I really am grateful for National Public Radio.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
NPR
The thoughtful reporting, interesting perspective on the news, and Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!
I really am grateful for National Public Radio.
I really am grateful for National Public Radio.
Monday, March 26, 2012
My Apartment Building
This afternoon I rushed into my apartment knowing that I had 12.5 minutes to throw dinner into my mouth before heading off for my evening class. However, the fates do not seemed to be concerned with timeliness.
As my roommate and I were entering the building we noticed another of our building-mates skipping up behind us. While we were holding the door for her to enter the building, the door to apartment 1 swung open and two of the ladies who lived there appeared to be doing some kind of Irish jig. After we all got inside the six of us proceed to complain about the wind and discuss upcoming plans.
So what I expected to be a quick in-and-out visit turned into to a 'where have you been' conversation, which I loved! I love not locking the door to my apartment, and knowing that I could knock on six other doors to borrow a ruler. However, no community is perfect. But I believe that our attempt to create a community is honorable, even though we fail all the time, I see honor in our attempt.
And for those of you concerned for my academic career I did make it to class, with two minutes to spare
As my roommate and I were entering the building we noticed another of our building-mates skipping up behind us. While we were holding the door for her to enter the building, the door to apartment 1 swung open and two of the ladies who lived there appeared to be doing some kind of Irish jig. After we all got inside the six of us proceed to complain about the wind and discuss upcoming plans.
So what I expected to be a quick in-and-out visit turned into to a 'where have you been' conversation, which I loved! I love not locking the door to my apartment, and knowing that I could knock on six other doors to borrow a ruler. However, no community is perfect. But I believe that our attempt to create a community is honorable, even though we fail all the time, I see honor in our attempt.
And for those of you concerned for my academic career I did make it to class, with two minutes to spare
Friday, March 23, 2012
Washer and Dryers
Although I do know where the nearest stream is I don't think they have wifi out there. Therefore I cannot imagine sitting next to the Schuykill river for long periods of time waiting for my freshly washed clothes to dry, nope. It wouldn't happen.
Thanks to washer and dryers I do not have to! [Insert shout out to Karen B. who so graciously allows me to wash my clothing in her apartment. Saving me $3 with every load]
Thanks to washer and dryers I do not have to! [Insert shout out to Karen B. who so graciously allows me to wash my clothing in her apartment. Saving me $3 with every load]
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Shoes
Sometimes it is the little things, even if your feet aren't so little.
For the past two years I have participated in Tom's Day Without Shoes. The first year, my freshmen year of college, I was commuting from my suburban home to Pottstown, another suburb. Driving a car without shoes, walking in and out of academic buildings sans shoes, even trekking across the parking lot shoeless was not a huge burden.
Transition to the next year. I am living in North Philadelphia. Tom's Day Without Shoes was a chilly, rainy day in March. It also happened to be on a day when my sister was visiting the city, and invited me to Reading Terminal to meet her for lunch. So yes, I am one of the very few who has consciously chosen to go shoeless on the Philadelphia Subway system. Needless to say being shoeless in the city of brotherly love was no cakewalk.
48 hours, over 2 years, spent without shoes allowed me to grasp what a privilege it is to have something to put on my feet.
For the past two years I have participated in Tom's Day Without Shoes. The first year, my freshmen year of college, I was commuting from my suburban home to Pottstown, another suburb. Driving a car without shoes, walking in and out of academic buildings sans shoes, even trekking across the parking lot shoeless was not a huge burden.
Transition to the next year. I am living in North Philadelphia. Tom's Day Without Shoes was a chilly, rainy day in March. It also happened to be on a day when my sister was visiting the city, and invited me to Reading Terminal to meet her for lunch. So yes, I am one of the very few who has consciously chosen to go shoeless on the Philadelphia Subway system. Needless to say being shoeless in the city of brotherly love was no cakewalk.
48 hours, over 2 years, spent without shoes allowed me to grasp what a privilege it is to have something to put on my feet.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Ice Packs
What the what?! I took a tumble last week. Is that not enough?
Apparently not. The forces of gravity got me again! This time however, I was not tossed to the ground. My knee was thrust into a brick wall. This is better then my head being thrust onto the pavement, which was what almost happened.
Are you seeing where the ice pack comes in? When I walk down stairs, or sit, or stand I receive a lovely reminder from my body that says, "Hey dummy! You ran your knee into a brick wall, and now you are trying to walk."
Hence the ice pack. After consulting my sister I will be icing until tomorrow. Then I can use heat. It is a great possibility that tomorrow I will be grateful for heating pads. We shall see! Until then I love me a good ice pack.
Apparently not. The forces of gravity got me again! This time however, I was not tossed to the ground. My knee was thrust into a brick wall. This is better then my head being thrust onto the pavement, which was what almost happened.
Are you seeing where the ice pack comes in? When I walk down stairs, or sit, or stand I receive a lovely reminder from my body that says, "Hey dummy! You ran your knee into a brick wall, and now you are trying to walk."
Hence the ice pack. After consulting my sister I will be icing until tomorrow. Then I can use heat. It is a great possibility that tomorrow I will be grateful for heating pads. We shall see! Until then I love me a good ice pack.
 |
| In case you are unaware of what an ice pack is, or you enjoy photos of clothed legs |
Monday, March 19, 2012
Spring
During the long, dark days of winter I must repress what spring is like, at least this Spring. Warm, sunny, relatively bug-less. It is beautiful. Thank you Spring. Thank you.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
The Internet
This may be a given, but on the average day I am using the internet, almost, all the time. And guess what? It is because of the internet that you are reading this! So yeah for the internet!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Dog Calendars
Every year for Christmas my mother, with some help from Santa Claus, purchases my sisters and I calendars. For the last two years I have received two very tasteful art calendars. This year however, I was given a dog calendar. A dog calendar.
If you have not noticed I have yet to do a post about man's best friend. This is because I am not a big animal person and my mother knows this. So why the dog calendar? I have come to the conclusion there is a lesson my mother would like me to learn here ... What it is I am not sure, although I have my theories.
Interestingly enough I am finding myself enjoying this calendar. While I type this, if I look to my left, I can see the dog of March. Who is a nice enough looking golden retriever, sporting a sun hat, who I have named Lucy. Underneath Lucy's 9x10 head shot is the caption: Never underestimate the power of a good hat.
Rather then never underestimate a good hat maybe I should never underestimate the power of a goofy dog calendar.
Thanks mom!
If you have not noticed I have yet to do a post about man's best friend. This is because I am not a big animal person and my mother knows this. So why the dog calendar? I have come to the conclusion there is a lesson my mother would like me to learn here ... What it is I am not sure, although I have my theories.
Interestingly enough I am finding myself enjoying this calendar. While I type this, if I look to my left, I can see the dog of March. Who is a nice enough looking golden retriever, sporting a sun hat, who I have named Lucy. Underneath Lucy's 9x10 head shot is the caption: Never underestimate the power of a good hat.
Rather then never underestimate a good hat maybe I should never underestimate the power of a goofy dog calendar.
Thanks mom!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Falling Down (literally)
Whoops!
Earlier today I took a little tumble, face first, on a set of exterior steps. Glasses flew off my face while my backpack swept over my head.
Essentially I looked :
a) Intoxicated
b) Like I had never seen/used a flight of stairs
c) Like someone who was using a wheelchair for the past 20 years and thought today, yes today, they would walk
d) All of the above, but mostly C
Needless to say what this fall really made me appreciate was not falling. On the average day I am grateful for not falling. Today, precisely because I had a fall, I was really, really grateful for (generally) not falling.
But it is all because of my fall that I gained this awareness. Thus on some level, probably the level past embarrassment, I am grateful for falling.
Earlier today I took a little tumble, face first, on a set of exterior steps. Glasses flew off my face while my backpack swept over my head.
Essentially I looked :
a) Intoxicated
b) Like I had never seen/used a flight of stairs
c) Like someone who was using a wheelchair for the past 20 years and thought today, yes today, they would walk
d) All of the above, but mostly C
Needless to say what this fall really made me appreciate was not falling. On the average day I am grateful for not falling. Today, precisely because I had a fall, I was really, really grateful for (generally) not falling.
But it is all because of my fall that I gained this awareness. Thus on some level, probably the level past embarrassment, I am grateful for falling.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Corkboards
Need a place to display pins, old name-tags, or would be bumper stickers? Invest in a corkboard!
Corkboards excite me. I love getting to check out little bits and pieces of someone's life based on what they display on their corkboard.
Below is one of my favorites
Corkboards excite me. I love getting to check out little bits and pieces of someone's life based on what they display on their corkboard.
Below is one of my favorites
Monday, March 12, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Naps
Prior to starting college I was adamant I would never nap again. That did not last...
In fact, I think I will take a nap right now
In fact, I think I will take a nap right now
The People of Camden
I am not sure what I expected from the people of Camden but I know I did not think I would meet and befriend as many beautiful people as I did.
From the women who I made sandwiches with to the students at Holy Name school the residents of Camden, who I encountered, are amazing people who are taking small steps, every day to make Camden a beautiful place.
From the women who I made sandwiches with to the students at Holy Name school the residents of Camden, who I encountered, are amazing people who are taking small steps, every day to make Camden a beautiful place.
Map of the World
Not only is it helpful when searching for Carmen Sandiego but almost each time I see a map of the world I realize how much exploring is possible.
Second Avenue
Second Avenue Elementary School, where I spent grades 2-5, was an amazing school. The dedicated educators I encountered here set me up for my love of learning.
Mrs. Kunch, Mrs. Potma, Mrs. Yeager, and Mrs. Salava thank you for the countless hours you spent in the classroom and preparing outside. It is, in part, because of the time you spent that I am who I am.
Mrs. Kunch, Mrs. Potma, Mrs. Yeager, and Mrs. Salava thank you for the countless hours you spent in the classroom and preparing outside. It is, in part, because of the time you spent that I am who I am.
Mafia
The card game!
If you are spending a week with a group of people, some of whom you have just met, this is the game for you! It is a great balance of fun and annoying. Perfect for getting to know everyone in your group while having a great time.
Here is the wiki site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_(party_game)
If you are spending a week with a group of people, some of whom you have just met, this is the game for you! It is a great balance of fun and annoying. Perfect for getting to know everyone in your group while having a great time.
Here is the wiki site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_(party_game)
Desales Service Works
This is the group that ran the spring break service trip that myself and eleven other Temple Students participated in. They are amazing!
If you see the Catholic Church as unable to relate to the present conditions of our society, this group will prove that perception wrong. They are living and working in Camden, New Jersey a city that has had better days. The work they are doing is astounding!!
Check em out : http://www.oblates.org/dsw/
If you see the Catholic Church as unable to relate to the present conditions of our society, this group will prove that perception wrong. They are living and working in Camden, New Jersey a city that has had better days. The work they are doing is astounding!!
Check em out : http://www.oblates.org/dsw/
The National Mall
I love everything these grounds represent.
The good old US of A is by no means a perfect nation but the National Mall is an amazing tribute to a handful of our past leaders and many others who have made the freedom I have grown up with possible.
The good old US of A is by no means a perfect nation but the National Mall is an amazing tribute to a handful of our past leaders and many others who have made the freedom I have grown up with possible.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Libraries
Oh my! Where to begin...
My love affair with libraries has been a lengthy one. However, my first memory is not a good one. Yes that is correct, even I have had a poor experience in a library. I am sure whoever snatched the Lion King picture book from my table had a lovely time with it. I digress.
If I had to pick a single aspect of public libraries that I like the best, and it is hard, it has to be that they are an equalizer. In a library everyone is a patron. Your status or position does not matter. Gosh! Just thinking about it reignites my passion for the library!
In August I will have been an employee of a public library for seven years. And I am happy to say that mixing work with pleasure has worked out quite well for me.
Below are pictures one of the coolest libraries I have had the opportunity to visit, the main branch of the Seattle Public Library.
My love affair with libraries has been a lengthy one. However, my first memory is not a good one. Yes that is correct, even I have had a poor experience in a library. I am sure whoever snatched the Lion King picture book from my table had a lovely time with it. I digress.
If I had to pick a single aspect of public libraries that I like the best, and it is hard, it has to be that they are an equalizer. In a library everyone is a patron. Your status or position does not matter. Gosh! Just thinking about it reignites my passion for the library!
In August I will have been an employee of a public library for seven years. And I am happy to say that mixing work with pleasure has worked out quite well for me.
Below are pictures one of the coolest libraries I have had the opportunity to visit, the main branch of the Seattle Public Library.
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