puts it in perspective

While signing an on-line petition (Obama: End the Occupation of Iraq) today, I ran across the above statistic, and sadly, it was not at all hard to believe.  While we are in an economic crises, with global ramifications, it's impossible for me to ignore how much money has been spent on the war in Iraq.  It's actually disgusting.

Here's what the site had to say:

The first four years of the Iraq war cost American tax payers $1 trillion dollars -- the equivalent of $720 million each day or $500,000 per minute! At the same time, over half a million American and Iraqi lives were lost, and the education, health and economic infrastructure of the country was destroyed.

What Iraq needs is sustained peace-building and sustainable solutions to deal with the war's aftermath. For less than 1/5th of what the U.S. spends in one day in Iraq, we could be providing teachers and better education for over 150,000 school and college-age Iraqi refugees!

Not to mention all the other good that could be done with the money: affordable health care, green energy, helping those struggling in these harsh economic times and more.

Please sign this petition (as well as many more) by becoming a member of Care2.  It's one of my new favorite web-sites.  Take action; you never know what a petition, a peaceful means of engagement, could do.

good call campbell brown!

This is so true! Why are single women without kids so often seen as having "no life"?! This kind of attitude irks me to the core. Watch the video clip below; I'm so glad that Campbell Brown addressed what this governor said -- watch out, you're standing right next to the microphone, buddy.

sharing life in brooklyn

I just came across this story on the NYTimes regarding a new communal "co-housing" living project that is taking root in Brooklyn.  It's so fascinating to see that people really are eager to share life together, and after reading the article, I'm terribly impressed with how organized, proactive, and creative this group is in seeking out community.  Heck, I want to join their home!  : )

You gotta read this!!  Leave me a comment with your thoughts about it! Click the title below:

REAL ESTATE

A Village Down the Block

By VIVIAN S. TOY

Published: November 30, 2008

At a “cohousing” project planned for Fort Greene, Brooklyn, the residents will share all decisions and some meals.

vienna waits for you

Last night, while I was driving, Billy Joel's song "Vienna" came up in the shuffled selections from my ipod, and it was just what I needed to hear.  In an interview, I heard him explain why he wrote this song and why Vienna was a metaphor for the way he wanted to approach life... as well as the realization that he didn't want his life to just slip by...  I feel ya' Billy.  I feel ya' big time.

I have so many dreams, so many ambitions, but even with those, I'm asking, "Where do I go from here...?"  These three weeks in San Diego have been such a gift -- space for both reflecting and asking hard questions while processing with people that I love and respect so much.  And while the world suddenly seems so open to me now that everything in Riverside has dissolved, I still am mourning all that has transpired in the past few months.

Mostly, even while I am in a season of grieving and introspection, I want to live fully in the moment -- again, to embrace what is present... to not let life pass me by.  And while I have months suddenly at my disposal, I want to take advantage of them... to travel, to explore, to try something new, to be shaped by something unfamiliar -- to have another adventure.  And as much as it is hurting to be leaving not only San Diego now, but the state of California altogether (that is just crazy), I think I am walking forward, making the best decision in the midst of crazy and unexpected circumstances, and taking advantage of some time to be immersed in the blanket of a Colorado winter.

A friend recently told me, "The world is your oyster right now."  And, I like that, a lot.  I think that same sentiment can be found in these lyrics from the piano man.  And, since I am exploring the possibility of serving as an Au Pair in Europe, who knows, maybe Vienna really is waiting for me?  : )  (Austria is one of countries that I've been seriously considering.)  As, I listened to this song last night, after saying goodbye to such treasured friends, not knowing when or where we'll see each other again (this is killing me!), I was comforted to know that: life is still there to be seized - in every season, in every place, and that, my friend, is the kind of person I want to be.  "When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?"

Oddly enough, this song confirmed that I made the right decision to be in Colorado for the month of December, as well as again confirming that I made the right decision to be in San Diego during this month.  Today, it's still so difficult to be leaving San Diego, a city that is full of so many people and places that I absolutely love... that have become home to me for the past five years... but Billy's helping me get through today.  Sing us a song.

Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
Are you still so afraid?
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)
Too bad but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself
That you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right (you're right)

You got your passion you got your pride
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you

Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize...
Vienna waits for you.

And you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through

Why don't you realize...Vienna waits for you
When will you realize...Vienna waits for you

shoo-fly

Like many Rocky Mountain people, I too, am getting pretty worried about the pine-beetle situation that's been happening in Colorado over the past few years, and the projections are looking pretty grim.  I've heard scary statistics about how these lil' guys could potentially wipe out Colorado forests, and it really does worry me.  The NYTimes has a video story on the mountain pine-beetle right now.  It looks like scientists, beetle experts, and forest rangers are looking at creative ways of addressing the problem, but they gotta' act FAST, and for many trees and forests, it just might be too late.  Watch the story by clicking below:

America's Disappearing Forests

Published: 08

The mountain pine beetle, an insect pest, is destroying massive swaths of American lodgepole pine.

everything changed

Everything changed

the day she figured out

there was exactly enough time

for the important things

in her life

-- "Enough Time", Brian Andreas

www.storypeople.com

Word. Word to your motha'. I want to discover this truth.

Time is always such an issue for everyone. Whenever you ask someone, "How are you doing?", you'll typically get one of two responses (and sometimes both!): either, "Tired." or "Busy." And although, I appreciate the honesty, I really do, there must be an alternative. Now, ya'll know I'm not calling for people to lie and say they're doing "Good" or "Fine" when in reality they are tired and busy, but I, myself, want to come to a place where there is 'exactly enough time for the important things in life'. That sounds amazing, and I really think it is possible; it's a matter of perspective, and it's a matter of intentional practice.

What things are life-giving? Being in San Diego these past few weeks has given me both time and space to explore this very question and more. Of course I came here with such high hopes that after the fall-out in R-side, I would be able to read a new book each day and meditate and think and just be. And although time still escapes me somehow, even when I don't have a job or classes to maintain, I think I am beginning to scratch the surface on this poem-statement at the beginning of this post.

Because ultimately what matters to me is people.

When it comes down to it, the important things are not things at all. Yes, I want to be saturated in the things that are life-giving to me like surrounding myself with good music, sitting in the sunshine, going for walks, riding my bike, reading a book for pleasure, dancing just to dance, preparing and eating healthy food, taking time to reflect, etc., BUT I have found that I don't take advantage of these things as much, to the fullest that is, when I feel like I am all alone. Meaning, living by myself in R-side had its perks, but when it came down to it, I wasn't experiencing the goodness and beauty of life as fully because there wasn't someone to enjoy it with. Does that make sense?

Being in San Diego, a city that I love, with so many dear friends in this same city, has made me realize that I am much more likely to hone into the little pleasures of life when there is someone to share them with... even if that sharing is just done in the re-counting of one's day before we head to bed. So, of course I love riding my bike with a friend, but even if I happen to go for a bike ride by myself, the fact that there is someone to share my bike story with at the end of the day makes it so much more delightful. Truly. Because then we're sharing life. Together.

And sharing life with people is what it all comes down to.

Yep. I want to be able to say, 'everything changed....'.

women: educated but still no job?

Here's a NYTimes article that describes the latest statistics of women in leadership in various countries. The US is definitely lagging behind most of Europe as well as behind other notable nations throughout the world. Get with the program, yo! The article states that women are just as educated as men, but there is not an equal share of leadership that would reflect this shared level of education. It does mention that Norway is one of the leaders when it comes to equality of the sexes - what up home roots. Here are two noteworthy quotes from the article:

“The world’s women are nearly as educated and as healthy as men, but are nowhere to be found in terms of decision-making,” said Saadia Zahidi of the World Economic Forum.

&:

“A nation’s competitiveness depends significantly on whether and how it educates and utilizes its female talent. To maximize its competitiveness and development potential, each country should strive for gender equality.”

I don't know if competitiveness should be our final goal, but I guess that's capitalism for you. Nonetheless, the quote still raises a good point - we must ask, first of all, whether we are offering true and equal education for women (in many world areas, education is not even an option for women), and second of all, whether we are then utilizing this female talent. Even in the US, we still have a long ways to go with this second one.

Specifically looking at the Church, how many women are currently being educated and supposedly "prepared" for a vocation that would serve the Church (say as a Pastor), and yet we find virtually no women in positions of leadership in the Church? Are we utilizing our female talent? I can't say with confidence that we are. Because in looking at the Church, and looking at very the education that prepares one for life and service to the Church, I think we're failing in both arenas: more often then not, girls and young women don't even grow up with the slightest notion that they too could serve the Church in leadership (we're talking more than just organizing the craft fairs and bake sales); we don't make space for exploration, where young girls could even dream about the possibility of serving as a pastor someday. So for the second account, it goes without saying that we aren't utilizing our female talent; if women haven't been able to simply consider pursuing vocational ministry in their education, then how can we even utilize them, even if we have the best of intentions? This ought not be! The Church must first show, in truth, to both boys and girls, young men and young women, that BOTH genders get to dream and consider a life of 'ministry' - with equal opportunity to serve as a Pastor. Then after that, we must follow through to Educate AND Utilize; the two must go hand in hand. [But then we're left with a little bit of a chicken-egg scenario... how can we show this truth to kids and youth if we aren't educating and utilizing our female potential in the immediate sense...?]

Homes, villages, cities, and countries are often carried on the backs of women... almost always in all of the behind-the-scenes work. Gender equality means a sharing of both the 'behind the scenes' work as well as positions of leadership and influence.

You can read the rest of the article here:

WORLD

Women Gain in Education but Not Power, Study Finds

By REUTERS

Published: November 13, 2008

A study found that women still lag far behind men in top political and decision-making roles, though their access to education and health care is nearly equal.

we share books, why not share bikes?

We've readily come to support the notion of public libraries, so why not public bikes as well?  It's the latest craze all over Europe, and the NYTimes keeps covering stories about this new transport system, so I thought I'd add a link to one of the stories below.  One of my favorite, favorite aspects of Europe is the fact that everyone seems to get from here to there by bike.  Only a few U.S. cities are as bike-friendly as most European cities; but as this article describes, even more European cities are jumping on the bike-band-wagon.  It sounds like D.C. is experimenting with a public bike project - let's see these same plans laid for other major U.S. cities.  Bring public bikes to the states!  We can share.  (Full story linked in article title below):

MEMO FROM BARCELONA

European Support for Bicycles Promotes Sharing of the Wheels

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL

Published: November 10, 2008

Bicycle-sharing programs have sprung up and taken off across Europe, on a scale no one had thought possible and in places where bicycling had never been popular.

free musik

leaves that are green turn to brown

I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song.
Im twenty-two now, but I won't be for long
And time hurries on.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown,
And they wither with the wind,
And they crumble in your hand....

..Hello, hello, hello, hello

Good-bye, good-bye, good-bye, good-bye,

That's all there is.
And the leaves that are green turned to brown...

We'll, I've said goodbye to Riverside.  Cra-zy.  I never would have guessed that things would actually pan out this way.  What a loss.

I do feel like I have made the right decision, but it doesn't make it any easier to walk away at this point.  This Simon and Garfunkel tune (click above & play it while you read) has struck a chord with me the past few autumns, and this year is no exception.  The leaves that are green turn to brown...

There is much that I am saying goodbye to at the moment: new-formed relationships, a neighborhood that was becoming home, a gathered people, a dream for that gathered people, a city, and a dream for that very city -- opportunity that seemed endless.  Now...?  Now, what?  Goodbyes are simply hard - so painful to walk through and so difficult to stomach.  

I know there will be new things to say hello to... but at the moment, I am only filled with goodbyes.

and where is autumn?

For those who have followed my blog entries throughout the month of October, you've probably just scratched your head in dismay after reading each post -- not really knowing what I was referring to when I felt like I was "not really sure of much these days", (in: not quite winter... not quite fall) or exactly what dream had died (in: a dream deferred?), and finally what current season had caused my prayer life to suddenly "embrace the mystery" (in: i don't know what's gonna happen... that's alright with me). After re-reading these posts, the poetry and lyrics that my mind was drawn to still remain very relevant, very needed with all that I am processing.... because the wound is still quite fresh right now. Healing will come, I know it will, but like all things, it will take time.

Uncertainty is still the most apropos word to describe the season at hand. And even though this is a difficult season, I would even be willing to call it a dark season, I still want to glean all of the lessons and truths that are being spoken to me through the world around me -- lessons spoken through people, through nature, through the change of seasons. Oh, how I am longing to be in a place and climate that would match the state of my soul right now...

Burnt-orange leaves, mixed with mustard-yellow, and dotted with cranberry-red are bursting forth from my soul, but there is no audible crunching underfoot to match the colors that are invading my mind. Where is autumn? Where is it? Undeniably, there is autumn in my soul, in my very being, but I wish I could see the colors, hear the sounds, feel the change in temperature, and smell the fall. Yes, smell it. I miss that smell so much. There is something so distinct about fall. It is terribly romantic, and yet it is also terribly jarring. Fall ushers in so quietly, with such subtlety. But once you realize that the leaves have changed, that many of them have already turned to brown and you totally missed that they were actually gold after their summer green, there is a startling realization that awaits you.

Fall is so utterly glorious; it truly is. But, in truth, what is really hiding behind all of the brilliant hues is the ugly secret that no one wants to admit: something is dying; something has died. Even now, death is lurking. Dreams have died.

I still want to learn what I don't yet know. I am asking hard questions; I know the questions do matter. They absolutely do. I am stepping back and asking myself whether I really, do I really, want to serve as a pastor, to "be in ministry"? Do I? I don't know right now. And, I'm okay with not knowing for the time being. I'll have the next few months to ask these questions and more.

In this new season of uncertainty, I'm going to allow myself both time and space to process all that has gone down in the past three months. I know that I have been pretty vague in my posts, and that is intentional. Let me just borrow a line from Sara Groves yet again:

...how so much can go wrong

and yet still there are songs...

hometown politik

Colorado is supposedly purple right now.  My home state is one of the 'swing states' in the election this year.  In the past, Colorado has been a red state, voting for the Republican nominee for President.  But this year, this square-shaped state might be turning a new color: blau...azul...you get the picture.  I am sure that it helped that Denver was the host city for the Democratic National Convention back in August. [Which, by the way, I am still pretty bummed that I missed out on Stevie at the warm-up concert before Obama's big speech at Invesco -- because ya'll should know, for me, Stevie is where it's at.]

Everyone is eager to see what will happen on November 4^th – which is a little over a week away now, but I am particularly interested to see how Colorado will vote this year.  Will it be blue?

My hometown, good ol' Greeley, Colorado -- let's go with G-to-the-funk -- has quite an interesting political climate.  Recently, I was surprised to see that I am not the only who finds Greeley's political vibe quite interesting to follow.  The New York Times (nytimes.com is the home page on my browser - make it yours, and you'll be more in touch with what's happening in the world every time you get online) recently featured Greeley in their "Road to November" video series, and both sides of the political spectrum are presented in these interviews.  It is fascinating to analyze some of the statements that are made in this video - leave me a comment with your thoughts.  Check out the video by following the link below: 

The Road to November: Greeley, Colorado

Oh, and as you can see in this video, I also missed out on Kal Penn (I love him in The Namesake) when he visited UNC on behalf of the Obama campaign.  Although not as tragic as missing out on Stevie Wonder at Invesco, it's still a bit of a bummer.

Well, we're in countdown mode now... this election will finally come to an end.  In the meantime, keep watching SNL where you can laugh about how crazy this whole race has shaped up.  And now you can laugh on Saturdays AND Thursdays with an extra skit and Weekend Update thrown into the mix.  SNL writers don't even have to try that hard to make any of the current political scenarios funny; all of their material is being handed right to them from the candidates themselves... and some candidates are certainly more amusing (that's putting it nicely) than others... and that's all I am going to say about that.

i want to be this guy's friend

Just out and about for a little evening jaunt...

...rockin' the hobby horse of the 21st century.

This picture is absolutely incredible, no?  I stumbled upon this inventor's web-site (http://www.davidmoises.com), and I couldn't resist sharing the joy that this foto brought me, and this blog is of course the place to share such joy.

wow.

That's all I can say.

And don't you want to be his friend too?  I can't blame you.  He was born in Innsbruck (fav Austrian city -- where I'd maybe even like to live for a season or two) and it looks like he lives in Vienna now... a city of genius and he's certainly no exception to the rule.  Maybe I'll meet him on the cobblestone streets of Österreich some day... maybe he'll have a spare set of roller skates... and a spare set of knee pads. One can only hope, right?  

His creativity is unmatched... even when it comes to his wardrobe selection in this picture -- you gotta love it.  Rawk it David Moises; rawk it on your hobby horse, boy.

Loooooove it.  (you may insert Molly Shannon's joyologist expression here... go ahead, say it out loud and add a sassy kick in the air for good measure.)

i don't know what's gonna happen... that's alright with me

So many times the music, the words, and just the sheer brilliance that is Ms. India.Arie speaks.  Speaks to me.  Speaks to the struggle at hand.  Speaks to my desire, my hope, my prayer.  On each of her albums, there are certain tracks that have become my continual prayer through different seasons.  Here it is right now... for today.

Just For Today (Embrace the Mystery)

by India.Arie

from Testimonty: Vol 1, Life & Relationship

Just for today
I will not worry what tomorrow will bring, no
I’m gonna try something new and walk through this day
Like I’ve got nothing to prove, yeah
Although I have the best intentions
I can't predict anyone's reactions
So I’ll just do my best
I'll put one foot in front of the other
Keep on moving forward
And let God do the rest

I don’t know what’s gonna happen
That’s alright with me
I open up my arms and I embrace the mystery
I don’t know what’s gonna happen
That’s alright with me
I open up my arms and I embrace the mystery

Just for today 
I’m telling the truth like it's going out of style
I'm gonna swallow my pride and be who I am
And I don’t care who don’t like it, yeah
I feel the fear but I do it anyway
I won't let it stand in the way
I know what I must do
There’s no guarantee that it’ll be easy
But I know that it’ll be fulfilling
And it's time for me to show improve

It’s okay not to know
Exploration is how we grow
It’s okay to not have the answer
'Cause sometimes
It’s the question that matters

I don’t know what’s gonna happen
That’s alright with me
I open up my arms and I embrace the mystery
I don’t know what’s gonna happen
That’s alright with me
I open up my arms and I embrace the mystery

a dream deferred?

Right now i am processing a lot, a whole lot.  The post titled "not quite winter, not quite fall..." was only a preface to the uncertainty that is at hand now.  Dang, I thought I wasn't sure of much about a week ago, but I am really not sure of much right now.  I am mourning and grieving the loss of so many things... one of the most difficult being the death of a dream.  Does a dream die...?

It sure feels as though it has died.

The classic Langston Hughes poem came to mind today - most know it from A Raisin in the Sun.  I remember being so drawn in to the journey of the character's struggles when reading the play in high school, and I still have to laugh at the thought of my dad being volunteered by my omi to be a part of the cast when he lived in Austria as a young boy.  And now, the same poem greets me today.  What happens to a dream?

Here's the poem...

A Dream Deferred

by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up 

like a raisin in the sun? 

Or fester like a sore-- 

And then run? 

Does it stink like rotten meat? 

Or crust and sugar over-- 

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags 

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

gotta have that funk

These kids have got some moves. Seriously folks - I want to be one of them. This commercial says it all... 

"being with people who understand you: priceless."

Isn't that the truth?

You simply have to watch this commercial more than once to fully 

appreciate it. In fact, I watch it about once a week.

not quite winter... not quite fall.

Yes, I'm back.  I don't bring much (mostly some ramblings), but nonetheless, I felt compelled to write tonight.

To be perfectly honest, after a couple of months in Riverside, I'm really not sure of much these days....

Of course there have been a whole lot of lessons and a whole lot of character building that has taken place since my last entry on here (the one about my love of eggplant --> update: I am proud to say I have discovered two new breeds of this most beloved vegetable at both of the farmer's markets in Riverside: Japanese Eggplant and Indian Eggplant - delightful!  AND, I'm happy to note that the drop in temperature finally allowed me to don that eggplant-colored scarf that I mentioned before.) The fact of the matter is that I am always learning something, but I haven't quite figured out how to articulate the lessons that have come in the past two months.  There have been plenty of times where I thought, "Hmmm... perhaps I should write about this new insight in that blessed blog of mine..." But then that new insight was met with a new question... And, like I said, I'm just not sure of much these days.

During the Presidential debate tonight, the final question that was posed to the candidates asked, "What don't you know, and how will you learn it?"  Hmmmm.  

I'm just gonna' let that one sit with me for awhile - I'm not going to even attempt to answer it.  Because there's not much that I am sure of right now except the honest truth that I don't know.  In the same breath, I really want to believe that I am truly open to learning it... open to learning what I don't know.

Thankfully, even in my uncertainty, there is music... there is always music.  And as I wrote that last sentence, I'm reminded of one of my favorite Sara Groves lines,

oh, Tell me what you know 
About God and the world and the human soul 
How so much can go wrong 
and still there are songs 

Yes, there are still songs.  And that is where I find myself - in the comfort of a song.  Sometimes the comfort comes in the old, familiar song that meets you like a fleece blanket and a hot cup of tea... much like a Joni Mitchell album: a dear, old friend that is often overlooked or even forgotten about - but once you give that sister a fresh spin on the record player - whoo-ee, you're a new woman because Joni gets you.  She gets me.

Or sometimes, the comfort comes in that new song that you just can't stop playing over and over again... it resonates so deeply within your soul, and no matter what you do, you just can't get enough of it.  You roll down all the windows in your car and let that evening summer breeze carry the notes beyond your four doors because, like the song, your joy cannot be contained - much like Coldplay's Viva la Vida album that debuted this past summer.  Dude, it spoke to me.  And it still does when I need to call on it.  It got me through one of the scariest/loneliest times while I was seriously lost and alone in Europe this past summer.  When I was all by myself in Frankfurt, listening to the title track (thankfully that one song had been pre-released on itunes before I left for my Euro adventure) was quite literally my sanity.  And now I can see how that scary, lonely feeling while traveling from Frankfurt to Stockholm was actually a precursor to what I would feel and experience for much longer than one day once I moved to Riverside.  And so, the summer anthem of Viva la Vida along with the rest of the tracks on the album have been a buoy for me in this unfamiliar season and place that is called Riverside.

The comfort of a song speaks what words cannot.  It just does.  That is one thing I know for sure.

And that is why I write today -- because there's a dear, old friend that can describe the season that I find myself in right now.  Deb Talan's song The Darkest Season (from her Something Burning album)  hit me the other night.  And thank goodness that it did.  It's funny how songs and seasons come full circle sometimes.  Because this same song and same album is what got me through my first semester of college - exactly four years ago, at a time when I felt unsure about most things in an unfamiliar season and place that is called Loma.  So many of the same prayers that I have offered up in the past two months are the same prayers that I was offering up four years ago - in a different place, a different season, and even a different woman, but still some of the same prayers.  One of my dearest friends, Lizzy, introduced me to Deb because of my notorious neon-blue raincoat (there's a lil' story that goes with the raincoat - ask me about it sometime).  And once I met Deb, it was like she got me.  And all of the friends that have been introduced to Deb since that time, agree most heartily: she gets us.  And now, exactly four years later, this now old, familiar friend will continue to journey with me, and her music will speak what words cannot.  

Here's the comfort I find in The Darkest Season... read these bit o' lyrics (spliced from the entire song) over more than just once... let them sink in somewhere...  better yet, listen to the actual song for the real experience.

the last few

golden leaves

are clinging

tightly

to their branches

like they don't

want to let go

like they don't

trust

what they don't know

what they don't know

cause it's not quite winter,

and it's not quite fall...

...i just feel the empty space

i just feel the wind blow through...

and it's not quite winter,

and it's not quite fall...

...my heart can't feel the reason

why must we enter the darkest season?

Lyrics like that really shouldn't have any follow-up.  They can stand alone just fine.  I shouldn't even be writing this sentence.  But I guess I feel some need to go on.... The glimpses of the actual seasons of the earth so often echo and depict the season that I find myself in, and I find such solace in this cycle of nature... This cycle is often one of 'this too shall pass', but while in the current season, whatever the season may be, my desire and my prayer has always been to look to the lessons that the current season holds... the questions and the truths -- to fully immerse myself in the season at hand.

I often glean much wisdom and insight from the sides of Celestial Seasons tea boxes (shout out to Boulder peeps).  Yes, I am one of those people who does love and even look for the sayings and stories they print on the tea boxes.  Call me sappy if you must - I can handle the truth on this one.  When I finished up my box of Sleepy Time tea a few nights ago, I was quite taken with this thought:

"Live in each season as it passes; 

breathe the air, 

drink the drink, 

taste the fruit, 

and resign yourself to the influences of each."

-- Henry David Thoreau

Just like those leaves that don't trust what they don't yet know, they eventually must resign themselves to the present season... to embrace even the unfamiliar, the unknown, and the uncertainty that is at hand.

Here in R-side...  it's not quite winter, and it's not quite fall...

eggplant: love the color, love the taste

During my three-week-long summer holiday in San Diego, we vegetarians of the house have been experimenting with a few delicious recipes, and this has been one of my favorites.  I discovered it in one of my summer reads: Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (which I will definitely be posting a more detailed blog about before the summer is over).  Try this recipe out, and then let me know how it goes for you.  I finished the leftovers for dinner tonight, and they were still so good - I knew it was worth sharing the love... that deep purple and spring green eggplant love with you.  What brilliant hues.  So brilliant, in fact, that my favorite clothing purchase of the summer has been an American Apparel scarf in the glorious shade so aptly titled "eggplant."  The color just makes me happy, and this recipe does too.

Eggplant Papoutzakia

• 2 pounds eggplant
  
• Olive oil
  

Slice eggplant lengthwise and sauté lightly in olive oil.

Remove from skillet and arrange in baking dish.

• 2 medium onions, garlic to taste
  
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
  
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  
• 6 ounce grated or sliced mozzarella
  

Chop onions and garlic and saute in olive oil.

Add diced tomatoes and spices and mix throughly.

Spread mixture over eggplant and sprinkle an even layer of cheese over top.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, until golden on top.

i feel it all; i feel it all...

One of my favorite San Diego treasures has got to be going to concerts on the water outside of Humphrey's.  

1: It's free.

2: You get to float on a raft/kayak instead of being confined to a folding chair inside the venue.

3: You get much more camaraderie with both friends and strangers simply by tying your rafts together.

4: The overall atmosphere is killer... I mean, floating under the stars with sweet jams surrounding you.  Nothing better.  [The only drawback is that it's a bit more difficult to dance from your raft or kayak, but somehow I always seem to manage...]

5: The performers on stage always, always, give shout-outs to the folks floating on the bay.  So be sure to holla' back.

Last night, we paddled out from the bay that is closest to the intersection of Talbot and Scott, brought along sushi and See's candy to eat on our laps for dinner, and saw Feist in concert!!  Such a good night!  The girl can rock it and yet also produce such chill ballads - her band does a fine job of accompanying her and adding a lot of the sweet sing-a-long parts.  There were easily 100 other people out on the water with us - one big floating party.  Past nights that I have enjoyed on this bay have included the likes of two of my all-time favs: India.Arie one week and Mr. Stevie Wonder the next - boy was I living the life last August!  And now Feist is a great addition to my summer celebrations on the water outside Humphrey's.

Below, I included her video for "I Feel It All".  Definitely one of my fav music videos.  Doesn't it just make you want to dance?  This was one of our apartment's main go-to jams last school year, and whenever it was played, it always resulted in a lot of jumping up and down and twirling about... kinda' like how she dances towards the end of this video.  Enjoy.

gotta' start somewhere

I guess this would be my disclaimer...

For quite some time, the mere thought of regularly maintaining a blog has seemed pretty daunting to me.  In college, there was always the issue of time; if I couldn't find enough time to even write my papers that were already due, then how could I justify sitting down at the computer and posting some rant or rave? Plus, there was also the issue of proximity.  It always seemed weird to be living in this online world where we would read each other's thoughts on the computer even though we lived on the same campus together and could very well sit down and have these sort of conversations in person - as in face to face - perhaps converse over a hot cup of tea... you with me?  And then there's the fact that I typically have a very low sense of self disclosure.  Meaning, I have a lot of opinions, a lot of thoughts, BUT I don't usually share them with just anyone.  I want to be assured that it is first safe before I open up with people.  So you can imagine that this whole internet thing feels pretty darn public.  It goes without saying, then, that I have long-hesitated joining such a league - the league of bloggers.  I mean, doesn't it seem pretty narcissistic to think that my thoughts about the world and my opinions about humanity would somehow deserve to be posted and read on the internet?  Weird, just weird.

And yet, here I find myself now.

The whole blog-world seems a little less daunting as I am entering a new season of life.  And since I will not be living near any of my old friends or family in this new season, it makes more sense to utilize this for keeping in touch with people.  I don't really know what will come of this... probably everything from posting a new vegetarian recipe that I've recently tried, to song lyrics that really resonate with my soul, to an article online that has really got me thinking.  And maybe some theology thrown into the mix.  We shall see.  I guess if I am taking the time to do this, I would want it to reflect the questions that I am currently asking as well as to celebrate the things that I love most about life  And usually, those two go hand in hand.

So here it goes... please, by all means, feel free to participate in the discussion that may ensue after any post.  Actually, I would like that a lot because then this will feel more like a conversation with dear friends - rather than just an endless stream of marte-isms.  Or better than posting a comment online, we could always talk about this stuff in person, yeah?  You bring the company, that is yourself, and I'll boil some water for the tea.