On the Road Again

La Chimba

2008-08-27T20:57:00.001-04:00

I spent a week in La Chimba, in the Northern Sierra (foothills of the Andes) in Ecuador...lovely.

Utah!

2008-05-18T20:47:00.000-04:00

Hiking at Harriman

2008-02-20T16:52:00.001-05:00

MB and I ventured out into the rain, which let up very obligingly. We reached a good lookout point on the trail, saw some nice clouds and a cool view of the valley, and then got back down the hill to the car in time for the rain to start.

Etiquette...

2008-02-02T11:45:00.000-05:00

So last night, MB and I were the performers and audience for an event called "Etiquette" in the East Village.

We sat at a little table in a Ukrainian diner called Veselka, which is really great, and wore headphones and listened to an audio track that told us what to do and what to say. It's kind of hard to explain, but was hilarious and cool and I'm kind of sorry that last night was closing night--I can't tell anyone else to go and try it.

Dave and Kate, our neighbors, showed up to observe, although this particular play is really just written for the two people who perform it.

If you click on the title of the blog it's a link to the Public Theatre page for the event.

Vote on Tuesday!

2008-02-02T10:44:00.001-05:00

CTT, New Year's Eve

2008-01-04T21:35:00.001-05:00

My new favorite online time-waster, animoto.com, provided this lovely slideshow for me.

Blogging for Barack

2008-01-04T20:44:00.000-05:00

I perhaps unwisely stayed up late last night watching the live feeds from the Iowa caucuses...but really was fascinated by the process, and (almost) wish I lived in Iowa. ..or at least I wish NJ had a similar process--opportunity for real, personal, political dialogue between members of a community rather than a closed-curtain primary.

I recently read this Atlantic Monthly article (thanks, Bart!) that explains well my reasons for supporting Barack Obama for president...much better than I could ever explain them, which is why I'm not a columnist for the Atlantic Monthly. If there are any readers left on my blog (I'm pretty bad at updating, I know) please read this article. In it, there also are excerpts of some of Sen. Obama's speeches in which he articulates his faith journey, as well as a commentary on how his personal history has shaped who he is--and who he could be as a healing leader for our country.

And if you live in NJ, remember, you only have a few more days to register to vote if you want to be eligible for the primary!

Unfortunately I could identify closely with this...

2007-12-16T20:06:00.001-05:00

Friday, November 23.

2007-11-24T16:13:00.000-05:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

This was my Friday, November 23. It was a lovely day. Pancake-making, puzzle-doing, reading, hiking-while-decked-out-in-hunter-orange, (safety first!) spending-time-with-nephews, pingpong-ing, photographing, sunset-watching, roasting things over the fire, napping.

It's become a semi-tradition to spend the few days after Thanksgiving at Camp Tall Turf, with various relatives and friends. Since I was flying out Saturday morning from GR, I only could stay until Friday evening. But it was worth it. The weather was beautiful, although a little chilly.

Weekend in the Catskills

2007-10-20T23:30:00.000-04:00

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Camping, wine tasting, apple orchards, a nice little stream by the campsite. A lovely overnight.

Our President.

2007-09-07T16:51:00.000-04:00

Sigh.

Sunrise on the Hudson

2007-09-06T23:34:00.001-04:00

Sunrise on the Hudson
Originally uploaded by grbecca

Our school staff went to the Holy Cross Monastery on the Hudson River for a three-day retreat, which was lovely. The brothers were gracious and hospitable, the food was simple yet excellent, and the grounds were peaceful. It was such a restful retreat...there was lots of time to just sit under trees, skip rocks on the river, and chat...and since the brothers observe silence from 9 PM to 9 AM, we did too. It was really a gift to have that time of silence...we did all of the talking and singing we needed to during the 12 "speaking" hours, and enjoyed the richness of the silence the rest of the time. And probably all slept more than we would have if we could have stayed up half the night catching up.

Only once...

2007-09-01T16:33:00.001-04:00

My only trip to Lake Michigan this summer (gasp!)
Originally uploaded by grbecca

I can't believe I only made it to Lake Michigan once this summer. And it was a short, rainy trip. The water felt great though...especially compared to the saltiness of the Jersey Shore. I just can't get used to it...I don't like the salty taste in my mouth or the dryness of salty skin after getting out of the water. However, I do acknowledge that the waves are stronger and more consistent in the ocean, which is fun.

Groove.

2007-08-31T23:09:00.000-04:00

Although I'm not usually a huge fan of World Magazine, I found this article and was glad I did. U2 has been a formative force in my life, especially in the last few years.

Walk On, a book I've wanted to read for quite a while, tells about the spiritual journey of U2. If you've read it, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion/discussing it, once I get my hands on it. And if anyone in the JC/Hoboken crowd has a copy, I'd love to borrow it.

Some of U2's strongest lyrics, IMO...(from the Window in the Skies album):

The rule has been disproved.
The stone it has been moved.
The grave is now a groove.
All debts are removed.

It's fascinating to me that the interviewer referenced in the World Mag. article seems to be totally unacquainted with the concept of grace and how central it is to Christianity. Unfortunately, he's probably not an exception. Especially when there are so many people that are the face of Christianity that seem to be unacquainted with the concept of grace as well. Hopefully that will change, with people like Barack Obama and Jim Wallis getting a leeeetle more screentime these days.

And yes, I am supporting Obama for president. I've decided. Not that I couldn't change my mind down the road (I like Richardson as well...and Clinton would be OK), but something about Barack Obama is very reassuring to me.

I recently watched a speech that his extremely eloquent wife gave...she claimed that every major decision we've made as a country during the past decade has been based on fear. And while I don't believe every decision has been based on fear, I do think it is becoming the tendency. Listening to her talk about the freedom we can have from fear was so different from any other politician or politician's wife I've heard speak...somehow chock full of common sense, knowledge about the world and people, and throughout the whole thing the undercurrent of her refusal to give in to fears.

My colleague Melissa is organizing some events in support of Obama this fall...hopefully I'll be involved in some way. This is the first time I'm going to be actively involved in a presidential election, apart from voting...no one candidate has ever intrigued me quite as much as Obama does...and I've realized lately that I'm willing to work to get him nominated and elected.

Smoothie King

2007-08-29T20:14:00.000-04:00

Smoothie King
Originally uploaded by grbecca

My cousin Michael came to visit for a few days...and here he can be seen using my one high-quality kitchen appliance (a red Kitchen-Aid food processor) to make some peach smoothies. Yum!

Red probably was happy to be used to make something other than hummus...that's basically what I've been eating most of the summer. I think I might have made it about twice a week while my grad classes were happening. And who could blame me, with the farm market providing fresh NJ broccoli, red peppers, and tomatoes to go along with it?

treeline

2007-08-26T21:32:00.001-04:00

treeline
Originally uploaded by grbecca

So, back from my trip to North Carolina. I was supposed to fly from Charlotte to Cleveland to LaGuardia and get home by 11ish PM, but in Charlotte the agent called for volunteers to go on a different flight, in exchange for a flight voucher...and she was able to get me on a direct to LGA, which got me back in my front door by 7:15. Woo! So now I have time to put up my pictures and blog a little on the blog. AND I have a free flight!

Did some lovely hiking in the Western NC area, enjoyed some spectacular views, wished I had more time, and definitely will be returning.

Pictures posted on flickr (just click on the above photo)...this one is from Thursday's hike to the Roan Highlands...a unique place where the tops of several peaks are covered with long grass, boulders, and little blueberry shrubs. Makes for very pleasant hiking and unobstructed views.

Now, I love trees. But before I hiked along the AT at Roan, I did a short (steep) 3-mile round trip on the Raven Rock Trail in Roan Mountain State Park. (Sidenote: Michigan and New Jersey, I want you to take notice: Tennessee State Parks are free to the public.) Anyway, one of the main selling points of the Raven Rock hike was not its steep ascent and therefore good cardio workout but the promise of a great view at the top.

Well, after reaching the top of one hill, the trail began a steep descent. I stopped, looked around, and could not find any place (at least, that didn't require scaling a tree) that afforded the advertised view. I found what might have been a lookout point, but only when the leaves were off of the trees. Oh well. I guess I'll have to do the hike again when the leaves are off the trees. Anyway, I enjoyed the hike anyway, nice and cool in the shade of the trees. A little garter snake crossed my path as well as several caterpillars...or maybe I should say I crossed their paths.

Oh yes....And although I love backpacking and spending the evening, night, and early morning in the woods, there was definitely something nice about going back to Kevin and Marian's house where the hot tub was waiting for my slightly sore muscles.

Married

2007-08-22T22:43:00.000-04:00

Married
Originally uploaded by grbecca

After the weeklong rush leading up to Martha and Jason's wedding, I zipped home on Saturday morning in time to catch Abby and Sam's wedding in the afternoon.

It was a beautiful, community-organized wedding....from flowers bought the morning of....to food provided by church and school people... to popsicles at the end of the receiving line...and the toasts done with diet coke....and it all took place at Grace Van Vorst.

For those of you who don't know, Abby has been my colleague at Mustard Seed for two years, and my co-youth leader at Grace for one. Sam, her now-husband, will be the 7th grade teacher at the Seed. She and Sam also will live just a five minute walk away from me in Jersey City Heights.

Becca and Kassi

2007-08-19T18:51:00.001-04:00

Becca and Kassi
Originally uploaded by grbecca

This weekend I went to two weddings--my sister Martha's in Michigan, then flew to New Jersey for Abby and Sam's wedding at Grace Van Vorst. All flights went well, and I enjoyed both immensely.

Of course, after a week of wedding preparations and two weddings in less than 24 hours, I took a nap, watched a movie, and slept almost around the clock.

And next, off to North Carolina for a few days. I'm actually looking for hiking buddies while I'm there, since the friends I'm staying with probably won't be available during the day to hike...so if anyone has contacts in the Boone, NC area that would be interested in hiking with me, I'd much prefer to hike with company than without it, at least some of the time...

Kayaking the Reservoir

2007-08-13T00:49:00.000-04:00

Kayaking in Chacos
Originally uploaded by grbecca

A couple Saturdays ago, Reservoir #3 in Jersey City was open for kayaking, sponsored by the Downtown Boathouse in Manhattan. I spent the afternoon registering people, and got to take a kayak out a couple times myself. It was a beautiful day...although I got a bit burned.

It's lovely, though, to realize this is right around the corner from my house. I can't wait until it's open during the week as well as on weekends...hopefully that will happen soon.

lots of lilypads

2007-08-03T18:45:00.001-04:00

lots of lilypads
Originally uploaded by grbecca

Mary Beth and I went camping at Promised Land State Park in Pennsylvania, about two hours away. We decided to leave on Friday evening as soon as MB got home from work, and we arrived at our campsite in time to set up the tent in the pitch dark. That was ok though.

The next day we hiked a bit and then rented a kayak for the afternoon. We paddled through this patch of lilypads. The part of the kayaking trip that came directly before this (a very mucky portage situation) made the loveliness of the lilypad patch even more lovely.

It was a great trip, even though being at a higher elevation made it a little bit cooler...so the swimming part of the day wasn't refreshing as much as it was chilling. Oh well.

Gayle and Ian's wedding pics...

2007-07-06T17:39:00.000-04:00

Here's a slideshow of Gayle and Ian's wedding. More to come, surely, once the proofs are available. This slideshow was running during the reception.

Monday Supper

2007-07-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

Mary Beth and I both prepared salads on Monday evening for supper....she prepared a cabbage salad with spicy peanut dressing, I made dijon potato salad and black bean salad.

We ate out on the front porch, where we were visited by Abby and Isaiah, neighbors from four doors down, and Sarah, the intern staying three doors down.

There are lots of things I love about having MB as a roommate....but one of the best things is that she cooks a lot and inspires me to cook. She tries new vegetarian recipes at least twice a week, and shares with me:-). I like it.

Summer Update

2007-07-01T13:11:00.000-04:00

So, the internet is currently not working at my house, and Richard (landlord) is relaxing at Schroon Lake...and I don't feel like sneaking around in his house to fiddle with internet connection wires and stuff I don't really understand...

therefore, here I am at school, on a Sunday, during the summer, to check email, and post, finally, on my blog. However, the day has been beautiful for biking...to church, around Jersey City a bit, then here to school, and after I'm done here, back home again. Being able to bike everywhere I go is one thing I love about living here.

I just got back from a very nice trip to Michigan, although, as usual, I was ready to come back home to Jersey City. There are lots of great things about Grand Rapids...the raspberries growing in my parents' backyard, family get-togethers, nephews, time to relax, swimming...

But now I'm back, getting ready to tutor students this summer, also getting geared up for grad school. Am I really ready to study again? We shall see.

But before that...Saturday: 7/7/07. Live Earth concert. I'm volunteering as a recycling assistant--basically that means that I will be standing by a trash can, and if someone attempts to toss a plastic water bottle, I get to (lovingly) steer them in the direction of the recycling can. Plus, I get tickets to the concert for free when I'm not on my shift--Dave Matthews Band, Bon Jovi, The Police, Alicia Keys, and lots more.

So excited that it's Chaco Season again...

2007-06-24T22:59:00.000-04:00

My foot. I love my Chacos.
Originally uploaded by grbecca

...well, it has been for a couple months now. Apparently I need to wear closed-toe shoes on 7/7/07 for LiveEarth, and I really don't want to. My poor feet haven't been so confined in weeks. Maybe I should start training them now. Nah.

Beautiful Tree. And Beautiful Cousin.

2007-05-28T15:38:00.001-04:00

Beautiful Tree
Originally uploaded by grbecca

This is my cousin Mary Beth, who I'm happy to say will soon be moving out to Jersey City to live with me! Well, she's moving to Jersey City so that she can work in New York City, but I get the benefit of her as a roommate!

Woo!

Cathedral Arts Festival Gala

2007-05-06T08:54:00.001-04:00

Becca and Shaylin
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Last night was the Cathedral Arts Festival Gala, the main fundraising event for our church, Grace Van Vorst. It was a blast...my youth group members donned bowties and served hors d'eouvres (and if that's not how you spell it, I don't care.) They did an excellent job.

Free flowing champagne, a chocolate fountain, cheese platters, spinach dip...yum.

This kind of event is not my favorite...I'm not much for mixing and mingling and making small talk. But, I found a few fellow introverts to wander around with and look at the art...(and if you ever visit my kitchen you'll see my two newly purchased pieces!), plus I got to catch up with a few people who had moved away and come back just for the Gala.

Reznor!

2007-05-03T22:16:00.001-04:00

Reznor!
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Our friend Reznor, who heated the cabin marvelously. He spoke to us daily. And nightly. Sometimes quite loudly. But he also kept us warm, so we forgive him for his blabbing.

Cabin Sweet Cabin

2007-05-03T22:15:00.001-04:00

Cabin Sweet Cabin
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Here's the cabin at Sleeper State Park that Mary Beth and I stayed in. It was lovely and small and full of iron beds with saggy mattresses. And a non-functional bathroom, but that was all right. Port-a-Jons serve well.

It took us a while to figure out how to live with our lovely heater, Reznor (really, that was his name, see the next picture...)...because he was hesitant about heating up. We tried cranking him up about 20 degrees above our desired temperature, and he worked fine, actually delivering the desired temperature. Made a lot of noise, but produced lots of heat. We were quite toasty.

No Child

2007-04-22T21:20:00.000-04:00

Last night, Julie, Abby, Jeremy, and I (four teachers in the NYC area) went to see this amazing one-woman play. Nilaja Sun is a teacher, writer, and actor who created a play to tell the story of her time as a teacher in a Bronx high school, working with teenagers who have, in many ways, been "left behind".

It was amazing.

If you have anything to do with urban kids, urban education, or urban life in general, this is a must. Ms. Sun was so skilled at jumping from one character to another from moment to moment, from the elderly janitor of the high school to a streetwise student named Shandrika to the toe-the-line principal, Mrs. Kennedy to the Jamaican security guard to herself, a teaching artist in the Bronx. And many more.

Samuel.

2007-04-22T21:16:00.001-04:00

Samuel.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

This is my nephew Samuel. I got to spend a little bit of time with Samuel and Gabriel (my other nephew) when I visited Grand Rapids two weeks ago.

To The Thumb!

2007-04-13T07:35:00.001-04:00

Sleeper State Park
Originally uploaded by eckerput.

Mary Beth and I leave today for a little cabin, here, at Sleeper State Park. Brr. And Yay! I'm looking forward to the time with trees, wind, beach, and water. And, of course, my dear cousin.

Risen!

2007-04-09T08:49:00.000-04:00

This poem was referenced in yesterday's sermon, though I missed it because I was leading Children's Worship.

Seven Stanzas at Easter

By John Updike
Make no mistake: if He rose at all
it was as His body;
if the cells' dissolution did not reverse, the molecules
reknit, the amino acids rekindle,
the Church will fall.

It was not as the flowers,
each soft Spring recurrent;
it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled
eyes of the eleven apostles;
it was as His Flesh: ours.

The same hinged thumbs and toes,
the same valved heart
that — pierced — died, withered, paused, and then
regathered out of enduring Might
new strength to enclose.

Let us not mock God with metaphor,
analogy, sidestepping transcendence;
making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the
faded credulity of earlier ages:
let us walk through the door.

The stone is rolled back, not papier-mache,
not a stone in a story,
but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow
grinding of time will eclipse for each of us
the wide light of day.

And if we will have an angel at the tomb,
make it a real angel,
weighty with Max Planck's quanta, vivid with hair,
opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen
spun on a definite loom.

Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,
for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,
lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are
embarrassed by the miracle,
and crushed by remonstrance.

I love poems that make me learn something new...for example, before yesterday I had little idea what "Max Planck's Quanta" meant, although I probably read about in a physics class some years ago. Now I do, and it makes my understanding of the resurrection that much richer...thinking about God's ability to direct atomic activity in angelic messengers, not to mention the physical body of Christ, is a weighty thing, especially since I've always considered angels to be supernatural. Is there atomic activity in the supernatural? Or do the atoms in supernatural beings behave with disregard to natural patterns and laws (like, for example, quantum theory)?

This One's For You, Mom.

2007-04-07T08:18:00.001-04:00

This One's For You, Mom.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

We spotted this while crossing a street in Morningside Heights last Monday. Mom, Rachel, Rachael, and Gabriel were visiting me in NJ, and they wanted to go to Grant's Tomb. So, to Grant's Tomb we went. Who knew the people in Morningside Heights were desperately seeking my mother? It's a good thing we went.

New Yorker

2007-04-07T07:46:00.000-04:00

Of the several changes in my life that have recently taken place, I'm currently reflecting on my ever-growing stack of unread New Yorker magazines. Now that I'm not riding the subway as much, my reading time (that is to say, the time when I have no other choice to pass the time but read) has been drastically diminished. I loved reading the New Yorker on the subway, just because the articles were the perfect size (as far as length and my mental capacity) for the PATH ride from JSQ to the World Trade Center, and from Chambers Street Station to Newkirk Ave. Granted, I would still have to travel with a highlighter to mark the phrases, words, and people that I would later look up on wikipedia.com or in my dictionary. But now, reading the New Yorker has become something I need to intentionally do--and I'm finding it doesn't fit into my schedule. Or perhaps I'm just lazy.

So then, I ask myself...why do I even subscribe? Do I really enjoy reading the magazine? The answer to that is "yes, mostly"...although I am not ashamed to admit that the cover art and cartoons are the main attraction for me these days. Even when I'm sitting at home, and have the choice to read the New Yorker or do something else, the something else calls out.

Oh well. I at least have a few plane trips to look forward to that will give me some reading time.

And, next weekend, it's off to a little cabin in the woods (or some such place) with MB...so hopefully there will be time and space for some New Yorker "catching up" there.

Manhattan Bridge and Midtown from the Brooklyn Bridge

2007-03-12T22:23:00.001-04:00

Manhattan Bridge and Midtown from the Brooklyn Bridge
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Last Sunday. Beautiful. Cold. Brooklyn Bridge. Puffy Clouds. Sunset. Cables. The New Yorker. Good Times.

Lisa and Ryan and Me

2007-01-15T21:30:00.001-05:00

Lisa and Ryan and Me
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

The last night I was in GR, I had some friends over for an evening of revelry...well, not too much revelry. Spades and Cider maybe don't qualify as revelry. Anyway, it was good to catch up with Betsy (and meet Nate!), Matt and Laura, in from Seattle, Lisa and Ryan, Mary Beth, and Bruce.

Bruce contemplates the waves...

2007-01-15T21:26:00.001-05:00

Bruce contemplates the waves...
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Ah, yes, the loveliness of Lake Michigan. Bruce and I headed to Lake Michigan for the afternoon...we were at Saugatuck State Park, which requires parking a ways away from the lake and taking a nice little hike through the woods to get to the beach.

Though cold and windy, it was great to see the lake again. Afterwards, we stopped in Saugatuck (the town) to see the sights, such as they were, and to get some hot beverages. Those of you who know me well know that I of course let my hot cider cool to "much less than hot" before I could drink it.

pine tree

2006-12-08T21:21:00.000-05:00

pine tree
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

After Thanksgiving dinner, our family headed up to Tall Turf for the weekend. It was lovely weather (50's), so I headed out with my camera. There were several trees that had been downed by a recent storm. I mourned for them, but of course (because I'm an optimistic person) was all the while anticipating the fires they would eventually stoke. Not this one though. I love the trees at CTT. They are so very huggable. It is rare, though, that I meet a tree that I DON'T want to hug....well, some of the ones that line the streets of Jersey City...although they're brave, brave ones, and maybe deserve even more hugs.

Tired

2006-12-06T22:31:00.000-05:00

I'm tired. Not to complain, but I just got through what is probably the hardest part of the year for me. We just finished conferences, which are of course valuable opportunities to talk to parents and tell them about the successes of their children...but it means lots of late nights, the sharing of sometimes stressful news, and, as was the case in several, me having to really put my foot down and insisting that some things happen. I don't like being the bad guy, and I'm not great at it. I always feel like I'm coming across as totally insensitive, even though I know I'm not, and even though what I say has to be said for the good of everybody. The challenge is to say it in a way that is the most helpful to the parents, causes the least pressure and anxiety on the student, and gathers more information for me, the teacher. Anyway.

They're over now, and I can go back to teaching and planning in normal time, instead of after exhausting evenings of conferences.

I'll give a more cheery update soon about my lovely trip to Michigan over the Thanksgiving break.

Cousins

2006-11-18T15:05:00.000-05:00

Cousins
Originally uploaded by MB Squared.

Looking back to a happy day....Mary Beth just uploaded this picture to Flickr, so now I'm blogging about the trip that we took in late July. We biked into some remote-ish sites at Ludington and spent one day kayaking around Lake Hamlin, which is much bigger than I previously thought, and one day hiking the various trails at Ludington.

Besides getting sunburned and a bit bothered by flies, the kayaking day was amazing. Good times.

Now I need to go and finish my progress reports (yikes.) and also watch my Wolverines.

busy busy

2006-11-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

So I've been pretty bad at updating recently. I have no excuse except for the boring, time-worn one about being super busy lately. Although the busy-ness has by no means been boring! For example, last night I enjoyed a tasty dinner of BBQ Tofu and portabello ribs at Old Devil Moon, then experienced the (just introduced to me) deep-down-low-voiced, foot-tapping, knit-hat-wearing goodness that is Greg Brown.

School's been a bit busy, so I'm looking forward to having a week off at Thanksgiving...although before I can enjoy that, I have to get through 21 progress reports. I am really glad we do extensive progress reporting at MSS...it's meaningful and helpful not only to parents but also to other teachers down the road...but it just takes so long. I average about 30 minutes per progress report, so I'm looking at more than 10 hours of work. I'm hoping to finish them all by next Friday at 7, in time to enjoy myself at the Grace Van Vorst Wine Tasting. Here's hoping!!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'd love to make plans to see anyone that will be around Grand Rapids that week. Let me know if you'll be there.

In the last 26 hours...

2006-10-22T20:37:00.000-04:00

...lots of things have brought me joy...

good apple cider.
a hug from a small child.
undeserved love and grace.
cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
the good tiredness after a long bike ride.
Faces in Grace
An English Sheepdog.
dinner and laughter with friends.
The Amazing Race

Grace Van Vorst Youth Group

2006-10-20T19:52:00.000-04:00

Playing Spoons
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Last Friday evening, Abby and I met for the first time with the 'youth' at GCVV--that is, people between 5th and 12th grades. I think most of them were a leetle nervous at first, as was I (I mean, throw 7 kids of various ages and temperaments together and you don't know what you'll get) ...but they were all good-natured and generous with each other. We had lots of fun. I haven't laughed so much in a while. You can see in the picture that we are definitely having good times.

(And yes, for the keen-eyed of you--this is a glimpse into the dining room of my lovely apartment. Furniture belongs to Gayle, though.)

Raining.

2006-10-17T17:37:00.000-04:00

So, it's raining. I'm not so happy. Don't get me wrong, I usually love the rain. There's something about being inside, safe and warm...wearing my favorite hooded sweatshirt and curled up under a blanket. However, on the eve of the Hudson Hike, one of my very favorite field trips of the year, I would prefer dry to wet.

Tomorrow, if the rain lets up (and perhaps even if it doesn't), we'll take the kindergarten and first grade hiking along the Hudson River at the Palisades Interstate Park. The weatherpeople say it will clear up. Whether they are right or not remains to be seen.

GO TIGERS!!

2006-10-14T20:43:00.000-04:00

So, after quite a drought, my Tigers are on the way to the World Series! Things were getting a little tense during the game, but Magglio pulled a beautiful shot to left field to help the Tigers win 6-3. I'm hoping for a Tigers-Mets World Series (Gayle's a Mets fan) but for now, I'm just happy they made it to the WS no matter who they play.

I always forget just how big of a fan I am until days like this when I jump up and down and yell and scream. Woo!

Painting

2006-10-10T19:03:00.000-04:00

Painting
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

This is Mikayla, one of my students. She's painting a Viking ship...and is experimenting with dry-brushing to show the water splashing on her ship.

At the beginning of the year, students only may use 3 colors in paint: red, yellow, and blue...and must mix whatever other colors they need on their painting. It would be extremely frustrating for me...but they take on the challenge with confidence.

Students use a planning board to choose their morning work periods. There are three 30-minute work periods...students have one "have-to"--a a teacher's group where I teach writing or reading skills...and usually may choose two other places to plan--either in the classroom (Math, Blocks, Books, Drawing/Writing, Puzzles) or in the Shared Space (Drama, Paint, Sculpture, 3-D Project, Water Science).

The Shared Space is a multi-age, multi-activity classroom supervised by two extremely patient, gentle, and creative teachers...this year Gabe and Leighanne.

I am so thankful that I have learned how to be a teacher at this school. The attention paid to the child, the understanding of a child as an individual and as a member of a community, the focus on treating each child and teacher as a creative image-bearer of God...have helped clarify and deepen my own understanding of my role as a teacher.

Mossy stream

2006-10-09T20:27:00.000-04:00

Mossy stream
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Thanks to the navigational skills of Christine and the car-lending skills of Julie, I was able to get out in some long-longed-for natural loveliness. Christine and I left at 9 to hike at Harriman State Park, which is amazingly just an hour away. We hiked for several hours, up, down and around...stopping for some meditation, napping, and conversation by a lake and at the summit of the Diamond Mountain Trail, I think. Christine, correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, it was a lovely day, perfect for a hike, and was restful and restorative for me.

"I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
I bubble into eddying bays,
I babble on the pebbles.

With many a curve my banks I fret
By many a field and fallow,
And many a fairy foreland set
With willow-weed and mallow.

I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever."

-Alfred, Lord Tennyson

/sappy poetry quote over

We Can Help You With Your Nemesis Problem.

2006-10-07T11:05:00.000-04:00

We Can Help You With Your Nemesis Problem.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Yes. They can. Unfortunately, I cannot think of a single nemesis at this point. I guess I should consider myself lucky! I'll check back in on the nemesis situation after progress reports go out in December.

Addendum: Apparently the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Shop is a front for a non-profit afterschool drop-in center and writing program, run by 826NYC. Kinda cool. All profits from masks and capes sold benefit the program. Thanks, Ryan S-VH for the info.

Supersonic Shipping to Select Universes

2006-10-07T11:04:00.000-04:00

Supersonic Shipping to Select Universes
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

While in Brooklyn last weekend, we happened upon the Brooklyn Superhero Supply shop. Unfortunately it wasn't open, but I'll go back one day so that they can "help me with my nemesis problem". Pico, if you're reading this, you need to go here next time you're in NYC.

Cabin Fever.

2006-10-05T18:56:00.000-04:00

I am having serious cabin fever. We're almost done with the fourth full week of school, and this staying in school from 7:30 to at least 5 is not doing it for me. I want a change of scenery. I want trees. I want water that isn't the Hudson. I want to wake up in the morning and not hear sirens or garage doors shutting or car alarms. I want cricket noises. I want wind in trees.

Goodness. I'm not coming across as a very content person. I do love my job, and the kids, and my colleagues. I have chosen to live in the city. I have a great community and church. I'm really blessed. I just would like to be blessed with a little bit of nature. And soon.

Part of me wants to book the next flight to Grand Rapids and head up to Tall Turf for the weekend.

Fixing a Flat

2006-10-01T17:35:00.000-04:00

I think that it is safe to say that I am a proficient flat-tire-fixer. I have now repaired my a flat tire on my bike three times--once after an encounter with a nail, once with a razor blade, and most recently (today) with a construction staple. I was able, thankfully, to isolate the leak without taking off the wheel. Go me!

The thing that made this the most comical was that I was repairing the tire in the basement of our house. Our landlord has wisely installed motion-activated lights in the basement so as to conserve electricity (Go Richard!)...which meant that every 5 minutes, the lights would turn off and I was obliged to get up and "do a little dance" to make them come back on. Lights turn off. Becca does the hustle. Becca works on her tire. Lights turn off. Rinse and repeat. Luckily, I was alone in the house. Not that I'm ashamed of my dancing skills, but I like to practice them in the privacy of my own basement. Hey, even Napoleon Dynamite kept his bedroom door closed at first!

And, even with a string of flat tires...I must still quote Iris Murdoch:

"The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart."

The Scooter Family

2006-09-26T20:41:00.000-04:00

The Scooter Family
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Here is the Narrafamily, ready to scooter off to an exciting destination.

A Turtle in Central Park

2006-09-26T20:39:00.000-04:00

A Turtle in Central Park
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

While in Central Park, near Belvedere Castle, we encountered this lovely turtle making its way across the patio. It was accompanied by a park ranger-type person...

There were also lots of turtles hanging out on logs in the lake.

Welcome to the World, Esther Olivia!

2006-08-25T16:57:00.000-04:00

For all of you who know and love Jeremy and Rachel Heyboer, make sure you check out the video of their new baby daughter, Esther Olivia! Congratulations!

Lava

2006-08-23T00:15:00.000-04:00

Lava
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

It was so hot! I didn't get nearly close enough to singe my eyebrows off...which is more than I can say about the college students on the hike with my group.

Still, we got to see it ooze. Wierd, and way cool. I said "cool" probably more than I've ever said it before on the Volcan Pacaya trip.

Flickr

2006-08-23T00:13:00.000-04:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Volcano Shadow

2006-08-23T00:07:00.000-04:00

Volcano Shadow
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

While in Antigua, I traveled to Volcan Pacaya on an old school bus. After a few stops, we made it to the trailhead (halfway up the volcano in an old school bus. No, we never actually had to get out and push, but it was close). Near the top, I got this great picture as the sun was just about to set behind the volcano.

finally home.

2006-08-22T18:36:00.000-04:00

yesterday morning katie and i woke up at 2:15 in order to catch a "lancha" (motorboat) from our hotel, hacienda tijax, to the dock in time for our 3:00 AM bus. the bus ride was uneventful, dark, and quiet for the first few hours, but became a bad dream for the last few. the bus driver sure liked his airconditioning, and kept the bus at about 40 degrees. also, his assistant, who was in charge of the music, kept us awake with his favorite american dance tunes. add that to driving through rush hour traffic in downtown guatemala city, and you get the feel of our experience. after we got back to antigua, i took a quick shower and used up the rest of my Quetzales (guatemalan currency) to buy lunch and some more gifts.

by 11:00, the airport shuttle had arrived. we spent the next hour driving around guatemala looking for the other people the travel agency had arranged to bring to the airport. (apparently, when you ask for an 11:00 shuttle, that doesn't mean you'll necessarily get to the airport anytime soon after that.) because the driver didn't know where they lived, we circled several neighborhoods before finding the others.

luckily, i was at the airport in time, and then found out that my flight was delayed.

we finally took off for miami at 4:00 or so, and i really enjoyed my first class seat and meal. (thank you, frequent flier miles!) i had forgotten how crazy the miami customs area is (they schedule all of their international flights to come in approximately at the same time)...and of course they only had one customs official working my baggage claim area. i barely made it to my flight to newark, but did make it, and got home by 1:00.

After 23 hours of being awake and traveling, i finally fell into bed. today i spent the day sleeping, sorting through a month of mail, unpacking, and doing laundry. i have to admit, sleeping in my own bed was a huge treat--i slept for 12 hours straight.

Arco de Sta. Catalina y Volcan de Agua

2006-08-16T19:32:00.000-04:00

Arco de Sta. Catalina y Volcan de Agua
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

View from Templo IV at Tikal, Guatemala

2006-08-14T13:34:00.000-04:00

Tikal, Guatemala
Originally uploaded by nyamuknya.

I didn't take this picture (I still am not sure about how to upload my photos on the internet cafe computer) but this is the view that I saw on Saturday.

Tikal was amazing...huge pyramids and ruins, and butterflies and howling monkeys and toucans and much more.

Bonus points to anyone who recognizes this photo. In which movie can you find it?

Antigua

2006-08-06T12:10:00.000-04:00

Well, I´m in Antigua Guatemala in an internet cafe that´s, strangely enough, pounding house music on a Sunday morning. I´m hopeful that pictures will be coming soon--I´m trying to figure out this PC and how to upload pictures onto it. Oh well. I don´t know how often I´ll be able to be online here, but there are certainly an abundance of cheap internet cafes so I´m optimistic.

Also watched a procession honoring Our Lady of Fatima this morning, complete with marching xylophone band, flowers on the ground, spontaneous firecrackers, armed guards, banners, and more flowers.

I´ve managed to communicate pretty well so far in Spanish, and I´m keeping my journal in Spanish as much as possible too. More soon, if I can figure out my camera.

Peace...

Typical Bob's Lake Position

2006-07-28T12:08:00.000-04:00

Typical Bob's Lake Position
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Abby shows another favorite position.

Gabe, reflecting.

2006-07-28T12:05:00.000-04:00

Gabe, reflecting.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

At any given time, at least one of us was in this position. Sometimes with a book in hand, or a journal, or a glass of something tasty.

Canada Crew

2006-07-28T12:03:00.000-04:00

Canada Crew
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Here we all are, on (sadly) our last day.

Wide-eyed on the Light Rail

2006-07-26T11:33:00.000-04:00

Wide-eyed on the Light Rail
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

The fam is here in NJ to do some work at Mustard Seed. Gabriel, my nephew, came along for the trip, and stayed at my house, along with my foster sister Rachel.

I took my dad and Gabriel for a trip on the light rail. So many thrills for so small a price!

Bobs Lake (No, there is not supposed to be an apostrophe.)

2006-07-25T23:00:00.000-04:00

Tree.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Abby, Gabe, Kimberly, and I spent a week at Bobs Lake. The Meeter family graciously lent us the use of their cabin for the week...and it was a wonderfully relaxing time.

Imagine a week full of a rotation of eating, sleeping, resting, swimming, sunbathing, reading, canoeing, conversation-ing, looking at the lake, playing games, meeting new people...

It was awesome and refreshing and peaceful and good.

I'd say the only bad things were the mosquitoes and deerflies.

Away...

2006-07-15T23:27:00.000-04:00

I'm off early tomorrow for a week-long trip to Canada...Bob's Lake, Ontario, to be more specific. I'm excited for the time to read, relax, swim, canoe, and hike with my friends Abby, Gabe, and Kimberly. Yay!

It's Confirmed

2006-07-10T16:29:00.000-04:00

It's Confirmed
Originally uploaded by MB Squared.

I am a treehugger. This was taken the day Mary Beth and I went to Ludington State Park to scope out the hiking/camping territory. We'll be staying in the Jackpine Campsites, which are refreshingly far away (about a mile hike) from the regular, camper/trailer crowded sites.

In other news, the wireless internet connection at my house is still not fixed, so I'm enjoying air-conditioned internet access at the Heights Branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library.

Wireless-less

2006-07-05T16:39:00.000-04:00

Gabriel and Daisy
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Well, I've left Michigan and family, and returned to New Jersey, after a nearly-one-hour delay in the airport and a two hour delay in the airplane on the runway. Luckily the time passed quickly due to flying with an old friend from high school, two more recent friends from Hoboken and their son, a chatty Hawaiian flight attendant, and a cute 7 year old traveling alone, sitting across the aisle from me.

I saw fireworks from the plane, then from the bus, then from my cab from Journal Square...then got home and fell into bed, promptly. I slept basically until about 3:00 today (woke up for about 45 minutes this morning to eat something and make sure there were no huge emergencies in the mailbox. There weren't, so I went back to bed.)

I turned on my computer this afternoon only to find out that for some reason, the wireless internet isn't working, and since the Narramores are gone until Friday, the prognosis for recovery of said wireless internet isn't looking good. So, here I am at the Jersey City public library, working on a PC (boo.) for 12 more minutes. I guess you could say I'm spoiled.

Pictures to come soon of my time in Michigan...the nephews, Tom Otterness sculptures, Mary Beth, and Ludington.

School's Out

2006-06-23T19:24:00.000-04:00

I finished all progress reports, cumulative files, supply orders, technology requests, and maintenance list, so now I am signed out and ready to focus on the next thing: Michigan!

I wish I could have been there...

2006-06-18T00:45:00.000-04:00

...to support these women, and the denomination i still love dearly. Charles Honey writes about it in the GR Press.

Mustard Seed

2006-06-18T00:32:00.000-04:00

mustard seed
Originally uploaded by hoboken411.

Here's my school. Three more (half) days! A huge part of me is sorry to be saying goodbye to these kids....but I'm looking forward to next year as well.

But first I'm looking forward to the summer.

Hopefully...

2006-06-10T19:11:00.000-04:00

Hopefully, I'll be spending a good portion of the first week in August at Ludington State Park. They just added new hike-in campsites, far away from the very crowded, already reserved to the max trailer campsites. Best of all, the hike-in sites are really close to Lake Michigan!!! Woo!

Not to mention the town of Ludington nearby, just in case we need an ice cream cone or something.

Send Down The Fire...

2006-06-02T22:18:00.000-04:00

Today, after many days of preparation, my students led the school-wide Pentecost Celebration. So enjoy the picture....

Also, the reason I haven't posted in a while is that my power cord is broken, and I can't recharge my computer unless I go over to the neighbor's house (the only ones on the block who have Macs). So it's at 42% and I need to shut down. The computer and myself, since I'm feeling about 42% myself. Oops...down to 41%. I better hurry. Good night.

SAVE THE RESERVOIR!

2006-05-16T21:22:00.000-04:00

Reservoir #3 is a beautiful place. It irks me to no end that Jerramiah Healy, our mayor, who I voted for (grrr.) wants to fill it in and make it into soccer fields....and build condominiums along the edge. Last summer, I went kayaking there several times and it was such a great escape from the busyness that is Jersey City.

I marched/rallied last weekend to open the gates...which have been locked for the last few weeks....locked because I guess it would be TERRIBLE for citizens of the Heights to actually enjoy the reservoir while the decisions are being made about its future. We started to march toward the councilman's office, to protest his lack of action to prevent the drainage/filling in...but the cops blocked the sidewalk and said we couldn't. Katie and I thought there was a chance we'd get arrested for marching (after all, it's a good cause)...but then the march kind of fizzled and we decided to go home.

A visitor. Of the kind that do pushups.

2006-05-14T22:02:00.000-04:00

A visitor. Of the kind that do pushups.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

These guys were ALL OVER the place, doing their thing. Their "thing" happened to be pushups. Mary Beth had the hardest time catching one of these guys in the act of pushing up...but when she finally did, her reaction was all I expected it to be. :-) Too bad we don't have these little guys prancing around Jersey City instead of pigeons...

Our Campsite. How homey.

2006-05-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

Our Campsite. How homey.
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

I realized that I never posted more pictures of the Virgin Islands vacation...so here's a few more. This is our campsite at Cinnamon Bay.

And more exciting news...

2006-05-14T09:16:00.000-04:00

I'll be spending two weeks in August in Antigua, Guatemala, studying Spanish at the Christian Spanish Academy. I just bought my ticket on Thursday....or at least, I paid frequent flyer miles for it.

The Babies....

2006-05-14T09:11:00.000-04:00

While in Michigan over spring break, I took lots of pictures of my dear nephews, Samuel and Gabriel.

Birthday Week

2006-04-29T08:17:00.000-04:00

So the week has been good! Thanks to all who made it happy!

Sunday: Dinner in Michigan with the FAM.

Tuesday: Dinner at the Eatons' with a lovely cake. Nathan really did help me blow out the candles, although the picture didn't capture it.

Wednesday: Home Fellowship Group. Another cake, and more candles.

Thursday: Walk with Gayle, celebration at school, flowers from mom...and dinner with Katie, Abby, and Stephanie at Charritos. Cantigas sang to me as well.

(And when I got home, there was a song waiting for me on the voicemail from MB!

Friday: Drinks with staff after school. Two glasses of Lindeman's Framboise Lambic, which doesn't taste like beer, which is great, becuase I don't like beer at all. It tastes more like fizzy raspberry juice than anything...and is much better on tap than from a bottle. My previous experience with Lambic was from a bottle on New Year's Eve...and while it was pleasant, this was much better.

Today: Brunch with my neighborhood and church people. Which I must go off to prepare. And which also makes me consider this question: Will a birthday candle stand up in a pancake?

Don Miller

2006-04-24T19:48:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, while I was in Michigan, I was blessed to be able to hear Don Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz...which, unfortunately, I haven't read. I will soon, though, yes I will.

His experience of leaving his faith....then coming back to it, was so obviously full of God's grace. I'm so glad I went. It was part of Calvin's Festival of Faith and Writing, which I didn't realize was this past weekend and therefore did not get tickets to. I was even in Michigan for the week, which I never am during the FFW. Grr.

That means I didn't get to see Salman Rushdie, who is NOT Cat Stevens, MOM.

Constant Companion

2006-04-10T18:23:00.000-04:00

My iBook has been my constant companion for the past three days...but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...only three more progress reports to go!

Busy Busy Busy

2006-04-08T21:06:00.000-04:00

So, I am in the throes of progress reporting....12 done, 9 to go. Don't get me wrong, I am glad my school does narrative reporting instead of just grades, but it takes such a freaking long time!

And it doesn't help that I have an uncomfortable hacking cough. Pleasant. Thankfully I have lots of cough syrup on hand.

Happy 321st, Johann!

2006-03-23T21:10:00.000-05:00

So, to celebrate, Mustard Seed had a Bach Festival--hosting the American Boychoir and other various artists, including a 10-year-old violin prodigy. AND one of my seven-year-olds, who played a delightful Minuet.

(Upon further research, I find that his birthday was actually the 21st. Oh well. He won't complain.)

A Wedding at Trunk Bay

2006-03-21T22:53:00.000-05:00

A Wedding at Trunk Bay
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

This is the view from the turnoff where Ed stopped the taxi. If you look really (really, really, really) closely, you can see a black speck and a white speck next to each other...they are the bride and the groom. Just believe me. The three specks to the lower right of the black and white specks are probably the cameraman and witnesses.

On the way to Cinnamon Bay...

2006-03-21T22:50:00.000-05:00

Taxi Stop
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Ed, our taxi driver, stopped here so that we could take pictures of Trunk Bay.

In the foreground is Galen, the child from Ithaca and son of Claire, with whom we shared a taxi, and who, among other things, got very sunburned, took pictures and video of random donkeys and "skimboarded"--which involves riding a wakeboard type thing out onto the ocean after a wave breaks on the shore.

That was most definitely a run-on sentence. Sorry. No time to edit.

Whistling Cay

2006-03-17T21:49:00.000-05:00

Whistling Cay
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

We kayaked here, and then snorkeled partway around the island. It was pretty windy, so it took us quite a while to get there, but once we got there, we were glad we took the time.

Lenten Discipline

2006-03-17T21:40:00.000-05:00

So, my Lenten discipline for this year is to spend (MUCH) less time on the internet...which is one of the reasons I haven't updated very recently. I've actually been doing pretty well with the discipline, which surprised me...and so I can anticipate that I won't be posting super-frequently.

I hope everyone's well...and that you're having a peaceful and reflective Lenten season.

I sort of wish I was still here...

2006-03-06T19:38:00.000-05:00

View from 2/3 of the way up the Cinnamon Bay Trail
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Part of me can't help but wishing I was still in St. John...but the other part of me is quite content to be back at my school, with my kids, in my classroom.

Today was the 100th day of school, and in first grade, that is a momentous event. However, I would love for it to be the 90th day of school, and I would love to know that my USVI vacation was still to come. In that respect, a Groundhog Day-ish existence might not be bad (as long as it lasted for about a week instead of a day).

Don't get me wrong, I love my job and I love my kids...but I also love trees and woods and clear water. And there just isn't enough of that in Jersey City.

This photo was taken about 2/3 of the way up the Cinnamon Bay trail on St. John--a very lovely, albeit steep, mile from our campground.

Cruise Ships

2006-02-28T20:29:00.000-05:00

Cruise Ships
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

They are massive. No other comment right now on the floating resorts.

Mary Beth, One Love, and Oprah the Donkey

2006-02-28T20:27:00.000-05:00

Mary Beth, One Love, and Oprah the Donkey
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

MB had the privilege of making friends with One Love and his Donkey, Oprah, who he'd raised since she was a baby. Oprah was fashionably attired with green sunglasses, red lipstick and red-painted hooves. Stylish!

At Tillet Gardens

2006-02-28T20:26:00.000-05:00

At Tillet Gardens
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

MB and I took the $2 safari bus to Tillet Gardens, where we browsed around the artists' shops, noticed the beautiful greenery and found countless lizards on walls. We also stopped for a snack and a photo opportunity. On our way back to Charlotte Amalie, we stocked up on groceries at the Pueblo Supermarket.

Iguana

2006-02-28T20:23:00.000-05:00

Iguana
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

This guy was waiting for us as we came down the front stairs of the Galleon House. He (or she, I guess. I'm not familiar with iguana anatomy) had a very intense stare. As we finally left him, we saw another, greener, shyer, less courageous iguana scamper into the bush. You might not think iguanas scamper, but they do.

Another view

2006-02-28T20:17:00.000-05:00

Another view
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

From the terrace of Galleon House, facing...um...west, I think. We were served breakfast on this terrace, as we chatted with other guests and watched lizards doing push-ups. They do! It's a territorial display! We were invaders, I guess they thought. Mary Beth wasn't lucky enough to see this happen until we were in St. John, though.

View from Galleon House

2006-02-28T20:16:00.000-05:00

View from Galleon House
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

Our bed and breakfast, the Galleon House, had a lovely view of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. Pretty!

Chacos

2006-02-28T20:13:00.000-05:00

Chacos
Originally uploaded by grbecca.

As soon as I landed in San Juan, I changed into my Chacos-- and I did not wear shoes again for the whole week. I love my Chacos. I love wearing sandals. I won't be able to wear them for a few months now. Sad.

off I go...

2006-02-18T15:46:00.000-05:00

Ok, in just a few more hours, I'll be on a plane to Puerto Rico, en route to the Virgin Islands. So here I go to pack. Yay!

The Runners Up...

2006-02-07T18:18:00.000-05:00

So, although John's pizza was undoubtedly the best of the four we tested, the runners-up deserve mention as well. The beach-boardwalk-neighborhood atmosphere of Totonnos, the basil-scent drifting up from the pizza at Grimaldi's (as well as a sighting of a Famous Person) and the delightful, wine-influenced electric-candle-lit ambience of Lombardi's

Totonno's

Grimaldi's

Lombardi's

The Quest

2006-02-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Rachel (birthday girl), Rachel, Jeanne, May, Todd, Christie, Abby, and I set off to find the best pizza in New York. I have to say, my pizza experiences thus far in the greater NYC area have mostly included gigantic floppy slices that you need to fold in half to eat. These places, however, were true New York Style...and only served pies, not slices. Pictures to come of the four contenders--John's (West Village), Totonno's (Coney Island), Grimaldi's (DUMBO (under the Brooklyn Bridge) and Lombardi's (Little Italy). Each pizza was rated on its crust, sauce, and cheese...and each pizzeria on its service and ambience.

Here are Jeanne and Rachel thoughtfully critiquing Grimaldi's pizza.

The results?

The best pizza in New York City, in our opinion, was John's. Not only was the sauce sweet and fresh, the crust was just sturdy enough to hold up the pizza (because, alas, many pizza toppings slide off if the crust isn't sturdy enough) and tasted wonderful. Grafitti in the booths only added to the overall character of the restaurant, and musical selections ranging from Santana to Top 40 blessed our ears.

We failed to take a picture of the full pizza. Here's the last piece.

The Best Way to Spend 20 Minutes...

2006-02-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

The best way to spend twenty minutes of your day is to listen to Bono's address at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday.