April 12: Blisters & Beauty

It was a beautiful day for a run; until I got a blister.

March 26: Athens Trails

Laurel and I went for a walk on the trails in Athens after work today.  It was a beautiful day and a pleasant temperature.  We've had a really chilly spring thus far, maybe some of that will roll into summer.

March 2: Botanical Gardens

Yesterday, Laurel and I went to the botanical gardens.  It was a warm 73 degree day and she needed to practice some photography skills for next weekend when she takes pictures at her aunt's partners bday party.  It was beautiful and it was nice to be outside for a few hours.

Bruce Munro's Light Display

Last weekend, I met up with Lee in Nashville, TN.  It was a nice opportunity to hang out, do some hiking, and see some fun and unusual things.

Percy Warner Park is apparently well known for it's trails.  The loop is supposed to be 4.5 miles, but after starting my gps a mile or so into the hike, it still said 4.2 by the time we were done hiking.  Strange.  Despite the mud, the trails were wonderful, the conversation was good, and the weather was perfect!

Saturday evening the Botanical Gardens were having a light show display by artist Bruce Munro.  His collection included nine displays of light in various forms and fashions.  The picture below was my attempt at capturing some of the 20,000 bulbs that lit up the grassy areas.  It was actually pretty amazing, but I'm amazed by simple things (especially if they involve light).

The bamboo garden

This was a rain display inside the museum in the gardens.  It was by far my favorite inside display.

This was entitled blue moon.  The 'moon' was centered on top of a zen garden, although you can barely see that in the picture.  The moon also changed colors periodically.

Some of the light displays were interesting and some more captivating than others.  All in all, it was a nice weekend; we had some great conversations and I even got introduced to a new game.

The drive home was absolutely beautiful.  The weather was perfect and I drove with the windows down, my radio up, and my hair blowing in every direction...and I didn't get stuck in traffic unlike on the drive to Nashville.  It's the little things!

Facing Forward to Fall Fun (LOVE an alliteration)

I realize it isn't fall yet, however, on Monday, we will welcome back the graduate assistants and on August 12th another school year will begin.

Crazy.

I'm looking forward to this final fall (Lord willing) at The University of Georgia for many reasons.  First, I love the season of fall.  It bring crisp air, vibrant colors, and lots of things to look forward to, such as:

On Sunday, my friend Tiffanie (from Baylor) will be moving down to Athens to begin her doctoral studies within higher education (another program, but still).  AND, we will be neighbors...literally, she is going to live right next door.  Super excited face (for those who know Tiffanie, you understand the reference).

Moreover, all the GAs will return on Monday for the Dean of Students orientation, for which I'm responsible.  We move students in on Tuesday (physically move them in), and next Monday classes begin. Yikes.

I'm also excited about a writing retreat with my friend Kristin over labor day weekend in Tennessee, a visit from my sister in late October, the ASHE conference in November, and...

Cabo for Thanksgiving!

Yep, I'm headed back to Cabo with Megan's family!  I'm so excited (and thankful I had frequent flyer miles to pay for the flight) AND for their generosity in the invite!

From there Christmas is right around the corner and that means a trip (hopefully) back to California and Oregon.

Like I said, lots to look forward to...and yet, I don't want to wish the weeks away.  In these moments, I try to practice presence, albeit my excitement!

Sunday, Sunday...hmmm, hmmm. (Kirstenbosh) (Week 3)

Sunday before week three I went to Kirstenbosh gardens with Tiffany.  Here are some pictures from the gardens...remember it is winter here, so although we had a beautiful day, I didn't see many flowers, but LOTS of fauna. The land was donated by Cecil Rhodes the prime minister of Cape Town to the people in 1895, the gardens opened in 1913.  Kirstenbosh is the oldest botanical garden in South Africa.

R40 (or $4.65) Students of SA, get in even cheaper 

The group (minus Tiffany) who went on Sunday afternoon (they brought their lunches for a picnic)!

The view of Cape Town

There were lots of big grassy areas to just sit & enjoy

This is a tree that grows upside down (and it's hallow on the inside)

Every Sunday night we have a group dinner with all the students. This is our academic team:

Montgomery, Christina, and Tiffany

Mallory, me, and Chase

The third week was service in the township of Sir Lowry's pass, particularly the Sun City area.  The township is divided into five or six areas (from million dollar home area in the mountains to the area we served in which was poverty stricken).  The combination of the history of townships in South Africa and the extreme poverty makes it a challenging experience.  I wrestled with my personal responsibility to those in need (in my home town, in America, and around the world), as well as my responsibility to the students as they experience poverty (in any form, some for the first time).

When our large mercedes van pulled into the impoverished area, the children came running in droves. The excitement on their faces was both contagious and disconcerting.  Although many seemed excited at our arrival, others in the community were not pleased with our presence.  The range of emotions ran through me as I watched our students interact with the families in the community.  Even now as I reflect back on last week, I'm still making meaning for myself.  I'm left with more questions than answers, and since the complexity of poverty and oppression has now easy answers, I will sit in the discomfort and wrestle with emotions, solutions, and inequity of it all.

Living Life in South Africa (Week 1)

Here is the recap of my first week in South Africa.
Sunday: we arrived, safe & sound, and after lots of travel time!  We added it all up and realized we spent 35 hours on planes and about 25 in airports.
Monday: We had a wonderful day touring the city.  We visited District 6 museum which is a tribute to a part of Cape Town.  During Apartheid, the government forced Blacks and Coloured out of their homes and into the townships outside the city.  All of District 6 was demolished and claimed as an 'all White' area.  It's an amazing museum dedicated to the people who lived in district 6.  

Here are some pictures from the city tour

 

A map of district 6 on the ground in the museum. It has amazing details from the district handwritten in by the families of those who were forced from their homes.

 

The balcony where Mandela gave his first address after being released from Robben Island in 1990.

 

 The view from the highest driving point in the city.

Tuesday we had class in the morning and as part of it, a panel of guests who lived through Apartheid, three of whom were from district 6. What an honor and privilege to hear their stories.

We also got to have lunch with them, which was such a treat!  The woman taking the photo also told us to squeeze together (clearly we didn't need to).

Wednesday was more class, including leadership and service learning topics.  In the afternoon, we took most of the 141 students on a hike up Table Mountain.

 

 During part of the hike up Table Mountain. It was beautiful and a bit treacherous.

 

 On top of the mountain!

Thursday was class and then the tour of an Amy Biehl foundation. Amy was an American who was brutally murdered over here in South Africa while she was trying to fight for rights for Blacks and Coloured. After her death her parents forgave her murders and even spoke on their behalf at their hearing (you should check out the whole story). Her parents then started a foundation to help underprivileged children in the townships. In addition, two of the men who killed Amy now work for the foundation.

Here are our students doing Tae-Bo with the children at the foundation.

Friday was a debrief and class as well as the first part of grading! Friday night the Global Lead staff and the academic staff all went out to dinner at a great Mexican food place. Laughs and good food were shared.
Saturday was filled with LOTS of grading, a brie, and then a Stormers rugby game

I had never been to a brie, it was kind like a BBQ, but with some sort of mystery meat ;)

 

Sunday was filled with more grading and Sunday dinner. It was a nice ending to the week. The first week had many many highlights including all the wonderful conversation I have been able to have with students. 

Oh and the view from our apartment; we are right on the beach & have witnessed magnificent sunsets!

Water Skiing

It's been a couple weeks since I've updated my blog. Here are some of the highlights from the last few weeks.

Labor Day Weekend!

Hung out in Austin

Watched Baylor win the first football game of the season

Visited with a friend from OR

Hanging out with the Ecklund's

BJs tradition

LEAD retreat

and last but definitely not least...

Water Skiing!

Yes, that's right! I tried/learned how to water ski! It was a blast. I'm hooked. I love, love, love the water and am so excited to try it again!

One of the chaplains and his wife bought a boat and I tagged along on Labor Day. Megan video tapped a few of my attempts. The first time, I mostly got up. Second time, disaster. Third, got up for a bit, only I went to the right and Megan's camera went the other direction. This is my first attempt below.

Really, I cannot wait to try this again...I LOVED it and would LOVE to get good! The chaplain wake boarded and did all sorts of tricks...sign me up for that!

And here's my battle scar from skiing. ;) When I got back in the boat, I noticed my knee was stinging and when I looked down I notice I was bleeding. It just means I'm 'that' hardcore, ha.

Although lots of other things have been happening, I felt the need to catch up a little with my blogging. Last weekend Kristel came into Austin for our friend Britney's wedding. I'll post on that and other adventures later!

My Crazy Staff

My staff is hilarious! They consistently crack me up. Whether it's the constant singing (which I LOVE and gladly join in), the rollerblading down the hall to stick up door tags (they asked and it was before residents were here), or the dart game which I've had to permanently ban from my apartment (otherwise we'd never get anything done), they make me laugh! Another great thing about them is that they know when to be serious. We've had some great moments thus far and I anticipate more to come! I am thoroughly impressed by them and am excited to see what God is going to do through this staff this year!

One night we went on a surprise excursion to one of my favorite spots in Waco. They were such good sports, even though many of them aren't fans of the 'outdoors'. Additionally, Allison taught us all how to skip rocks on the lake. There was a great competition and at one point everyone skipped a rock or two.

Now my staff isn't perfect, no one is, and there will definately be things we will all work on, individually and collectively, but I'm excited to walk this next year with this crazy group!

From left to right: Eric, Omari (resident chaplain), Will, and Jack
From left to right: Andrea, Kalie, Gretchen, Allison, and Kala

Walking through Nature!

When I arrived in Portland, I created a list of things I wanted to see/do. Not having done many touristy things in Portland, the Rose Garden was on the list. The Garden overlooks downtown Portland and is filled with ... roses. ;) It's beautiful, especially March through June.

There are rows and rows and rows of flowers, it's amazing! It was a beautiful day as well, a nice 87 degrees with a cool breeze.

Leaving my mom to wander in the Rose Garden, my sister and I headed to Forest Park. I found this cute little trail I wanted to explore. The trail followed a creek/river through the park. It was a nice hike. And when I say hike, a more accurate statement would be a walk through nature...yet still something I enjoy!

Right or left, which way to choose?

What a beautiful trail! Too bad I chose a cotton t-shirt this day. It was a little warm, especially considering we practically ran the trail back to the car. Long story... the short version, the sun was setting, mom had been left wandering, spooky stone house on the trail, and creepy men. Needless to say we didn't want to be on the trail when the sun set completely.

On the 4th we headed to Multnomah Falls. Back in March, Matt, Sarah, and I tried to hike it. However, with the freezing water, it would have been nearly impossible to get to the top. Going back in July, I realized just how difficult it would have been. The hike is a mile and a half, almost straight up hill (switchbacks). With the icy conditions in March, it would have been disastrous. With great weather, my sister and I made it to the top. It was somewhat disappointing, however, because the view from the bottom and bridge is better than the one at the top. But, now I can say I've done it! :)

We found this fun branch on a tree. It was begging to be swung from...only it was a bit out of reach. But it makes for a fun picture! :)

Here's a picture from the middle of the hike. The river in the background is the Columbia, and the land on the other side...Washington state.

I would include pictures from the top, but like I mentioned earlier, it was sadly disappointing. The time with my sister was, however, enjoyable and we have many fun memories from the hike(s).

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

Fondu

On Wednesday night we celebrated my mom's birthday in downtown Portland. After walking around for awhile (and taking some touristy photos) we headed to the Melting Pot for dinner. It was a new experience for all three of us. After choosing a type of cheese, they bring out apples, bread, chips, and veggies for dipping. We choose a fiesta dip and a spinach artichoke dip. From there we headed to see a movie of my mom's choosing. It was a fun time celebrating my mom's birthday!

Doing the touristy thing in downtown. This sign is so fun! It shows you all sorts of places and how far away they are from where you are. :)

Bagby Hot Springs

On Thursday, my sister and I headed out to Mt. Hood and toward Bagby Hot Springs. After a small 1.5 mile hike, you arrive at the hot springs. What the park has done is found a way to funnel the hot springs into tubs (both private and corporate). What we didn't expect was ... quite so many nudies. Yep, that's right...there were all sorts of nude people in the hot springs. We had looked the place up online and there was a 'clothing optional' information section, however, neither of us expected people to take that too seriously. We were wrong. So after our 1.5 mile hike, we kept hiking, in hopes that upon our return back to the hot springs, the nudies would be gone. And we were right...we found ourselves a group tub that was unoccupied. However, after a 2 + mile hike, 97 degree weather, and in a tub that had questionable contents...we only got in up to our knees.

Here's a picture of Mt. Hood, it's not very clear, but the mountain is gorgeous.
My sister and I woke up early to take my mom to work in order to have use of her car. When we went to pick her up, we were pooped, so we took naps in the car. Oh, I forgot to mention, we took a little nap before we hiked as well. ;)

So this tree was neat. I thought, 'how fun, I can get inside it.' As I begin to pose for the picture by putting my hands on the inside of the tree, I hear a noise...oh yes, the tree was already occupied by hundreds if not thousands of some sort of large ugly insects. I jumped, let out a noise that could have resembled a scream, and ran from the tree. It was a close call. My sister rolled in laughter.
The actual hot spring that gets funneled to the tubs.

It was a fun experience and a great little hike. Still, I'd like to go back in the winter when I would actually enjoy the 137 degree water. :)