids.

I loved working outside every day, even if it was raining. The only thing I didn't like was raking leaves. And now it's on to bigger and better! Well, it's on to keeping house and figuring out where to travel next. It's a rough life but someone's got to do it.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:47:00.003Z

This is quite an old video from Homestar Runner but I laugh every time!

Let's see if this works!

2009-10-18T15:27:00.002+01:00

I was informed that the last time I posted this video it was set to private viewing. So I think I've fixed it and now you can see it!

2009-10-18T10:23:00.002+01:00

Not sure if I've posted about PS 22 on my blog yet but I should have a long time ago. I heard about this school a while back and the recently again. They are so fun! And they're on Staten Island!

Laughed my butt off!!

2009-10-17T21:06:00.003+01:00

My cousin Marta is visiting me this weekend and she showed me this video. It is HILARIOUS!!

I hope you find it funny too:)

2009-10-15T21:46:00.001+01:00

This also makes me happy

2009-10-15T21:41:00.001+01:00

This make me happy.

The Big Knit is Back!

2009-09-28T21:53:00.004+01:00

It's that time of year again! Time for the BIG KNIT! I did it last year and I'm doing it again this year! So if you're into knitting for causes, try out this one out for size. It's simple, small and so easy you'll fill a box so fast that you might not be able to stop! So check out The Big Knit!

And here's my post from last year!

Happy First Day of Autumn

2009-09-23T20:31:00.002+01:00

The Fall reminds me of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Here is a short video I made when we crewed for Becky back in 2007. I think I've posted it every year so far. The experience of that week is like nothing I've ever done before. When I get back to the States that is one thing I would like to do every year. I really loved Albuquerque in the Fall. It had such a wonderful flavor, you could taste it. I think it tasted like Frontier cinnamon rolls.

This is my second fall in England and I haven't had one of these since 2004 when I lived in Berkeley. The seasons don't really change in Berkeley like they do here, and they really didn't change much in Albuquerque. So I'm looking forward to the colors again. I've always loved the colors of a true Fall. The sunsets just seem to reflect what's going on with the trees.

Time wasted?

2009-08-23T08:34:00.001+01:00

I just spent an hour catching up on other people's blogs and have no desire to update my own. Did I waste my time? Maybe next time I'll update mine first.

It's been an interesting year

2009-06-23T20:47:00.000+01:00

I love this country but sometimes.....

2009-06-23T12:32:00.002+01:00

For the most part, I love living in the UK. Actually for the 99.9% part, I love living in the UK. There is only one thing that drives me crazy. There are very few moments when the cultural differences between the English and the Americans actually gets in the way of having fun. It usually revolves around words and the way they are pronounced. Like when I say, "I'm eating tomato soup" and someone says, "oh, tomato soup". Ok that doesn't really translate on print, but maybe you get the point.

One word in which I've had trouble saying the English way is aluminum. And that's because it's not eve spelled the same. You see there is a history to the word in which I will inform you of now by way of the Online Etymology Dictionary:

Aluminum
1812, coined by Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829), from L. alumen "alum" (see alum). Davy originally called it alumium (1808), then amended this to aluminum, which remains the U.S. word, but British editors in 1812 further amended it to aluminium, the modern preferred British form, to better harmonize with other element names (sodium, potassium, etc.).
"Aluminium, for so we shall take the liberty of writing the word, in preference to aluminum, which has a less classical sound." ["Quarterly Review," 1812]

So there you go. There is no "right" way. There is the American way and the snotty British way.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like all people are this concerned about how different we are from each other. It's mainly a few people at work....ok, one person at work.

One More Month!

2009-06-14T18:34:00.001+01:00

Here's a trailer for you from Japan...just in case you are there

65th Anniversary of D Day

2009-06-13T14:51:00.003+01:00

Again, just a few of the photos we took when we went to Normandy. This might have been the most amazing trip I've had since moving to England.

Honeymoon Photos

2009-06-13T14:15:00.007+01:00

Just a few photos of our honeymoon in Spain! And when I say just a few I mean just a few. But if you're my friend on facebook I'll put more in an album.

Hands off Ladies

Just a typical day

Cordoba had a giant festival that words cannot describe! Ok, it was sort of like a State Fair minus the livestock and plus 100 Flamenco tents

These next two photos are the view from our top balcony in Gaucin

That's Victor pointing over the gorge in Ronda

At the Alhambra in Granada

Gibraltar rock and one of the monkeys

It's that time of year

2009-06-13T11:56:00.002+01:00

Kids all over the US are graduating from High School. I highly doubt any of them are reading my blog but I thought I would post this video I saw on YouTube from a comedian who gave the address at his old high school this year. I don't remember a thing from my own ceremony but maybe if this guy was there, it would have made it more memorable

Soon enough

2009-06-04T21:31:00.003+01:00

I've been crazy busy traveling around and it's just going to be a while before I post anything of substance. Sorry for the disruption. Just to keep you happy, here is something to make you smile in honor of our trip to France this weekend:

However, in all seriousness, we're off to Normandy for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

let's hope...

2009-05-23T23:32:00.004+01:00

Let's hope next week the weather will be great: not to sunny, not too cloudy

Let's hope I don't get sunburned

Let's hope I learn something I didn't know before

Let's hope I get to have some good sex on my honeymoon (my blog is no longer PG)

Let's hope the food will be fantastic

Let's hope I don't drop the camera

Let's hope when I get back, it will feel like I'm coming home

Let's hope that just for one week the world is at peace

What is it like to take a vacation from your reality? I think about this a lot before I go on big trips. My reality for some people might seem like a vacation while for others it might just be a cheap place to stay in a foreign country. As for reality, is that even a possibility?

Because after all, there is no spoon.

2009-05-20T21:06:00.000+01:00

We're going to Spain next week and I haven't a thing to wear.

2009-05-14T20:59:00.002+01:00

How much to I want John Stewart to be on a legitimate news channel? As much as I want to watch a legitimate news channel: A LOT!! This interview really open my eyes about the Pakistan situation...and how much I love Obama's foreign policy.

The Zombie is Coming!!

2009-05-13T08:33:00.002+01:00

if you can stand to watch this until the end, do it! I laughed so hard I cried! I can only imagine the nightmares these kids will have for the rest of their lives

2009-05-12T19:32:00.002+01:00

Just finished watching this movie and I do believe you should put it in your Netflix queue! Loved it!

Various Wanderings

2009-05-04T21:21:00.014+01:00

Here are a few places I've been in the past few weeks.

Play Up Pompey!

Old Fratton Park! It was a great game and I would LOVE to get season tickets!

Wardour Castle and a beautiful day in Sunny Old England.

Old Sarum near Salisbury. And when they say old, they mean old.

Pilgrim steps in Canterbury Cathedral. Worn for hundreds of years.

Kings Gate leading to Canterbury Cathedral

St Augustine: I've only read about him...history is unfolding before me

Altar at Mary's Chapel, St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury.

Dressing for war at Dover Castle

Dover Castle on the White Cliffs of Dover

You need to rent this film...NOW!!

2009-04-22T21:02:00.003+01:00

It's Wednesday night and we just watched Son of Rambow! I LOVE IT!! You will too. Have you seen it?

I can't believe this is three years old...

2009-04-19T20:14:00.003+01:00

Why is it that John Stewart, presenter of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, is the only one who sticks it to the media? And after three years the only thing that has really changed is that Crossfire is no longer on air. There is a difference between free speech and treating the public like total idiots.

PS- I really hate the American media, especially Fox News, they are hurting the Country.

Four more months!

2009-04-14T20:14:00.001+01:00

Why do I have to wait? Oh yeah, because Hollywood wanted to make more money. JERKS!!!

Friday...good?

2009-04-10T13:11:00.002+01:00

Happy Birthday Victor!

2009-04-05T09:04:00.000+01:00

He's one in a million!

Koln: again

2009-04-03T23:07:00.001+01:00

I usually don't get in many photos but I like this one because it is only the tip of the iceberg!
And it really wasn't raining at the moment, so not sure why I have the hood up. I went to Koln whilst studying in Luxembourg but this time I got to make the walk to the top of the spire! It's over 500 steps, 95% of which are spiral. YIKES!

The Spinnstrube

2009-04-03T23:00:00.001+01:00

Wandering the back streets of Dusseldorf we found this pub. It was about the size of an average living room with about 4 people inside and the most random decorations: including spinning wheels. My kind of place!

2009-03-23T21:36:00.001Z

I think I need to be friends with these people!

Another Fantastic TV Ad in the UK

2009-03-23T20:22:00.001Z

This one makes me cry...I'm such a sucker!

Top Dublin Moments

2009-03-23T19:06:00.002Z

A rare photo of me and Victor. Not sure why, but we don't have too many of us together.

At the Guinness Storehouse. I just found out this weekend that my friend Inny's Great Grandfather was a cooper for Guinness and that's pretty fantastic!

I still don't like Guinness...but oddly enough, I can tell that this is the "good" stuff.

Dublin Castle: learned a lot about Irish history at this one!

Is this fancy or what?

Ah...Jameson Whiskey and Coke...a drink I can handle!

There's a funny story about how we almost got locked in this crypt for the night. I'll tell you later if you really want to know. But it just goes to show that Victor should listen to me when I say things like "I think the crypt is closed for the day...we really shouldn't go down there!"

Christ Church Cathedral...almost our hotel for the night.

Dublin

2009-03-20T20:01:00.001Z

Ok, it's been a week since Dublin and I haven't really blogged about it. And I'll hold off until I get the camera back from Victor...who is in Italy...on a ski vacation...without me...while I stay home and work...get the picture?

2009-03-16T22:10:00.002Z

This is Curtis. He is my favorite nephew. And Curtis just turned 9. Being the great aunt that I am, I missed his birthday. Of course, I'm thinking of the best gift to give him in delay and hopefully that will come soon but until then he gets his own post. Late, but at least it's here.

This photo was taken in 2001 when I lived with Curtis when he was just a baby. I taught him a lot of stuff like how to use a head lamp, how to carefully apply chap stick and jump. All stuff you need to learn for getting through the struggles of life.

When I see Curtis now I see this little baby but he's not so little anymore. It's the closest I've come to having my own kid and I'm not really sure if I would ever love my own like I love Curtis. Only if I ever have my own kids, I hope I can remember their birthdays.

I love this video!

2009-03-16T19:10:00.003Z

Saw this one at the HRC in Dublin and laughed out loud through most of it. Enjoy!

I know some people who hate to fund raise

2009-03-07T00:55:00.002Z

This is my local pub just down the street, stumbling distance from my front door. I love this pub. I have a meal here about once a week and the workers know my usual order: bacon, brie and mushroom sandwich. Just beyond the pub is the Castle and Church. Now, the Church needs to repair the roof, it's pretty old. And rather than your usual fundraisers you're used to back in the states, we're having a pub quiz: a staple to the life of any local pub.

I love this country.

2009-03-05T21:43:00.000Z

I love my mom. And I'm sure if you know her, you love her too.

What's in a name?

2009-03-03T22:40:00.000Z

Sometimes I miss this one. Thanks to all the friends who still call me by it.

Africans on the beach

2009-03-02T20:03:00.002Z

Not the most artistic photo I've ever taken but I love these two people. And they have a little baby that I also miss. This was one of the best days of my life.

2009-03-01T16:21:00.002Z

In 2006 I was cast as Lucy Van Pelt in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. This cartoon sort of makes me think that the role was sort of type cast. Or at least Victor might think so.

2009-03-01T14:00:00.003Z

I thought about giving up going to church for Lent because I have this strange idea. So, some of you know that I have spent a good part of the last few years in seminary studying to be a pastor. However, there are circumstances that are inhibiting me from actually becoming an ordained person. Since then I have begun to wonder if I have a strange need for power within a religious institution. There are pastors who are wonderful people and there are pastors who are detrimental to the Gospel of Christ. The unfortunate part of this story is that I got the idea after I met a man on my Candidacy Committee who I believe has a perverse relationship with his role as a pastor. It's sad really, and even more sad that there is nothing I can do about it...or that I have been able to do about it.
The question really is: am I addicted to church? So I skipped Ash Wednesday service, did a little reflecting and decided that whether I go to church or not has no impact on the fact that I feel called to a leadership role in organized religion.
Jesus never went to church and he turned out alright...sort of. I'll just stay away from the Romans.

2009-02-28T21:09:00.003Z

I sort of like posting random photos. What's weird is that if you know me, and most of you do, I LOVE to talk. However, when it comes to the blog I would rather post photos than say much at all. I also believe that might be because I really don't like to read long things on a computer screen. Even when it's other blogs out there, I'm not a fan of reading long posts. Any more than three paragraphs and I'm just scanning. It's like I'm the opposite of myself while I'm on the internet. So here's a random photo for you:
Last summer visiting Melissa in Toledo and playing disc golf: priceless!! I got her and the new hubster each a set of discs for their wedding. I'm all about practical.

202

2009-02-27T23:15:00.002Z

I totally missed the ball on my 200th post. I have no special insights or words of wisdom but I will leave you with this photo:

I don't know why.

What will be?

2009-02-23T19:32:00.002Z

I was watching a show on the National Geographic channel tonight about the history of North America. Basically, it was about all the stuff we learned in school over the years about geology so nothing was really all that new to me. But it got me thinking about time. Billions of years ago the Earth was formed out of nothing...nothing! How crazy is that? And then over time stuff moved and formed into what we know at this moment.
Of course, computers, cars and ice cream hasn't been around forever but what about the future. I'm not naive, I know that we're not going to be on this planet forever. But what is it going to be like for the last people? Apparently in a few billion years the plates will continue to move and they are all going to smash back together: New York City will be mountains in Africa: San Francisco will mush together with Alaska. Then what? Will there be people there when it happens? Am I naive to think that our race will still be around? Do we really think that highly of ourselves?
It just got me thinking.