The Trinity of Blogs: All separate, yet all the same
So I have three things to blog about and I'll just go in the order they happened. But please read to the end.
1. Reflections on children after the Andy's Club field trip to the Exploreum Science Museum in Mobile, AL.
Things I like about children:
How they smell like sunscreen upon arriving for a field trip
When they grab your hand unexpectedly
When they ask the tour guide smart questions that stump her
Seeing their faces when they're learning something
How they bring their friends to the program
Watching them make connections and "put the pieces together"
When they get excited about something new, like an IMAX movie
How they can be unexpectedly kind to one another
When they say thank you
When we sing and dance together in the car
Things I do not like about children:
Asking repeatedly for the same thing I have already said no to
Mystery rashes
When they shoplift
When they push each other
When they change their order at the last minute and refuse to drink what you got them
When they are mean to each other
For now, the good still outweighs the bad.
2. Who sings that song? I think it's the Bee Gees. No, it's AirSupply. (actually it's Chicago)
Erin and I took a road trip this weekend to her sister Carrie's house in Westminster, South Carolina. There was pool time, boating, laking, hiking, and eating. I also met Erin's nieces and nephews and had some great talks about things like pirates. This was a much needed break from work and time to relax.
On the way home we took our time hitting Atlanta and Montgomery on the way. In Atlanta, we saw the Margaret Mitchell Museum (she wrote Gone with the Wind). There was a lot about the book and a lot of movie memorabilia, including the original Tara doorway. For me, it was like a pilgrimage to Mecca. Probably not so much for Erin so I was glad she humored me and came. Everything was closed but we did get to see the outside of the Civil Rights Monument (recommended to anyone in the area), the State House, the first white house of the Confederacy, and the church where Dr. King preached and planned the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Then as we were leaving Montgomery, I learned about this...
3. Seriously?
My Dad had a major heart attack on Sunday night. He is fine and is home already, but it was really scary. He was in a lot of pain for a while and had to have a blockage cleared in his heart. The worst part is that we don't really know what caused it since he has fine blood pressure and cholesterol and hadn't really been stressed out that day.
I'm bouncing between being relieved that things weren't worse, wondering why all this stuff with my Dad is happening at the same time, and just wanting to go home. The wanting to go home is probably winning over at this point.
Coming up this week:
Another Andy's Club Field Trip (Will I or won't I have transportation? Oh the suspense)
I leave for Montreat, a national youth conference. I'm pumped and fully anticipate it being the time of my life.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Tell me something good
After the last, sort of downer blog, here's some good news:
http://www.sunherald.com/bslbridge/
The Bay St. Louis bridge, destroyed during the storm, is re-opening today. I'm on my way to the festivities.
The bridge connects Bay St. Louis with Pass Christian along highway 90, which runs along the beach. It's a big deal for two distinct reasons. Firstly and practically, it will cut alot of time off that trip. Secondly and sentimentally, it is a much needed sign of progress and rebuilding.
After the last, sort of downer blog, here's some good news:
http://www.sunherald.com/bslbridge/
The Bay St. Louis bridge, destroyed during the storm, is re-opening today. I'm on my way to the festivities.
The bridge connects Bay St. Louis with Pass Christian along highway 90, which runs along the beach. It's a big deal for two distinct reasons. Firstly and practically, it will cut alot of time off that trip. Secondly and sentimentally, it is a much needed sign of progress and rebuilding.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
It’s my Fake Birthday Party and I’ll Cry if I Want to
The big news of this weekend was my birthday. Now, if you are confused because you thought my birthday was in July, I’ll explain. My birthday IS in July, but I won’t be here in MS to celebrate it so my roommates threw me a surprise birthday party this weekend. It was all staged very well and I had no idea it was coming, obviously, because my birthday is not for another month and a half. I was shocked for a minute coming in the door, and then I was crying- partly out of emotion, partly because I hadn’t showered that day and was in sweat shorts and a gross T-shirt. It was a great party, though, with lots of food and games and was followed with dancing (for which I showered and put on a pretty dress.) Thanks so much to everyone who helped plan this event!
Today is an interesting day of reflection for me. 3 years ago today my cousin and his family were killed in an accident in Colorado. 1 year ago today I graduated from Emerson College on a cold and rainy day with some words of wisdom from John Kerry. I’m not sure if I can say yet just how profound these two events have been in my life or how they have changed me. The news of the first event came suddenly while I was standing outside a Fuddrucker’s in Hershey, PA. It came somewhat in the middle of a year, which shook up all my notions of what was right and fair in the world. While this event certainly stands alone in my mind, I also can’t detach it from Ron’s death 7 months before or Owen’s life, which started two weeks after. 3 years later, I think what I have seen is the grace we’re given, grace that allows us to heal, create new life, rebuild, and get married without our best friend at our side.
The other event associated with this day was long awaited and very much expected. Since I had been officially out of school since December, though, I don’t know that I took the opportunity to really enjoy the day. Unfortunately, our society doesn’t really provide us the chance to celebrate this accomplishment, which while agreeably becoming more and more common is nonetheless still difficult. If I remember correctly, I had dinner with my family that night and got up and went to work the next morning. In 8 weeks I will start another phase of school. When I finish, I will have spent 21 years of my life in a classroom. I am having very mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I’m very much just wanting to start a career, to feel settled. On the other, I strongly feel that there is so much good just in the education itself- in sharing ideas, in peaceful discussion, in opening our minds. Part of me feels like I could just go to school forever without ever having a career, and I don’t think that would be unpleasing to God (probably unpleasing to my savings account and to my parents, though). I guess I’m just hoping that I am in more of a position now, after a year and a half off, to enjoy the blessings of structured education. Remind me of this in a year.
The big news of this weekend was my birthday. Now, if you are confused because you thought my birthday was in July, I’ll explain. My birthday IS in July, but I won’t be here in MS to celebrate it so my roommates threw me a surprise birthday party this weekend. It was all staged very well and I had no idea it was coming, obviously, because my birthday is not for another month and a half. I was shocked for a minute coming in the door, and then I was crying- partly out of emotion, partly because I hadn’t showered that day and was in sweat shorts and a gross T-shirt. It was a great party, though, with lots of food and games and was followed with dancing (for which I showered and put on a pretty dress.) Thanks so much to everyone who helped plan this event!
Today is an interesting day of reflection for me. 3 years ago today my cousin and his family were killed in an accident in Colorado. 1 year ago today I graduated from Emerson College on a cold and rainy day with some words of wisdom from John Kerry. I’m not sure if I can say yet just how profound these two events have been in my life or how they have changed me. The news of the first event came suddenly while I was standing outside a Fuddrucker’s in Hershey, PA. It came somewhat in the middle of a year, which shook up all my notions of what was right and fair in the world. While this event certainly stands alone in my mind, I also can’t detach it from Ron’s death 7 months before or Owen’s life, which started two weeks after. 3 years later, I think what I have seen is the grace we’re given, grace that allows us to heal, create new life, rebuild, and get married without our best friend at our side.
The other event associated with this day was long awaited and very much expected. Since I had been officially out of school since December, though, I don’t know that I took the opportunity to really enjoy the day. Unfortunately, our society doesn’t really provide us the chance to celebrate this accomplishment, which while agreeably becoming more and more common is nonetheless still difficult. If I remember correctly, I had dinner with my family that night and got up and went to work the next morning. In 8 weeks I will start another phase of school. When I finish, I will have spent 21 years of my life in a classroom. I am having very mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I’m very much just wanting to start a career, to feel settled. On the other, I strongly feel that there is so much good just in the education itself- in sharing ideas, in peaceful discussion, in opening our minds. Part of me feels like I could just go to school forever without ever having a career, and I don’t think that would be unpleasing to God (probably unpleasing to my savings account and to my parents, though). I guess I’m just hoping that I am in more of a position now, after a year and a half off, to enjoy the blessings of structured education. Remind me of this in a year.
Friday, May 11, 2007
"Our Poop is in our backyard!"
Ok so I am slightly torn about what to say today because there is a lot going on, but I think there is one story that takes the cake. I apologize if anyone has just stumbled across my blog for the first time (I'm thinking of certain members of First Church Boonton who have maybe been meaning to get around to reading my blog and have finally found it on this unfortunate day). I promise I write about important, moving, and classy things, but I just feel that everyone needs to feel my current pain and know this: Our poop is in our backyard.
Yes, it seems something has gone haywire with our sewer system, causing all of our personal business to back up into the backyard (see Linda and Erin's blogs for pictures). We have been assured this morning that the situation is being worked on, but with a weekend coming up and the slow pace of the South, we're a little worried that there will be some "baking" over the weekend if things don't get handled in a timely manner. Yes, there has been a lot of crying through the laughter and laughing through the tears. Please pray for this situation.
While this may seem to have nothing to do with disaster relief, it gives you an idea of the shoddy construction done after the storm. Our house very much falls into the category of "better than nothing" even though it was built without a dryer vent, poor siding, with the hot and cold water reversed, and clearly with a faulty sewer system. I'm thankful I'm not dealing with small children as many families still living in faulty trailers are.
One more bit of crazy Southern news before I get to something serious. Our local Gulfport Wal-Mart has officially been named the busiest one in the country. They think it's due to everyone essentially replacing the contents of their homes, but I don't know. I think they would be remiss in not crediting the beautiful ambiance of the interior or the sparkling personality of their staff with such an honor.
Ok so really...Yesterday was the last regular day of Andy's Club before we start field trips. I was glad that all the kids came since we've low in numbers recently. I was not as emotional as I thought I would be, probably because I still found myself yelling things like "This is your first warning", "That is not acceptable" "Zach, get out of the girls' bathroom" and my favorite, "Get in there and be quiet". Yes, I was all warm and fuzzies. I do truly love all my kids, though. I tried to write a letter to the parents thanking them for entrusting their children to me. I hope they get it.
Also, there's been a lot of bureaucratic things going on at the Presbytery level. I won't go into details, but a lot of jobs and job descriptions have been changed. I am now in charge of all drywalling. That was a joke to see if you're still paying attention. No, my job is still the same, because, frankly, in the big meeting we had, no one even acknowledged my job. The Presbytery is all consumed with the weekly volunteers and their experience here. I realize I work for God and not for the bigwigs of the Presbytery of Mississippi, but it would be nice to hear even something like this:
"Hey sweetheart, what's your name?"
"Brenna."
"Ok, Brenda honey, you work with the kids right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, great job. That must be tough. We appreciate you and the fact that you represent us to so many people."
"Thank you, sir."
I won't hold my breath.
Ok so I am slightly torn about what to say today because there is a lot going on, but I think there is one story that takes the cake. I apologize if anyone has just stumbled across my blog for the first time (I'm thinking of certain members of First Church Boonton who have maybe been meaning to get around to reading my blog and have finally found it on this unfortunate day). I promise I write about important, moving, and classy things, but I just feel that everyone needs to feel my current pain and know this: Our poop is in our backyard.
Yes, it seems something has gone haywire with our sewer system, causing all of our personal business to back up into the backyard (see Linda and Erin's blogs for pictures). We have been assured this morning that the situation is being worked on, but with a weekend coming up and the slow pace of the South, we're a little worried that there will be some "baking" over the weekend if things don't get handled in a timely manner. Yes, there has been a lot of crying through the laughter and laughing through the tears. Please pray for this situation.
While this may seem to have nothing to do with disaster relief, it gives you an idea of the shoddy construction done after the storm. Our house very much falls into the category of "better than nothing" even though it was built without a dryer vent, poor siding, with the hot and cold water reversed, and clearly with a faulty sewer system. I'm thankful I'm not dealing with small children as many families still living in faulty trailers are.
One more bit of crazy Southern news before I get to something serious. Our local Gulfport Wal-Mart has officially been named the busiest one in the country. They think it's due to everyone essentially replacing the contents of their homes, but I don't know. I think they would be remiss in not crediting the beautiful ambiance of the interior or the sparkling personality of their staff with such an honor.
Ok so really...Yesterday was the last regular day of Andy's Club before we start field trips. I was glad that all the kids came since we've low in numbers recently. I was not as emotional as I thought I would be, probably because I still found myself yelling things like "This is your first warning", "That is not acceptable" "Zach, get out of the girls' bathroom" and my favorite, "Get in there and be quiet". Yes, I was all warm and fuzzies. I do truly love all my kids, though. I tried to write a letter to the parents thanking them for entrusting their children to me. I hope they get it.
Also, there's been a lot of bureaucratic things going on at the Presbytery level. I won't go into details, but a lot of jobs and job descriptions have been changed. I am now in charge of all drywalling. That was a joke to see if you're still paying attention. No, my job is still the same, because, frankly, in the big meeting we had, no one even acknowledged my job. The Presbytery is all consumed with the weekly volunteers and their experience here. I realize I work for God and not for the bigwigs of the Presbytery of Mississippi, but it would be nice to hear even something like this:
"Hey sweetheart, what's your name?"
"Brenna."
"Ok, Brenda honey, you work with the kids right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, great job. That must be tough. We appreciate you and the fact that you represent us to so many people."
"Thank you, sir."
I won't hold my breath.
Monday, May 07, 2007
A Streetcar Named Zydeco Special
Last weekend was spent in New Orleans at Jazz Fest. If you don't know about jazz fest, I'll start by saying it's the most awesome thing ever. Ever. It's a two weekend long music festival with something like 64 performances each day. It's awesome.
Day 1: Saturday
We arrive in NOLA and check into Erin's friend's of a friend's apartment...On JACKSON SQUARE! Margaritas commenced immediately. Then something bad happened. On the way to catch the bus to the fair grounds, I found out I had a parking ticket. Soooo we had to move the car. Then we took a 45-minute ride on a streetcar named Zydeco Special. Then there was a 20-minute walk from the streetcar to the fair grounds. Finally there was sitting and festing. Here are some things we saw that first day:
Ludacris
Norah Jones
A Plastic Alligator Po Boy on a 10-foot high stick
Lots of Sun Burn
Alexa Rae Joel
Lots of garbage
Lots of men with their shirts off that shouldn't have had their shirts off
After a long trip back, a disco nap, and a long night out on Bourbon Street, day 2 began early
Day 2: Sunday
We awake early due to a man singing hymns on the street below our balcony. During breakfast we watch a race go by with many talented "speed walkers". Most people pack up and leave at that point, leaving only us die hards for a second day. Here things go a little wrong.
Lauren was planning on driving Erin and I to my car so we could drive to jazz fest (we weren't wanting to brave the streetcar again). But then we realized Lauren's car had gotten towed. There were many curses and loud sighs before we called the whole city of Gulfport to find her car, all the while now WALKING to my car. Lauren's car was fine though and we then came across some good car Karma, for we beat the odds and got a free parking spot within 10 minutes walking of Jazz fest. On Day 2 of Jazz Fest (which was mostly Erin and me) we saw:
Jerry Lee Lewis
An art vendor from Rockaway, NJ
The inside of the blues tent (the shade was a nice break)
Clarence "Frogman" Thomas
Marcia Ball (look her up, she's great)
Lots of middle aged people dancing their pants off, mostly in the Jerry Lee Lewis area
Some hallucinations because it was so hot
Brad Paisley
There was some worry late in the day because Linda was supposed to meet us but was running late and was at the wrong entrance. It was crazy, but we found her. An alligator Po Boy on a 10-foot pole would have made finding her lots easier.
That night we all crashed hard and slept like the dead. It was awesome.
Separately from all that, my parents visited this week and we had a great time. They were very helpful at Andy's Club and paid for lots of things, which I appreciated.
We spent Thursday through Saturday in Natchez, MS visiting many historic homes and learning all about the ridiculous Natchez society. They have a pilgrimage each year to get tourists there. In each home a member of the garden club is dressed up in period costume. It's a BIG deal apparently. More importantly though, during this time, someone is elected Queen and King of the Pilgrimage which means they have to spend $50,000 on costumes and attend many balls and parties. It's ridiculous and so backwards that it's wonderful.
Finally, I would highly recommend the B&B we stayed at. It was called The Briars and sat overlooking the MS River on beautiful gardens and walking paths.
Whew! That was a long one, but now you're all caught up!
Last weekend was spent in New Orleans at Jazz Fest. If you don't know about jazz fest, I'll start by saying it's the most awesome thing ever. Ever. It's a two weekend long music festival with something like 64 performances each day. It's awesome.
Day 1: Saturday
We arrive in NOLA and check into Erin's friend's of a friend's apartment...On JACKSON SQUARE! Margaritas commenced immediately. Then something bad happened. On the way to catch the bus to the fair grounds, I found out I had a parking ticket. Soooo we had to move the car. Then we took a 45-minute ride on a streetcar named Zydeco Special. Then there was a 20-minute walk from the streetcar to the fair grounds. Finally there was sitting and festing. Here are some things we saw that first day:
Ludacris
Norah Jones
A Plastic Alligator Po Boy on a 10-foot high stick
Lots of Sun Burn
Alexa Rae Joel
Lots of garbage
Lots of men with their shirts off that shouldn't have had their shirts off
After a long trip back, a disco nap, and a long night out on Bourbon Street, day 2 began early
Day 2: Sunday
We awake early due to a man singing hymns on the street below our balcony. During breakfast we watch a race go by with many talented "speed walkers". Most people pack up and leave at that point, leaving only us die hards for a second day. Here things go a little wrong.
Lauren was planning on driving Erin and I to my car so we could drive to jazz fest (we weren't wanting to brave the streetcar again). But then we realized Lauren's car had gotten towed. There were many curses and loud sighs before we called the whole city of Gulfport to find her car, all the while now WALKING to my car. Lauren's car was fine though and we then came across some good car Karma, for we beat the odds and got a free parking spot within 10 minutes walking of Jazz fest. On Day 2 of Jazz Fest (which was mostly Erin and me) we saw:
Jerry Lee Lewis
An art vendor from Rockaway, NJ
The inside of the blues tent (the shade was a nice break)
Clarence "Frogman" Thomas
Marcia Ball (look her up, she's great)
Lots of middle aged people dancing their pants off, mostly in the Jerry Lee Lewis area
Some hallucinations because it was so hot
Brad Paisley
There was some worry late in the day because Linda was supposed to meet us but was running late and was at the wrong entrance. It was crazy, but we found her. An alligator Po Boy on a 10-foot pole would have made finding her lots easier.
That night we all crashed hard and slept like the dead. It was awesome.
Separately from all that, my parents visited this week and we had a great time. They were very helpful at Andy's Club and paid for lots of things, which I appreciated.
We spent Thursday through Saturday in Natchez, MS visiting many historic homes and learning all about the ridiculous Natchez society. They have a pilgrimage each year to get tourists there. In each home a member of the garden club is dressed up in period costume. It's a BIG deal apparently. More importantly though, during this time, someone is elected Queen and King of the Pilgrimage which means they have to spend $50,000 on costumes and attend many balls and parties. It's ridiculous and so backwards that it's wonderful.
Finally, I would highly recommend the B&B we stayed at. It was called The Briars and sat overlooking the MS River on beautiful gardens and walking paths.
Whew! That was a long one, but now you're all caught up!
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