another cat

Here's another cat. This one was warming itself in a washing basin up on the Temple Mount. I think it's cute because it's still a kitten. I took this picture when I visited Rew back in December.

"not a true story"

I hope it's not plagiarism to do this. My sister wrote something on Rew's FB wall. I found it rather amusing and I hope she doesn't mind my slapping it on here with a good ole copy-and-paste maneuver.

"I thought you would like to hear this story about your wife. Actually, it was my dream, so it's not a true story. Once upon a time, I woke up in the early morning of October and was informed that my sister had had a baby. I got all excited and started asking when we would go see her. Then, you and her appeared and Analyn was all ready to go for a run, exactly three hours after she had given birth. Also, your baby was fluent in English and had teeth. I told him to say, "I'm a child prodigy," and he kept saying it over and over. Also, I asked why Analyn had given birth so early. You told me that it was because she was playing soccer and some of her bones got fractured, so they needed to get the baby out.

The End."

meow

Presenting: A small story in which you may learn something about me you might not have ever known, or you might have always known...

Once upon a time, when we went to Petra, Anna and I met a cat.


I'm generally not too fond of cats. G & G Skab's cats are the only cats I've ever really liked. When this poor, little, and dirty thing wanted to rub up against me, I shied away and tried to shoo it away. (If you click on the picture and zoom in, you'll see the rude downcast glare I shot the cat; Anna, though, is kind and giving the cat a sweet smile.) This may or may not make me a bad person in your eyes, sorry.

The end.

Now I remember I have an even better cat story from Jerusalem to tell. The next installment of Meow will feature that. I didn't even know I was going to have "Meow installments." How embarrassing.

Oh well, happy weekend!

the most wonderful time of the year

I love the melding of summer to fall. Yesterday's air bit crisp, but the sun still shared its warming rays; it's that perfect mix which leaves me almost without breath. It's that sweet sun and chill air ratio which makes me want to hop on my bike, go for a run, or climb some great routes. For now, I will continue to take pleasure in the walks my six-month-pregnant belly allows me. I'll try not to be jealous when I hear about the great ride my brother and dad went on because my skin will still marvel at the sensation of being cooled and warmed simultaneously.

It's not solely the perfect weather that makes this such a dreamy time of year for me--the start of school factors in. Since school started without me this year, I really find myself missing it. I've had several teaching dreams the past few weeks and I'm sure they'll continue. I miss all the students I've ever taught. I miss the splendid lunchtimes spent with fellow teachers. I miss reading, discovering, laughing, and working with my students. Sure, I might be glossing over and remembering only the good parts. But the hard things about teaching I barely remember; the sweet sticks with me.

And thus seasons roll on.

Coaching swimming comes as my newest season. I've coached before but I feel my teaching experiences of the last few years have really helped me become a better coach. I'm excited to work with kids, albeit in a setting other than the classroom. I've seen the great influence my mom has had on so many because of all she's taught them through coaching. I hope I can do a fraction of the same.

happy

Happy happy birthday, Andrew dear.
Happy days will come to you all year.
If I had a wish, then it would be
A happy happy birthday to you from me.

I know, not original at all. So let's get a little more so by exploring some of the wonderfulness my husband embodies.

Before we begin, did you know that the doctor who delivered Andrew also delivered me (three months later)? We discovered this fact several months ago in talking with our mothers about our own pending baby arrival. I'd say that's pretty cool.

And now, a few exhibits of the birthday boy's awesomeness:

He will sing in the rain, and anywhere else in fact, with me.

He not only lets me take sweaty pictures of him;
sometimes, as in this case, he actually asks for me to do so.

He constantly amuses me.

And he knows how to amuse others as well.
He's great with wee ones.

He can do this. All I can do is stare on in amazement.

He's a pro in the kitchen.
He's also too nice;
he helped me yesterday in preparation
for his birthday dinner today.

He's quite a cowboy.
As with his other antics already featured,
he always knows how to make me smile.

He can grow a pretty bounteous head o' hair.

He helped defeat Zurg.
(I mean, really, check out his score,
especially compared to mine.)

Happy birthday dearest!

The Swan by Mary Oliver

Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?
Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air -
An armful of white blossoms,
A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned
into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,
Biting the air with its black beak?
Did you hear it, fluting and whistling
A shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfall
Knifing down the black ledges?
And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds -
A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet
Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?
And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?
And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?
And have you changed your life?

365

days ago I went on my first date with Rew.

Incroyable!

It's been a good year. Thanks, Mr. Manly.