Po' boys

Left my swimsuit at my sister's but she was kind enough to send it to my hotel and my mom was nice enough to not get after me for forgetting it because she didn't remind me. If only escaping blame and consequence were always that smooth ;) I did leave my shower gel in the porta shower outside the church where I was staying prior to my current digs. All of this is the immaterial material.

Stepped out of a van cab from MSY into a debriefing of street evangelism team at 1 am. Spent the next two days getting to know the team and meeting people in New Orleans, Jackson Square specifically. Highlights were Christopher the rent-collecting guitar addict, Cliff the homeless dog owner who helped my new friend John fill up ziplock bags with dog food for other homeless folks dogs, laughing with Patricia about her new emperial version of mandarin wherein "bu" is correct standalone, listening to Denny and Pastor Rick's stories, and of course getting to sing and pray with my dear friend Nancy. So much happened I cannot tell it all.

Now that I'm not sleeping on a couch or floor but instead posin' posh at my hotel it all seems quiet but dull. The room really is pretty (thanks, Cheri!) and has a ton of towels but I think about Nate and Joey--two young guys who are voluntarily hitchhiking around to witness to homeless people. I learned about them the same day I checked in.

Tonight I met a fashion photographer who told me about the downside to working with celebrities. And then a sweet local man helped me negotiate the street car. I signed up for a glass-blowing class tomorrow. The lady on the phone said: be careful, it's addictive.

Wolves

All bad in the bible but not necessarily on vacation. Nice weekend trip with my delightful family at Great Wolf Lodge which is kiddie casino meets water park. Though the plastic-iness was kind of sickening I loved my time with my nephew at the pool--priceless. Said "see you later" to them and the 2nd wolf is Wolfgang Puck Express in the Denver airport where I got gorgonzola spinach mushroom pizza. Yum. My flight is delayed an hour but have been listening to Driscoll. :)

Reservations

The Yakama tribe, to be specific, with my friend Kerrin. Though I've heard about the work there as long as I've known her (2+ years) I haven't gone until tonight. Very akin to visiting another country, only it's in-country. "America" takes on a whole funky twist. Driving past the casino's packed parking lot was like crossing the border.

I was really touched that the main family working with the tribe people has four kids! And the wife/mom made soup enough to feed 50. And it was good soup. Or stewp, as her son preferred to call it. The kids were fun and energetic, the songs lovely and the conversation to and fro nourishing. Highly recommended if you're in the area and looking for a cross-cultural opportunity to serve.

Cheri (of Pullman post) got me a great deal on my New Orleans hotel, so that's the other reservation, as my recent posts' titles have had paired meanings.

I'm currently waiting for the dryer buzzer to pack some last items. Still conflicted about my Merrells...will sneakers be adequate?

Rich-land

A lot of firsts and lasts during this week. Firsts: one-on-one with Cindy; puppies and the back side of Badger at Alison's house; hip hop at Central church; running at the indoor track with Stacey. Lasts: volleyball with Kerrin and the rest of team Velocity; Plugin; Chinese children's church. I'm sad. Wish I was more profound with my goodbyes but I'm not.


[photo caption--flowers from the Chinese church. So sweet. I was a blubbering mess.]

Rachel gave me a little stuffed monkey named Mooch. How appropriate.

Reading Changes That Heal and realizing I need to accept the good and the bad.

Next stop: Seattle with the fam, then New Orleans.

Hitchens/Hitchin'

Just got back from my visit to Pullman. Had a GREAT time with my friends Steve and Cheri. Re-met their daughter whom I'm pretty sure I was in high school art class with and meet their two granddaughters, who were sick with the flu but super cute. Cheri said she got to catch up on a week's worth of talking. :)


Highlights were the slammin' coleslaw Cheri made last night for dinner, praying during Clean House commercial breaks, the stuffed animal exhibit on the University campus, and attending a talk by Christopher Hitchens. I didn't completely disagree with him. My biggest takeaway is that I need to be challenged and participate in intelligent discourse as an act of worship. It's what Paul did.

And on the way out of Pullman, I picked up a guy holding a sign that said "Colfax". Since I'm now blogging about it, you can breath your sigh of relief. Colfax is only 15 miles from Pullman, I know, it's no excuse as my friend Tiffany said: you could have been dead in 2 minutes. Anyhow, he got baptized in jail a few months ago and is struggling now, lacking fellowship. Anyone know a good Body in Colfax? Not that I exchanged any contact info, so I couldn't tell him anyway (breath your 2nd sigh of relief).

In Richland through next Wed when my dad and I go to Seattle to hang with the family again. And then fly to New Orleans. So this is my last week 'home'.

Seattle visit 2 of 3

Well, my sister was surprised on magnitude for her 40th birthday party, though she 'knew something was up'. I'm glad that my part (the slide show) went off mostly without a hitch; my brother-in-law admitted to getting misty-eyed at the end. So the sentimental chord was struck, which I count as dramatic success (Thanks, Elijah!).

My newest niece was "presented" (I think was the word the pastor used) today. And among other things (like Nordstroms with my mom and Costco with my dad) I tried to teach my eldest neice a song in round while she worked on some Valentines (these are for real--sorry I don't know how to rotate them for ease-of-reading):




I called my health insurance to see if they cover international and they don't. So for those of you who pray, I could use some wisdom figuring out what to do about the times I'm abroad. Also, I just finished reading The Treasure Principle and am thinking a lot about giving. My tax return should be deposited soon. And I have some sold stock value sitting in cash...TMI? Anyway. Really, I'm not that worried. Recent provision: very reasonable airfare to Poland for me and Stacey, parking spot at Mars Hill 11:15 service, hassle-free drive back home including interesting conversation with dad. So, all will be well.

Tomorrow, visiting friends in Pullman. Hope to have Wi-Fi there.

And also I think I may have a 'job' idea: consulting but for families rather than businesses. Like helping families deal with some chronic issue that's process/task-natured, not psychological. Think I could get anyone to pay for that? Somehow utilizing my project management skills but in a domestic setting. With most my clients being moms...

It's begun

Copy of IMG_2526
Originally uploaded by xoxoirene

It's been about 15 years since I last skied at Bluewood. And I think last time my friends and I played hooky from school. This time, I had the wherewithal to save Pepsi cans (courtesy Stepframe soda pop drinkers) for half-price lift tickets.

A lot of people have been asking me if I'm excited about my travels. And my new true response is, I'm tired of being excited. For me, my travel has already begun (who gets to go skiing on a Wednesday?--apparently Walla Walla and Kings Point students). Even though so far it's been in-state, my adventure is past the prologue and well into Chapter 1.

Upcoming stops: Seattle, Pullman, Richland, Seattle.