Carebear

After a late start this year, Spring is finally here. It came on Saturday and I have to say it - with a very powerful entry.  The sun was shining brightly, the wind blowing gently and the air just so warm!  I say powerful because it just simply changed New Yorkers. Last week everyone (myself included) was grumpy, pushy, tense and edgy. The subways were damp and wet and people were just stressed out and cranky. You could see it in everyone's eyes. It was contagious. 

My husband and I watched Al Gore's documentary, "The Inconvenient Truth" this past weekend. The story is moving, but frightening. It fills your head with all sorts of thoughts - but the two that kept circling in my head are :
 
1. What can I do to help? to stop this? How can I stop what may just be inevitable? Afterall, what scientists predict seems quite similar to the references in Revelations.

On my way to work this morning (late again of course), I was walking a bit faster than usual to the subway (okay, jogging or trotting I suppose, which is a bit difficult to do in the slush, sleet and snow and I know I looked more than ridiculous). Anyway, I passed a little girl and her dad along the way and I heard the girl say several times "Why is she running, daddy?,  But why is she running?"   My first thought is "I'm late, that's why!" Then I thought, "I'm always late - always running."  Maybe is the NY life. I could certainly blame it on that. But really, why am I running? 

Just wanted to wish everyone far and near Happy Holidays! This year, Mark and I are going back to the Chicago area to spend time with my family. As always, we are preparing for the festivities and are busy buying gifts for everyone. I am starting to get into the holiday mood, having just finished the heap of Christmas cards!

Here is a picture from last Friday night at Mark's company Holiday party. 

Ah...Thanksgiving is tomorrow. A classic American holiday.  Eat and Chat and Watch football.  The best part is I (and many other lucky Americans) get two days holiday! That is such a rarity in the US - and a reason in itself to celebrate.

I've had many memorable Thanksgivings away from home, but it is good to be back on home ground for this holiday.  We are going to Mark's cousin's house to celebrate with his Irish family. That in itself should add a fun twist to the already festive day. The best part of this year's celebration is that Mark, my husband, will be coming home that morning. His long and exhausting project is finally over. For that, I will truly thankful.

For the last 4 years, I have been moving from place to place - trying to find my "place."  I've been to Prague, Madrid, London and now New York. Every place has had its ups and downs, lessons to be learned and has been complete with great friends.  Now, Mark and I are in NY - it's been a year and some months. I think this may be the longest I have stayed in one place. It is a strange feeling - something I am definitely not used to.  But, I am feeling the need for some exploration or discovery again. Europe?  Asia?  Some sort of adventure! (Kat - am living vicariously through you right now!).  Question is - will I ever be really ready to settle somewhere?  And -  I wonder what the next adventure will be.  Hmmmmmm.......................

I am currently reading A History of God, by Karen Armstrong. This book covers the origins and elements of Judiasm, Christianity and Islam.  I am only on page 30 and already I feel this book will begin to seriously question my core beliefs. It is well written and offers a wonderful historical context that helps the reader discover how these religions were developed and cultivated. I assume later in the book, I will get a better understanding of the differences between the three religions.

I went to Carnegie Hall last night for a work outing. What a spectacular place! The concert by the Cleveland Orchestra was amazing and I was just in awe on how individual people can make such brilliant music together.  With all that is going on in the world, it was a wonderful retreat into what is "good and right" in this world. And a reminder that humans are capable of creating such phenomenal beauty.  Within this 2 hour concert, so many themes went through my head. Beauty, memories, good v. bad, right v. wrong, teamwork, harmony, grace, peace, struggle and rest.  It is just simply amazing to me what music can do.

For our first anniversary we spent 4 days in Cape Cod. It is such a gorgeous place to visit!

Well, we found out Mark has to go next week for 7 weeks. He can hopefully come home in between. I might go out there for the last week of the project to do some sightseeing and spend some time. I feel confident things will work out. It was a very difficult week = trying to determine whether to leave my job and go with him or stay here, knowing it would be difficult without him. But I know this is the right decision b/c it feels more right to stay than to go. Maybe that's how you know when God wants you to go.