Once upon a time, a man was sentenced to death. As the noose was slipped tight around his neck, he was offered one final request. He knew exactly what he wanted, "Can I get this noose in designer colors?"
And that is how the necktie was created.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Friday, July 16, 2010
Packing!
I swear that I just wrote about packing a few days ago. I wrote all about the individual baggage that we carry with us. Yet, it is time to pack once again.
I consider my self to be an excellent packer. Some people are stuffers, others folders, I am a roller. To fit the absolute maximum amount of clothes into a bag requires rolling. My roomate thought this was about the strangest thing that he had ever seen. I guess it is kind of weird. especially the fervor with which I pack. I really get into it.
I do not have much choice. I rolled my clothes in order to only bring one mid-sized bag down here. But that was before a few purchases. Now I may have difficulty bringing everything back! The nice thing is that a close friend of mine bought so much, that she needed to upgrade her bag. So in addition to my one bag, I will also be checking a nice baby blue, girls backpack. But don't worry, she removed the key chain that says, "I love Mike".
Yesterday, was my final day of classes. Our final projects were due. The assignment was left very open ended. I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do. I thought while I played soccer, while I watched movies, and while I played cards. But come the night before, I had no idea what to do. Then it hit me! How about I just wing it! Besides, this project was only worth 25% of my grade.
On the morning of my presentation, I asked all of my fellow students to bring some random object to class. I then packed them in my suitcase. Right before I was called to start my project I realized, this was a terrible idea! When it was my turn to present, I began, "This bag is full of the things that I am taking away from Ecuador." I then pulled object after object out of the bag, seeing many of them for the first time, and attempted to come up with a metaphor or representation on the spot. I managed to do this for a surprising 13 minutes. I am not one to brag about grades, usually because my grades are not worth bragging about. But I will say this, my professor was pleased with the originality, creativity and sense of spontaneity that my presentation held. I forgot to mention that this all took place in spanish.
It is with a heavy heart that I have rolled my clothes into tight cylinders. I will not soon forget this place, or more importantly the people that I met here. I can not help but thinking that a great adventure has ended. With my wedding in 50 days, my fiance and I will be moving into an apartment block of 60 young men who are in our charge. Perhaps, the adventure is just changing a little bit.
I consider my self to be an excellent packer. Some people are stuffers, others folders, I am a roller. To fit the absolute maximum amount of clothes into a bag requires rolling. My roomate thought this was about the strangest thing that he had ever seen. I guess it is kind of weird. especially the fervor with which I pack. I really get into it.
I do not have much choice. I rolled my clothes in order to only bring one mid-sized bag down here. But that was before a few purchases. Now I may have difficulty bringing everything back! The nice thing is that a close friend of mine bought so much, that she needed to upgrade her bag. So in addition to my one bag, I will also be checking a nice baby blue, girls backpack. But don't worry, she removed the key chain that says, "I love Mike".
Yesterday, was my final day of classes. Our final projects were due. The assignment was left very open ended. I spent a lot of time thinking about what to do. I thought while I played soccer, while I watched movies, and while I played cards. But come the night before, I had no idea what to do. Then it hit me! How about I just wing it! Besides, this project was only worth 25% of my grade.
On the morning of my presentation, I asked all of my fellow students to bring some random object to class. I then packed them in my suitcase. Right before I was called to start my project I realized, this was a terrible idea! When it was my turn to present, I began, "This bag is full of the things that I am taking away from Ecuador." I then pulled object after object out of the bag, seeing many of them for the first time, and attempted to come up with a metaphor or representation on the spot. I managed to do this for a surprising 13 minutes. I am not one to brag about grades, usually because my grades are not worth bragging about. But I will say this, my professor was pleased with the originality, creativity and sense of spontaneity that my presentation held. I forgot to mention that this all took place in spanish.
It is with a heavy heart that I have rolled my clothes into tight cylinders. I will not soon forget this place, or more importantly the people that I met here. I can not help but thinking that a great adventure has ended. With my wedding in 50 days, my fiance and I will be moving into an apartment block of 60 young men who are in our charge. Perhaps, the adventure is just changing a little bit.
Upside down frown
I hate hiccups, and the gag reflex, and even the way that when you touch something hot your body automatically recoils. I feel so out of control when my body chooses to do something of its own accord. I guess alot of times this is for our benefit. I am glad that we do not have to concentrate on breathing at all times. But I discovered the other day a new involuntary reflex that I have. Smiling!
It struck me at a time when I saw a group of Hispanic Orphans tackling their group leader. The leader was overwhelmed and taken down by this group of kids laughing their heads off. All of a sudden and without meaning to, the corners of my mouth began to lift. I swear they were up near my eyebrows in one of the biggest and most genuine smiles that I have ever worn. I have noticed this happening with increasing frequency. It seems that I have so much to be happy about. I could say, "Smile, try it out". But instead, don't try it. Just let it happen, and be surprised.
It struck me at a time when I saw a group of Hispanic Orphans tackling their group leader. The leader was overwhelmed and taken down by this group of kids laughing their heads off. All of a sudden and without meaning to, the corners of my mouth began to lift. I swear they were up near my eyebrows in one of the biggest and most genuine smiles that I have ever worn. I have noticed this happening with increasing frequency. It seems that I have so much to be happy about. I could say, "Smile, try it out". But instead, don't try it. Just let it happen, and be surprised.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Crazy!
It has been so hard to find some free time in the past couple of days. Actually, I have had a reasonable amount of free time, but no down time. I have filled my free time with soccer games, cheese cake baking, star counting and similar activities.
I leave this beautiful place in three days and can hardly believe it. Really, I only have one night and one full day left. I leave for the airport at 5:30 on the 17th, so really can not count the 17th as a day here.
I have really enjoyed my time here. It was full of struggles and triumphs, strange foods and stranger people! Kidding, but maybe. I have also greatly missed people back home that I love. I have missed the constant communication with them. I am excited that I will get to reunite with these people in the next few days.
Definitely more on this later, for now, I am trying to make the most of the last few days.
I leave this beautiful place in three days and can hardly believe it. Really, I only have one night and one full day left. I leave for the airport at 5:30 on the 17th, so really can not count the 17th as a day here.
I have really enjoyed my time here. It was full of struggles and triumphs, strange foods and stranger people! Kidding, but maybe. I have also greatly missed people back home that I love. I have missed the constant communication with them. I am excited that I will get to reunite with these people in the next few days.
Definitely more on this later, for now, I am trying to make the most of the last few days.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday!
No class today! but still a lot of learning. I had not mentioned that last Saturday, my friends and I left the seminary in search of an adventure. We had decided to climb a local mountain. So, with native friends, we asked a taxi driver to take us to a mountain and when we arrived at TeleferiQo, a very large mountain, we exited the taxi and began the ascent.
Unfortunately after climbing for about 20 minutes, we encountered some adversity in the form of a security guard. TeleferiQo has ski lifts, that one can pay money to ride to the top. Because of this, it is not allowed to walk up to the top. So we decided to check out the ski lift.
At first glance, the $ 4.50 seemed somewhat reasonable. Then we noticed a second sign: Foreigners 8.50. That seemed a little steep to climb a mountain (Pun intended). Instead we left and ate sketchy pizza.
All of that to say, that today, we returned to TeleferiQo. This time, the program was going to pay for us. We rode the ski lifts to the top and enjoyed some excellent views.
From there we left for lunch. I ate guinea pig. It was staring at me while I chewed. I kept chewing, but with decreased fervor.
After this we went to the other equator. The one that was estimated in the 1700's. They were only about 100 yards off! Can you imagine doing that with so little technology? We got some good pictures, and found out why the locals call it, "Gringo-landia"
A very enjoyable day, chock full of fun. Played cards tonight and I won, my prize was an ecuadorian version of a moon-pie. North America and South America, both under the same moon, but with different moon pies.
Unfortunately after climbing for about 20 minutes, we encountered some adversity in the form of a security guard. TeleferiQo has ski lifts, that one can pay money to ride to the top. Because of this, it is not allowed to walk up to the top. So we decided to check out the ski lift.
At first glance, the $ 4.50 seemed somewhat reasonable. Then we noticed a second sign: Foreigners 8.50. That seemed a little steep to climb a mountain (Pun intended). Instead we left and ate sketchy pizza.
All of that to say, that today, we returned to TeleferiQo. This time, the program was going to pay for us. We rode the ski lifts to the top and enjoyed some excellent views.
From there we left for lunch. I ate guinea pig. It was staring at me while I chewed. I kept chewing, but with decreased fervor.
After this we went to the other equator. The one that was estimated in the 1700's. They were only about 100 yards off! Can you imagine doing that with so little technology? We got some good pictures, and found out why the locals call it, "Gringo-landia"
A very enjoyable day, chock full of fun. Played cards tonight and I won, my prize was an ecuadorian version of a moon-pie. North America and South America, both under the same moon, but with different moon pies.
Thursday!
I think that my group has realized that we are really on the final countdown. From Thursday, we have just over a week left! I can not believe that it has passed us, with us hardly noticing. After several hours of class today, the ladies were dismissed so as not to be late for their soccer game. Only in South America, is a pick up soccer game reason enough to miss class. I joined in the game after class. It was a lot of fun. I played goalie for a few minutes. Until I got scored on, by girls. I find it very funny that whenever I am in the field, there is an individual here that wants to switch with me, and so puts me in goal. Then, when they score, he tells me to play the field so that he can goal. I realized today, that I am so bad, that everytime he sees me play a position, he thinks to himself, "Wow! He has got to be better at goalie than he is in the field." and then later when I am in goal, he thinks "Nope, no one could be a worse goalie than that."
We lost power again today for a little while. Mega props to my fiance Ashley, who has done an incredible job being flexible and understanding with my crazy schedule. I miss her a ton. Only several more days of unstable skype chats and laggy facebook chat.
My typing has gotten better though.
We lost power again today for a little while. Mega props to my fiance Ashley, who has done an incredible job being flexible and understanding with my crazy schedule. I miss her a ton. Only several more days of unstable skype chats and laggy facebook chat.
My typing has gotten better though.
Wednesday!
It takes me by surprise! Those things that happen outside of our control that turn out for the best. Today just before dinner, all the lights went out. This was rather unexpected given that I was in the midst of a shower. I finished up quickly, toweled off and left for dinner. When I walked in, I was somewhat apprehensive. After all, It had been a long time (too long) since my last candlelight dinner. When I say candlelight dinner, you may envision a nice candelabra, full of brightly burning yankee doodles. Here, there was one candle, to split between two tables. I only missed my mouth on one occasion, which actually had nothing to do with the dark.
After dinner, our wednesday night plans continued in spite of the lack of power. We had planned a little get together to make cookies. Luckily, the oven runs on gas, so the power outage did not bother us. Never before in my life have i made more delicious chocolate chip cookies than the time I used a headlamp while stirring! By the light of a headlamp and a few more candles, we prepared and mixed dough, and began to bake cookies.
Furthering the adventure, was the fact that we did not actually have chocolate chips. We did have, large chocolate disks. I spent a total of about 30 minutes, braking and mashing and otherwise mutilating this chocolate into chips. I may have accidentally dropped some, but they landed in my mouth.
I am not pleased to say that i lost the bet of when the lights would come back on. I guessed that they would return by 8:09 P.M. I was not awake when they returned after 2:30 A.M. As the evening began to wind down however, we enjoyed excellent conversation, and shared several laughs. I realized then, this is satisfaction. A headlamp, chocolate chip cookies and banana bread, and a group of people that love to be together. I strongly encourage anyone who is crazy enough to try. This Friday, invite over some great friends, flip your breakers off, and spend the evening mixing cookie dough by hand. How sweet is the labor of your hands!
After dinner, our wednesday night plans continued in spite of the lack of power. We had planned a little get together to make cookies. Luckily, the oven runs on gas, so the power outage did not bother us. Never before in my life have i made more delicious chocolate chip cookies than the time I used a headlamp while stirring! By the light of a headlamp and a few more candles, we prepared and mixed dough, and began to bake cookies.
Furthering the adventure, was the fact that we did not actually have chocolate chips. We did have, large chocolate disks. I spent a total of about 30 minutes, braking and mashing and otherwise mutilating this chocolate into chips. I may have accidentally dropped some, but they landed in my mouth.
I am not pleased to say that i lost the bet of when the lights would come back on. I guessed that they would return by 8:09 P.M. I was not awake when they returned after 2:30 A.M. As the evening began to wind down however, we enjoyed excellent conversation, and shared several laughs. I realized then, this is satisfaction. A headlamp, chocolate chip cookies and banana bread, and a group of people that love to be together. I strongly encourage anyone who is crazy enough to try. This Friday, invite over some great friends, flip your breakers off, and spend the evening mixing cookie dough by hand. How sweet is the labor of your hands!
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