subway love

I miss the subways.

I don't miss subway changes, or express trains running local, but I miss the opportunity to have fifteen to twenty minutes each day (and many times more), where I could think about what it is excatly God is trying to teach me.

My favorite lesson ever learned on the subway is this:

In New York City you come across all diferent kinds of people. Fat people, short people, Asian people, Europeans, tourists, impoverished people, kids, etc... I used to get on the subway and look at all of these people and think nothing of them. Occasionaly even, someone would get on and my first thought would be "Wow, I feel sorry for them"(said in my head with a tone of attitude). Then one day, God reminded me that he made each of these people. No matter what they looked like, or where they came from, he thought them out, every last detail about the way the looked, or where they'd be born. From that point on, I saw the people on the subways differently.

Upon returning to Louisiana, I have not had this mentality, but God reminded me of it, and my goal is to think this way of the people I come into contact with here.

The Sound of Music

I've decided to bring music back into my life.

I say that all the time, but this time, I mean it. I'll do whatever it takes.

You see, there used to be a time when, if you needed a singer, I was there for you. My only goal in life was to somehow do this professionally, no matter what it took. My goals have since changed, but my passion for it has not. These past few years, the lack of opportunity to sing has bothered me tremendously.

It's not just singing either.

I miss being multi-instrumental. I miss my flute, and my trombone, and the few chances to play on Ma-Maw's piano. Because the preceding three are currently inaccessible, I have picked up my guitars, and am now, after just a few short hours of practice, back to where I was when I stopped playing them about three years ago (which is not all THAT good, my fingers aren't quite long enough for most of the stuff I want to play).

Music comes easy to me, it always has. I just hope to somehow get to use this in my life very soon. I'm going to be much more proactive about it. I can't stand it any longer. For the past few years, I've definitely felt it's absence, and it hurts. No longer will I let this go on. Somehow, someway, I will bring the music back into my life.

Appalachian is HOT HOT HOT

After many months of waiting, the time has finally arrived and college football is back into full gear.

All of our housing issues were worked out and we ended up at Caitlin's grandma's house in Meridian after what was probably one of the funnest football games I'd ever been to Thursday night.

I expected fun, after all, it's Tiger Football, but Mississippi State does not always make for an exciting game (the final score as 45-0 in favor of LSU), but being on the front row, right next to the band, with a good many of my closest friends standing beside me, meetin the chancellor and Van Chancellor, not to mention the RAIN, made for a pretty memorable night. Despite the sounds of obnoxious maroon cowbells, our student section cheered away. To counteract MSU's ONE obnoxious cheer (here, see if you can do it: Go State, Go State, GO STATE!), LSU gave 'em a taste of what real cheering is, and by request of both a Louisiana and a Mississippi state trooper, the token "Go the hell Ole Miss," just to be nice and cheer as friends. We figured since both LSU and MSU love that one, and we were beating them about 39-0 at this point, we'd allow for one friendly gesture.

The next day, a broadcast e-mail was sent out announcing that the new tiger would be released into his habitat a week ahead of schedule. Apparently, this cub, the two-year-old product of an unwanted pregnancy between a Siberian and Bengal tiger in Indianappolis, was way more ready for the crowd than expected. I remember coming up to Baton Rouge to see Mike V when he was a baby, and the tears I shed in May when I got the e-mail saying he had died, so I was determined to be there to get the first glimpse of the soon-to-be Mike VI. I hopped on the bike, rode under the towering East Upper Deck of the stadium, locked the bike up to the PMAC, and awaited his release. Without ceremony or announcement, suddenly the tiger door opened, and our beautiful new mascot was frolicing about his 2.2 million dollar home. The crowd gasped, little kids pushed their way to the front, and big kids like me cried (as I am doing now just thinking about it). What a wonderful moment to witness. They say they're not sure if he'll be ready to go to the game next week, but he looked so happy and hyper and he LOVED the crowd, I can't imagine them not allowing him to be there to intimidate Virginia Tech. I'm getting chills just thinking about it.

Tod Graves, the Raisin' Cane's guy, was there with his dog, so I can now say that I have gotten to pet Cane the dog, and she was SOOOO sweet. Plus I've alwasy wanted to meet this Graves fellow, cuz I hear he's a nice guy for being a multi-millionare, and he was. One Love. I began craving Canes and had it for lunch. I spent the rest of the day on the couch watching college football, doing a little bit of reading for school, and wondering how in the world Appalachain State beat the number five team in the country in the largest stadium in America. Crazy!

Did I mention how glad I am it's football season?

Starkvegas here I come!

Some have mentioned that I might change the name to my blog now that I am no longer in New York. My opposition to this is that a.)Baton Rouge is a city too... and b.) God made me for the city, and my heart will always be in the city, whatever that city may be.

Tommorrow is my first LSU football game of the year, and the first big away game road trip. I'm skipping four classes, and I don't have a place to stay, at least not in Starkville that is (I'll be driving into Jackson if necessary). I'm pretty excited about going, despite the complications and the fact that I had to get my lab permenantly moved after much begging.

School's gonna be crazy this semester, so don't expect a whole lot of updates. I will, when procrastinating, be updating as much as possible.

The Most Isolated Tract of Land in the Continental United States

Having gone to the part of the world known as "Down the Road" at least once every month/two months for my entire life growing up, it has been very strange not to go there a single time since high school.



Today, I had to go down there to pick up my dad at the heliport, and it made me realize how very different my life has become.



Wayne Parent, my great and wonderful Louisiana Politics teacher, said in his book Inside the Carnival that "There is perhaps no other tract of land in the continental United States that is as isolated from civilization as the farthest reaches of south Plaquemines Parish." I always agreed with him, but after having gone there today, I realize just how completely true that statement is.

This area has always been cut off from the world, but now that it has been completely wiped off the map, yet again, and is being slowly rebuilt, it really feels like a forgotten island, an Alas Babylon of sorts. Coming off of a summer in the most concentrated place in the world, it almost felt like I was in a place I'd never been before. I felt like I had an entirely different perspective of this ever-so-familliar territory.

There really is no other place out there that can possibly be like Plaquemines Parish.

The APT

It's so very strange to be in "The APT" by myself. I guess I will get used to it over time (though I still don't imagine that with three roomates I'll have an excessive amount of alone time in this place). Though I've spent alot of time in this place over the past two years, I've always been over here when every seat was taken, people are on the floor, and a few are standing in the kitchen. Now that I'll be living here, it's definitely going to be a different place for me. It's going to be a different place in general without all of its former inhabitants around.

I've spent most of the day being lazy. I spent the night at Laura's, then woke up really late, came home, and watched Rent. After finally deciding to be productive, I made my way over to campus to take in the Stately Oaks and Broad Magnolias while also taking care of business. I had a few things to work out, which I thought were worked out, but it looks like I've gotta go back tommorrow because I've got a question (and I've had enough experience of being on the phone for hours with the Bursar's office to know that calling them is not the efficient way to get an answer).

Watching Rent made me very sad, as I knew it would. You see, it is set in Alphabet City, the same neighborhood where Graffiti is located. I spent most of my summer ministering to and interacting with the people of that neighborhood. I terribly miss it.

I've gotten to catch up with a good many people since I've been here. Caitlin and I spent the afternoong together, which kept the apartment from feeling so lonely. I think though, that until I've gotten to see everyone and life gets back to normal, I will continue to wish I was in New York. I'm sure I'll always miss it, but it's going to be worse until I get too busy to notice it. For now, I'm longing for December.

And now that I'm back

So I'm back home, and now that I've seen the family and got a small taste of the Big Easy, I could easily hop on a plane and be back in my nice Upper West Side apartment in a heartbeat.

I love it here, and I love the people I've gotten to see. There are people I'd still like to see, but man do I miss the city and all that it has to offer. I'm getting used to being away, and it's going to take a while. It took a while to adjust to the city, even though I loved it, so I'm guessing it's the same thing here. My life has definitely slowed down in the past two days. I miss walking everywhere though (but I sure can't do that here cuz its HOT).

I learned so much this summer and am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity. I can't imagine my life without this experience. I feel like a whole new person. God has done so much work this summer in my life and I've gotten to witness so many amazing things. I am so excited to see how this effects my life from here on out.

This is it

Tonight is my last night in the city.

I am trying not to be sad about this. I don't think it's fully hit me yet though.

Rather than looking at all of the things I'll miss, I'm trying to look at all of the things I am looking forward to upon my return to Louisiana. I get to see the family, I get to see the friends, I get to drive (!!!!!!), and I get to reunite with the great city that made me who I am.

Today was a sad day because I went to Graffiti for the last time. I didn't do much of anything but sit around and put off leaving. Theresa left without realizing that we never got to say goodbye, so I was pretty sad about that, but we had a nice over-the-phone goodbye. As Taylor kept saying, it's not goodbye, I'll be back in December.

I went to Carnegie Deli with the mission team. Surprisingly this is only the second time I've gone since I've been here, but it was definitely a nice way to say goodbye to the city. I then went to 34th street- which has become my place to go when I get bored or sad.

Now, I must pack....

Three days to go

Today I had to say goodbye to Ema, who is going to Texas tommorrow and won't be back until three hours after I leave Friday. It was a sad time.

I am definitely seeing God's work in this transition though. He's been making the goodbyes a little easier, and comforting me in knowing that I will see all of these people again. I don't think it's hitting me, and I hope it doesn't. I knew this day was coming, and now that it's here, I'm adjusted to that.

It's going to be great to be home and to see everyone. There are many friends that I will not see for a few weeks, but I will get to see most of them next week, and as for my family, well, we have have big plans to hang out this weekend (and I FINALLY get to meet Clayton!). I am very much looking forward to this, along with some jambalaya and the sounds of the Big Easy.

Living in New York has been a grand experience, and there are a thousand little things I will miss, but I'm starting to see that this applies to anywhere you go. I'll always be thinking of things I miss about the last place I lived, so why not enjoy them while you can, and cherish the fact that you had them.

Things are getting a little sad around here

Saturday morning, after having spent a wonderful Friday with some amazing people, I got up to say goodbye to those who were leaving for youth camp. By the time they get back, I will be gone.

Friday, Charlotte, Kyle, and I went to Staten Island and rode the railroad all the way out to the end, just to see what was there. What we found looked like Baton Rouge, bridge and all. We then went back to Manhattan to meet up with all of the other summer missionaries and supervisors for a great dinner. Since the only missionary we were missing was Lydia, because she was working, we decided to go visit her at work. There's never an occasion where I turn down the chance for Magnolia Bakery, especially when Lydia is working and we get half-off. On the way to Magnolia, we stopped in Macy's to use the bathroom, and Charlotte found ten dollars on the floor, which she then so graciously used to buy our cupcakes. It was a great last-night-out with the crew.

I went back up to the Upper West Side exhausted, but then packed my bags to go back down to the church (on the Lower East Side- yes the exact opposite side of Manhattan) and spend the night so I wouldn't oversleep to say my goodbyes the next morning. One last sleepover with the friends before we all went our separate ways.

After they left Saturday, I was lazy all day, lounging around the house and trying not to be sad. Ema and I had tickets to the Mets game, so I went down to 34th street just to get out of the house beofore heading out to Flushing for the game. Sadly, the Mets lost, but I am definitely more of a fan than I was before my visit to the great Shea Stadium. I developed a big crush on David Wright, just like every other non-Yankee fan woman in New York.

Today was my last Sunday at Graffiti, so I had to say alot of goodbyes. I'll still be at church all week (as always), but not all of the people will be there. It was sad to be meeting with my smallgroup for the last time until December. They've been great encouragers this summer and definitely will be missed. After church, Ruth, who was one of the first people I met in NY but has been in Michigan for six weeks, invited me to lunch with her family. Her dad had his car, which was nice (the subways are getting super old, I can't WAIT to drive). We went to Brooklyn to see where she is moving this week, and then went to Juniors for lunch and cheesecake (and despite all rumors that it is better, Carnegie cheesecake still beats out Juniors). I then had to say goodbye to here too, because I don't know if I'll be seeing her for the rest of the week, and she just got back!

I'm going to be really sad to leave this place. I didn't think I was going to be, but the closer it approaches, the more I realize how great living in New York can be. I don't know if I necessarily want to move here full-time or anything, but it's going to be sad to leave.

(this is not to say that I am not SUPER excited about returning home to the people I love and miss- I'll see you all this weekend!)

As time winds down

I'm leaving the city a week from tommorrow.

Part of me is excited. I get to see my friends and family. I get some jambalaya. I get to hang out in New Orleans.

The other part realizes that leaving the city is not just for a week or two, but it is for good. I will be back in December, but just for a week, and after that, who knows when is the next time I can come visit this place.

I'm not so much sad about leaving the city as I am about leaving the poeple, many of which I won't see again after this Saturday when they leave for youth camp. I've shared some of my greatest lifetime experiences with these people, and the thought of not seeing them again for an indefinite period of time is pretty rough.

I guess I'll just have to get a driveable car so I can make road trips to visit them in their various home states.

It's strange to think about leaving here so soon. The goodbyes have started to roll in already, as some people have told me that they are not going to be here on Sunday and I've had to say goodbye ahead of time. I think leaving church this Sunday is going to be the toughest part. Graffiti has become such a part of my life that it's going to be very difficult to say goodbye and become just another summer missionary who came and went.

I am looking forward to driving again. The subways are okay, but it's so much nicer to be behind the wheel.

I'm Moving to Boston

The Oteil Burbridge concert Wednesday night was fabulous! I think we really accomplished what we'd set out to do as a church: reach out to the community and the "unchurched" and let them know that we're here, and we love them.

Thursday was Taylor's birthday celebration, at which there was a king cake. He'd talked of wanting to try this Mardi Gras delicacy when we were discussing our "what would we eat for dessert at our last meal?" and King Cake was mine. We decided to have one shipped up here for his birthday and it was a hit! It came from Paul's Pastry in Picayune (no Gambinos or Randazzos, but still quality cake nonetheless). I spent the rest of the day organizing the registration forms from the concert, and calling all of those interested in helping us with Paint the Town. We then went to Dallas BBQ and Venieros with some of the people from a mission team who very graciously treated us all to dinner. Charlotte and I rented Fever Pitch because a.)I never get tired of it, it's become one of my favorite movies, and b.) we were getting pumped about going to BOSTON!!! Kyle joined us at about 11:30 after having gone to see Spamalot (*jealous*) with his family. We forced ourselves to go to bed so we'd wake up bright and early to get to Port Authority well ahead of on time.

Upon arriving at the bus terminal, we figured out that the walking-on right before the bus left like we did for Philadelphia was a rare experience only possible on holidays. We got there an hour early, but I was still afraid that we might not get a spot on the bus! We did though, and it left a little early! It also only took four hours as opposed to four-and-a-half as expected. Immediately into Boston, I knew I was somewhere I belonged (driving by Fenway Park and seeing it for the first time felt like walking into Tiger Stadium for the first time at the first game each year).

I'd put Boston on my list of potential cities to move to last summer, and spent a significant portion of last summer obsessing over going to Boston. I almost even gave up my NY mission trip in December to go on the Rhode Island one so I could see Boston (but God directed me otherwise). In the middle of last summer, I felt almost like God had told me to be a RedSox fan. I know this sounds strange, but all of the sudden everywhere I turned was RedSox this and RedSox that. It was unexplainable, and I became an addicted fan. I started to think that maybe it was because God had a place for me in Boston, and after FINALLY having gone to visit, I think I may have nailed it.

I was made for that city. After having only spoken to about three people, I tured to Kyle and Charlotte and was like "OMG, I LOVE these people, they get excited about everything!" at which point they looked at each other and I was like "OMG, THESE ARE MY PEOPLE" and they were like "Ya know, we were just thinking that!"

I've always wanted to live on an old harbor, and in a place where there is an MLB team (and what better one than this?) I really think I have found my city. It's rich in history, and unlike New York (who I still love, don't get me wrong), they cherish their history and preserve it, not try to modernize it as much as possible without completely erasing any trace of authenticity. The historic parts of the city were preserved exactly how they have always been, whereas here (like most cities), they leave the token important buildings and build new, modern skycrapers and such in place of all of the other things they've torn down. Even the baseball park (ahhhhh) is a good example of this. Fenway opened on April 20, 1912, and very little has changed. All of the changes that are made to the park are additions, not subtractions, and many of them are made from recycled parts of the park from other renovations and such. Here in NY, they take their most historic team, with one of the most famous stadiums in history, build a completely un-needed 1.3 BILLION dollar facility across the street, and will tear down the old one with all the memories as soon as the other one is ready.

Sad Times

So after falling absolutely in love with a new city, and realizing I was pretty much made for it, I've basically decided that if God wills it, I will be living there when I graduate. I cannot wait!

I went to Rockaway, but not to play golf on the beach

(For those who are unaware, the above is a Seinfeld reference. Kramer goes out to Rockaway and treats the shore like a driving range.)

After several weeks of discussion and planning, Gloria, her daughters, and I finally went to Rockaway beach Sunday after church.

Having been to Coney Island twice, I decided it was time to try out a new stretch of sand. Rockaway is out by JFK Airport in Queens. It's a long peninsula and there is NOTHING near it but the airport.

Riding on the A-Train out there, we crossed over the water and little islands and such, which loosely resembled crossing the Bonnet Carre, but with a few more camps. People were jetskiing and fishing and such, and nothing resembling the city could be seen.

Then you get to the peninsula, and it looks like a slightly-more-crowded Bay St. Louis of sorts (with more condos on the beach). I could definitely see how people would want to live out there. It's secluded, it's clean, and there's like, four miles of beach! The only issues is that it is not close to ANYTHING by train, so a car would be pretty much a necessity.

Gloria and her two girls, Jessica and Jasmin, were soooo much fun! We also had another guy from church, Eric, who I'd never met before, and his son Ryan. We set up a little spot on the super-crowded beach, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I actually played in the water! The temperature was great and the waves were unbelievable! I kept thinking how fun it would be to have Bethany's ocean kayak out there with me.

It was so nice to go out and relax in the sun. Sunday ended up being the perfect day for the beach. Not to hot, sunny, a nice breeze, and mild temperatured water.

Monday, I went with Ema to go deliver some stuff to a church, and on the way home, our CAB DRIVER got pulled over! Imagine that! He had crossed lanes without using his signal (who in NY does?), and he was talking on his cell phone (who in NY doesn't?). The funny thing was he lied to the cop, saying that he was not on his cell phone. The cop not only had seen him on it, but he had two witnesses in the car! So the other cop in the car hailed us a new cab, and we had to move all of our stuff out of the trunk into the other car just to drive another ten blocks or so.

Tonight is the Oteil Burbridge concert at church. He is the bass player for the Allman brothers, and is doing a free show at Graffiti to help us reach out to the neighborhood and promote Saturday's big Paint the Town project. I've got so much work to do to get ready for the show. Phone calls to make, things to set up, etc... That's pretty much what my day will consist of, and tommorrow will be making follow-up calls to remind people about Saturday.

Friday, is pretty much the most exciting day so far. I'm going to BOSTON!!!!!! I've been wanting to go there forever, and after getting back from Philly and seeing how easy it was just to go, I suggested going to Boston, since its only 30 dollars by bus. So at 7am Friday morning, we're hopping a greyhound and will be in Bo-town by 11:30! I'm sooooooo incredibly excited. I didn't think I'd actually get to go to Boston while here this summer, but we bought the tickets yesterday, so it's official!

Goal of the day- to spot this guy:

A Lazy Couple of Days

Friday morning I got up early and met Charlotte at Battery Park for a trip to Ellis Island. I'd been to the island before, but it's been two years, and being a history major, I could always use a refresher course.

I enjoyed it, but I got the same impression as last time. The building has been restored, but it's also been modernized. The only room that's restored to look as it did when it was a functioning immigration center was the recieving room. I'm not a big fan of modernizing history. I think that's why I liked Edgar Allan Poe's house so much. It wasn't made to look like anything fake, it looked as much like it did when he lived there as possible.

We were going to go to the Guggenheim, but we stopped at church so Charlotte could make some qick phone calls. I took a nap. We decided to leave at about 4, and Charlotte called to see when they closed. Much to our dismay, they were closing at 5:45, so by the time we got there we'd only have about an hour to see everything. Not wanting to be rushed, we opted against going. Instead, we made the trip back to Queens, where we bought some watermelon and watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off with Kyle's family.

This time, I managed to get home at a decent hour. I went to bed around midnite, and set my alarm to wake up for eight. I hate even sleep that late, but I figured I'd give myself some rest since I didn't have anywhere to be. Imagine my horror when I woke up at 10:45!! I couldn't tell you the last time I slept that late. I lazed around for a while, brought some laundry to the basement, and then bummed a little more.

I decided to go to the Museum of Natural History, since it's in my neighborhood and I've been talking about going. I knew that it too closed at 5:45 so I wouldn't have excessive time to browse (seeing as how it was already three when I left my house), but nonetheless, I went, and enjoyed it. I bought a ticket to the planetarium show, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There were some exhibits I would have liked to take a closer look at, but at least I got to see them.

(by far, the Asian Peoples exhibit was my favorite, but maybe its because it was the only one I really took alot of time in)

For the walk home, I decided to take Columbus, which I never do, and I discovered a Jaques-imo's behind the museum on 78th!!! This one is owned by the same guy who owns the highly-reccomended one uptown in New Orleans. Despite it's high prices, I may have to make my way up there soon for a taste of home. They did have a side of jambalaya for six dollars...

All along I've been thinking Mara's Homeade in the East Village was my only option. It's amazing how I never realized how different our menus are down there than everywhere else. Things that are standard at just about any non-chain restaurant in Louisiana are rare gems found only at specialty places here! To those of you back home, TREASURE your easy access to things like crawfish etouffee and bread pudding. This is something I will never take for granted again!

I went to the cafe down the block, grabbed a sandwhich, came home and bummed around some more. Soon, I will go to bed. So good night!

Random Thought on New Orleans Rap Music....

While at Yankee Stadium, I heard the song "This is the way I Live" by Baby Boy being played over the loudspeaker.

I being the country fan that I am, have never really been one to enjoy rap music. Seeing as how I went to a high school full of people that thoroughly enjoy the genre, I was quite exposed to it from about sixth grade on up. I mostly associate it with football season, because for some reason, it seems like that was the time of year I heard it the most.

I think it had something to do with the cheerleading bus.

This song in particular was a big hit on the local scene my senior year of high school. When I hear it, I am immediately drawn back to Friday nights, lights, after-parties, and Taco Bell.

So here I am, sitting in Yankee Stadium, enjoying a memorable experience, and along comes a song from another memorable part of my life. I turn to Ashely and I say, "This guy's from the Westbank, like me. He grew up about ten minutes from where I grew up." I just thought it was interesting.

Today again, Ema and I were driving to New Jersey and we were looking for a radio station, and somehow we got on the topic of New Orleans rap, and I brought up that song again. It was one of those few rap songs I ever actually liked. I don't know why, but something about it was catchy.

Then, tonight, I heard the song on a myspace profile, so I listend to the words. This was the national hit version, which is different from the local one (he also had a version about The Saints this past season- from what I can tell he doens't write new songs, he just keeps recycling the old one). In listening to the words, I realize that most of the song is about "reppin' the Westbank." He talks of working out at French Riviera Spa, and mentions Marrerro at least three times. I typically never listen to lyrics of rap songs, so I'd never noticed any of this before.

So it hits me, here I was, two weeks ago, in Yankee Stadium, and over the loudspeaker was playing a song about my little corner of the world.

Hows that for a small world?

To My Wonderful Family, Who Can't Read Purple On Black

I changed the colors once again at the request of MaMaw and Aunt GiGi. If you can't read the yellow on black, let me know, but if you can't read it chances are you don't know that I just said that.

Funny story, today, MaMaw almost lost her blue comb. Yes, the blue comb she's been using since she was my age, along with that orange brush. Apparently, combs are not allowed into the district attorneys office for fear that they may be used as weapons. As a child who's life was touched by the comb, I might be able to agree with this assumption. Many very poofy hairstyles resulted from the combination of these items being used on my, and my cousin's, and some of my friends' hair.

We all know that if either of these styling items were to be lost permenantly, MaMaw would never again have presentable hair, and the loss might be taken as a serious tragedy among those of us who have had experiences with the brush and comb. Many of my childhood hairstyles were enhanced by the magic teasing ability of the orange pointy brush, which apparently, you can't buy anywhere anymore. Someday, when I am in my sixties, I hope to be styling the hair of my own grandchildren with the orange brush and blue comb. I might throw in a curling iron covered in hairspray, just for kicks.

Good memories

(I wish I had a picture to enlighten those of you who do not know about these tools)

GASP, and Bobby

Yesterday I helped out with the Graffiti Afternoon Summer Program at church. Kyle was short one person to help with the 4-6 graders, so I was recruited to join the team. It was a pretty fun day, lots of Guitar Hero. During devotion, one of the kids asked "Why do they always say that God was Jesus's father?" to which we responded, "Because he was." (what else would be the explanation?) She then proceeded to say "No, Joseph was his father." We had to explain that Joseph was sort of an "adopted" father, which lead to some kids mumbling "No, he was his stepfather," etc... Interesting to see the kinds of things kids ask and are willing to argue about.

Today was very slow. I didn't have much work to do at all, I just made a few phone calls, sent some e-mails, etc... Peter said his office (which is the office I work out of), was too hot and he didn't want to make me come up there unless he had something he really needed me to do, so he told me to call it a day pretty early. I met with Ema for a little while. We've been reading this great book about all of the basic Christian beliefs we should know and understand, and then discussing it once a week.

I went to the Manhattan Mall for the first time today, only to discover that there is a Steve and Barry's there, and that it is as cheap and wonderful as I've heard. I bought an LSU shirt for eight dollars, and a nice one at that. After shopping for a little while, I came home, cooked a pop-tart for dinner, and watched Bobby. If you have not yet seen this movie, and are at all interested in history circa 1968, take the time to watch it, it's fabulous. 1968 just so happens to be one of my favorite years, but that is part of the nerdy side of me coming out. I absolutely loved it, and will probably buy it when I get home. There's something about that whole late-sixties cold-war-era that gets me every time.

Graffiti

My church is pretty much amazing. The people there come from every possible background, and it's so interesting to see how, as children of God, we are all one in the same, despite our differences. The general atomosphere of it all is undescribable. I cannot imagine how anyone could ever possibly feel uncomfortable there.

Today we had a meal after small group time. I made Potato Salad, South Louisiana Style... It went over pretty well, from what I could tell, unless everyone was lying to make me feel better. Either way, I enjoyed it, and since I don't cook very often, when something I make goes over well, I am very proud. (Like that macaroni casserole for thanksgiving.....)

Back to the point.

Fellowship meals at my church are so great. There are no cliques. No particular person is expected to sit by any other particular people. This is how it should always be at a church. Sure, after the meal is done we sortof migrated over toward our friends, but eating a meal together is one of the best ways to get to know other people, so there is no reason not to sit by at least one person you don't know very well.

We do the same thing on Wednesday nights, only the Wednesday meal is more of a community outreach, and it's not potluck.

People from the neighborhood and the church come in and get a free hot meal, which is served to them at the table by volunteers from within the church. This is such a special time to me, as it is to the other summer missionaries. We really get to know the people we are reaching out to and thier stories. Many of the people who come don't have much of anything or anyone, and it's such a great time for them to get to come and tell us their stories. I love to hear what they have to say. We've got former artists, pilots, you name it. There is so much to learn from these people and I'm so glad I get the opportunity to do it. After the meal, there is a Bible study, which has become one of my favorite times of the week. Some people don't stay, but there are many that do.

Saturdays is F.L.I.P. (Free Lunch in the Park). The church is but a half a block away from Tompkins Square Park, which is a charming little place. Many people live in the park, or in squats and tenaments around it. On Saturdays, volunteers from Graffiti, and mission teams, prepare a bag lunch, for these people. They line up in massive numbers. Then Vaughn, one of the most faithful and amazing servant-hearted people I've ever met, leads a Bible study for those that want to stay. If ever you are in New York on a Saturday, you should contact the church about helping with FLIP because it is a true blessing.

This weekend was Graffiti's first Paint the Town project. Throughout the week a mission team helped paint the school at the corner of our block: St. Brigids. Then on Saturday, we invited people from the church and the community to help us finish painting and to do some general cleaning, gum scraping, tape removing, etc.... We didn't have as many show up as expected, but it all got done.

One of the guys who came to help was someone I'd called a few weeks ago when looking for volunteers. He told me he had work the night before, but he'd be there. I told him it was okay if he couldn't make it, or if he wanted to sleep in and come by later on, but he insisted it would be no problem. Sure enough, he got off work at 7, and was at church at 9, having only one hour of sleep, and ready and willing to do whatever was needed of him.

This is the type of person we should all look up to.

I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with a church in the city with such amazing people who have a heart to serve the community. There are a million more things I could talk about, but you'd get sick of reading them. Check out the website if you get a chance though!

The Truth is Out There

I've come in contact with several people in my life who live in a very sheltered world. Something about this way of living has always bothered me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Thanks to Rob Bell, I think I've got it.

"Christian is a great noun, and a horrible adjective," he says. I've heard this quoted before, but until I read it, it didn't start to sink in.

A person I know, like many others, only believes in reading "Christian" books and watching "Christian" movies. This person doesn't like having a child in public school because of the "things she is exposed to." I've never agreed with this. Sure we are supposed to be in the world but not of the world, but whether we want to face it or not we are, in fact, in the world.

How are we supposed to reach out to those who don't know Christ if we don't know anything about their lifestyles? Besides, what makes something "Christian"? Does it have to have a cross on the cover? Does it have to be written by a pastor?

God made everything right? Everything around us is true. He is the truth, and though we as humans have distorted some things, inherently, all things are true, and Jesus the truth. Right?

I'm not gonna lie, some "Christian" music is really bad, as in, it is a disgrace to the artform of music. Some non-"Christian" music is really good and beautiful. If God gave us good a beautiful music to listen to, then it is in fact glorifying him. Just because the lyrics are not referring to him does not mean it is not there for us to see and appreciate and thank him for. This is not to say that music that sounds beautiful but has horrible, vulgar, disgusting lyrics is directly from God and we should listen to it all the time, but a good John Mayer love song is not going to hurt us.

And believe me, I do thank God for John Mayer.

The point is, as Christians, we have the ability to find God in everything, so we shouldn't limit ourselves to things that have the word "Christian" in front of them.

Also, just as a side note, something that has always bothered me: The point of "Christian" bands and "Christian" writers and such should be to reach out to those who don't know God in the way that they do. How can this be done if in every music store and every book store there is a seperate section for these things? Within the "Christian" section at music stores you find every type of music from rap to southern gospel. You'd never find things organized this way elsewhere. Why should they all be lumped together because the lyrics have a common theme. If that is the case, every music store should have a "love" section, an "angry" section, and a "poetic" section, in which you might find 50 Cent and Harry Connick Jr. in the same spot because they both sang songs about New Orleans. So why do we do this with "Christian" music. It's never going to be listened to by those who might very much need to hear it if it is kept in a section that no non-believer is ever going to be browsing.

I could go on about this. It's one of those things that bothers me.

Rob Bell also pointed out that as missionaries, it is not our job to bring God to people in places that have never been reached. God is everywhere. He is in all places. It is our job is to help people see God. He suggests changing the word missionary to tour guide. Tour guides simply help people see things that have always been there, they just never knew it before. That is the same thing missionaries do. God has always been the provider of food even to those who don't know him. He was always the one who made the trees, and the clouds, and the water. He is everywhere, and for us to try to carry him to places where he has never been can be pretty heavy, and when we get there, we will only find out that he is already there, and that we have wasted that extra energy.

The Rocket, Potato Chips, The Liberty Bell, and Greyhound Busses

My life in New York is full of blessings.

Monday night, I finally did what every sports fan must do at some point in life or another (and unfortunately they've only got the rest of this season, and next season to do so). I went to a game in Yankee Stadium. They're building a completely pointless 1.3 BILLION dollar new stadium across the street rather than using that money for something necessary, like, oh I dunno, world hunger. They're demolishing the current one. You could feed an African country for a year on 1.3 billion dollars! George Constanza never would have stood for this!

Part of me, you know, the part that is dedicated to the Red Sox, advised against attending the game, seeing as how if it were revealed that I was a Boston fan, I might have gotten thrown off the Tier. Fortunately, no murders occured at the game, except for that of the poor Minnesota Twins. I witnessed history, the Rocket (that guy who sold his soul to the Yankees), pitched win #350, and though being there for that meant that the Yankees had to win, it was definitely something that not many people can say that they saw (about 63,000 to be exact-but think of that number in terms of the 6 billion people on earth). I am beyond grateful to the mission team up at Graffiti 2 for allowing Ashley to invite friends.

While at the game, Laura called me and told me that she had seen that I had received her package. This was a fact I was unaware of, but it didn't take me long to figure out that this unseen package contained the Louisiana delicacy I'd been craving since I stepped off the plane- Tabasco chips. First thing in the morning on Tuesday, I ran downstairs to ask if anyone had seen this package. No one knew what I was talking about. Sad times.

A few hours later, David, the new guy, came up to Emas office holding a large brown box with my name on it. I immediately grabbed the scissors and ripped it open, finding in it FIVE beautiful red and green bags! I called Laura to tell her I'd finally gotten them, and then opened a bag and shared it with Ema- to prove to her that my insane craving was not, in fact, insane. Laura told me she had sent me four bags so they'd last a while, but I informed her that she had sent me five, which took her by surprise. I then noticed that there was a Baton Rouge address on the box. Slightly strange, but in my excitement, I disregarded it.

Not much later I decided that there must be a reason the return address was not in Ruston, so I opend the letter inside, which I was waiting to read until after work, only to find out that these chips were not from Laura, they were from Josh. This was completely unexpected, so even though the surpise factor of receiving chips from Laura had been taken away when she called me, it was restored when I realized that these were not Laura's chips.

Doing the math?

Yes, that means that when I finally found Laura's chips (which had gotten there Friday but were tucked away into the wrong place), I had a total of NINE bags of Zapps Creole Tomato Tobasco chips. To the both of you, I am beyond grateful! (Laura also sent me the sports page from the Shreveport newspaper to keep me up on what is going on in Louisiana sports, in case I was out of the loop...)

In the midst of all this, Kyle finally convinced me that missing the Macy's fireworks show I'd been looking forward to all summer would not be all that bad, and that spending Independence Day in the place where that whole independence thing occured would be way better. So after a fabulous cooking class/small group devotional thing at church lead by the one-and-only Theresa Osbourne, Kyle and Charlotte spent the night here at the Association, where we watched National Treasure and got ourselves pumped up for the long day ahead. We left my apartment at 6:35ish en route for the Port Authority Bus Terminal. By 6:45 we were on the bus. Because tickets do not guarantee you a seat on a particular bus, we got there over an hour before the bust was to leave, so imagine our surprise when it pulled out at 7 oclock. Apparently we'd gotten on the 7 bus rather than the 8 bus, which means we got to Philly over an hour earlier than expected.

This was the beginning of a long and super fun day in the City of Brotherly Love. We started out in the historic district, hitting up the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, etc... Because we were in Philly, we had to have a Philly cheese steak for lunch. We walked to the Deleware, which is crossed by the absolutely beautiful Benjamin Franklin bridge, then wandered aimlessly looking for things to do. We wound up in a someone questionable area, and decided to turn around, but looked up and saw the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. This was the house where he lived when he was in Philadelphia. It is the best preserved house I've ever visited. The National Parks service stripped the paint from the walls because apparently, Poe lived in the house when it was first built and houses could not be painted back then when they were first built because it took a few years for plaster to settle. The floors were all original, and there was no furniture because no record exists of the furniture in the house (and you wouldn't want just some random furniture around misleading you about what it actually looked like when they lived there). The guy running the place was one of the nicest people ever, and was very passionate about his job. The tour was self-guided but he was there ready to answer questions (and boy did he know the answers). He warned us not to go any farther north so we headed back downtown.

The rest of the day was alot of aimless wandering. I determined that Philadelphia is the cleanest city I've ever been to. I don't recall seeing any trash in the downtown area at all, and there was no "signature stench" like there is in most cities (New Orleans's being a mixture of vomit and beer). Unfortunately, the 4th of July festivities were taking place in front of the art museum, so there was no running up the stairs, and no taking pictures with the Rocky statue. We found the Eastern State Penetentiary, which was way awesome but was closing for the rest of the day when we arrived, so no tour for us.

Then came the rain! It rained and rained and rained and rained. We found a spot in front of a branch of the art museum across from the main one, where we settled in. We huddled up in a corner of the covered entranceway, set our umbrelleas out in front of us, and played the kind of games you play on a road trip for an hour-and-a-half or so, only to find out that the rain was not dying down, so the fireworks were cancelled. By eleven thirty, after walking through the rain back to the bus station, we were over half way there (which was clear across town), and the cops told us that fireworks were back on. So we turned around, walked a few blocks to place where we had a clear view, and stood in the center of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, along with thousands of other people who'd done the same thing as us, and watched a spectacular show. It was one of those moments that's burned in my brain, not the fireworks show so much and the blessing of it all. Such a perfect end to a glorious day. I just kept thinking of how amazing it was that after all the crazy weather, and even though we were exhausted, God allowed the rain to stop for long enough to let us see a wondeful show in the middle of the streets of Philadelphia. I can't fully describe the feeling, but it was something I will never forget.

The ride home was not nearly as comfy as the ride over there, we were in the bus depot for over two hours, an hour of which was spent sitting on the floor near the front of the line waiting to get on. The bus was late arriving, and then was PACKED, which means its a good thing we were at the front of the line because alot of people were turned away to wait for the next bus. I sat next to a guy who was way to relaxed and therefore I was only able to use a little more than half of my seat, and since he did not speak English, and I do not speak any more Spanish than is necessary to tell Mexican children to quite down, calm down, stop touching me, etc..., I learned to deal with it. There were also several groups of people speaking in very loud Spanish all over the bus. I slept for the entirity of the trip, minus the part where the guy got up to go to the bathroom, and when I stood up to let him back in, he kept telling me somehting in Spanish and wouldn't sit down (I think he wanted to give me the window seat, but I was half asleep and all I wanted was for him to sit down before I passed out standing up). The next thing I knew, we were in the Lincoln tunnel, and within fifteen minutes, I was at my apartment. What a blessing to be able to sleep despite the horrid bus conditions.

Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday, and once again, it was wonderful. This was one of those adventures I will remember forever!

This is an interesting article about my block. Apparently, I live in the old New York Edison showroom- HOW COOL IS THAT? Thanks to Josh for sending it to me.

(sorry this was so long, I had alot to say, and you probably didn't read it all anyway)

This is the Life

Where do I even begin?

This week I have been pretty busy with Paint the Town stuff. It's down to the wire so there have been lots of last minute phone calls and accomodations to be made. Even still, I've had much time to reflect, especially since my phone has been broken...

My phone stopped working Monday afternoon for good, and each day I have thought that I'd only be without it for one more day, but little things have kept that from happening. The new phone is officially in the mail and I should get it tommorrow! In the meantime, I've learned to use landlines again (BTW- if ever you call me at the landline number I've been giving out you have to leave a message at my extension, otherwise I never know you've called!).

The big thing I'd been looking forward to this week was the Graffiti Staff Fun Day at Coney Island on Thursday. Come Wedenseday, I was all pumped. It had been two summers since my last trip to America's Playground, and I was super psyched to get to go back and brave the Cyclone once again! Unfortunately, the weather report was grim. Wednesday night we even sent a few people home from church for fear of blackouts and the inability to get home as a result. Plans were changed and it was decided that we would meet at Outback for lunch. Not quite as exciting as Coney Island, but it ended up being a blast. Taylors rule was that we all must come with stress-free minds and not think about anything work-related. We showed up, got to hang out with so many of the awesome people I've been blessed with this summer, and the church payed for the meal. Free meals in New York are ALWAYS a blessing. I cannot describe how much fun I had.

The other summer missionaries and I had been talking to Kevin from church about going to Coney Island later to make up for it. So Friday, we headed out as a group, along with his interns who were SO MUCH FUN, to brave a day of all that is sketchy and awesome about one of America's truly great neighborhoods. It was cloudy at first, so no one was there, then the sun came out. We had a great spot right near one of the jetties and relaxed on the beach. Of course, I had to ride the Cyclone again (I was excited just to get to do it ONCE in my life, but now I've done it twice!!!!!). Ashely and I walked up to the boardwalk, rode the Cyclone, and, in the grand tradition of boardwalks and carnivals, ate a funnel cake. We then met up with the rest of the group and made our way back to Manhattan.

I'd heard nothing but amazing things about the famous Magnolia Bakery, and since Lydia, one of the other Graffiti missionaries, works there, Charlotte, Ashley, and I went there when we got back. I'd never made my way out to the West Village/ Greenwhich Village area before, and I must say, it is my new favorite Manhattan neighborhood (next to my own dear Upper West Side that is). For those that don't know, that is the neighborhood where the characters from Friends lived, so if you can imagine the area.... It was really really really nice. We stood in line for a while, the smell of fresh cupcakes keeping us from ever getting frustrated with the wait. Though not quite Maw Maw's cakes, they were definitely awesome, in a different kind of way. I give it my seal of approval. We then went to the Thai restaraunt in Hell's Kitchen where I first hung out with Bethany, and I got my first taste of Bangkok cuisine on my first trip to the city two and a half years ago. I'd been wanting to go back ever since, and it was EXACTLY how I remembered it (which I can't say for many of the places I've made repeat visits to).

Saturday morning, I thought I was going to have just another boring Saturday off, but I woke up and went down to Graffiti to help with FLIP (Free Lunch In the Park). There was a mission team of four ladies from South Carolina there. They wanted to go down to the financial district and see Ground Zero, ride the Staten Island Ferry, etc... Seeing as how that is my favorite of the "tourist" areas, and I'd never gotten around to the Staten Island Ferry, I was eager to be their "tour guide" when they were looking for one. We ended up having a blast. These three ladies were such a blessing to me! I cannot even describe how much fun I had with them! Such a wonderful group, we really bonded. We've exchanged numbers, emails, etc..., and I'm already planning a trip up to Charleston to see them (which works out since I've been dying to go to Charleston). Today after church we went out to Max Brenner, along with Lorie (our amazing youth director) and they ended up buying my lunch. Such sweet ladies! They're also planning on coming back around Christmas time, so we're gonna try to work it out so they come at the same time as the BCM and we can do mission work together! I cannot wait to get to hang out with them again!

This is the "condensed" version of my life for the past week or so. So much has happend and I've had so many blessings, ups-and-downs, and all in between that I could not possibly write about it all in one post. I guess I need to start doing this on a more nightly basis...

So much has happened, but I'll tell you about most of it later.

I have been so incredibly busy these past few days that I haven't gotten a chance to update you on what's been going on! The upside to this is that one of the reasons I haven't been able to sit down and type about all of these occurences is the fact that I no longer live in an office, and as a result, do not yet have internet in the new place.

Yes, no more room with no view, no bathroom, no fridge. I now live in a cozy one bedroom on the fourth floor, which has FIVE windows as opposed to ZERO, a very large private bathroom, and a precious little kitchen. I should soon be getting a desk set up in my living room and they're going to run an internet cable down there. Since it is normally rented out as private residence (it is where Ema was living until two weeks ago), there is currently not a connection to the office phone/internet, etc... They're kindly enough making exceptions for me: letting me live there rent free and letting me mooch off the office so I don't have to set up one month of interent service (though getting cable wouldn't be so bad).

I almost feel like I am taking advantage of them, but they offered, insisted actually, so I am considering it a blessing.

My camera is currently charging, but I have many pictures from the past few days' events, and will post them and give more detail when I get a chance (which will probably be this afternoon). I haven't yet taken any pictures of the new place because I want to wait until I get my desk set up in the living room (right now it looks a little empty- an entertainment center with nothing on it and a bookshelf with about four books and a CD case).

Until then, I'm going to church. Have a fabulous Sunday afternoon!

We Made it Through the Night

Friday morning I did something I never do.

I went to bed without setting an alarm.

The idea was I was going to let myself sleep until my body woke me up. Seeing as how I love mornings, this was a tough decision, but I knew that facing me was an event that would require every bit of energy I could conjure up: the youth lock-in at Graffiti.

Since my body wakes me up super early, I had to make myself go back to sleep a couple of times. Finally, at about ten oclock, I got up and went to brunch with Ema. She and I hadn't had a chance to hang out and talk in a while, so since we were both taking the morning off, we decided to take advantage of the time. We had been talking about going to Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man, for a very long time, and let me just say, I could go there for brunch every week if I had the money. I started off with dark hot chocolate in a "hug mug," which is a mug specially designed for cupping with both hands. I then had tutti fruity waffles: waffles with chocolate syrup, piled with fresh blueberries and strawberries, with a vial of extra hot fudge sauce, toffe-bannanas, and whipped cream on the side. Can you say amazing? And for dessert (as if I needed a dessert), I got a slice of chocolate pizza. Not only is this place full of chocolate, but the music and lighting are very inviting, it's really an experience. If ever I am in New York with you, I will take you there since it is now my favorite place.

I didn't want to do anything that required energy, so I spent most of the rest of the day lounging in the windown of the Union Square Barnes and Noble with a few books about architecture, famous murders, bridges, etc.... the kinda stuff that I am amused by, but can be flipped through. Then I made my way down to SoHo in search of Tabasco Chips. It was a half success, I did find Zapps potato chips, Creole Tomato Tabasco was not one of the flavor choices. Sad times.

I soon made my way back to the association to change into something super comfortable and meet up with Ema again to head to Graffiti. This was the start of an AMAZING night.

We ended up with several girls, and three boys (which proportionatly worked out worker-wise since we only had one guy to help us). I had SOOOOOOO much fun I can't even describe. We began the night with a city-wide scavenger hunt. The girls toted us around with them to find all of their items. Things like "make a hot dog vendor smile," "become friends with a horse and buggy," "make and exchange in front of the exchange," "build a pyramid-bonus if you involve a new friend," "get something free from a food establishment," "sit on a bench at Herald's square," etc.... Talk about fun!!!!! These girls are a blast. Most of our group was about 13 or 14, which has recently become my favorite age. I really bonded with some of them, and I hope to see the ones who don't normally come to church come back around over the summer.

For the rest of the night, we played lots of games. My team didn't win a single one, but we had alot of fun trying! They were really good sports about it. We watched a Nooma video and had a short small group time, and then we watched The Others because Lorie determined it was a clean scary movie- which is true. After fighting off sleep, we made it all the way to 6, at which time we hurried the kids home so we could hurry home and go to bed. I slept until 2.

The rest of the day was enjoy New York while waiting for loads of laundry to finish so I wouldn't have to go up and down those six flights of stairs each time my clothes were done. I had a sandwich in the park, went to Barnes and Noble on 81st, went to F.A.O. Scwartz and Dylans Candy Bar, etc... I went home, watched Fried Green Tomatoes on Netflix, which I am now a member of, and went to bed at a decent hour.

Today after church I went to Queens to where everyone else lives. Kyle, Charlotte, and I went to the park down the street which I have heard them say a thousand times they were going to visit, and explored the woods, yes, the woods. There is a wildlife reserve in their neighborhood, and when you are in it, it feels more like Mississippi than New York City. It was sooooo nice. For the first time in weeks I was in a place where not a building could be seen.

I then hung out there for a while. Theresa brought home KFC, and we watched Zoolander, which I had been having the urge to watch often lately. It was a very good and relaxing day. I am now fully recovered from my thrown-off sleep pattern night.

Life on the Red Line

I cannot possibly explain exactly how I feel about this city.

Within this one place, there are so many different places, each with their own touch of charm. By simply hopping on the 2 train, I can jump from one world to another one stop at a time.

I get on in a quiet world of You've Got Mail Kathleen Kelly butteflies with Grey's Papaya hotdogs, Riverside Park, Central Park, Zabars, the Beacon Theatre, and all of the other wonderful things that go along with being a West Sider.

In a matter of three minutes, I can be in the center of all that is flashy and bright. Broadway shows, marquees galore, supersized Toys R Us, Bryant Park, overpriced souvenier shops, and all MTV.

One stop down is the Miracle on 34th Street, where to me, it will always feel like Christmas, or Valentines day, or any other holiday where a great movie has caputre the essence of all that is, what I like to call, the Macy's district. I can look up and see the tallest and by far most famous building in the city (which doesn't look all that tall when you're standing underneath it), and I feel as though I've been flashback to An Affair to Remember or some equally as wonderful classic New York movie.

Next comes Union Square, protests included. Here's where I can find people roaming about with dogs on leashes, trees, Barnes and Noble, and chain retail shops one on top of the other.

Flash forward to the Financial District. The center of New York history pre-1930s, and the economy of pretty much the entire world. With great views of all that is American and patriotic, including a gaping hole in the street reminding us tragedy and the fight for triumph over it, the Financial District is pretty much my favorite place to spend a quiet morning. Here you have Trinity church, the Stock Exchange, Battery Park, I could go on... With the hustle and bustle of people all around, there's nothing like sitting on the steps in front of ole G-Dub with a bagel and a bottle of water watching the people run around and manage the crazy numbers that somehow affect my day-to-day existance in this country.

Pop on over the Brooklyn, my favorite of the Buroughs. Get off at Clark and try to imagine what it must have been like in 1875 when across the river the tallest skyscraper was the spire of Trinity, and up above was rising the most amazing structure you'd ever seen and trying to figure out if after all the work, money, and political turmoil it would still be standing five years from now (not to mention in 2007).

I could stay on and make my way through Brooklyn, but typically this is where my life on the Red Line ends. I might switch to yellow, or walk back across the bridge, but isn't it amazing all of the things I have seen by simply walking outside my front door, going about half a block, and hopping on a single train?

Quest to Find Tabasco Chips

In Mexico I was introduced to all that is wonderful about the Zapps current limited edition chip: Spicy Creole Tomato, or, as I refer to them, Tabasco Chips. Never would I have thought that a chip whose main sell is the red and green diamond design and a cartoon bottle of hot sauce would have become a favorite, but it has, and I miss it.

I've heard rumor that Dean and Delucca sells Zapps chips for a whopping three bucks a bag. I'd be willing to pay three dollars for a quick fix of creole tomato before this limited edition goes back into the archives. I've also done some research online to find a few other places in the city that sell the Gramercy brand, and so far, I've come up with three spots to check out, one of which offers the chips for $1.25.

The kosher version of the Zapp, known as "Dirty Chips," I have begun to see more and more frequently, but I haven't yet found their long lost brother. I am determined, and I must do this soon, the Tabasco chips have been around for several months now and are bound to change at any moment. OH THE HORROR!!!

To make up for the lack of Louisiana food specialties, I have become pretty much addicted to something that is all but common back home: Dunkin Donuts. I can think of two locations in New Orleans, and none in Baton Rouge. Why is this? First of all, Baton Rouge does not have Tastee Donuts (or any of its renamed counterparts), where I can get a good old souther fried donut with the hint of a nasty smoke taste that somehow makes it what it is. I've never been a fan of Krispy Kreme (why someone thought that ALL donuts were meant to be glazed is beyond me), but as for variety, it's the closest thing we have to a DD, and the only one is, well, on Plank Rd. The thrill in going to Krispy Kreme is not the overly sweet donut with sprinkles, rather it is the trip out there and the adventure that comes with being scared for one's life with all of one's closest friends in tow.

There is something about a donut with vanilla frosting that makes me smile on the inside. I am a pretty big fan of the basic vanilla with sprinkles, or the marble (vanilla and chocolate frosting....), so I get at least one of those on each trip, along with a flavor I haven't yet tried, to keep a hint of unpredictability in my donut experience. I wouldn't call it the healthiest habit, but I am in New York, and with all of the walking and stair-climbing I do, I don't feel too bad about it.

Dunkin Donuts is to New York what CCs coffee is to Baton Rouge, minus that whole local flare thing. There is one on every corner. I'm thinking we need to pick up on this.

Return to Normalcy

I've just realized how strange it is going to be to return to Baton Rouge.

I've gotten used to the lifestyle up here, and I feel like I've lived here forever. For a little while, I started questioning what ever made me think I would want to live here all the time, and I thought it was strange that anyone else does, but now I'm thinking it's just a mood thing. I've been spending alot of time in Queens- which feels a bit more like the suburbs, and I've been with people alot, which makes a difference, and I'm starting to realize I could get used to this.

I still miss pretty much everything about home (except for maybe Baton Rouge traffic- we need a subway...). But I've come to realize that no matter where I live, I'm going to miss somewhere else.

This is not to say I'm moving here when I graduate or anything. To tell you the truth, I've got a long list of places I want to move when I graduate, and I have no idea which one is going to come in at number one. What I'm saying is that it is going to be a strange switch. I've gotten adjusted to this hopping on the train, walking everywhere, and having a million places to go and things to do whenever I am bored stuff. To be cliche, it's life in the fast lane. Going home is going to require slamming on the brakes and slowing down.

ALOT

Remembering That I Love this Place

For a short while, I had forgotten just how much I love New York. I'd been bored and lonely and missing home. It's like New Orleans. I go through phases where I'm bored with the place in which I live, and it takes some fun times to remind me why it is I adore the place so much.

Thursday nigth we went out to Washington Square Park and the NYU student center to relax and enjoy the city. In the park, for a moment I thought I was back home. This jazz band was playing, a crowd was gathering, and it felt like I was in the Plaza across from Jackson Square (and as it turns out, one of my friends who lives in NYC full time said that last time she was in New Orleans, she saw the percussionist guy from this band playing on the street down there). We then went up to an 8th floor lounge to get a killer view of the city and talked until they were telling us we had to leave. I realized how much I adore these people, and how much I adore the New York skyline from any angle.















Yesterday, I woke up really early to go to see Brad Paisley play in the Good Morning America Concert Series in Bryant Park. Seeing as how New York is not exactly loaded with contry music fans, there weren't that many people there. After the show, he let the fans just walk up to the stage and signed autographs. So I have now met one of my favorite country stars!!!! What a great way to kick off the weekend.


I rushed back home because for the rest of the day, we helped Ema move to Queens, which ended up being an adventure. The move went very smoothly, dispite having to get rid of her favorite chair because it wouldnt fit up the stairs. Theresa, who has become our mother-figure in the city, had lunch prepared for us on the other side of Queens. All but me and two other graffiti missionaries, live in Theresa's house. All of the people I was with lived there. We mapped out a route since there are practically no cross-town subways in Queens, and after figuring out we had to walk from one station to another then transfer twice, we got on our way. Little did we know we'd end up waiting at one station for thirty minutes before realizing the train we needed doesn't run middays, and that the train we finally decided to get on was not stopping at the stop we needed it to. About two and a half hours later, we arrived safely at Theresa's house and were welcomed by a table that was quite nicely set up with sandwiches, cookies, chips, fruit, etc... It was like a little party. I felt very at home.

These are the kinds of things I've needed in my life since I've been here, and the past weekend has been full of them.

Today I woke up to find out that the floor where my shower is located was locked, so my day started a little later than planned because I had to wait for the door to be opend for me. I left the house at about one oclock en route to Brooklyn. Brooklyn is my favorite NY Borough, and I hadn't been there yet since I've been here. I needed to go to Target, so I made Brooklyn my destination for today. I went down to the financial district, grabbed lunch at a deli, and made my way to my bridge. It was definitely the most crowded I've ever seen it, but I've never walked it on a Saturday afternoon before. I then went to Brooklyn Heights, which is said by some to be the most beautiful neighborhood in New York City, and I must agree. It's so peaceful. It feels almost like a little Southern city, plus it provides a great view of Manhattan. After going to Target, attempting to make my way out to hang out with the others in Queens, and realizing it was probably best that I come home, I hopped on the 3 and made my way back to the Upper West Side.

I definitely needed these past few days, and man am I glad I have them.

Having a Purpose

For a few days I was getting really frustrated.

I was starting to really miss home and all that comes with being in Louisiana. The sights, the sounds, the food, and most of all the people. I love New York, there's no doubting that. It has just about everything one could ask for (except for free high speed internet anywhere outside of the college communities- but thats a different rant for a different day), but sometimes this little office space I live in gets a little lonely.

I then started questioning my purpose. I know God has a reason for my being here, but seeing as how I've had ALOT of time off, and have done pretty much nothing related to my project since day one, it's hard to see. Why would I be so far away from all the people I love if there's not a good reason?

So Ema, my excellent supervisor, started making phone calls and has been helping me find things that I can do to help local churches, and has been looking for Paint the Town related stuff that I can work on until the project kicks into full gear. I've helped out at Graffiti the past two days and it has been WONDERFUL. I have felt alot more productive. Kareem, the young-adult minister at Graffiti, suggested that I visit all of my Paint the Town churches and see what they need help with to prepare for the upcoming workweeks. Something so simple and obvious, yet I didn't think of it!

I can tell that those I asked to pray for me to find a purpose have been doing so, and that is very comforting. I'm starting to see more and more what I am doing here, and with being more busy, I'm having less time to dwell on all the things I miss. I still haven't fully grasped what I'm doing here, but I know that will come in time. For now, I'm enjoying every minute of this city and what it has to offer.