tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203285812024-03-13T01:22:52.938-05:00goldengreenandbluedays~ days when your eyes are wide open-- the sunlight is golden, the air is clear, the sky is blue, and all around you the world is alive and growing...~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-73388900246129803122013-10-30T05:36:00.003-05:002013-10-30T05:36:54.801-05:00Twiny-twin update at almost 10 months.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Treasure (Ochen), such a happy little guy.</div>
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Favor (Apio), very serious. </div>
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And.... just hanging out, relaxing on rural homestays!<br />
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-39821690051034138272013-09-10T13:42:00.000-05:002013-09-10T13:42:58.975-05:00Grandma MacDowell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
October 24, 1920- September 10, 2013</div>
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One of my favorite things about grandma- she never took herself or anything really, too seriously. (Except maybe praying.) Always good for a laugh, or a story recounted and recounted again and maybe even again. On any given day. And then again the next. Letter writing was her gift and her art, always updating, always thanking, always sharing the news in her deliberate, school girl cursive. She was forever reading, and doing crossword puzzles and scrabble, which only got more interesting as the years went by and she got more and more creative with the rules and exceptions to the rules. Half deaf for as long as I can remember, she would happily concoct her own version of whatever you might have said, especially if it afforded a good laugh. She was a lover of marmite and apple cider vinegar, molasses and buttermilk, and fresh bread. Oh, and dates. Her favorite. My crazy Canadian grandma who kept grandpa on his toes no doubt for 62+ years, and roses on the table. Mary Lois Wilamena Johnson MacDowell, and the one for who I am named. Miss you already, grandma. So much love.~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-67437179797670180732013-08-10T07:41:00.002-05:002013-08-10T22:49:55.828-05:00"Can't never did anything till he cut off his tail and had can"When I was in second grade my siblings and I stared going to a new school. We made the switch from a british school to an american school, and there were a lot of mysterious and intriguing things about this new school. We had a music teacher, Mr. Miller who had this saying posted in huge letters above the blackboard at the front of the music room. I puzzled over it for years... it conjured funny images in my head-- of cans with Eeyore like tails, de-tailed cans, and big silver scissors with black handles, the kind that teachers get to use. I had some sort of an idea about what it meant, but was never quite sure how it all made sense. It is still a funny thing to me.<br />
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I often wonder if and how little messages like this are internalized. I was thinking about it today as I cut my hair. Which, I do. A lot. Because I have short hair and it grows fast, and if it needs cutting, the fastest way to get it done is to just do it. (Thankgoodness for pretty forgiving hair...) Its something I've always loved about art and the creative process; you dream up something and you have to figure out how to make it happen. And then you do it. And you birth these otherly things into existence. Its crazy fun! And empowering. And you keep DOING things, cause you can. And you know you can, because you did. Anyhow, as I was cutting my hair, I thought of this little saying. And of Mr. Miller and it made me smile. And I wonder if that is where it all started. Here's to you, Mr. Miller, and cutting off our tails so we have can!<br />
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-54360002387933950432013-07-23T12:07:00.000-05:002013-07-23T12:07:03.565-05:00hiatus. So apparently I took a blogging hiatus. I don't know, maybe blogs have a lifespan. Maybe this ones time is up? Or maybe last semester was just insanely busy, and while I thought I could handle <a href="http://robinsonbaobab.wordpress.com/">two</a> blogs at once, no make that <a href="http://ugandastudiesprogram.blogspot.com/">three</a>... I couldn't quite pull it off. I'm still not sure I can... but I'm not quite ready to give up on this one yet either. Lets see how this semester goes. It looks promising. 20 students. Thats right, just 20! No accreditation team coming. No 'new' classes to develop and teach. Margaret is back, which means homestays are again a shared responsibility-- hooray! And... well... life is good! Things are really good. Two more weeks of 'summertime,' before we hit the office officially, August 5.<br />
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Some of my goals for the rest of 2013:<br />
- To work hard and play hard- meaning, enjoying the goodness and fullness of my job, but not letting it consume my life.<br />
- To find time/space to dust off a few little projects. (And keep blogging.)<br />
- To dig deeper and more intentionally into community here.<br />
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Ok, thats good for now. Don't want to get overly ambitious... So... heres to 2013, take two!<br />
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-66368962772530310002013-01-15T11:20:00.001-05:002013-01-15T11:20:32.284-05:00Treasure and Favor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Introducing Treasure and Favor. My brand spanking new godbabies! My beautiful friend and coworker Margaret gave birth to these two on January 7th, and I'm thrilled beyond imagination to be trusted and gifted as their godmother. I am growing rich with special godchildren. </div>
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-6395314759143211702012-11-17T04:39:00.002-05:002012-11-17T04:39:27.930-05:00October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
October was overwhelmingly full of good people and a lot of fun things: a visit from Katie, rural homestays, Sipi Falls, Meg's visit and all of a sudden we were in November. Just a few photos below of all the fun. (If you wondered at all why I've been so MIA here.)</div>
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Art exploration day in Kampala with Abby and Katie</div>
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Lunch at Touch of Class with Jones and Katie (Katie sampling all foods Ugandan)<br />
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Dinner with Lisa and Eddie and Katie<br />
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A fun trip to Jinja<br />
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Dinner at the Opols... Katie Margaret and I<br />
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Me and Karis</div>
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A week of rural homsetays with Tiffany<br />
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Meg and I enjoying some quality G&T's and golden delicious sunshine</div>
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Jordan, Tiffany, Ruth, Jones and Meg. Only missing Molly, Julie and Brendah! </div>
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And here we are and November is almost half over. Last month of the semester and we're heading into Christmas and all that good stuff. CRAZY.~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-37757071557865861642012-11-05T14:02:00.001-05:002012-11-05T14:02:54.930-05:00hope.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday I drove down to Entebbe and spent the better part of the afternoon enjoying the lakeside with Meg before dropping her off at the airport. It was a perfect, glowing Entebbe evening as I headed back. The golden scintillating sunlight behind, and in front of me, Kampala-- over which hung dark and heavy clouds. The contrast between where I was and where I was going made me a little giddy. A mass of storm clouds all piled on top of themselves on the horizon is always far more intense than when one is directly under them, but it was still dark overhead in town... dark with the Entebbe evening sun sneaking in from behind making it all absolutely gorgeous. </div>
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When driving through Kampala from Entebbe you come into the city on the Entebbe Rd, go through downtown and then head out on the Kampala/Jinja Road. Once you pass Lugogo, you are on your way home. Granted, this last leg (15 miles-ish?) can easily last an hour and a half or more at the wrong time... but on a Sunday afternoon it (usually) only takes 45 minutes. I passed Lugogo and was enjoying relatively clear roads, great music and the weather and I noticed a piece of rainbow to the left. A rainbow! </div>
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Now a cynic might say that its not all that surprising to happen upon multiple rainbows during the rainy season. True. However, I don't think they should be taken for granted. In the last month, I have seen some spectacular rainbows. And I have been in need of visible, tangible, beautiful hope. Hope outside of myself, beyond my capacity and regardless of my own ability TO hope, and these rainbows have been that for me. Last weekend in Sipi falls, I saw a beautiful <a href="http://robinsonbaobab.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/an-abundance-of-rainbows/">rainbow</a>. A couple of weeks earlier in Jinja, I saw perhaps the most complete and brilliant <a href="http://robinsonbaobab.wordpress.com/2012/10/14/claiming-rainbows/">rainbow</a> I've ever seen. I wanted another. </div>
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So I was driving home... on the home stretch of going home, and there it was... this sliver of rainbow to my left... I could appreciate that, it didn't have to be full to be hopeful. So, at probably more risk than I ought to admit to (to myself and all others on the road) I got out my camera (yes, while driving) to take a picture or two. And as I drove-- it got brighter and brighter. And it started to extend higher, arcing up and over... I kept snapping with a growing sense of excitement. </div>
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To my right was only clear blue skies, but my eye kept tracing the path of the would be full rainbow, and after a while, there on the horizon to my right (exactly where the pot 'o gold should have sat) was the other end of the rainbow. Its not like in itself it was all that shocking, except that it just seemed unreal to want it, to look for it, and to actually find it there. Not only that, but I kept watching it (and the road), and it too started to brighten and stretch upwards.... and somewhere around Seeta- the two halves met and over me stretched a beautiful full rainbow. </div>
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I don't know the future. I don't know what lies ahead or on the other side-- but I was heading home, and there it was, a beautiful, hopeful gateway for me to pass through. Not only metaphorically, but quite literally. And right now, when hoping on my own feels shaky, it was remarkably solid. </div>
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I strung together the contraband images I took (while driving), and like the rainbow itself, am surprised that they actually tell the full story. (And that I am still alive to post the story...!)</div>
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~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-92109145307707849232012-09-22T23:53:00.001-05:002012-09-22T23:53:22.059-05:00when in doubt, make banana bread...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My mom is wonderful. And famous for her incredible hospitality that comes always with a hot cup of tea and fresh banana bread. On days like these, when I feel a bit loose ended, and a longing for soul connections... I make a loaf of banana bread, my moms, which is the best ever. And have another cup of tea. (Wishing it was a pot and that you were here to share it with...) </div>
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-62260584556355933562012-09-09T02:31:00.002-05:002012-09-09T02:31:29.500-05:00a little bit older. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Feeling loved and celebrated here after my 32nd birthday weekend... Last night good friends/coworkers took me out for a progressive birthday celebration. We started at AfriArt, an art gallery in Kamapala for some art viewing and appreciating... progressed to MishMash for drinks and appetizers... then on to Kana Kazana a delicious Indian restaurant for dinner... the ended at The Bistro for coffee. So fun AND delicious! And a much needed break for all after the Rwanda trip and an incredibly busy first week of classes. Thanks Bartels and Tokpas!</div>
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Some questions that got asked along the way:<br />
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1. Birth story: My parents were living and working in Nairobi with my two-year old sister. They had just started working for the St. Lawrence Kenya Semester Program. I was born one of the first days of their second semester with the program, in the Nairobi Hospital. My parents were with SLU KSP till Spring 1999-- when I graduated from high school. (Is that right, mom and dad? Any other exciting details I should know?)<br />
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2. Great birthday memory: Growing up they all kind of blend together... we had quite the crew of families and kids... and birthdays were often afternoon barbecues with everyone and sleepovers afterwards. And I thought of a few more after the fact: Once in middle school Rita and I had a combined rollerskating 50's party, we were obsessed with Oldies at the time. Freshman year of college Jules Grant, the wife of one of my dads former students, came to Gordon and took me out to get sandwiches from a little deli and have a picnic on a nearby beach. She gave me a passion plant which is still around (my mom is taking care of it these days). My senior year of college, my roommate Molly and the rest of the girls in the house woke me up to a delicious breakfast. (and that takes some serious dedication if you know anything about my early mornings). In grad school my sister had a surprise party for me. (The party may have been leaked a few hours prior by a "reply all" email response that somehow I was on, but I was still delighted by it. My <a href="http://goldengreenandblue.blogspot.com/2008/09/28.html">28th birthday</a> I threw myself a party in Baltimore.... which I realized was a slightly scary thing to do after I'd invited everyone, but it ended up being good fun.<br />
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3. What is something I'd like to be doing or somewhere I'd like to be on a future birthday of my choice: On my <b>33rd</b> birthday I'd like to be doing a sunrise balloon safari over the Mara. :) (No pressure, Than.) And anyone who wants to join... :) So yeah, see you all NEXT year!<br />
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And thanks again for birthday wishes and love from around the world. Much love back!~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-58060091841119603822012-08-19T12:15:00.001-05:002012-08-19T12:16:43.436-05:00a new semester...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The summer has been officially over since August 2, our back-in-the-office day, but this weekend felt like the last weekend for reals, as we get ready for our new batch of students due to arrive en masse early Tuesday morning. Their arrival will launch us in to full go-mode for the semester; two and a half days of orientation, home stay drop offs, 10 days in Rwanda and back on the 2nd to start classes on the 3rd. Craziness! So long carefree, easygoing days of summer and far less responsibility... Hello work! But its good, and always exciting to start a fresh new year and a new semester. </div>
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Tuesday we went on our annual staff retreat day in Jinja. There are several new faces this year: Lisa and her husband Eddie (back left) and our two new Program Assistants, Tiffany (front left) and Ruth (front right). Missing old faces, but harnessing lots of good new energy!</div>
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Friday night several of the American families and folks on campus went to Hairy Lemon for a get-a-way. Lots of good time relaxing in the sun, watching the world go by, playing badminton, reading, chatting, swimming... Perhaps Hairy Lemon is a pre-fall semester tradition for me! One I'm very ok with. </div>
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Cormorant drying out on rocks in the river</div>
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Lisa and Eddie playing badminton</div>
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Check out this fleet of dragon flies perched on this tree...<br />
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Mary and Rachel, the cute Bartel girlies enjoying the water...</div>
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Sunrise....<br />
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Tiffany enjoying her milk tea, wading in the river....<br />
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So 24 bright-eyed students are somewhere between here and there... on the ground, we're ready, everyone anxiously anticipating a good, full semester ahead.~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-46748159088069591422012-08-12T07:56:00.002-05:002012-08-12T07:56:51.957-05:00mongooses take II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well hello my sweet Nikon 55-300mm zoom lens, where have you BEEN all my life?! CHECK IT OUT! Same place as yesterday, but with my brilliant razzle dazzle zoom lens, you can actually see these guys faces and bands! Not just a little streak of fuzz in the corner of the photo, I'M PUMPED!</div>
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I was sitting in my house, lamenting the sluggish tired feeling that ALWAYS seems to find me Sunday afternoons. Not wanting to waste a whole afternoon feeling unmotivated and energyless, I thought... let me pull out that new lens I really haven't had a chance to use yet, and head out on a walkabout. Actually I was inspired be the fact that this morning I saw some cute little squeaky parrots outside of my window but couldn't get a picture because they were too far away. SO... I got my new lens on and headed out. No sooner out my door than I hear the rustle of the mongooses scuttling across the hedge line. Camera already in hand, my zooming lens on and ready to zoom... I let the shutter fly! Much BETTER pictures of the crew of banded mongoose that frequent our compost pile and keep the snake population down.<br />
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So, thanks dad for talking me into getting this lens. I have a feeling I'm going to start enjoying...<br />
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WAIT WAIT, I GOT IT!!! This blog is unfolding as I type... and I'm so excited! I just heard the squeaking parrot outside my window in the guava tree, so grabbed my camera and went out to see if I could get it-- and I DID!!! (The pictures are a little dark- its kind of a dark afternoon, and I'm still learning my camera... but you can clearly see a sweet little green parrot!)<br />
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I'm about as excited about the picture as the subjects! I love Parrots-- they are such happy-go-lucky little birds that-- as far as I can tell- love life and delight themselves with all the curiosities of it. I LOVE that there are multiple species of wild parrots here. I love their squeaks and squabbles...<br />
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Right now I have to say I feel totally energized! This is how I'll keep the sunday afternoon drag away... start a tradition of sunday afternoon walkabouts. <i>I will step from the house to see what I see and hear- and I will praise it! </i>(MO)~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-66583131221526920142012-08-11T05:56:00.003-05:002012-08-11T05:58:13.227-05:00Mongooses!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
FINALLY... caught on camera. </div>
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-88997516175037865022012-08-11T02:13:00.002-05:002012-08-11T02:13:50.326-05:00Toenails telling time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I find it rather interesting measuring the passage of time through different things that change at different rates. Like the moon for example-- "last full moon I was in the US, this full moon I'm in Uganda and next full moon I'll be in Rwanda..." Or haircuts, "I've gotten my hair cut three times since christmas..." Or TOENAILS. Exactly a month ago I got them beautifully pedicured in Missoula for my sisters wedding. They've grown about a sixteenth (?) of an inch in that month. The line of color/no color clearly visible as they grow out. Its like that line marks an important moment in history for me. And three months ago I climbed Mt. Elgon, which is all but forgotten- physically I mean, except that my two middle toe nails just fell off this past week, making my otherwise still decent pedicure look a little goofy. So tomorrow I'll cut my toenails, and restart my toenail clock with a fresh coat of paint. What will I be doing NEXT time I have to cut my toenails, and remembering back to this moment of blogging about it, a week before the students arrive?</div>
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(Or this is just a window into a bizarre way of thinking about things.)</div>~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-10566226100461937562012-08-03T13:11:00.000-05:002012-08-03T13:11:49.535-05:00The Morton Arboretum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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One of the hard things about leaving home this time was that my parents are moving, and next time I go home, it will not be to the same place. The move is right. The time is now. I absolutely believe it will be really really good for everyone in the end. Still it is hard to say goodbye. </div>
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The Morton Arboretum has been a sacred space for my family during our time in Wheaton. It was one of the first places we went when we arrived in 1999.... and has been a place we've gone to regularly over the years and throughout the seasons. There were many long sunday morning walks through the woods in the summertime, snowy hikes in winter with thermoses of chai back at the car, drives with grandma and grandpa through the daffodil glades surrounded by the dazzling bright fresh greens of springtime, and the glowing golden cathedrals of trees in the fall. In the bizarre world of suburban America, it has been a sweet and beautiful respite, and I will miss it. </div>
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Before I left, mom and I went for a last drive and walkabout. </div>
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A smattering of photos- a few from before the ceremony and many from the reception. Photos of the wedding itself were taken by the photographer and are not yet out.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(the bumper sticker immediately preceding says "Keeping it Wild") (Someone had to do it)</span></div>
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Thanks Kara and Mark for a most magical and lovely wedding! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">**I swiped some of these photos from Carolyn and some from Elizabeth... thank you guys for taking and sharing such fun photos! </span>~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-54921093549781479912012-07-27T11:06:00.000-05:002012-07-27T11:06:31.799-05:00home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a pause in the wedding posting. I am home. Back in Uganda. And if feels. So. Good. I had a remarkably fun summer... flying in and out of some spectacular peoples lives. Visiting, doing special things, eating delicious meals etc. It couldn't have been better. And the irony is that I left home to travel half way around the world TO home. But that is also the beauty of it. And being back in my space feels so good. I feel grateful. So happy to be here. So excited about seeing coworkers and friends here. So ready to start work. And THAT, dear people, feels really really good. </div>
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A few additions to my space. New chairs from Gwyn-- completing my living room 'set.' Which means I can put the other chairs out on my porch, making that space more inviting. A couple new bookshelves under the windows. My beautiful beeswax luminary from Kara and Mark and its pine base from lubrect... And, can you spot my new speakers? Or speaker? In the bookshelf- my parents gave me this amazing little bose wireless speaker for my birthday-- and I LOVE it. I'm sitting here listening to good music with GREAT sound, enjoying the warm glow and sweet smell of the pretty luminary, feeling both close and far from those I love. And a deep contentment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8_v0drOCINu6PKJdg0J1HLU1g1hBpW26Wehy7FM__55nPbamlLnSZuyBfcwrSzyB6e6omLJVMSwnBKIZZjvz1SNZcwZehObXcKpPyTRDeKFskljFB5SRrA4m97xxesWkDX0x/s1600/DSC_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8_v0drOCINu6PKJdg0J1HLU1g1hBpW26Wehy7FM__55nPbamlLnSZuyBfcwrSzyB6e6omLJVMSwnBKIZZjvz1SNZcwZehObXcKpPyTRDeKFskljFB5SRrA4m97xxesWkDX0x/s320/DSC_0195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-66459544020982527372012-07-24T10:12:00.001-05:002012-07-24T10:12:03.446-05:00montana wedding preparations<br />
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The last two-three weeks were spent in Missoula with my sister, and her fiancé Mark getting ready for their wedding. It was insanely busy, a little bit stressful, but mostly just a lot of fun. Errands, lists, to-dos and running around to the max. I was glad Missoula is really only a small town and you are only ever 10 minutes from anything else. On top of getting married, Kara and Mark just bought the house below. So lots of moving and packing going on on top of wedding preparations. </div>
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Kara's friend Julie hosted a beautiful bridal brunch for Kara and her Missoula friends the Saturday morning a week before the wedding. </div>
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It was an absolutely lovely time celebrating Kara.<br />
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We went over to see the new house and in the yard was this deer and her two twin fawns. CUTE! (And a sign, perhaps?? :)<br />
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After my parents arrived, I "moved in" with my good friend Allison and her husband Greg. They are across town (10 minutes)... where they have a beautiful little house, chickens, a vibrant growing vegetable garden, two kitties and the best hospitality Missoula has to offer. We had hearty homegrown-urban-farm-breakfasts outside every morning. Mmmmm... eggs, veggies, toast, tea... fresh raspberries from the garden. Plenty of fuel for the long days of go-go-going. It was lovely to spend evenings and mornings with them in their beautiful and peaceful space.<br />
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We drove out to Lubrecht, the wedding venue, about 45 minutes out of town. Its an 'experimental forest' run by the University of Montanas biology department I believe. It has a lodge, cabins, box cars, camping facilities and was perfect for a full weekend wedding event. We drove out there with mom and dad to get a sense of the space/place and go over last minute details with the director. Below we were scoping out the actual ceremony site, a pretty little grove of Aspens off the big meadow.<br />
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Bride and groom, walking and discussing:<br />
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Friends and family began arriving through out the week to help and be a part of things. And oh-by-the-way, in case you weren't aware: Middle Sisters ROCK!<br />
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We had a mass-assembling the favor bags party up at Tim and Lindsay's with Kim and Martin and co.<br />
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More preparations throughout the week:</div>
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Thursday morning there was a scheduled 'trail run'... Only a valiant few chose to run, the rest of us enjoyed a trail walk together on a beautiful crisp Montana morning up into the rattlesnake.</div>
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Thursday afternoon luxurious tonail do's:</div>
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Mens rental wear to be fitted and collected:</div>
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Thursday evening we had a family dinner... Hansons meet Robinsons, Robinsons meet Hansons:<br />
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The new Robinson-Hanson duo:</div>
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Post family dinner, we had a fun bridal gathering with Kara's special out-of-town friends.</div>
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Friday afternoon we finally managed to get everyone and everything up to Lubrecht in one massive collective effort... Kara and Mark welcomed family and friends throughout the afternoon. At 5 the wedding party met on site for the rehearsal:</div>
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Special little flower girls:<br />
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Auntie Eileen and her sweet grandkiddos (oh, and Signe the dog):<br />
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Some of Karas very special friends who were a part of the ceremony:<br />
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After the rehearsal was a big BBQ for all. Than and Tim grilled up a storm of delicious local beef and veggie burgers, Missoula friends brought luscious salads, and the Moose Drool and Summer Honey were flowing. We got the bonfire lit and and s'mores were enjoyed by all but perhaps most especially by the younger contingent.</div>
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Stay tuned for wedding/reception photos!!~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-52006479808949756272012-07-06T08:01:00.000-05:002012-07-06T08:01:26.228-05:00Molly in Massachusetts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Katie now lives fairly close to my dear friends from college Molly and John, who moved this last year from SC to Mass. I had a fantastic few days with them exploring and enjoying their new New England digs. </div>
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We went strawberry picking (still possible in the northernly parts):</div>
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Johnny watched from his comfy stroller:</div>
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We took a hike up Gap Mountain... It wouldn't be a visit to Molly and John without a hike!</div>
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Or without John upside-down in a stream looking for critters of some sort:<br />
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Hanging with Johnny-kins:<br />
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Sweet friends:<br />
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Molly!<br />
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A view of Mt. Monadnock, the second most climbed mountain in the world. Who knew??<br />
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We also went swimming at a nearby lake, got delicious ice-cream, grilled, went on good walks etc. Way too short, but packed full and oh-so fun! Thanks for a fabulous time, Molly, John and little Johnny! Love you bunches.~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-42423956313063738602012-07-03T09:15:00.001-05:002012-07-03T09:15:46.532-05:00Live free or die!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next adventure: a road trip north with Katie moving her from Virginia to New Hampshire. We spent one night at her place in northern VA with Anna and Caleb, packed her life up into a Budget truck and headed out.</div>
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Picnic before heading out:</div>
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We stayed one night en rout in Pennsylvania at Katies parents' house.<br />
Picnic lunch at a truck stop, we had delicious homemade Stromboli leftovers (thanks Katies mom!):<br />
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Massachusetts!<br />
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Katies beautiful new home, a lovely old farm house with a beautiful porch, big kitchen, hard wood floors and two nice roommates on woodsy conservation land. Absolutely perfect!!<br />
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We went exploring in her new town, the quaint, cute Peterborough. </div>
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And found ourselves a fun, good-energy pub for dinner full of prospective friends and neighbors.<br />
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So excited this new chapter in your life, Katie! It was so fun to be with you at the start of it all. Much love, friend...<br />
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-81975864336384838412012-06-29T12:18:00.001-05:002012-06-29T12:18:52.456-05:00DC- USP reunion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My second stop was DC. I met up with USP staff/friends in DC to help organize and pull off the first ever all-USP reunion. </div>
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We discovered a Bourbon Cafe in DC-- all the way from Rwanda! We couldn't not get coffee from there for our breakfasts.<br />
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The working bit: everyone in position to start checking people in:<br />
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The Gordon contingent at the reunion:<br />
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We did side-walk chalk mandalas:<br />
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Guerrilla art! And we didn't get caught... so fun.<br />
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As many as we could gather at one time for a group photo:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzM5e86hE45GI5t-VPizKi7HjEJtecM43RWFvFuVRTbx9IOteFYqLY1ehAkUB5SBg9AbVavYmVTdZk1dLGxxJ6unl1Ws4X9MYxP7enNOa3FsV1iqTGFLZz8j7IEsXCf_GWLnE/s1600/DC7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzM5e86hE45GI5t-VPizKi7HjEJtecM43RWFvFuVRTbx9IOteFYqLY1ehAkUB5SBg9AbVavYmVTdZk1dLGxxJ6unl1Ws4X9MYxP7enNOa3FsV1iqTGFLZz8j7IEsXCf_GWLnE/s320/DC7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The reunion was a success by my estimation. It was fun to hang out with coworkers and former coworkers, meet people I've heard an awful lot about from years past, connect with alumni that I knew and alumni from before my time. Everyone seemed to enjoy the connections and reconnections. </div>
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Also especially fabulous was spending time with Meg and Molly before and after all the craziness. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0sHerISCKUAU4Rfmaw5TLfAsamMxdvfZHYtfCSj5ggBn4Z6ATJiYLnvp7e0RqTuvUrJpE-TqKeZWYuI3kwzRID7RWLVJtTPjo24m8R2FOvjbGf29EMPNtmhrjzqoo-Nqok2d/s1600/DC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0sHerISCKUAU4Rfmaw5TLfAsamMxdvfZHYtfCSj5ggBn4Z6ATJiYLnvp7e0RqTuvUrJpE-TqKeZWYuI3kwzRID7RWLVJtTPjo24m8R2FOvjbGf29EMPNtmhrjzqoo-Nqok2d/s320/DC1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-2349573575869752052012-06-29T11:53:00.000-05:002012-06-29T11:53:07.063-05:00RITA and co.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After two lovely weeks at home, I set out east. First stop, Maryland to visit Rita and co. for a few days. I met my sweet little goddaughter, Elena. Pronounced eh-LEN-a. So proud!</div>
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It was fun to get spend time with Lucia, who is very two. Very cute. Very independent. Very good at taking care of her baby-- just like her mom, and absolutely FULL of personality. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwMDGozutptw_-Sds5h0bbBm1B0fdFNet-fgDjygo60TnB6y5Z48GOREJyCTH9X_6og6B3fLJKV0L26hQxH8BYfQcnrWYQxC8Imsxi1zZj-B3GDDvcYEPd8mLwS20wJ5nyCbh/s1600/rita1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwMDGozutptw_-Sds5h0bbBm1B0fdFNet-fgDjygo60TnB6y5Z48GOREJyCTH9X_6og6B3fLJKV0L26hQxH8BYfQcnrWYQxC8Imsxi1zZj-B3GDDvcYEPd8mLwS20wJ5nyCbh/s320/rita1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
We spent a beautiful summer afternoon blueberry picking.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlI-rdrBEngRSHHIrh2eR86Ljs6HiXjarqCeTzFJ7cu8YaR2EXgEieqYlEjF5aJy_c5WfchGj75gVIG9IQxsP8haqHcEQUOV6C9jayCWSKOPoC3EpNcIy4v_wDWnVJlCngTlb/s1600/rita2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlI-rdrBEngRSHHIrh2eR86Ljs6HiXjarqCeTzFJ7cu8YaR2EXgEieqYlEjF5aJy_c5WfchGj75gVIG9IQxsP8haqHcEQUOV6C9jayCWSKOPoC3EpNcIy4v_wDWnVJlCngTlb/s320/rita2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
... which Lucia rocked. As a rockstar, no less... :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBT6pAGh8m_S2xmLnQ7UGC3A6rC0NwssUrR2PnQtg9GEAuDQXUH2xAQmtQ3wAlTwVHqUBX4BQqNlRlfHqiVU9Ce915y733WyaO7BawH7SML4oBC21qz_xEVDyoD4zefKlNjdX/s1600/rita3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBT6pAGh8m_S2xmLnQ7UGC3A6rC0NwssUrR2PnQtg9GEAuDQXUH2xAQmtQ3wAlTwVHqUBX4BQqNlRlfHqiVU9Ce915y733WyaO7BawH7SML4oBC21qz_xEVDyoD4zefKlNjdX/s320/rita3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
mmmm... the blueberries were luscious.<br />
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And with my snazzy new camera, we did a quick family photo shoot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l_h-v9pI6Dl74OE9z0gfY4h-vgvJ0IFsTPzvY5ldZZ0xaDksypGmEOfVXTNkPkgx6vM_yYilotOF-2IZokCBOpNf_sitovJgbtQH0xTscEdxNtiOrI-Y6xfJsHbqSw_zOqDm/s1600/rita6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l_h-v9pI6Dl74OE9z0gfY4h-vgvJ0IFsTPzvY5ldZZ0xaDksypGmEOfVXTNkPkgx6vM_yYilotOF-2IZokCBOpNf_sitovJgbtQH0xTscEdxNtiOrI-Y6xfJsHbqSw_zOqDm/s320/rita6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Great people, I tell you!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlhyphenhyphenwz3rJ62sKEapdXvTP093IWxiKTdE5xpQHVidZqvjEYNDexI-NUF8rgpQEy5gW2n6olZ9H_KgTZRgFOJe69Jh9Pnf2Zyjq-Yb_0mrJLoNj2fIA7rpFe61Mledkdf79dhyphenhyphenJ/s1600/rita7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlhyphenhyphenwz3rJ62sKEapdXvTP093IWxiKTdE5xpQHVidZqvjEYNDexI-NUF8rgpQEy5gW2n6olZ9H_KgTZRgFOJe69Jh9Pnf2Zyjq-Yb_0mrJLoNj2fIA7rpFe61Mledkdf79dhyphenhyphenJ/s320/rita7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Love you guys! And thanks for a most fabulous visit!!~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-63369107205832970262012-06-26T05:59:00.000-05:002012-06-26T06:01:00.067-05:00Hello from Bethlehem, PA!<br />
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I am in the midst of my whirlwind summer tour of the US, which is great. So fun! Seriously... and the reason I am quiet here. Always during this time I get woefully behind on being in touch and blogging, which is fine because these moments with people are few and precious, and I want to be fully present in them and not off in the blogosphere. And when I do have moments of quiet where I could blog, I'm usually too tired. So, its just life. And I'll be back, BUT last month I uploaded a slideshow I made of our Mt. Elgon trip for the students on youtube... and it just dawned on me yesterday to put the link here. SO SLOW! But, better late than never, I say!<br />
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So, for a speedy little slideshow of my Mt. Elgon hike, here you go:<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3fdUcm4hv8&feature=youtu.be">Mt. Elgon Slide Show</a><br />
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Enjoy!~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-27403312348081065562012-06-11T08:56:00.002-05:002012-06-11T08:56:42.676-05:00Summertime...I've been back in the US just over a week now and am busy enjoying all things summer...<br />
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Walks and cups of chai in the beautiful Morton Arboretum with everyone:<br />
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Flowers, flowers and more flowers:</div>
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Porch sitting, with mom and grandma:</div>
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And MORE flowers:<br />
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Junebug (enjoying the porch from the window):<br />
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Garlic scape pesto:<br />
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Grilling:</div>
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Chicago:</div>
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An amazing delicious all-fresh-and-local-from-the-farmers-market picnic at The Point with Andrea in Hyde Park:<br />
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<br /></div>~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-46489879798203805762012-05-17T10:30:00.002-05:002012-05-17T20:57:24.705-05:00the commotion of change....At some point or another in life I think we all come to realize that change is not something that ever stops. Sometimes its you in the thick of it... and other times it swirls around you. I feel like that right now-- standing at the edge of my yard, watching change roll in like weather from across the valley. Starting to feel the smack of raindrops on my cheeks. I know things will be fine. I know no feeling is final. But tonight I am sad for the changes.<br />
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I realized something else tonight. I bought a new song on iTunes (a loud, angsty song to feed my mood...) and for some reason it didn't fully download. It plays for about a minute, but then skips to another song driving me BANANAS. I kept replaying it, hoping it would magically work, but was just getting increasingly frustrated. About the third time, it flipped to an old Neil Diamond song. Sure- go ahead and laugh, but I was born and raised on that rich new york voice and quirky lyrics, and I love them. <i>"Lost... On a painted sky... Where the clouds are hung... for a poets eye... You may find him. If you may find him.... BE. As a page that aches for a word... which speaks on a theme that is timeless... And the one God will make for your day."</i> It was like finding something rock solid. something absolutely known. A hook to hang all that change on, and keep going.<br />
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So a cup of tea. A digestive biscuit (A Robinson's number one coping mechanism), the weird and wonderful voice of Neil Diamond to give me some assurance, and a painted sky.<br />
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<br />~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20328581.post-78511664683434843262012-05-11T06:54:00.000-05:002012-05-11T06:54:03.272-05:00Triathlon...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The last three weeks I felt like I was running a triathlon... go go going from one big thing right into the next without a break or the chance to catch my breath. I somehow find I have arrived on the other side of it all (a feat which seemed impossible several weeks ago)- rather exhausted mentally and emotionally, physically sore, and not quite sure what to do with myself, but man, it was a GOOD run!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Leg 1: Rwanda </span>(April 19-28) Leading a group of 32 students/staff through 9 days in Rwanda.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Leg 2: Debrief </span>(April 29-May 2) Four days in Entebbe, debriefing the semester with the students and preparing them for reentry to life in the US. Of course there was the incorporation of color and circles to aid in the process!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Leg 3: Mt. Elgon</span> (May 3- 10) I participated in a Spiritual Disciplines class with Mark this semester. The culmination of the class was a hike up Mt. Elgon. Fourteen thousand feet, baby! HOOOOWEE. Hard work, but it was utterly spectacular. </div>
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More on each of these grand adventures later, perhaps one by one as life settles down a little bit around here.~Rachel~http://www.blogger.com/profile/10598683849397608818noreply@blogger.com3