tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5294124151758251582024-03-05T10:31:23.857-06:00The Expert DabblerRebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-28458607039254168772011-12-01T02:04:00.001-06:002011-12-12T01:09:52.655-06:00Another day in the life...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whose Life am I Living? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to go on an
exploratory adventure last week on my day off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d2SxT_DgLtQ8NR4cRQyj2Yrao0N40nSuDV6pzEzCndcwPsHwJe3wakXYBqOBa8nHjcGugFZ_S9zvSMLe6p2K8YHxgNVfzEpuWtIe7uDB5GOj76UJ6ZW8LtyVFlNbxYV5OzoRulbR26Q/s1600/beachiness+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d2SxT_DgLtQ8NR4cRQyj2Yrao0N40nSuDV6pzEzCndcwPsHwJe3wakXYBqOBa8nHjcGugFZ_S9zvSMLe6p2K8YHxgNVfzEpuWtIe7uDB5GOj76UJ6ZW8LtyVFlNbxYV5OzoRulbR26Q/s320/beachiness+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private, secluded beach. Point Dume. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pq9rC7EAktumNN3isv6YttsOgsPyYsntGOnpiG8-oztGFYbT0uhiSiHU99IgxY8jZt_EWrfM7HgY5CjQGy42kqSvNJFdrQJC8RDiINppqdfGYZzxwOPDlieb8GH_y3pTBj8NkELJQow/s1600/beachiness+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pq9rC7EAktumNN3isv6YttsOgsPyYsntGOnpiG8-oztGFYbT0uhiSiHU99IgxY8jZt_EWrfM7HgY5CjQGy42kqSvNJFdrQJC8RDiINppqdfGYZzxwOPDlieb8GH_y3pTBj8NkELJQow/s320/beachiness+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did a little beach jogging. seriously hard. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsfWo2RNgs8B8sMO7JUzibiN692Jl613D2s_CKAasY5VO51ZFlXpu788Dahf91CaU0q6fjlx5v0G23wi1ZqfyE54xnCe35ms9Drj3gRBo6QX7wHZhk1V7J1VvFnU3kswPG_1jXtTcKnM/s1600/beachiness+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsfWo2RNgs8B8sMO7JUzibiN692Jl613D2s_CKAasY5VO51ZFlXpu788Dahf91CaU0q6fjlx5v0G23wi1ZqfyE54xnCe35ms9Drj3gRBo6QX7wHZhk1V7J1VvFnU3kswPG_1jXtTcKnM/s320/beachiness+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">let the hike begin. Solstice Canyon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lPxCiePzl31Fbfy2MOhLTlPMNRnGMFxt8RaC3RCb0zqOsYkvgZ8X4BB5-LMVq9LJlRY3YEHO-E79G3JuOsyY5VbWOJFqLQ40cXOWkrjfpf2LDQWRWQ4pg_NxzRppsZOh3DNOjPetTHc/s1600/beachiness+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lPxCiePzl31Fbfy2MOhLTlPMNRnGMFxt8RaC3RCb0zqOsYkvgZ8X4BB5-LMVq9LJlRY3YEHO-E79G3JuOsyY5VbWOJFqLQ40cXOWkrjfpf2LDQWRWQ4pg_NxzRppsZOh3DNOjPetTHc/s320/beachiness+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hike break. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCy0mkUuvYE2CmciI9whdD4Ifgo1cnqPcBtdI8Uyg2H-2yfkQfGwxx7CR4PvbHfF2wRNXBY0K8EVcU44uNywiZdCZNaFamwGI3hA3HtTcQbvqPaJDs-_ANdgguuQxITKwrg2BkwjqK064/s1600/beachiness+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCy0mkUuvYE2CmciI9whdD4Ifgo1cnqPcBtdI8Uyg2H-2yfkQfGwxx7CR4PvbHfF2wRNXBY0K8EVcU44uNywiZdCZNaFamwGI3hA3HtTcQbvqPaJDs-_ANdgguuQxITKwrg2BkwjqK064/s320/beachiness+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">midway through the hike: chillin at the fireplace of a house that burned down in 1982</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kato0d8vgjcKIJMqq2ZTw2EU6QQ9DQ4EI3HdM6elvDNxau1tsgCnjvF81n5M4MCx-byHajEJ4H6ysobinMtCDPvxZH1YTdRCrcpvzrT23TPI7xlpHdUdkTjU_ulHgNAPHvkJXTK_n5Q/s1600/beachiness+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kato0d8vgjcKIJMqq2ZTw2EU6QQ9DQ4EI3HdM6elvDNxau1tsgCnjvF81n5M4MCx-byHajEJ4H6ysobinMtCDPvxZH1YTdRCrcpvzrT23TPI7xlpHdUdkTjU_ulHgNAPHvkJXTK_n5Q/s320/beachiness+077.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi4pO5VI_C2fjUznKkKHpNMzh9bHHQ0bkHWKCick8cO9EfGTb_1HxqbG5CIrFwa_aI0TKQoRjm8kdpNqqUrYL2m0EzCUSxOP6w5gMEP4pP1UC6ewRcs0EUCWRNrfBpTfETSMFLQWV3Kw/s1600/beachiness+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi4pO5VI_C2fjUznKkKHpNMzh9bHHQ0bkHWKCick8cO9EfGTb_1HxqbG5CIrFwa_aI0TKQoRjm8kdpNqqUrYL2m0EzCUSxOP6w5gMEP4pP1UC6ewRcs0EUCWRNrfBpTfETSMFLQWV3Kw/s320/beachiness+081.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JLV4CreworEac5D0klF7j6ywYMguC8AmRsSB7vYhc700GjzAzJfQYDaLV0jWClemgNqVH9aQuQU9Q-ddOimHuKjiRX5KEhR64y0zJ4RiarSq0Nax7ZnASRo1QxW34zaQaePqzNxtCAs/s1600/beachiness+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JLV4CreworEac5D0klF7j6ywYMguC8AmRsSB7vYhc700GjzAzJfQYDaLV0jWClemgNqVH9aQuQU9Q-ddOimHuKjiRX5KEhR64y0zJ4RiarSq0Nax7ZnASRo1QxW34zaQaePqzNxtCAs/s320/beachiness+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruined-burnt out house from above. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9WJ88a7HaMDt_xXHUXwjvf2Y1SyPkrOubERUi6b0yhb6_KFPKBh-8jgCjPorUHwyWl-YgrwpvypqbLFYAiYm7HARzDU1YbNuZlPLttcOU3uOJvZYvjNYmn4QNyxkv8TsgeXrpyZuXfs/s1600/beachiness+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9WJ88a7HaMDt_xXHUXwjvf2Y1SyPkrOubERUi6b0yhb6_KFPKBh-8jgCjPorUHwyWl-YgrwpvypqbLFYAiYm7HARzDU1YbNuZlPLttcOU3uOJvZYvjNYmn4QNyxkv8TsgeXrpyZuXfs/s320/beachiness+088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admiring the canyon view. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQh3u58_aJxTjkMUSTVFr42Lcw2I78-6CBixKCrp-L2YISiyjkVkPMJWD9xCpfBxXAe5rAbk-qzaBnwLAY6zTbqS3NhDwmCpzHJQjNLkyPcu0Py1yPtehfeXa_CSjFrTHf5zTi9TabCg/s1600/beachiness+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQh3u58_aJxTjkMUSTVFr42Lcw2I78-6CBixKCrp-L2YISiyjkVkPMJWD9xCpfBxXAe5rAbk-qzaBnwLAY6zTbqS3NhDwmCpzHJQjNLkyPcu0Py1yPtehfeXa_CSjFrTHf5zTi9TabCg/s320/beachiness+102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_3e13oJeLu21yfLx2gTW1JKM0KJsVeHp28yaFOLRgPI3rIe1fzKtcY3ad3LToND8_Ji01C0ds4XahDUPcBglC1HCRLOpBph_1jnaEesrnbm6nQxfMVh0JjUxWwihk71Dku3eaiW5-qc/s1600/beachiness+107_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_3e13oJeLu21yfLx2gTW1JKM0KJsVeHp28yaFOLRgPI3rIe1fzKtcY3ad3LToND8_Ji01C0ds4XahDUPcBglC1HCRLOpBph_1jnaEesrnbm6nQxfMVh0JjUxWwihk71Dku3eaiW5-qc/s320/beachiness+107_edited-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chillin. Beach-side. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It had been at least a month since I went anywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
was going out frequently when I first got here. But for some reason I felt like
it was an indulgence – that I would have the opportunity to go and do so easily
– hop on the bus and get off at the beach… when most people my age have
families and children and adult responsibilities. I tell myself that I need to
do mature things that mature people would do. Mature, responsible people don’t
hop on the bus and go to the beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But.
I can. And I want to. And I enjoy it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It
may or may not be an indulgence. I am not quite sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
long to explore. To hike. To think. To listen. To feel the sun. To sit on the
beach and stare at the ocean and hear the sound of the waves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There
are things that – as a single person – I can not do that a married person can.
So it would seem only logical that there would be things that – as a single
person – I can do that as a married person I could not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God
has given me singleness. May I thrive behind the boundaries by which singleness
is contained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt;"><span id="goog_437079159"></span><span id="goog_437079160"></span></span></div>Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-16832581264037454742011-11-09T13:57:00.001-06:002011-11-10T11:45:20.532-06:00"In Progress" - Work, Working, Money, CareersSo the difference between work and a career is significant.<br />
But is there more significance in having a career over doing work?<br />
<br />
A career implies the need for special training. SERIOUS-Debt-acquiring-education in my case... which is further conundrified (yes I think I just created a word!) by the fact that I am now in possession of a skill set which I am not using.<br />
My metric financial burden: $72Ks. Kinda gross huh?<br />
I think I was ignorant of some things when I chose to educate myself. Like issues of money and debt and the REAL value of getting loans to finance all. of. my. education.<br />
I made all my decisions about education based on assumptions - the only fulfilling work is the work that requires a college degree - I have the smarts to go to college so I go to college - success follows higher education - I will be able to find a job to pay for all the loans I am acquiring...<br />
<br />
I have definitely made some naive and ignorant decisions over the course of my life. <a href="http://librarianismish.blogspot.com/2011/09/even-still-and-evermore.html">Exhibit A</a>.<br />
And now Exhibit B. More Exhibits in my Life's Stupidity Gallery sure to be revealed at a later date I'm sure.<br />
<br />
But here I sit, eh? Milk spilled. Now what to do?<br />
<br />
I feel as though I followed the "wisdom" of our culture and society in choosing to sink myself in debt to acquire this education - so when people look at me like an idiot and ask me why I am working for Starbucks while sitting on a Masters degree, I get defensive and don't really know how to respond.<br />
"That's just the way the cookie has crumbled?"<br />
<br />
There are so many ways to approach this question, and lately I've been struck by this passage (Matthew 25:14-30) ... looking for an application on this particular topic... but floundering to find one.<br />
<br />
The Parable of the Talents<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' ... He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'</blockquote>
I definitely don't want to be the servant given the portion of his masters possessions that immediately goes to bury it in the ground for safe keeping. <br />
"I have this. but I'm not going to use it. I fear its source. I don't really understand its methods. I can't really play by its rules. So I'll just keep it. Protect it. Hide it. Pretend like it doesn't exist."<br />
<br />
I know I have the tendency to withdraw from the game when I don't trust the rules. or don't believe in the rules.<br />
<br />
I don't know what the answer is yet. But. I am in progress. Not enjoying any of my options but willingly considering them.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-47098337106747301912011-11-07T02:21:00.004-06:002011-11-07T02:23:17.997-06:00Some thoughts on Praying Together<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.laparks.org/images/facilities/lanark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://www.laparks.org/images/facilities/lanark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanark Recreation Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The people of <a href="http://livingstonesla.org/">Living Stones</a> shared in some time of prayer this past weekend.<br />
<br />
The church has been meeting in someone's home since July - with the hopes of transitioning to <a href="http://www.laparks.org/dos/reccenter/facility/lanarkRC.htm">Lanark Recreation Center</a> across the street from where many of us are living.<br />
<br />
There has been a snag in the approval process - one of the signatures we needed, we didn't get.
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lanark+Street,+Canoga+Park,+CA&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.273371,86.572266&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lanark+St,+Los+Angeles,+California+90041&t=h&ll=34.217711,-118.604708&spn=0.00621,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Lanark+Street,+Canoga+Park,+CA&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.273371,86.572266&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lanark+St,+Los+Angeles,+California+90041&t=h&ll=34.217711,-118.604708&spn=0.00621,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=A" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
<br />
This transition into Lanark has been a very tangible milestone that we have been anticipating along the path that leads us toward the goal of reaching this neighborhood.<br />
<br />
This weekend has taught me that praying together can provide a unique opportunity to see into each other lives - to see an imprint of Christ in them!<br />
As a group of people seeking to be the Body of Christ to one another and to our neighbors - I've begun to slowly grasp how crucial it is for us to be united together as intimately as possible.<br />
And prayer is definitely a vehicle - a minivan - that brings us closer to God.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-30582599599254205072011-11-07T01:25:00.000-06:002011-11-07T01:25:24.304-06:00The Art of Confession<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mamapop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/6a00d8341c5d9653ef0120a5026eb1970b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.mamapop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/6a00d8341c5d9653ef0120a5026eb1970b.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
Not being Catholic, I've never experienced confession. But as of late, I have had the strongest desire to be free from various thoughts.<br />
Ugly thoughts about other people.<br />
I have longed to speak these thoughts - to get them out. And to be reprimanded accordingly. To receive the punishment for them. And be done.<br />
But I cannot, in clear conscience, speak ill of someone in the presence of another... but it is SO hard to hold it all in!<br />
It kinda eats you up. <br />
The only one who can hear my thoughts and not be tempted to sin is Jesus - so to him alone shall I confess.<br />
<br />Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-54747685116688948082011-10-27T20:36:00.002-05:002011-10-27T20:42:46.483-05:00Lets Talk Community Development... and Closets.It's no longer "recently finished" - but a month ago now - I finished this book:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61QlVbup12L._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61QlVbup12L._SS500_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://amzn.com/B001DA7ZZE">With Justice For All</a> by <a href="http://www.jmpf.org/content/">John M. Perkins</a><br />
<br />
It's not that it is the definitive work on <a href="http://www.ccda.org/">community development</a> as I am coming to realize there are quite a few voices out there on the topic, and its not even that his voice is rooted in 40 years of experience ministering to the poor and reconciling racial tensions - although that packs a powerful punch. Instead it is the strange resonance I have felt between the lessons that John Perkins (JP) has learned over the course of his life which have resulted in his philosophy of ministry (Relocation, Reconciliation, Redistribution) to lessons in which I am in progress in my own life.<br />
<br />
“Proclaiming the gospel and living out the gospel in a way that brings good news to the poor and liberty to the oppressed (Luke 4:18).”<br />
<br />
“A strategy by which American evangelicals can do the work of biblical justice in our land.”
<br />
<br />
Growing up "in the church", I have collected a lot of baggage, replete with things that look like church and feel like church and sound very churchy. I have amassed a wardrobe of churchy experiences laden with disconcerting emotion and confused feeling. Reading this book, through the work of the Holy Spirit, I was surprised to discover that I could unpack this heavy luggage and examine these experiences that I have had and disengage them from their circumstantial negative emotion. And in doing this, removing the heavy stones of negative emotion sewn into the hems of the garments, they become light. And not only do they become light - but I realize that yes, I have amassed a wardrobe of experiences that have brought me to this very place. Surrounded by and part of the Body of Christ. I can unpack the garments now. Hang them up in my closet called The Sovereignty of God. And quit carrying around the baggage.<br />
<br />
Wanna see my closet?<br />
I'll warn you, its kind of messy. Lots of stones, rocks and other various rubble strewn about the floor...<br />
<br />
When it comes to the ministry experiences that I have had, most often I felt a serious lack of effectuality.<br />
In high school, during the summer, our church youth group would spend one week teaching VBS at a sister church somewhere in the US.<br />
<br />
For one semester in college, I took part in a visitation ministry based on this outline called <a href="http://www.fbcpc.com/Ministries/FAITH/tabid/162/Default.aspx">FAITH training</a>. It was very evangelistic. We would basically cold-call people with the gospel.<br />
With this same church, one Spring Break we went to Lima, Peru and walked around a handful of college campuses passing out English/Spanish tracts that presented the gospel.<br />
<br />
These experiences for me did not resonate with anything true. I felt these methods of evangelism as a burden. An obligation. A task to check off the Christian to-do list.<br />
<br />
Still in college, I started to consider signing up with a missionary sending organization. Something long term. Something bigger. Short term trips and one-time visits didn't give me the opportunity to build any sort of relationship. I researched many mission organizations. Considered <a href="http://www.ywam.org/">YWAM</a>. I had discovered that Jesus was not about a bunch of churchy activities, rather he was a person with whom I had a developing relationship with. I wanted to share that. I felt called. But I was told by many that I had to finish college. It was the wisest path. If I left I would never return. Never finish. So I stayed. I ignored the call. And then I got distracted by the world and its pursuits for a few years.<br />
<br />
Jesus continued to pursue me though. Our relationship continued to develop. He reached in deeper.<br />
<br />
A few years after college I started teaching middle school girls through <a href="http://www.lifeway.com/Article/true-love-waits">True Love Waits</a>. During this same time I started cooking for some of my church family one night a week. In this opportunity I felt as though I was doing something practical. Something I'd been given a passion for and was willing to develop the skills to accomplish. I was serving. Loving. Meeting a need.<br />
<br />
These are only some of the garments hanging in my closet, and viewing them through the lens of JP's book, (and in an effort to bring this post to a close) I can see that yes, evangelism is not enough. Evangelizing people in a vacuum void of any other form of relationship building will be ineffectual.<br />
As you live with people and get to know people you are then able to sense where their needs are and offer assistance accordingly - the felt need.<br />
<br />
For me, JP's Community Development strategy of Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution harnesses the power of Christ to lead us to the poor and oppressed, to love those who are different from us, and to live amid a body of believers, and make disciples.<br />
<br />
The following poem is used as a philosophical guide to those working on Christian Community Development:<br />
<br />
Go to the people<br />
Live among them<br />
Learn from them<br />
Love them<br />
Start with what they know<br />
Build on what they have:<br />
But of the best leaders<br />
When their task is done<br />
The people will remark<br />
"We have done it ourselves."Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-72701591488710106512011-10-10T12:58:00.000-05:002011-10-10T12:58:11.881-05:00Everyday is anoTHEr day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Fullers - the friends partially responsible for my move to LA - have gotten into the habit the past 3 Saturdays of making pancakes and inviting anyone in our group to come. "Our group" really just consists of the folks that are taking part in our church plant and various friend-like personages. Typically its been just the folks that live in the same apartment building as the Fullers and myself from two buildings down.<br />
<br />
This past Saturday morning I hadn't heard anything. I'd slept in. Woke up and had a quick bowl of cereal, put water to boil and toast in the toaster. Putting my coffee together and devouring my toast with Justin's Chocolate Peanut Butter, I get a text to see if I was coming. I'd just stuffed my face but decided to walk over just to hang with them... and I did have a container of iced coffee left over from closing up at Starbucks from the night before that I could contribute.<br />
<br />
Walked in the door and was astonished to see the group that was gathered. I'd barely changed out of my pjs and probably had mascara smudged under my eyes! But soccer had started at the recreation center across the street so the Browns were present. Another surprise guest was the Fuller-brother who was on a road trip with his girlfriend headed to Joshua Tree. And the Fuller resident couch-crasher also had his buddy present. So in addition to the ones I'd expected to see, The Garcias, The Dukes, all counted there were about 18 people in the apartment. More were across the street playing soccer to arrive later.<br />
<br />
I wish I could convey how beautiful it was to see all these people gathered. Not coming from a large family - only one older sibling who was out of the house by the time I was 10 years old, and being single myself - these kind of spontaneous gatherings make a huge impression on me. Unplanned. There was no designation of who brings what. I happened to have a gallon of iced coffee and an unopened package of Applewood Smoked Bacon from Whole Foods (that I walked back home to get) to contribute to the breakfast. Being able to contribute these things, but not having planned that in advance is what reminds me our best efforts are still nothing compared to the power of His might.<br />
<br />
I think we all received a blessing from that breakfast. That gathering. The conversation. Life-shared. The Presence was felt. It's not about us. Everyday is anoTHEr day.<br />
<br />
And then the prayer is: Each day be responsible to what you are responsible for, all the while being available to the Spirit at work.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-6686966525004177302011-09-28T15:04:00.000-05:002011-09-28T15:04:02.638-05:00Even Still and Evermore.As of last Thursday, the divorce is final. It's been a long time in the making. Acquantances for 10+ years. Married for 2 years and 2 months, Separated for 2 years and 3 months. Divorced for less than 1 week. <br />
It's no wonder I don't really know how to respond. How should I respond? <br />
<br />
I'm not grieving for him anymore. <br />
I don't even feel anything for him anymore. Except maybe pity. <br />
<br />
But at the same time, I didn't want it to happen. It was all his idea. His doing. I fought it. Hard. <br />
And yet now, I am kind of glad to have him out of my life. And with no children in the picture I'll never have to speak to him again. And he is 1,572 miles away so I can safely say I'll likely never see him again. <br />
<br />
But I want to be married. I want to start a family. I want to be in a relationship that survives hard times. To be known, and to be loved regardless. <br />
Maybe I'll get married again. I'd like to. But what if I don't? <br />
<br />
Maybe I can have all of those things even if I don't get married again. I could try to adopt. Or foster children.<br />
I have great relationships here with my people, and I can love on their children.<br />
<br />
For now, it's one day at a time. Learning and growing even still and evermore. Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-88862624119728942332011-09-24T12:41:00.000-05:002011-09-24T12:41:29.095-05:00The Logistics of Life in Los Angeles.I have been here for close to 7 weeks. Canoga Park, LA, California.<br />
And it honestly feels like so much longer than that already.<br />
<br />
I've been working between 30-35 hours a week. Not as much as I'd like, but that has given me the opportunity to be available to "my people" here. We all live in close proximity to one another and share a lot of meals together. So I have the opportunity to help with preparation and with clean up. I love to cook and love to be part of a collaborative effort to prepare a meal for 10+ people (and that's a small gathering). This is one of my favorite things. It's casual. And I enjoy how we all get to see each other in a practical way - meeting a shared need. We all need to eat. Able to be social and interactive. Good day or bad. Serving. Laboring.<br />
<br />
Sometimes life here feels just like life in the dorms in college. People are constantly coming and going. Lots of noise. People asking for help with an "assignment". Eating together. Running errands together. "Studying" together. Building a life together. Depending on one another. And if you ever had that experience in the dorms - especially your freshman year when you are still so young and the transition is so monumental - you'll know that feeling you had at the end of the year when you start realizing the pain associated with leaving - because all that time you've spent with those people was time spent building a special family! And that pain is connected to how much impact the people around have had. Maybe this is just my own unique experience.<br />
<br />
I love the knowledge that I am still growing as a person and being challenged by these opportunities and situations both in my community and at work. I am surrounded by these catalytic experiences which are peeling back layers of self-love, perfectionism, pride - and finding more layers of the same underneath. But I believe that underneath all these dark layers of ugliness exists a core - where I imagine Jesus lives, figuratively.<br />
<br />
So then of course I read things (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4&version=ESV">like this</a> - in Ephesians) that paint beautiful pictures of what living a life with Jesus in your heart looks like which when confronted with the reality of some of my own thoughts and feelings towards others causes me to loathe and despise my weak condition.<br />
<br />
There is the possibility of harmonious living - one in which disagreement and opposing opinions exist but they aren't bitter and ugly - a disagreement that builds up and causes to grow. To experience relationship with other people who share this goal of becoming like Jesus Christ involves so much more than I've ever really imagined before...<br />
<br />
I'll have more to say on this topic I imagine.<br />
<br />Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-55716749953901752272011-08-27T20:36:00.003-05:002011-08-27T20:36:50.731-05:00In Which I Opt OUT of Health Insurance... A Discussion with myselfMy opinions on this matter are not water-tight. They are leaky; if you will.<br />
<br />
But I'd like to share them nonetheless.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was the final day that I could sign up (or not - in my case) for Health Insurance through work for the forthcoming fiscal year.<br />
I opted out last year because - to make a long story short - for the prior 12-month period I was mistakenly paying twice as much per month than I should have been paying, because I didn't take this health-quotient survey.<br />
So my response to that experience was to virtually boycott the silliness of it all by going without.<br />
I know the logic in all that is a bit sketchy, but that was that.<br />
And now since my "boycott" year is over I am still stuck with the decision.<br />
<br />
How do I really (hopefully wisely) decide if I will partake in our health care system!?<br />
Weighing my options. Standing by my convictions. Willing to accept challenges.<br />
<br />
If I sign up for health insurance, having money taken out of each paycheck, then I will have to use the insurance for all that I can, i.e. the preventative stuff... and I'll have to go to the trouble of finding doctors. So then, what if I just go the clinic route? Staying outside of insurance.<br />
I think one of the benefits of paying for health insurance is to pay to see "better" doctors (better than clinic doctors) - but I think the best case scenario is actually to have the ability to see the SAME doctor over the course of your lifetime. They get to know you - and vice-versa. But that option isn't really mine to choose right now... not being in one place for long enough... yes. a choice I've made.<br />
<br />
So unexpected emergencies notwithstanding, I don't plan on needing any medical attention - I could use a teeth cleaning which would likely lead to more dental work (more $$), and I could use other general health check-ups - which could lead to more expenses... So really all I see is expense.<br />
The only upswing I see in having the expense of insurance and preventative check-ups is for one of those: "SO GOOD that we found this NOW!!" moments - but "this" could only mean expensive procedures and medical treatment - which in my current season, I am not entirely okay with. The reason for a VEGAN (ish in my case) diet is to naturally combat any potential disease and illness before it becomes a "good thing we caught this now" scenario.<br />
<br />
So what if I just set aside the $40 every two weeks - that ends up being $4,000 a year! If I need that much medical attention I would be astonished.<br />
If I see the amount of money that is mine and which would otherwise be going to health insurance it would lead me to be more conscious of my health.<br />
Part of me really feels that buying in to health care fuels a wasteful mindset. I have been given one body and I need to take care of it. Be mindful of what I consume... how often I floss my teeth. Do what I can - not just expecting health insurance to be my safety net.<br />
<br />
In Sum:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I'd like to know where my money is going - when it comes to medical procedures. And not to fuel a wasteful mindset.</li>
<li>If I see how much a procedure costs then it will encourage me to take better care - the motivation necessary to eat healthy and wear sunscreen... and floss my teeth. </li>
<li>By putting money aside for medical expenses it will also help me to value that money more than if its just coming out of my paycheck</li>
<li>Also - hopefully - it will give me the opportunity to find doctors who are not going to waste my money on unnecessary procedures. </li>
</ol>
Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-61993766603058441062011-08-18T17:01:00.001-05:002011-08-18T17:01:05.945-05:00Let's Cross Some Lines.I don't have all the statistics - a good buddy - <a href="http://livingstonesla.org/">Living Stones</a> Pastor himself - is the immigration statistics aficionado, and I don't even have all the references for the facts that he's thrown out at me... but things that he has said have stuck with me enough to affect my own thoughts and meditations upon arriving in LA.<br />
<br />
So I'll share my thoughts as just that: my thoughts... but there is a bit of a throwback involved.<br />
<br />
Migration. People have been moving around hither and yon forever... for all time... people are always coming and going for one reason or another. Does the reason matter? Are some reasons more or less valid? And why does it seem that at base level one group starts fearing the impact of another group that enters when they start entering in large numbers or expanding and multiplying into large numbers?<br />
<br />
Then even beyond political boundaries, there have been people crossing over social boundaries for generations too - and there used to be strong dialogue about/against this reality too - that it was good to have these boundaries. People knew their class. Their "station". They knew what was expected of them. And one should accept one's place. <br />
<br />
Socially, I think it is safe to say, we have come to a general consensus that crossing these boundaries - trying to improve your "station in life" is acceptable. Some would even venture to say that it is encouraged to strive to improve your situation...<br />
<br />
My own attempt to improve my "station" in life, i.e. getting a college degree, a (worthless) one that I couldn't pay for to begin with - and can barely pay for now - and couldn't find a job with... and then going to grad school to get a more specialized degree that I still couldn't pay for, and with which I still couldn't find a job... My own attempt to improve my "station" in life, actually put me in a worse off place financially. Where is the logic in that!?<br />
<br />
I admit complete and utter defeat on that end. Not complaining... I am the proud owner of a diverse academic skill set... I am just trying (impossibly?) to make some sense of it all.<br />
<br />
Because here I sit - thinking about all the people that move across political boundaries - in the hopes of improving their situation - or in hopes of having more opportunities, but in reality they go from a place where they have rights to a place where they have none. Where they are judged. Misunderstood. Is their life better? Or is it just different? I obviously cannot answer that question or even speak to that reality.<br />
<br />
So in this political example, there is a body of people - a group of lawmakers (who in theory represents the population in its entirety, right?) - who determines the laws that govern this migration across political boundaries. But I would venture to say that these particular types of laws are put in place to protect monetary interests, financial success of one group OVER another group... to protect a social order. But if we agree that everyone should have the freedom to CHOOSE whether or not they want to attempt to improve their station - then how can we make these types of laws to impede their attempt? And who are we to determine who can and cannot attempt to improve their situation?<br />
<br />
Idealistically (as Christ-followers) - we navigate ourselves - and our beliefs on these issues and how we interact with others - under the moral guidance of Christ's example in the Bible. So then I read in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+1&version=ESV">Ephesians</a> for example, about how through Christ two diametrically opposed cultures - the Gentiles and the Hebrews - were brought together to share in one inheritance, as one body - as equals... and I begin to think that this is the goal! This is what I would like to seek - as much as it is up to me.<br />
<blockquote>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29224" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">11</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29224A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29225" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">remember</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29225B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that you were at that time separated from Christ,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29225C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29225D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the covenants of promise,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29225E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">having no hope and without God in the world.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29226" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now in Christ Jesus you who once were</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29226F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">far off have been brought near</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29226G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by the blood of Christ.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29227" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29227H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he himself is our peace,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29227I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who has made us both one and has broken down</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29227J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29228" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">15</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29228K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ordinances, that he might create in himself one</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29228L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new man in place of the two, so making peace,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29229" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">16</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and might</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29229M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29230" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">17</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he came and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29230N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">preached peace to you who were</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29230O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">far off and peace to those who were</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29230P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">near.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29231" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">18</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29231Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">through him we both have</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29231R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">access in</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29231S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">one Spirit to the Father.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29232" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">19</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So then you are no longer</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29232T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strangers and aliens,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="footnote" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29232a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%202:11%20-%2025&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29232a" style="color: #651300; text-decoration: none;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but you are</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29232U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fellow citizens with the saints and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29232V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">members of the household of God,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29233" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">20</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29233W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">built on the foundation of the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29233X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">apostles and prophets,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29233Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ Jesus himself being</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29233Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the cornerstone,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29234" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">21</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29234AA" title="See cross-reference AA">AA</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29234AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a holy temple in the Lord.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-ESV-29235" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">22</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In him</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29235AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">you also are being built together</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="xref" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-29235AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into a dwelling place for God by</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="footnote" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0.5em; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-ESV-29235b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=eph%202:11%20-%2025&version=ESV#fen-ESV-29235b" style="color: #651300; text-decoration: none;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Spirit.</span></blockquote>
<br />
Whereas I do think that making an attempt to improve ones situation socially/politically is a good thing, I don't think it should be expected. I personally think that for some of us, the challenge IS to accept our situation and to welcome others.<br />
Keeping people out - because they are a threat to your way of life: bad.<br />
Keeping other people down, so that you can remain on top: bad.<br />
So why do we (the USA - but also other 1st world countries) have the immigration laws that we do?<br />
It's not to protect the good from the bad...Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA34.1683386 -118.605919734.1157871 -118.6848837 34.2208901 -118.5269557tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-9664325917120105982011-08-13T20:58:00.000-05:002011-08-13T20:58:17.110-05:00In which I have a day off...Arrived close to midnight on Monday.<br />
Met the new store. Worked 8 hrs on Tuesday. Rode the bus home.<br />
Worked 8 hrs on Wednesday.<br />
On Thursday, rode out to Westlake Village to get my phone (fake) fixed. Killed some time with bagel eating and reading. Worked 8 hrs.<br />
On Friday, rode out to Westlake Village again (saw my first movie set - gas station - the place was crazy with equipment) to get my phone (really) fixed. Killed some more time with bagel eating, coffee drinking and reading. Worked 8 hours.<br />
Today! Saturday! Off! Unpacked. Decided to ride the bus out to Noah's Bagels - do some more bagel eating and to-do-list-making. Walked to Whole Foods from there. Rode the bus home! Cooked frijoles y arroz, chatted with the new roommates. Ate... NOW, hopefully... going to borrow a car and drive down the road to watch <b>Goonies</b> outdoors at Warner Park.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-15192713930729495942011-08-05T19:45:00.003-05:002011-08-05T20:24:48.942-05:00Dear Saint Louis,<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now it's time to say goodbye.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QNK5KzI48mM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm leaving on a jet plane.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vLBKOcUbHR0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't know when I'll be back again.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/7_IKcMl_a9A/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_IKcMl_a9A&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7_IKcMl_a9A&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the final countdown.</div>
<br />
<br />Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-43921307437544159282011-07-28T17:10:00.000-05:002011-07-28T17:10:47.485-05:00In Which I (sorta) Boast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY8WQxZ-Qaff52S3DByWoz1Mkzki3mgo0KzrcNNTupgBWngzOIs2w8beIXGcJj8IVWtgRWiwoUGLuaLrass4-sTN6yaIlRmz4KlU040dJQDhkhVewThUiGRrA3IIp9MqYzg6334315f8/s1600/110728-164801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY8WQxZ-Qaff52S3DByWoz1Mkzki3mgo0KzrcNNTupgBWngzOIs2w8beIXGcJj8IVWtgRWiwoUGLuaLrass4-sTN6yaIlRmz4KlU040dJQDhkhVewThUiGRrA3IIp9MqYzg6334315f8/s320/110728-164801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9V_YlJ4Ed_rMFrIMjaOdnS1ocm4bJLFJhTB4GgbnLxHUrUi9noRr9VHs1UX2Z9sQMj-67H8Pf99YrQkPUE_cfBbqhz3QG7hCQ_g1pJwfA2ka5-9dTOa-wl2lM8o3pa71A0X8aR7C0nI/s1600/My+knitting+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9V_YlJ4Ed_rMFrIMjaOdnS1ocm4bJLFJhTB4GgbnLxHUrUi9noRr9VHs1UX2Z9sQMj-67H8Pf99YrQkPUE_cfBbqhz3QG7hCQ_g1pJwfA2ka5-9dTOa-wl2lM8o3pa71A0X8aR7C0nI/s320/My+knitting+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
One of my new favorite past times is to combine two loves. A new one (above) with an old (below).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn2FpDNWHKYe_yfG_NFtqGnHiwXQGYQSUkIX_ZimWufm8cz1gkivCWoO0B-Zt2YpG6ytyqg2wtiJHM0nDl9gdUNsrWrWWVcALN8xYLwTUGId8rPlKcTL_EfBzYHxtcaJy33Cpo2YmPp_o/s1600/audiobooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn2FpDNWHKYe_yfG_NFtqGnHiwXQGYQSUkIX_ZimWufm8cz1gkivCWoO0B-Zt2YpG6ytyqg2wtiJHM0nDl9gdUNsrWrWWVcALN8xYLwTUGId8rPlKcTL_EfBzYHxtcaJy33Cpo2YmPp_o/s1600/audiobooks.jpg" /></a></div>
I've been sucked into this new <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/kits/Impressionist_Afghan_pattern-Tranquil__D40219.html">afghan project</a>. And these mildly intriguing books by <a href="http://www.sarahaddisonallen.com/">Sarah Addison Allen</a>: The other day I finished The Sugar Queen, and today I will finish The Peach Keeper - magical realism and intrapersonal turmoil, but predictable story line and plot elements.<br />
Perfect entertainment for knitting.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-63294997422330133882011-07-26T18:58:00.002-05:002011-07-26T19:00:13.925-05:00My Day is not My Own!<div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It belongs to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimulation#Over-stimulation">Overstimulation</a>. (lack of a) <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm">Circadian Rhythm</a>. and the ever wonderful <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002474/">PMS</a>. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm fascinated by this idea that there are all sorts of physiological influences to the overall success of my day. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In <i>theory</i>, these are things that I can account for and plan around...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PMS is old school - I've been aware of that one for a very long time. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The most common physical symptoms include:</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span></span><br />
<ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 2.75em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A003124/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #14376c; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Abdominal fullness, feeling gaseous</a></div>
</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A003123/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #14376c; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bloating</a> of the abdomen</div>
</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Clumsiness</div>
</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A003125/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #14376c; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Constipation</a> or <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A003126/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #14376c; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">diarrhea</a></div>
</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Food cravings</div>
</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/n/pmh_adam/A003024/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #14376c; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Headache</a></div>
</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.6923em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.6923em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Less tolerance for noises and lights</div>
</li>
</span></span></ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's the others that are newer to me.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Overstimulation.</b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">It is possible to be unhappy and stressed due to additional abnormal stimulation.</span></span></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/88918/43033/understimulation/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Triggers anxiety!</span></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.lifecho.com/overstimulation-of-our-senses-leads-to-sleep-problems/">Can lead to sleep problems</a>!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And in infants, an indication of overstimulation is the inability to make eye contact. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have noticed while at work - on particularly busy days - towards the end of my shift when I am READY to get outa there... I have to force myself to look people in the eye when I greet them and take their order.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Circadian Rhythm. </b></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The newest "aha" moment came the other day when I realized how varied my work schedule had become and how much that was throwing me OFF: Sleep 5hrs, Awake 23hrs, Sleep 10hrs, Awake 13hrs, Sleep 5hrs, Awake 18 hrs, Sleep 9hrs. What?! is that?</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I gotta nip that one in the bud quickly. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I gotta force myself to sleep more regularly!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Because fighting exhaustion makes me cranky. And I don't like being dependent on much caffeine (the day of 23 hrs I had 12 shots of espresso). And I don't like being tired when I have to be awake... and wired when I need to be tired. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First step to fixing a problem... admitting it exists, eh?</span></div>
Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-91497145474719590942011-07-21T17:11:00.000-05:002011-07-21T17:11:30.568-05:00Relegating the dollars.Not really a fun task - but I have actually found a few reasons to enjoy this moment. There are certain payments that will always exist for me. As long as I am alive. School Loans. Food. Rent.<br />
<br />
But the fun part is discovering new ways to save money. Forget coupons.<br />
Did you know that you can drive a 50cc scooter a.k.a moped without a drivers license and without the need to register with the state!? Granted the fastest you will be able to go is about 30mph, but as an individual, only driving around a small area - then this is all I need!<br />
<br />
Driving a 50cc scooter could save me money in the following ways: GAS, REGISTRATION, INSURANCE. I am realizing that I am rather opposed to the "insuring" line of business anyways, and any reason I can find to be able to do without insurance, the better! I also realize this means absolutely NO other driving whatsoever... no borrowing cars... and therefore the idea is equally alluring and challenging.<br />
<br />
Also! If I put my cell phone account on hold for a while - since I already have the iPhone - I can connect to the internet and do all the basics. No phone calls or texts. But I can still email and facebook and play words with friends... :) That could save me a HUGE chunk of change... likely it would only be temporary. I don't know if I could do that one for long term.<br />
<br />
Those are the things that excite me during this time of intentional frugality.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-28511411444345785152011-07-20T14:06:00.047-05:002011-07-20T15:05:55.289-05:00Does a Great Title preclude Great Content!??(Nope.) But a great title sure can suck you in, eh?<br />
<br />
How do I determine what other people would want to read about!? Because I have so many random thoughts that occur to me - hourly - and I often think that I could expound upon them, turning them into a blog post. And then oftener than not, I talk myself out of doing it... because I think: Who cares!? And: Who died and made me the expert!?<br />
<br />
But since I adore lists, here goes one:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I want to make a digital St. Louis scrapbook - and imagine if people could "tag" themselves in it and leave a note... like in yearbooks. "Have a Great Summer!!"</li>
<li>To be dominated... To Dominate.</li>
<li>I know a gal that is packing up and heading off to Africa with International Justice Mission. And I am reminded that I still haven't scratched that off my list... and I amuse myself with the thought that perhaps I will make it there one day too.</li>
<li>The world of academia - it is so utterly different from the world of blue collar work - and I wonder a lot about which world I fit into. </li>
<li>Faith vs. the law... being a "Son" vs. being under "guardianship" - Galatians 3. Fascinating image of the change in relationship that takes place. </li>
<li>Financial turmoil. being patient. playing checkers with my debt payments. </li>
<li>BUY IN. Being Original? or Jumping on bandwagons? How can you really tell if you are just getting caught up in the hype of new ideas?</li>
</ol>
Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-27173985836571205672011-07-15T18:59:00.003-05:002011-07-20T14:41:05.013-05:00Is it unnatural to live alone?All of my life - save maybe 20 months or so - I have lived with someone.<br />
That is 30-ish years.<br />
I should know by now HOW to do it well. At the very least, I should be able to do it better than I do.<br />
<br />
Someone I am living with recently confronted me with: I sense a lot of tension between us. My knee jerk reaction: denial. I imagine there have been many times in the past when roommates have felt hostile vibes from me but didn't say anything. I would've denied it anyway!: Nope - no hostility here. Everything's fantastic! Can't you tell by the (forced) smile (resembling grimace) on my face!<br />
<br />
Sometimes I FEEL like there is a lot of tension and hostility within me - and I don't know where to place the blame - I don't know what the source is... and oftentimes I direct it at the people I live with. Sabotage?<br />
<br />
So I think - it would just be better for me to live alone (so that I don't have to confront these weird personal issues).<br />
And yet I think - it is such waste of resources for so many people to be living alone! (all those sets of pots and pans that only get used once a month at best!)<br />
Ultimately I am convinced that we are not engineered to live alone - but it is what is accepted most - and by far the easiest of the options when you reach a certain age and stage in life (I have often felt judged by people when I mention that I live with friends - and I know in the past I have judged others (boys) who still live with their parents).<br />
<br />
At base level, I think my hostility with roommates is some weird form of self-protection.<br />
Ya know - like the thorns on the rose bush... I am pretty :) And I don't want animals to eat me!<br />
Ultimately. I need to learn (I've said this before!) that other.people.are.not.the.enemy. I don't like it when people point out things that I don't understand and can't put into words (Yes. I am hostile. No. I don't know why.)<br />
But, I need people. I can't live without people. And I think that is okay.<br />
So I guess I am looking for people that can handle a little hostility - and are willing to get thorned a little.<br />
Good sales pitch, eh?<br />
Anyone wanna be my roommate!?Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-67798495291143929532011-07-14T17:39:00.000-05:002011-07-14T17:39:07.374-05:00Expectations: Yours or Mine?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRS7jdQj7oTBYgUng-nYO_l4erHR2s9jATRNwc2E8ZQhODSHG8iCm03tfNRwSm6qBGEI-p6gvP6p2EtTBXTjlKI6KcO892nAjt5dztMB1sIWtUUIRMwqf2A9caQoUm9s0QEGU097AyLs/s1600/110711-154120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRS7jdQj7oTBYgUng-nYO_l4erHR2s9jATRNwc2E8ZQhODSHG8iCm03tfNRwSm6qBGEI-p6gvP6p2EtTBXTjlKI6KcO892nAjt5dztMB1sIWtUUIRMwqf2A9caQoUm9s0QEGU097AyLs/s320/110711-154120.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite StL coffee shop: Kaldi's on DeMun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I have been pondering "expectations" a lot this past month. Wondering if the things that I find myself wanting in life - are they a product of environment... culture... the society in which I live...? </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Am I choosing them - or are they forced upon me?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Different people can expect certain things from me in various situations - but I realize that the interesting element is when your expectations for me differ from my expectations for me... and am I choosing your expectations for me over my own? Depending on the situation that can be bad bad bad! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
As I spent the month of June in a completely new setting, I realized how my daily routine is affected by my immediate surroundings - and the influencing factor of the people that I am in relationship with - and that prompted me to think that perhaps even on a broader scale, other elements in my life can change (expectations) based on my surroundings. And that this can be a good change. A sacrificial change. A cleansing change. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I need less in my life, not more. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
And being in a new environment, surrounded by new people this challenges me to shed unnecessary expectations that I am holding on to... or to even recognize the expectations that I didn't even know I was still holding on to. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Just a topic to explore... simplified expectations. </div>
Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-54595869587082284822011-07-09T20:51:00.000-05:002011-07-09T20:51:30.637-05:00The end of a chapter... The beginning of a new!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The last bit of the trip flew by in a blur of colors, sights, smells, tastes, seemingly endless driving and very little sleeping.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibzdBUqsl8rY0TUcxNlVZpF8NOrIlAs2oDyuV5Ez_6xAKPyvunJO-2bzRWAsK8neB4ur0eSLaSTOQxZRdYl21rsB5ryEnMuNsuobmivORMFiv8H1gnEUYWouGX5QEA_MWNjFlyMAbiFg/s1600/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibzdBUqsl8rY0TUcxNlVZpF8NOrIlAs2oDyuV5Ez_6xAKPyvunJO-2bzRWAsK8neB4ur0eSLaSTOQxZRdYl21rsB5ryEnMuNsuobmivORMFiv8H1gnEUYWouGX5QEA_MWNjFlyMAbiFg/s320/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pike Place Market - Seattle, Washington</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvI0BkgYv09ure5uz7Y2jFKffn_oVJJe9TENZNzxSFtpRn-Zs4QrzjOwqsCTyVA8shgkgvK7DZRczgHvAlah-ddlGBRKYOU40rNQTEf9DQdLV2orCoHOTQrTyj5VIBGerzLyFeG_LhkU/s1600/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvI0BkgYv09ure5uz7Y2jFKffn_oVJJe9TENZNzxSFtpRn-Zs4QrzjOwqsCTyVA8shgkgvK7DZRczgHvAlah-ddlGBRKYOU40rNQTEf9DQdLV2orCoHOTQrTyj5VIBGerzLyFeG_LhkU/s320/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulfur Hot Spring (STINKY!!) - Yellowstone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbw-N63_hFXjgoWR9ZgEj3I_9qX6j6c-sgEEb9b1PIcxFNK8AYtvrYNUhnO0vJ7QptP94c7b__RWeq1EI1pEyLmZQSvjxmY5UJQfPXrVmAx4Cn0x566jibJWVnmecjF5j1sSB3z6P8Yc/s1600/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbw-N63_hFXjgoWR9ZgEj3I_9qX6j6c-sgEEb9b1PIcxFNK8AYtvrYNUhnO0vJ7QptP94c7b__RWeq1EI1pEyLmZQSvjxmY5UJQfPXrVmAx4Cn0x566jibJWVnmecjF5j1sSB3z6P8Yc/s320/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffalo! - Yellowstone NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoPIoXR2JpAPiU9PTuypZCe8sjf-jVXwBCxsh6t8g7WzmvOx6Qro_srCgErv3iI0-AQ8chFldOCsODAmKe3AzrseHpipQoh5rkOinhkRQhCyoSrD1WoAF7MDPHU8yjU_RvYh4-rnv_rU/s1600/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoPIoXR2JpAPiU9PTuypZCe8sjf-jVXwBCxsh6t8g7WzmvOx6Qro_srCgErv3iI0-AQ8chFldOCsODAmKe3AzrseHpipQoh5rkOinhkRQhCyoSrD1WoAF7MDPHU8yjU_RvYh4-rnv_rU/s320/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+099.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ol' Faithful - Yellowstone NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wY0IJ3qBOMw6S__zyiLFjjcQn6asQFvpyOHixeNyxz_1fT8nYaIdFiCuZvNj0w8XAUsj2jXCKrQYw0WSYqElFBaWkWW_r4U1WhJ3cRhCzDpE6kpagiY3_joRegKUxKF07DyVs6SwxLo/s1600/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wY0IJ3qBOMw6S__zyiLFjjcQn6asQFvpyOHixeNyxz_1fT8nYaIdFiCuZvNj0w8XAUsj2jXCKrQYw0WSYqElFBaWkWW_r4U1WhJ3cRhCzDpE6kpagiY3_joRegKUxKF07DyVs6SwxLo/s320/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Reba strikes again! - Black beans and rice, tomatoes, and Moose Drool. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCBugtMu2k5iYiKlzv24yx-7iCCVyQtKn7rGUNPJFTtXYXo-PgcerVZ6v6BB3mAnXUmDPltCn36Y-OJhRJfaNfURN6a9ow_YcBSf137wfr24kcUh1hdI085zasDNglkEFbcl4QtUxBPY/s1600/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCBugtMu2k5iYiKlzv24yx-7iCCVyQtKn7rGUNPJFTtXYXo-PgcerVZ6v6BB3mAnXUmDPltCn36Y-OJhRJfaNfURN6a9ow_YcBSf137wfr24kcUh1hdI085zasDNglkEFbcl4QtUxBPY/s320/Seattle+and+Yellowstone+129.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mammoth Hot Springs - Yellowstone NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIU1QfCcDjx8Zg8AZxbGUYaSHpGWfB2PM3b3eZj065ZColhHVWFewOIDZ3aDqMob30Y-dsmqV6X3o7KHUpqrWmfaYE9i3z0aWXjkZ5H9SyK5HI9pJQ0dik-KFKUDkH8I_uWkaWOuGMuY/s1600/The+End+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIU1QfCcDjx8Zg8AZxbGUYaSHpGWfB2PM3b3eZj065ZColhHVWFewOIDZ3aDqMob30Y-dsmqV6X3o7KHUpqrWmfaYE9i3z0aWXjkZ5H9SyK5HI9pJQ0dik-KFKUDkH8I_uWkaWOuGMuY/s320/The+End+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Rushmore - at dawn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Being back in Saint Louis now for 48 hours - it's kind of trippy to think I was in Yellowstone only 4 days ago. The passage of time - is at once so tangible and yet so difficult to fathom.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Now - it's good to work again. Make $ome Money. Just $ome, mind you. See some wonderful people. And prepare for the transition to Los Angeles around the beginning of August.</div>
</div>
Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-73869775598601444422011-07-03T00:53:00.000-05:002011-07-03T00:53:26.562-05:00Oh me, Oh my, Oh-regon!<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I have decided</span></b>.<br />
I'm gonna <a href="http://www.sheeporegon.com/">raise sheep</a> on a farm in Southern Oregon. <br />
AND then in my spare time,<br />
I am going to find one dish that I can cook perfectly, and start passing my days in a <a href="http://www.foodcartsportland.com/">food cart</a> on Division Street in Portland.<br />
And, I am finally going to get full sleeve tattoos - because I swear eve.ry.one. sports 'em in Portland.<br />
Of course, I will ride my bike thither and yon, with nothing less than double <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/811081/timbuk2-tandem-panniers-medium">panniers</a> should I decide to shop.<br />
And, all my drinking needs shall be fulfilled by either the delicious <a href="http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/brews/list">Deschutes</a> or <a href="http://widmerbrothers.com/beer/">Widmer</a> brews.<br />
I eventually... most likely... will turn into a hipster. Because lets face it. Everyone in Portland is, so it must be in the water.<br />
And I will have to start staying up late - at least during the summer months - because folks, this is what 9:30pm looks like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJqcRqlXOmhA3Wq9e4zNAVwEH5VXXka1qcgndotMGx1EK0Qr3vFT7PP2IRcuQ4LsKb7LqRj7QjXdmNlhtYbVrr1UY1ibP9ChyphenhyphenMR2gVV5QDGiW4utyXdIIdpoh474XrUBC3nUN6MJKqJc/s1600/portland+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJqcRqlXOmhA3Wq9e4zNAVwEH5VXXka1qcgndotMGx1EK0Qr3vFT7PP2IRcuQ4LsKb7LqRj7QjXdmNlhtYbVrr1UY1ibP9ChyphenhyphenMR2gVV5QDGiW4utyXdIIdpoh474XrUBC3nUN6MJKqJc/s320/portland+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-68271928289374155552011-07-01T14:32:00.000-05:002011-07-01T14:32:35.420-05:00O-M-G Yo-sem-i-te!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The great greatness and splendid splendor that is YOSEMITE all started when I snagged the second to last available camping spot (first come first served, waited in line for 2.5 hours, all of which was accomplished without bathroom break, without coffee, without breakfast). <div><br />
</div><div>I spent my allotment of one day conquering this mad man, seen from campsite level - Yosemite Falls.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozoYrQcsHZ209vCzT-B9c6nVAtLLIrzPFo20xQCkOnoNGhVdUAZt4Bbxnw-lqapknw-NWLmyrdDlkPtJrIH1eopzCPWfWjvkAixvTf2ILb4mL1Abv_6SbbSXFmUxNtdW41xXla81pFEM/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozoYrQcsHZ209vCzT-B9c6nVAtLLIrzPFo20xQCkOnoNGhVdUAZt4Bbxnw-lqapknw-NWLmyrdDlkPtJrIH1eopzCPWfWjvkAixvTf2ILb4mL1Abv_6SbbSXFmUxNtdW41xXla81pFEM/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
After I went to the bathroom, got my tent sent up and remedied the no breakfast situation, I decided to go for a walk to the visitors center and get some fresh coffee and see some people...<br />
belch, conversations, hydrogen peroxide poured on calf wound, kids drinking capri sun, tap tap tap of the keyboard across from me, cool breeze, bright sun, comfort of knowing I have a spot to camp, last tomato, last swig of coffee, kids on sholders riding into the store, manners, politeness, crinkling of paper sac, feeling the pull of a hike...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigASX-JWkYDgRXFfonjBZl9SrPnKSuCSNDRzh5mavGQDf1Ii74qBQzbISFvy267gQOob3TmOUNDWxioKkLxZGf3Yjt5gpE6HF3WWWeMZVYfwn52XWTXqs_X2jSJozv4ijK4WCLRh4OsZ0/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigASX-JWkYDgRXFfonjBZl9SrPnKSuCSNDRzh5mavGQDf1Ii74qBQzbISFvy267gQOob3TmOUNDWxioKkLxZGf3Yjt5gpE6HF3WWWeMZVYfwn52XWTXqs_X2jSJozv4ijK4WCLRh4OsZ0/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+020.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The visual reward of an easy hike: the Lower Falls (Yosemite Falls has two main sections...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMF96EiedHxHeBv827MShI6Tt_PjVoFA5CGuCYe_1H5bJ7Lg3YRMhalrZ4mvcX9twZPF7J2Rtb1oSQOlSHKsDV1B_H265fRUVTHhckYiSlD3vjGqtim7HC6Igk_kmEGJvuXiJZt4wF78/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMF96EiedHxHeBv827MShI6Tt_PjVoFA5CGuCYe_1H5bJ7Lg3YRMhalrZ4mvcX9twZPF7J2Rtb1oSQOlSHKsDV1B_H265fRUVTHhckYiSlD3vjGqtim7HC6Igk_kmEGJvuXiJZt4wF78/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>It's noon by the time I venture up the 3.5 miles to <a href="http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/upper-yosemite-falls/upper-yosemite-falls.htm">Upper Yosemite Falls</a>. An elevation gain of 3,000 feet... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNu0QGuyagDPYrYLONg5jBXidYAu0tBnpRwXOpKIKUo-yUnj4HD6Hy90D_5iqlbwSn0NOSKMxjphUlQnsZn019vuL7EffIBta9DeY91Oe8mq9vl0xoQSo4kFBXCohx7fQwM-rt7EWAv8/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNu0QGuyagDPYrYLONg5jBXidYAu0tBnpRwXOpKIKUo-yUnj4HD6Hy90D_5iqlbwSn0NOSKMxjphUlQnsZn019vuL7EffIBta9DeY91Oe8mq9vl0xoQSo4kFBXCohx7fQwM-rt7EWAv8/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And I kid you not - this bird followed me the entire way. At first I thought it was a coincidence... until I saw him twice more on the way up and once on the way down!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12Uu2ITrNP5lf3EycPlhLEZpOAtLv0y6RVGw42rS6bzMWYxiSEKQv6UbKngCVPp0aWLCfUW69FgNv-pW7pV187Jn0yaY2NLM4-HjMiJC6BOPcTlTRgsxYEaL_xzQLIBX3BGzFLWyn4sE/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12Uu2ITrNP5lf3EycPlhLEZpOAtLv0y6RVGw42rS6bzMWYxiSEKQv6UbKngCVPp0aWLCfUW69FgNv-pW7pV187Jn0yaY2NLM4-HjMiJC6BOPcTlTRgsxYEaL_xzQLIBX3BGzFLWyn4sE/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It may have taken me 5 hours - but I made it to the tip top... so over my left shoulder the water is falling 3,000 feet. This hike is by far my favorite - beating out the Grand Canyon for very subjective reasons like my preference for woodsy, piney, mountainous terrain over anything closely resembling the desert... or chains. I also have this crazy thing for water - I grasped this fully while sitting on the beaches of LA last week. The sound. The refreshing quality. The absolute basic importance of water for life. The mist. The coolness.<br />
Also... for the record... I made the trip back down to camp in 1hr 45... my knees, my quads, my heels were all on fire. I didn't stop once. That was great fun. I passed these two burly European guys in the process and I think they were kind of put off that I was going quicker than they were. We can just credit my amazing hiking boots... because seriously, I was convinced I was going to have blisters to show as a battle wound. But nope.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbsN9kA3u5kp2w1IhNSTYyrCzuoA2moclqzSPXyIUJU6shFnAfSopIrEHG4jywih2eTQ05nBSUtVhVWGKdCPfeGt_3xAyIB9Z4WB3ePA_GeforuJZPhVbJVnidZrYCxtp_teAksn-64c/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbsN9kA3u5kp2w1IhNSTYyrCzuoA2moclqzSPXyIUJU6shFnAfSopIrEHG4jywih2eTQ05nBSUtVhVWGKdCPfeGt_3xAyIB9Z4WB3ePA_GeforuJZPhVbJVnidZrYCxtp_teAksn-64c/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The fall! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyly0gYdfZ0eHZ_cxXJ-pO_j8_r2rwt_RV-7el_SDRzTKUO0Gk59i9e_FcuJ3e6xr0x_tp0lvfPFqkxnQAOpEnFdc9NmKSmoF5suVEjLlgtukqzOSXJ36BsNXB8BzZKp6U_pwD5gWdts/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyly0gYdfZ0eHZ_cxXJ-pO_j8_r2rwt_RV-7el_SDRzTKUO0Gk59i9e_FcuJ3e6xr0x_tp0lvfPFqkxnQAOpEnFdc9NmKSmoF5suVEjLlgtukqzOSXJ36BsNXB8BzZKp6U_pwD5gWdts/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ASyVYvGskNB4dB4TYKWVjGZtGQr0SbI0yNOoRd47A8j9Gd_2aL5p650l0SlXviggO30CMTrU9htH1XX3ViOPq3soPYzSy-KC40lCuANKTHBwfvrsgVO8K5r6U67NE-Zw3WmLZQ3rdCY/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ASyVYvGskNB4dB4TYKWVjGZtGQr0SbI0yNOoRd47A8j9Gd_2aL5p650l0SlXviggO30CMTrU9htH1XX3ViOPq3soPYzSy-KC40lCuANKTHBwfvrsgVO8K5r6U67NE-Zw3WmLZQ3rdCY/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My beloved campsite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIBtx5xLScDAJZtDPtWMOsFedAo7u48FjhQKLwXP8AejBX-7qcCA8ZwJ5cLNmOyGuzEApoJad4l4JAGzS3lXiUYOEktkympGILrkjFWxni-al8S456fMEHUVpNJ5qy0e_5A_9w0d1TVo/s1600/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIBtx5xLScDAJZtDPtWMOsFedAo7u48FjhQKLwXP8AejBX-7qcCA8ZwJ5cLNmOyGuzEApoJad4l4JAGzS3lXiUYOEktkympGILrkjFWxni-al8S456fMEHUVpNJ5qy0e_5A_9w0d1TVo/s320/Yo+Yo+Yosemite+110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the drive out this morning - The Valley.</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>So now I sit recharging the camera battery - wiped it out in one very full day! And now I'm off again!</div>Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com1Oakdale, CA 95361, USA37.7665947 -120.8471544999999937.7439302 -120.89439099999998 37.7892592 -120.79991799999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-48637690504729655732011-06-29T21:55:00.000-05:002011-06-29T21:55:48.336-05:00Just a 12 y-o at heart who gets lost in an Atlas.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtMMaqwUc2EijZ2gsYoQ_BhvrEK5U4UUfLkvLo1tcna6fXkDe_VnKgh7C46CE-kW6GR5UME7GbcMgGlIm-BkOEOmncxw41f2OmZPkmSiZvFJugK6sjU2-Py6vIqRpqCtoVeOpVbe9QiY/s1600/110629-192439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtMMaqwUc2EijZ2gsYoQ_BhvrEK5U4UUfLkvLo1tcna6fXkDe_VnKgh7C46CE-kW6GR5UME7GbcMgGlIm-BkOEOmncxw41f2OmZPkmSiZvFJugK6sjU2-Py6vIqRpqCtoVeOpVbe9QiY/s320/110629-192439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>So the beginning of the return trip has been slow and easy - and will continue to be so based on how many stops I've planned... it's that last 15 hour leg that I dread.<br />
<br />
The campground that I found for tonight is an RV Park with a dozen or so campsites and there is a nice river right in front of my site.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Pro7MxhVLoF-Qma_x9dA64rtmXwjhdVwzYAlBAhWAG3OMlfZio8hnHH_UvWmKPVnv4UwWBm-k86fIvtg-2cgRAYptdCGs71NwX8Z8PDj5c47j7PYhkHiTImL1PbF0V-9IzupZ_uCt_I/s1600/return+day+1+oakhurst+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Pro7MxhVLoF-Qma_x9dA64rtmXwjhdVwzYAlBAhWAG3OMlfZio8hnHH_UvWmKPVnv4UwWBm-k86fIvtg-2cgRAYptdCGs71NwX8Z8PDj5c47j7PYhkHiTImL1PbF0V-9IzupZ_uCt_I/s320/return+day+1+oakhurst+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It even has a short waterfall - so the sounds are wonderful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLiA0Wv7fg8F3rraa5TcdqQnMbQtNWweg5t-NraGEdJLWyMArKFvqKN7ohOGKeFKd_nmY_Da1dlZTQ81WIEwl6ctKlV82mDaDQFvdYD8cGqx3WfcTYM_gle_NPnjx6pGNWn-z_A_YM50/s1600/return+day+1+oakhurst+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLiA0Wv7fg8F3rraa5TcdqQnMbQtNWweg5t-NraGEdJLWyMArKFvqKN7ohOGKeFKd_nmY_Da1dlZTQ81WIEwl6ctKlV82mDaDQFvdYD8cGqx3WfcTYM_gle_NPnjx6pGNWn-z_A_YM50/s320/return+day+1+oakhurst+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The sun is summer hot, but the breeze is spring cool so the combo is pleasant.<br />
<br />
I've spent my time here so far entering in the way points to the GPS brain. <br />
I wanted to get the entire route entered in. I started with St. Louis - final destination - and worked my way backwards.<br />
Keystone, SD (Mt. Rushmore)<br />
Gardiner, MT (Yellowstone)<br />
Missoula, MT (Rest Stop off the Interstate)<br />
Seattle, WA (Mars Hill, Ballard Campus)<br />
Portland, OR (B&B treat!)<br />
Crater Lake NP<br />
Yosemite NP - Which when I tried to enter said my route was too long... <b>HA</b>!. It did calculate the total drive at 69 hours, whereas when I originally put the route together on google I got 60 hours... so who knows.<br />
<br />
I also have out the Rand McNally Road Atlas. I keep getting lost in its wonderful bright colored pages rich in informative details. Sometimes I surprise myself with how engrossing maps are. I trully relate to Margaret Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility in that regard. At heart, I'm just a 12 year old who gets lost in an Atlas - I mean who has heard of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail!? But it transverses the entire west coast from top to bottom - just like the Appalachian Trail does the East.<br />
Perhaps my nephew labeling me a nerd is a title more profoundly accurate than he even realizes. He thinks it just applies to my bookishness.<br />
<br />
Books... I started listening to the audiobook version of <i>A Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet</i> (by David Mitchell), in earnest on the 4 hour drive here. Got through roughly 7 chapters. Mr. De Z has a dominating characteristic of naive innocence and it definitely makes you feel some concern at his inevitable demise... to say nothing of the fact that it's first chapter was the most grotesquely detailed labor scene...<br />
<br />
Will be breaking out the backpacking stove here shortly as the dinner time hunger is setting in...<br />
<br />
Cheers!Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0Oakhurst, CA, USA37.3279997 -119.6493153999999837.2942262 -119.67608389999998 37.3617732 -119.62254689999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-13811248684114795962011-06-28T13:45:00.000-05:002011-06-28T13:45:48.598-05:00Major fun, Major friends, Major Pacific, Major Cali, Major Challenges, Major Life.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a little Univ. of Texas reunion over here in Los Angeles. Hook 'em.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every few years some gals I know from college meet up at a random local somewhere in the lower 48 to swap stories, share meals, give parenting advice, receive some life coaching, encouragement, see some sights, and be <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=uber">uber</a> challenged to appreciate the life God has placed in our respective hands. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In all honestly - all I did/felt was that challenge bit. Enough with the challenges already, eh?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I absolutely, positively love having these gals in my sphere... but as I was sharing with one gal, driving to LAX: No one ends up with a life that they could have anticipated, we all have major upsets and disappointments, we all have questions that we can't seem to find answers to, we do things wrong, we do things right... but I was wrecked... completely... from living 5 days with these gals who (I always and ever spin things as dramatically as I can, eh?) all had things that I longed for. All that thankfulness that I felt for this opportunity to take this road trip was sucked. out. of. my. heart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was like having the wind knocked out of me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't find my footing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The lies were like the noonday sun. I was staring at them. I was blinded. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wasn't good enough. I was less. I was living an insufficient life. I was wrong. Pathetic. Weird. Too different. Difficult. blah, blah, blah. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's not the end. Yes. My life is not what I could have ever expected. Sometimes this is an amazing thing to think about. Sometimes I receive that truth like the gift that it is. But sometimes I feel ashamed that my life is not more like theirs. It's still not the end. I am 32 and I can do. things. that. bring. glory. to. the. God. that. gives. me. life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here are some sights, and some of the gals: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlC85IW2OyckTECXH7TKOdClVZeNcdWy5LPaw7pynELTCXjCUhZ9qx8uyREs4cuMFhGNbcsT8xqdID30vu7_HRbBflqBdl6KYImId_cloOVpFPQKhL55w8BbsQY0AfSF62S1poBc5r5o/s1600/girlies+in+Calis+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlC85IW2OyckTECXH7TKOdClVZeNcdWy5LPaw7pynELTCXjCUhZ9qx8uyREs4cuMFhGNbcsT8xqdID30vu7_HRbBflqBdl6KYImId_cloOVpFPQKhL55w8BbsQY0AfSF62S1poBc5r5o/s320/girlies+in+Calis+066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Santa Monica Pier</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_5CjfJXlkzo6geFXglJnKgWAmIWOMiOtu4dMyy4F5Dqb-47Gw3jE2pyg4s8oNZdx0IOiY6wNHXBjFPFhnEPYi26qe3M2QqoA6xRS0kkUfwMwdRAoTxdiM0wd0vox72tPKFo38Onn3gg/s1600/girlies+in+Calis+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_5CjfJXlkzo6geFXglJnKgWAmIWOMiOtu4dMyy4F5Dqb-47Gw3jE2pyg4s8oNZdx0IOiY6wNHXBjFPFhnEPYi26qe3M2QqoA6xRS0kkUfwMwdRAoTxdiM0wd0vox72tPKFo38Onn3gg/s320/girlies+in+Calis+079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Runyon Canyon: awesome hike with a view of the Hollywood sign</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQU61jOTPtef7O22cdxtO5hHqWcLxbFtAGdk9OMDnWAQ7jOPajOAH9PTHFxM_ZcDXTDp0b6fVJAvamqZcqN7_IYTylNMvqPhmJ6scAaT2s7WmIscCbcRngl8QMQPcDx1pCKXlTWcfUHE/s1600/beach+and+dolphins+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQU61jOTPtef7O22cdxtO5hHqWcLxbFtAGdk9OMDnWAQ7jOPajOAH9PTHFxM_ZcDXTDp0b6fVJAvamqZcqN7_IYTylNMvqPhmJ6scAaT2s7WmIscCbcRngl8QMQPcDx1pCKXlTWcfUHE/s320/beach+and+dolphins+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Freezing our butts off at Leo Carillo State Beach... watching the waves and the surfers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI05BknNpTOZzmV07Oyt97XsaLtMfuIPuGoHpP51wr7u2_GCbb_Z-TtLI0G5HMDbQ3Mb0whtDeegi8U_xMjLjRhJISMLdihgrFnaY2N8UJ_FOP9JkpxAWbXj133n_TDryna105l6O9Ms/s1600/beach+and+dolphins+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI05BknNpTOZzmV07Oyt97XsaLtMfuIPuGoHpP51wr7u2_GCbb_Z-TtLI0G5HMDbQ3Mb0whtDeegi8U_xMjLjRhJISMLdihgrFnaY2N8UJ_FOP9JkpxAWbXj133n_TDryna105l6O9Ms/s320/beach+and+dolphins+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Malibu Seafood: GREAT view of the beach - we waited in line for 30 minutes to eat at this place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MdRXWGbViyEhjFKxtrfhy7PYhJ54SPVc3Z4FuCJqqzmsjl04XC-7iSqKgCx3OY-9XzFD4Wf3J1iQ7CXzveRuSfw746zSV8LkjZdDoWfgkChHulYzlZjnXxXjfDqXAMSTe7X_GoOKfMs/s1600/girlies+in+Calis+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MdRXWGbViyEhjFKxtrfhy7PYhJ54SPVc3Z4FuCJqqzmsjl04XC-7iSqKgCx3OY-9XzFD4Wf3J1iQ7CXzveRuSfw746zSV8LkjZdDoWfgkChHulYzlZjnXxXjfDqXAMSTe7X_GoOKfMs/s320/girlies+in+Calis+086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Living Stones church - second gathering. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And life carries on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-16825798113022534002011-06-28T01:14:00.000-05:002011-06-28T01:14:39.452-05:00Working on my self talk.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85S0BnujFWvs9XGaDEQFZFL3PJiG1buD1QXvp705WpG2eQtEPqA_KkHTJ7qpfskZ0mXm3WKzsEx2rbhMFS7gJQF4_6H83K_6hb4IlwibmwAB0r8e1mp0cWv2sSSEqUCODF88qkqiqBU0/s1600/beach+and+dolphins+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85S0BnujFWvs9XGaDEQFZFL3PJiG1buD1QXvp705WpG2eQtEPqA_KkHTJ7qpfskZ0mXm3WKzsEx2rbhMFS7gJQF4_6H83K_6hb4IlwibmwAB0r8e1mp0cWv2sSSEqUCODF88qkqiqBU0/s320/beach+and+dolphins+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Don't worry about what people think...<br />
Don't fret over what other people say or do...<br />
Choose to do or not to do. Then rest. in that decision.<br />
Other people are not the enemy. They may be used by the enemy, but they are not the.<br />
Constantly let go of your constant need for constant affirmation.<br />
out Figure pri. or. ities. your<br />
Listen to wisdom not lies.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529412415175825158.post-63578758657641436872011-06-21T20:15:00.000-05:002011-06-21T20:15:20.263-05:00Pondering the Valley...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v_DIh0Yd6VRsm_us2V7cvom-KOlrYmpLmyk4jaPARXhKUJQEDseLe-F5ocuCS_XaYAV-rf1Mt56MBdKb-DnHiyrv1eY_9KrO_PsjuHnB-pqlLtHAt0Hp6RrZ7M5PdMnlkYv3UNo1SKg/s1600/cali+for+nigh+eh+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7v_DIh0Yd6VRsm_us2V7cvom-KOlrYmpLmyk4jaPARXhKUJQEDseLe-F5ocuCS_XaYAV-rf1Mt56MBdKb-DnHiyrv1eY_9KrO_PsjuHnB-pqlLtHAt0Hp6RrZ7M5PdMnlkYv3UNo1SKg/s320/cali+for+nigh+eh+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I found a great city hike - Wilacre Park. It was <b>all </b>up hill - except of course for the part where I turned around to head back to the car.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7T-Yg76knFDeHBXBPrkgZRItI9S07SbumC-UDZOsquGuf7FY-bAJ_GWBZUeeP0ZJRlKgN6MXUZO75LBXPVrwsYfZ4wsA4sKS9tsg5IM5Wjgo1h1IC8_r7mx_dk4SN9qGQsnY5bsemuk/s1600/cali+for+nigh+eh+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7T-Yg76knFDeHBXBPrkgZRItI9S07SbumC-UDZOsquGuf7FY-bAJ_GWBZUeeP0ZJRlKgN6MXUZO75LBXPVrwsYfZ4wsA4sKS9tsg5IM5Wjgo1h1IC8_r7mx_dk4SN9qGQsnY5bsemuk/s320/cali+for+nigh+eh+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pretty impressive in my book. Forget Hollywood Blvd. Although I am looking forward to seeing the Hollywood Sign - if only for a photo op.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>As I was paging through the travel literature to pick out some sights to explore - I realized that there is so much in California that I would love to see. Like, ya know - at least enough stuff to keep me busy for a few years! Then I can move on to another state! Perhaps Oregon.<br />
I jest... but there is also a lot of truth hidden in that statement.<br />
I was climbing - ever so slowly - out of a valley when I arrived in Saint Louis. Now I can turn around and look back at that valley and be amazed by it. The unique beauty of it. But I do feel the need to keep moving on... in life... and see what comes my way... who comes my way.<br />
<br />
But next up on life's agenda is going to be to spend a few years in Los Angeles... Starting August 1, 2011.<br />
Until then, it's still vacation time.Rebachinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13669682232944095587noreply@blogger.com1