November 10: moves

To my delight, I staff a chapter that loves to dance! (even when there isn't any music playing)

November 9: match

This weekend was the InterVarsity Ohio Fall Conference for all the colleges and universities in Ohio. We were studying the stories of the blind beggar and Zacchaeus, each about a man being seen by Jesus in some way -- being found in the crowd. Our staff team really wanted the students to feel "found" and "seen" all weekend. We had this idea to send them into the lobby of the conference center for 20 minutes while we prepared a party for them on Friday night. We asked them to try to meet new people and figure out the craziest connections between them -- maybe some of them were related and didn't know it....or had been born in Nebraska (two women actually found each other and figured that out). Prizes were to be awarded. Even so, I was sort of dazzled by the enthusiasm with which they took the challenge. Two people, from two different states - Ohio and Tennessee - figured out they were in the same building for a musical in North Carolina a few years ago. I really wanted to hear the whole conversation that got them to that point! *Anyways* I went out in the lobby to check on them while they were finding connections and of course started taking pictures of people in lively conversations. I was excited to find a match of my own!!!! I think I deserve a prize too.

November 8: the lowry paper pile-up

Who is doing this?!?! My goodness! Every time I walk into the back door of the student center I am dazzled by how stressed out the newspaper stand seems to be. Who is in such a hurry loading the newspapers every week? I want to ask them some questions: Is everything okay in your life? Are you not getting paid enough? Do you derive enjoyment from throwing the newspapers around? Perhaps, I could just park myself out right on that corner until I meet them. That might be a little awkward though.

November 7: oh, brenda!

I always learn exciting new things from Brenda....tonight, she greatly expanded my dutch vocabulary with words I had no idea amish people knew. AND, I got to see a demonstration of what a Rooster looks like when it meets its demise. It's always a nice surprise in my day seeing you spunky lady.

November 6: top five purchases of my life

I probably should not have gotten out of bed this morning. But, I did. Now I'm back in my bed and I don't intend to get out again until tomorrow sometime. Thus, I was extremely lacking in artistry or vigor today. So, from the comfort of my bedroom, I decided to showcase some of the best purchases I have ever made in my entire life.

In no particular order:

• red blanket/sarong/skirt/beach towel/tv cover/table cloth -- Could I have known when I purchased this from the traveling man from West Virginia selling mittens and ponchos in the student center, that this piece of fabric would be so multi-functional and travel with me all over the country and world in my purse? I could not. (I believe it was $8.00, the WestVirginia salesman comes back once a semester if you're interested)
  
• collapsable, retractable, rolling crate -- ok. the students can attest to this one....These babies (I have two) can roll around eight gallons of laundry detergent a piece like they're full of feathers. I have decided that part of my job description is "lugging around junk" --constantly....reference books, piles of copies, garbage bags full of stuffed animals. My apartment, my car, my office -- these are merely holding bays for the said junk that I transport from here to there. Now instead of dislocating discs in my back, I can simply roll these things across campus. It's a beautiful thing. If you are a staffworker and don't have one, you should really consider it. ($21 plus tax at Staples)
  
• the steamer -- it's collapsable too for that matter, and to be honest I didn't actually buy this one myself, but I figure since I've bought a bunch of them as gifts that it counts. You can make the most healthy, spectacular meal of steamed salmon and brocolli in approximately six minutes. Chances are, if you were married between the years 1972 and 1978, you probably got one for your wedding. It's probably still in the back of your cupboards and you don't even know it. Give it a second chance. ($4.99 at your favorite kitchen supply store)
  
• ticket over the Atlantic - There is no doubt in my mind that my little European escapade was one of the best decisions I ever made. I had spent so many years couped up in a classroom learning about all of these places in Europe. It meant so much to get to see those places with my own eyes, to be in the places where Roman Christians lived and were persecuted, to see if I could find my way without knowing Swiss-German up to the little mountain town where my ancestors came from, to make friends with my crazy Irish taxi-driver, and to see some old friends in new locations. Though I probably could have paid off a few months worth of principal on my student loans, that ticket was infinately more valuable. ($439.61)
  
• my green hooded sweatshirt - I got this little-boy hoodie at the goodwill in 10th grade, which means it's in its ninth year in my closet (and who knows how many years in someone else's). It has never taken a hiatus from my wardrobe and has a long history of dodgeball games, all-nighters, and camping trips. I don't know if I'll ever be able to say goodbye. I might have to make a pillow out of it or something. ($2, then....inflation would set you back another dollar these days)

Jerry Seinfeld's I'm Telling You for the Last Time, also holds a high place, as does my CD player from 7th grade that is still kickin' it in my car (it was not available for photograph).....but I guess I did title this one "top five...." and not "top ten...." so I'm going to stop for now. GOODNIGHT.

November 5: la baignoire rose

In our office we have only the finest of restroom facilities, like this one you see here -- outfitted with its own victorian pink clawfoot bathtub. I am quite fond of it. Who knows how long it has been since someone actually enjoyed a bubble bath in it? Probably quite awhile. In any case, I don't think that has lost an ounce of charm due to lack of use.

November 4: Neopolitan Sky

The sky was wierd this afternoon. It looked like it had three distinct layers (here it looks like four I realize). I had my camera on the fastest shutter speed by accident so it came out a little grainy, but I still kind of like it.

November 3: a duck

November 2: birdhouse and baby

When I scrolled through the pictures I had taken this afternoon, I was too lazy to erase this picture. It just looked like a blank white screen because of the light exposure. For some reason, it caught my attention tonight when I uploaded them onto my computer (I'm sorry to all the cats out there who were not chosen this evening -- Spinky, Chicago, Wooster, you will have your day, as I'm sure you will remain very cute and photogenic)...I spent some time at Lakewood Park this afternoon as I love to do. There was this adorable little girl running around chasing squirrels and laughing hysterically. I love how small she is next to this birdhouse; and the ways they each seem to be moving in different directions. This giant birdhouse hotel holds a special place in my memory. Many a scorching summer morning, while wearing a navy blue non-breathable uniform, playing third base for "The Bulldogs," I was distracted by the flurry of activity about it. Even in my "Oh, look a bird" like state we were undefeated! Which is quite funny if you are familiar with the synopsis that goes along with my personality type description.

November 1: Tiny Crowns

What a gracious audience! Thank you Case IV for wearing the miniature crowns before you even knew what I was talking about and thank you for not putting them on your heads while I was talking because I definitely wouldn't have been able to concentrate! You look great and you are a very hospitible bunch. See you next weekend!

OCTOBER: Picture of the Month

VOTE HERE!!!

Take a look at the last month's photos. Pick your favorite.

There is no criteria really.

Click on "Comments" and leave the date and title of the picture -- and your first name so you can't cheat and vote for one a bunch of times that you're in....I know who I'm working with here!

While you're at it vote for your favorite in September too...

Thank you loyal picture-of-the-day enthusiasts :)

October 31: on the pond

I love this little park in Wooster.

October 30: with permission

I'm still not sure what was going on here. I believe Charlie said, "Do you want us to pose?" And then I think I said, "What did you have in mind?" and then Valerie did this little move which I was not anticipating but somehow I took a picture. Blurry but amazing! These two are just full of surprises...and as you might be able to gather, they're a good time.

October 29: ohio

So, that's a little blinding. Sorry. But I hadn't taken a picture of corn yet. And what says 'Ohio' but a bunch of corn? Exactly. I was appreciating these stalks' flair, with husks going this way and that. I have not gone to a corn maze yet this year. If you're going, I just might be interested!

October 28: one shot

quick before the battery died! I had replaced them today too, but I guess they weren't fully charged!

October 27: Katie and Sharlynn

Sharlynn is a sweet, little whippersnapper of a young lady whom Katie mentors. I know that Sharlynn is very blessed to have Katie's support, attention and among many other things, her time. And I know Katie feels like Sharlynn adds a lot to her life living in Youngstown as well. I also think that they are both rather photogenic. ***Speaking of which, Katie, why can't we ever seem to take a good picture of us together?!?! It must just be me, huh! ***

October 26: remnant

Katie moved into a new house this weekend. I enjoyed the discoveries of some memorabilia from elections gone by; and some paint colors from then too. The McGovern sticker was nearby on the door jam. Katie also has her very own manual ice-crusher. I'm most excited about that!

October 25: cardboard village

This morning at 5:30 when my cardboard box was collapsing from the rain, I thought to myself "What on earth am I doing?" But, it was all very worth it. Twenty or so students and I made a village out of cardboard last night on the quad and experienced "displacement" as a culmination of our focus week on the situation in Northern Uganda. One of the students pointed out that this was perfect activity for me, as my favorite children's story remains Christina Katerina and the Box. That is very true.

October 24: Flowers in October

Don't these flowers look like they're full of energy, growing over the walk in October? I thought so, they looked like they deserved some attention.

October 23: shadows

Tonight, I noticed that the light was casting heart shaped shadows of this plant onto the wall and I liked it.

October 22: pile-up

Last week I purchased 8 garbage bags full of stuffed animals at the Goodwill, to the fascination of everyone in the store. Today, they are in a large clump on the front lawn of campus. Everyone that comes out of class, students and teachers alike has come to look at the pile and a sign that reads -- each one of these stuffed animals represents over 200 child soldiers in Uganda....There have been over 20,000 children abducted and brainwashed since 1997. Our InterVarsity chapter has chosen to bring this story to our campus in a variety of ways this week because 1. God cares about it and so do we, and 2. we really want to start a conversation about EVIL....Is God oblivious to the messes in our world? Please pray for us as we have the opportunity to have these conversations and for those who we speak with.

October 21: Why is there a tree in your kitchen?

Time spent with Emily never ever lacks in intrigue. I had a most wonderful pitstop in Chicago on my way back from Milwaukee. I didn't think I'd get to see Emily until December, so it was an extra nice surprise that we were able to stop!

I had a hard time choosing a picture today, let me tell you! There was the Morton Salt Girl tattoo, the car-bumper nanny goat, the giraffe couple, or the polar-pop photo shoot in front of Wrigley Field. All of this within three blocks of Emily's apartment. Being anywhere with Emily makes for an adventure....it really doesn't matter where you are.

So, as you can imagine, I was presented with a tough choices, but this blew them all out of the water! It is what I found in Emily and Julia's kitchen. Julia apparently found this tree, a deserted victim of a hit-and-run on the sidewalk. And being Julia, leaving it on the sidewalk was not an option....she had to bring it home with her and stick it in the kitchen! Saving the trees, even dead ones. She has plans to turn the branches into a window treatment somehow. I hope to see exactly how that turns out. But for now, it makes for a nice accent piece.

October 20: the playwright

watching the storm before the calm

October 19: Spoonful

A giant spoonful of Glorianne! I realize that the ropes make the whole thing look illegal, and perhaps the ropes were trying to prohibit our enjoyment of the spoon...but she wanted so badly to sit in it and I think I was in denial. So, there you have it!

Today, our staff team got to experience a little taste (ha! I don't even try to be punny...I always just realize it as it's coming out....I'm so sorry you have to suffer through that) *anyways* we got to experience a little taste of the Milwaukee Urban Project (a.k.a. MUP, which is fun to say). I'll tell you, there isn't many things that I enjoy more than seeing new places....and it's even better if I get to experience it with someone who calls that place home and loves the nooks and crannies off the map. I'd say that has been the most memorable part of any place that I've traveled because it makes ME love it TOO! Today, the MUP coordinator Jen did just that for us. Whereas once Milwaukee to me was just some city in Wisconsin that made lots of beer, now Milwaukee is a real place with real people. That actually feels a lot more profound than it must sound right now. We saw some incredible things happening in the city today and also some really hard things. It reminded me that to follow Jesus is a wild ride -- up and down and all around -- hearing from his followers here demonstrated how it is so worth it to follow and he promises to be with us through it all.

October 18: matching

My new friend Danielle and I realized that we have the same ring! It's silver in a simple braid that fits perfectly. My uncle Jim (a.k.a. Uncle Fun) made it for me when I graduated from high school and I've worn it ever since. Danielle doesn't think she's ever met my uncle, but maybe he made hers too.

October 17: Tufty goes to Milwaukee

I just wanted to title a picture "Tufty goes to Milwaukee" really, AND I was so tired by the time I reached the hotel that this was about the extent of the photography I was capable of! I drove through Chicago in high traffic today -- in a mini-van -- and I didn't die!

Tufty is my duck. Julie (of the Longacre variety) gave him to me for my birthday a few Urban plunges ago (how appropriate is that?!) He accompanies me everywhere I sleep. Funny, I was never one for a security blanket or teddy bear when I was little. Maybe I'm regressing. Anyways, he's looking a little homesick here; that was unintentional. I just thought he looked nice on the poofy comforter.

Anyways, I am here in Wisconsin for the next few days to consult with other people like me from all over the country. People who bring college students to the city to experience what God is doing there and to show them how to be the irrigation system for the "justice rolling down like waters" that God talks about in Amos. Tonight I learned that since 1992, InterVarsity has brought over 20,000 students to the city on urban projects! Yay! That means 20,000 of this nation's world changers have been exposed to the front-lines of what God is doing in our nation's urban areas. America's cities -- the places where culture, ideas and business go forth -- are in rough, rough shape. I'm praying that God will use us to redeem these broken places and show us how to do it.

Ok, bedtime....

October 16: Swung on and belted....

a-WAYYYYYY back, GONE! I love Tom Hamilton. I mean, even if you didn't have a clue what was going on, you couldn't help but get more excited about life just listening to him. Here you see the commemorative, signed, Tom Hamilton bobble-head doll. This was my company for the evening. A little pathetic -- me and Tom. There is a button right there on top that makes him talk whenever the Indians do anything spectacular. It's pretty great. Though bobble-head Tom was not nearly as fun as watching with the Gibsons, he was sort of fun.

October 15: scrunch

There is just something about babies who scrunch their faces in my general direction that makes me so happy! I got some pictures of the delightful Aubrey crawling towards me, one really artistic one of her profile and that spikey pony tail of hers that is so tempting to play with, but at the end of the day I thought this one would make you smile the most. Hope you're having a good one!

October 14: Wenyuan's First PB&J

Today was monumental, Wenyuan had her first Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich EVER. She said she liked it okay, but it was a little too sweet for her taste. I suppose her expression says it all! Actually, I think Wenyuan is rather dazzling (for lots of reasons) but particuarly for her bravery in trying new foods...like blue cheese and hummus. Impressive. I am not that brave when it comes to Sichuan province spicy foods. We had a nice, lazy girls day with Julie today!

October 13: this again

Hispanic Heritage Month, Librarian Appreciation Month, National Nutrition Month,...these I can get behind....but Brake 4 Kids month?! Seriously? Should that really be a special month? Well it is in Lakewood, Ohio -- every October. I have two thoughts about this (I don't know what has gotten in to me today, I'm feeling sort of wound up and cranky -- my apologies :):

1. Shouldn't we be braking for kids all year round? The color of the sign always changes, but that scary stick kid and the use of the numeral 4 never changes. Perhaps they should keep the signs up all year but rotate the color choice so that we don't become blind to them.

and

2. The terminology "Brake 4...." conjours up images of bumper stickers saying "I break for dogs/cats/squirrels/what have you." It just seems like "Drive slow for kids..." or something would be a little less crass.

Anyways, this has been bothering me for about five years and now I feel a lot better that you all know about it. Thanks.

(To my Wooster friends....notice the tree-lawn)

October 12: Friday Night Football

This is what my family does for fun. We flick things at each other. My brothers have made the largest collection of paper footballs I have ever seen in my life. The goal here is distance, not accuracy...unless you hit Annie in the head and then it's high-fives all around. They love me. And I suppose that I'm in good company because they give bonus points for knocking over my great-grandmother's picture on the mantle-piece as well. They love her too. Don't let that freak you out too much; I'm positive that if dear Wilma the bookbinder was still here today she'd laugh really hard about that.

October 11: if the shoe fits...

We played a game at Oasis which involved taking off your shoes...mmm....and at certain points during this high-contact sport you ended up standing behind someone else's pair. Here are some that I got matched with. Which ones belong with my feet?

October 10: Lunch with Shae

I usually have Wednesday off. I had some appointments scheduled in Cleveland today and it ended up being the perfect day to be home! My friend Shae was in town and we got to have lunch together. She was the friend who I went to visit a few years ago in Rome. I really have treasured the little bursts of time we've gotten to spend together. Shae now lives in India...perhaps I can make it there someday? hmmmm. I also got to check out Mr.Graham's kumquat tree and get some pointers about how to tend to mine. And I got to go to my cousin Binnie's birthday party at my grandparent's house. That was a nice surprise for me to be able to see everyone tonight! The end.

October 9: tower on a hill

I had some encouraging meet ups with students here today. It is so wierd to be in this building and feel so detached from my past in it. Lots of memories. They took our class picture on the steps of the arch in the middle on my first day of school my freshman year...and then we marched through it led by bagpipes on our way to graduate. That was a glorious day. My favorite class ever was on the top floor of the tower part -- Jeff Roche's American history since 1945 was captivating. I spent hours on the west wing in my Independent Study professor's office. Embarassingly, I think she came to associate me with tissues. I cried through the whole ordeal because it was so hard and I didn't think I would ever finish. She was very sweet to me and knew just how to push me on my way. And then I gave my oral defense here a few months after that and I could get on with my life! My most favorite memory of all though was in the winter of my sophomore year. A huge snow was coming and word spread through dorm hallways all over campus that we were going to try to fill the arch with snow....we really believed the old legend that if we filled it they'd give us off school. Anyways, imagine hundreds of students in the middle of the night with their garbage cans all working together to pack the thing out. People were singing and drinking hot chocolate and tackling each other in the snow. It was spontaneous fun with a huge group of people who wouldn't normally be hanging out together. I love when that happens. We didn't get off school. eh!

October 8: October?

The cheery yellow walls with the crumb cake were the backdrop for a meeting I had this afternoon. It just made me feel like it was a summer day! I'm not complaining! Hope you enjoyed yours.

Indians win! Booya.

October 7: handwriting

Chantal's hand caught my attention...she uses it as a notepad to remind her of all sorts of things....people to call, and book titles, and someone to pick up for church she tells me. It's also sort of a "What's wrong with this picture?" Can you figure out why?

October 6: You can count the seeds in an apple...

...but you can never count the number of apples in a seed! Dr. and Mrs. Hampton have been God's gift to the College of Wooster for the past thirty years...and in that time they have planted many, many, many seeds. I am pretty sure that it is impossible to know exactly how much has been done as a result of all their love, all their prayers, and all their hamburgers and brownies (whatever it takes, right?). Tonight, we gathered as many alumni and students as we could to say THANK YOU! I loved the look on Mrs. Hampton's face when she realized that this party was for her and that there were some special people there just for the occasion! Hampton family, it was really fun to spend your last homecoming here with you! I don't think you can know how grateful we are for your faithfulness in serving the Lord here, but please just try!

October 5: Pieces

Homecoming party! Actually, this was just about as far as we got on the whole puzzle endeavor...it was all our sleepy, pathetic selves could handle this Friday night. It is certainly nice to be with good friends with good stories.

October 4: I'm NOT eating those

I have some very resourceful friends. They reduce, reuse, AND recycle...but today I felt that the reusing spirit was going a little bit toooooooo far. Julie brought over cookies for dessert and though they looked delicious, the fact that they were living in a bag previously occupied by KIDNEY was enough for me to decline. I'm not usually too picky about these types of things, but that combo was not working for me no matter how well you washed that bag out. AND, might I add, it seemed to go even beyond Julie's level of commitment to the environment. I mentioned this to her and that I wondered if she might consider keeping the meat ziplocs seperate from the non-meat ziplocs in the future. She just laughed at me like I was the crazy one.....turns out, kidney was referring to the bean. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh. Of course. That didn't seem quite as eww....and the chocolate chip cookies were amazing. Can I just say that Julie Draper is one of the most amazing cooks/baker's I have ever met? I'm saying it. I hope that she gets the job working at the pie making shop that she applied for.

October 3: Simone and her Skink

Simone. She loves bugs, slugs, lizards, and anything else that would generally make you want to retract your hand. This is her skink -- and the last few times I've been to her house she's had him on her shoulder or balancing on her head, or she was in the process of sticking him up her napping father's shirt. Aye!

Now, I don't know how much this lil' skink weighs (nor did I ask) BUT Monie pointed out to me that he had a lot of extra flab that she was hoping he'd work off...she kept demonstrating his extra girth by pinching his stomach flab. He didn't seem to phased by it all, poor thing.

October 2: Detour

I didn't have anywhere I had to be when I got home today, so I decided to just get a little lost on my way back through Pennsylvania. I'm glad I did. I found this park where there was a path cut all the way through to the lake. Just being near water always settles me somehow.

October 1: Rebecca Susan

A beautiful friend with a beautiful name. I love how her bracelet always jingles when she talks because she talks with her hands. She is a dancer, a peace-maker, and a creator of hospitality. It was such a treat to get refreshed with her company this weekend.

September 30: without permission

I realized that I really love taking pictures of people most -- more than plants, pets or architecture. Today, I think I got shy. See, I met a lot of interesting people. There was this gentleman at church who introduced himself to me as Uncle George. He had a habit of yelling out "Jackpot!" at the end of his sentences which kept catching me off gaurd. I was sort of a captive audience as a result. Becky (and Uncle George) go to a church in downtown Lancaster that is 265 years old. It is where President Buchanan went, which I don't think they spread that little piece of information around too widely because he is considered by most to be the worst president in our history. But hey, a president is a president, right? Anyways, this church really ministers to all in the city from those that are well and working to the down-and-out who find community there. It is a neat place and I really love it. ***Anyways ***all that to say that I really wanted to photograph Uncle George -- or Megan, this sweet nuerosurgeon who actually gets to sew up people's brains every Monday, but I totally chickened out! There is something that feels intrusive about asking someone if you can photograph them, but maybe I will get better at this in time. Thus, today you have this picture of a weed growing out of a crack in a rock. I didn't need to ask its permission. So, there you have it.

September 29: North Mary Street

This is Becky's beautiful, old red house. Lancaster has got character all over the place and North Mary street is no exception. Her street had a block party on Friday night and everyone was out grilling food and enjoying each other's company.

September 28: Wonder Dog

This is Chettie. I think he should be wearing a cape or something (and some underwear) because he is a dog wonder. Chihuahuas are supposed to top off at five pounds, but this puppy is at nine and counting! (Don't ask me what my obsession is with the weights of my friends' pets....this is becoming a recurring theme) Anyways, Chettie was making me laugh from the moment I met him. He hops around a lot and goes nuts for the first ten minutes you are in the room with him...then he calms down and likes to be held like a baby. I found him to be rather charming. (Today's picture taken by Becky Young)

September 27: Where I live

September 26: Play-by-Play at Marietta McDonald's

I had good company tonight. Zack and Paul made the trip to Marietta with me (thank you!) where I spoke at their InterVarsity chapter. Andrew got back in time from his admissions counselor travels to come and be my teammate in a three-legged race. We lost, but that was appropriate as I was speaking about humility. Didn't that just work out nicely? (We still had AMAZING technique if I do say so myself) The most charming part of the evening was sitting on this curb eating soft-serve, all the while listening to a running commentary from a dark 3rd floor apartment building across the street. This person was getting a huge kick out of himself, staring through binoculars and yelling out things we were eating, doing, and hoping we'd do...like he was a film director or something. Then Dan showed up and being Dan began to try to figure out how to get this individual into conversation and share the gospel with him. With Dan, this scenario would have been totally possible!...but it was late and there was a long, foggy drive ahead of us, so we let that one be a hypothetical. Maybe next time.

September 25: My Friend Harry

Today Harry and I ate lunch at the Shack. It was really nice to talk about life, how much we both love college students, as well as unfortunate slip-ups in trying to speak other languages!

September 24: Who knew?

So, after I put up yesterday's picture I took this one....it was midnight-ish, so it is counting for today because I think it is pretty sweet. Apparently, two times a year on the autumnal and vernal equinox, the earth's tilt conditions are jussst right to allow an egg to balance on end. I did not believe this until Julie made me try it and it actually worked! This is "Mythbusters" for people without television, like myself.

As you may know, I have a bad attitude about the fall season. Let's just be honest. I am trying to work through it but you know, it's a process and I'll take whatever I can get to make it more appealing. This whole egg thing made the inauguration of fall a whole lot cooler.

September 23: Mustache Mischief

Ben steadies his hand to draw a magic-marker mustache on an unsuspecting victim.

September 22: On Parade!

I got invited into a parade at the Indians game and found myself tromping around the field. Here I am at homeplate! I sat in the bleachers about a half inch away from the left side of my face. They lost TERRIBLY....but any night at the park is always a fun time! (Guest Photographer: Cheryl Ann Hockett)