New Discovery in Central Park

So, Emily came up to visit a few weekends ago, and of course that means more time in NYC! It had been about a month since I had ventured from Madison into the mega-city so I was looking forward to some time there. We did some cool things I have yet to do since living here, such as eating at Bubba Gump Shrimp. Why had I not done this before? I love Forest Gump AND seafood. It was grand. 

 

                                                                         

Then we spent lots of time in Central Park. We located Turtle Pond, because Emily loves turtles. THEN we found Shakespeare's Garden. This may just be my new favorite place in the city, but especially in Central Park. It's so quiet, peaceful, and just beautiful. You walk around winding paths with beautiful flowers and plants, then up a flight of stone stairs to a castle-type thing! The castle has lots of lookouts, including one that overlooks Turtle Pond and the softball fields. It's beautiful. We even got to see a wedding take place from the balcony of the castle. It was pretty grand. I plan to revisit there when my wallet allows.

                                                  

Once again, you never know what new adventures you find in this area. I'll post the Halloween blog soon, but for now, I must stop procrastinating and do school work. 

Fun Friends

I have some pretty awesome friends. We have tons of fun together, whether we venture out into unknown places in the city or just hang around in the apartment building (ya know, like the cast of FRIENDS) and have themed parties. I think I lucked out in the community aspect of life. It's very rich. Here are two prime examples:

For Misty and Michelle's bdays, we went to an awesome restaurant called Cuban Pete's. By far one of my all time favorite places. Great food, great music, great drinks, and just a great time.

                                                                                        There is always room for dancing to the Cuban drums and marracas or even playing them yourselves! But it's the company that I go with that makes the night top my list. 

 

Another example: the annual GV Luau. Dressing all Hawaiian-y and hanging out crammed into one apartment while limbo-ing in the hallway. You don't get much better than that. I mean, come on. But once again, it's the company not the actual event.

While living here in New Jersey, I 

have become a member of quite possibly the best community. We laugh, sing, cry, dance, and yell together. We disagree, but talk about it. We don't try to change each other, because we love each other for their unique=ness. We all have different gifts and they are welcomed equally. It's not a conditional community. And that, my blog followers, is one of the main reasons why this place is just so richly blessing my life. 

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SHALOM

A Great Discovery!

I found something amazing the other day: The birthplace of organized baseball. Completely on accident. My friends and I were wandering through my favorite place, Hoboken, in search of ice cream, when I noticed on the corner where we were standing was a square with the number 1 on it. We thought that was odd. Then, I noticed in the middle of the intersection, there were bricks in the shape of a giant baseball. That is when we began to look around some more, and notice that all corners were a base and there was a big plaque, talking about the first ever organized baseball game that played in that exact location. Boy was I excited! I LOVE baseball and softball! As we played around, I began to imagine what my life would have been like if one of my biggest passions growing up had never been invented. And it made me sad. I left there feeling very grateful that baseball was formed. Especially in Hoboken, NJ! 

Broadway, a Street Church, and Heroes

I am so bad at updating. So here we go, another action packed update that spans over weeks of time!

This summer, I have seen 3 different Broadway Shows. I went to Mary Poppins with the fam, Shrek with Alex and Jim, and the Little Mermaid with Michelle, Andrew, and Elizabeth. You know, Broadway shows can be pretty expensive if you let them. However, when you live in this area, it takes more than ones income to pay the rent, so we have to do things cheap. Luckily, Broadway knows this and lets those who work for non-profits, churches, or are students, join something called TDF. Then each month they post different shows with tickets for $25. It's perfect for us. I LOVE shows. Love love love them. I think it's because for 3 hours you sit in a fancy theatre, listening to wonderful music about stories, amazing colorful costumes, and for a little bit, you are out of reality and in a magical, musical place. Ah. It's awesome.

This past Sunday, I went into East Harlem with some fun people to go to Dr. Isasi-Diaz's street church. It's a Roman Catholic church that 15 years ago was closed down. Their historic building was locked, and they were all told to go somewhere else. But this group of amazing people realized they had a choice in the matter. So, for 10 years or so, they have had a street church...protesting their closure. They meet on the sidewalk in front of their building: come rain, snow, wind, heat, and cold. It's pretty amazing to worship with them. I admire their drive to save, not the building, but the community they had created within the church, and to show that God shows up, whether or not its a recognized church in a building, or a group of protestors worshipping on an East Harlem Street.

Afterwards, those I drove in with, Michael Christensen, Rebecca Laird, and their daughter Megan, wanted to stay in NYC and wander around. Well, of course I am ALWAYS up for wandering around NYC! So we did. I found a massive body of water in Central Park that I had heard existed, but I never had seen it! It was great! Then we wandered around the Jewish Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in which Michaelangelo's first painting was being displayed, along with a very interesting Afghanistan exhibit. It's amazing how much culture is found in one area of the world. I just love it. 

But one of the big ones: I got to meet one of my heroes in life. Cat Osterman. Cat played softball for the University of Texas, and quickly broke pitching records all over the place. She was named onto the US Olympic team, and just moved high on my list. Her emotions were always composed, she had a strong competitive streak, but most of all, the fame never got to her. She didn't wear mass amounts of makeup on the field (small pet-peeve) and always stayed afterwards to sign balls and take pictures in a laid back setting. So, off I went to Pennsylvania to see her pro team play to Philly team. Oh it was so awesome. A dream come true. Afterwards, I got to meet her, get my picture, and get a signed ball that I had caught. Truly an amazing opportunity. These things don't happen often :)

I believe that is all for now. If anyone has any ideas for upcoming adventures....let me know!

Peace

Kayaking in the Hudson

My life has been pretty hectic lately. I work 3 jobs trying to pay bills, I took a life altering trip to the Philippines in June, I moved into a new apartment, I am getting ready to begin year 2 of a 4 year dual-masters program, and I recently returned to the southland to be a bridesmaid in a wedding. So, needless to say, my stress level has stayed high. In fact, there are not many moments in my life when the stress level isn't high. The more I pondered this and the more advice I sought...the more the answer became clear. I do not know how to relax myself. I know how to have fun...but I never relax. So, yesterday I went on a quest to relax. I did not accomplish it one bit, however, I did do something incredibly awesome. I kayaked in the Hudson River...along the Manhattan and Hoboken, NJ skylines...for free.

It was nothing short of spectacular, breathtaking, and a wee bit difficult to manage the harsh currents the river produces. The wind blew threw my hair and the sun bounced off my skin. It was truly awesome. I realized that I may not have been relaxed, but my mind was at ease doing something that stimulated me. So what if I can't relax by going to spas or just laying around...I think I am still a healthy person by doing active things that take my mind off of everyday issues. I enjoyed my day of "relaxation" and I'm looking for my next free Saturday to kayak again!

More reflection

Here is a piece of an email I answered recently, asking my how my idea of missions has been broadened and changed after my trips to Lithuania, Latvia, the Philippines, and living in a very culturally diverse city.

You bring up an interesting topic for me...which I have been reflecting on for some time. The idea of "missions" can be a very broad term, and taking in many different ways. At this point in my life, through my experiences...I think the term mission needs to be re-defined. So many times, we go on trips to "fix" things and help out. Going into a place, thinking we have the right way to do it and answers...therefore fixing their problem. I think we have learned over the years, that we do not have the answers we think we do, especially in America. Sending a group to the Philippines to build, say, a roof in these slums, would be merely a band-aid...and possibly not welcomed by the community...because they dont want a roof. They are fine with their trash (however, I would like to see their situation become a little more humane, lol). It's all they know. What they want, is recognition. To be actual people and citizens (most do not have birth certificates). They want to be listened to and loved for who they are and how they live.

I have come to a very deep appreciation for the diversity in the world. Yes, I want to end poverty...I think much justice work still needs to come, however, what justice is may be understood differently. We see it as materialistic. These people, view it as interaction...citizenship.

..recognition...being treated as an equal individual to you and I, whether they live in trash or in a huge house in America.

Missions should always start with relationships...and learning what the people in a certain area want and need. They do know better than we do. There is also a huge political side to mission work...because a band-aid won't last forever. It's my core belief at this moment, through my travels and where I live, that we need to be citizens of the world. Through understanding, acceptance, and a little humility, we will be able to be in solidarity and therefore begin to sway what happens.

Small Reflection

I just returned from the Philippines. I don't know much to say. But here's a stab at it:

Words don't get there. People live in trash. Dead animals float down the same river they get their water supply from. The government doesnt care. They don't have birth certificates. They live in fear of being relocated or just wiped out entirely. Everything is so unstable. Bombs and raids happen more than we can count. And here I am, in Madison, NJ. I have a car, clean water, etc. And what am I doing to help those people? They are no longer faces in a picture. They are people that I love. People I hugged, laughed with, ate with, ran around with. People who are God's people. And I am here now. Not doing anything but writing letters to the government, who sure as hell isn't doing anything but fixing our economy. Not to mention, the US and their whole "lets go control the world and make them like us" for the past 8 years has not helped any of them in the Philippines. It's just made it worse. Ask them. They'll tell you. So what am I doing? I feel completely worthless. Like I'm letting God down. I know what Jesus would be doing. I just can't figure out how to get there...

My head is spinning. Sorry for the downer entry.