One word per country

If you had to describe what you learned from each country you've visited and you only had one of two words to do it in, what would you say? In one word, what did you take away from that experience? I've been asked so many times what it was like to be here or there and usually I have only a few words to wrap up the feeling, or I haven't conveyed what I truly feel. Each country gives you something - some feeling that no other one does. It's tough to nail down, but I would love to hear what you think and what you would say. This is what I have so far:

Afghanistan - Resilience (كركه) reality حقيقت
Amsterdam - disinhibition (Ontremming)
Brussels, Belgium - Leadership(Leiderschap)Hope(espoir)
Germany - strength/solid (Festkörper)
Ireland - delight (aoibhneas)
Paris, France - Such is life (c'est la vie)
Switzerland - no fear, adventure (Abenteuer)

This is just a start. How about you? Thoughts?

Fear leads to irrational behavior - Debate on the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque"

I'n sure you have all heard bits and pieces of the debate on the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque." There has been a significant amount of misinformation out there. Most of you have already watched Keith Olbermann's recent commentary. For those who haven't, please take the view minutes to watch this video. You'll learn a lot.

The reaction by some people in the country really hurts and saddens me. I thought better of us then this. Fear leads to irrational behavior and this is an example of that. The fact that we are even talking about this nationwide is scary to me. America is about protecting and accepting all of us, whether you are Christian, Muslim, Pagan, Buddhist or Atheist. I don't understand how we got to the point where we would suppress the building of a religious community center because of the actions of extremists. We're talking about a center with a basketball court, a culinary school and a small worship area. Even if it was a full-blown mosque, what is America so afraid of and why are we acting in this fear- and hate-driven manner? This debate is personal; I'll explain why.

Most of you know a soldier, someone who went overseas with a personal mission to protect the people of this country and the freedoms of the people living in the country we WENT to. Don't forget what we know to be the right thing just because we're afraid or grief-stricken. America is about freedom, not suppression. The group of terrorists who did this to our nation are NOT the same group seeking this community center. They are Americans, too. They grieved with us. Alienating them is not the right move.

Sorry to go on about this, but it is a little personal seeing as I spent a portion of my life in a Muslim country and so did many of my friends. Even though we're home, part of our hearts stay with that country and the Afghan and Iraq people. We went there to protect them. To protect us. To protect freedom. And the worst thing that can happen is to see our own country acting like the regimes we risked our lives to take away. And that's exactly what I'm seeing in this debate. Fear is a horrible thing. Fear makes you do the wrong thing. Hate is the wrong thing.

The effort to stop the building of a Muslim community center blocks away from Ground Zero is an example of fear leading to suppression. What comes after that? We all know the slippery slope that fear begins. I saw it and so did many of my friends who served overseas. Don't make us see it again, at home.

Loving Tagxedo designs

Check out what you can make on Tagxedo in just about three minutes. Pick a web location to pull words - I used my Twitter account; choose shape and font; and finalize with your color pallet. You're all set and get some really neat personalized designs quick.



Give it a try. I can see using this at work and for fun.

Oh man, I love rowing... and winning

We had our first race last weekend. I was part of the novice women's 8 boat and we had two novice men's 8 boats compete, as well. And we won! It was pouring down rain when we were on the water and we were drenched, but we kept it together as a team - with the support of the whole DC Strokes organization - and pulled a win by about two or three boat lengths.

The day started early with a 5:30 a.m. pick up and a 7 a.m. meet time at the boat house. My crew raced at about 10 a.m. and we stayed through to the last race - about 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. Our coaches say not all teams are like that. But at DC Strokes, we're one team, not seperated by novice, club and competitive factions. And that's nice. Hearing all those people cheer as you pull away from another boat really makes you glad you're part of a cohesive group. It was amazing. I'm hooked. Competing is definately my thing.

Go ahead; Watch a quick clip of us winning. You know you want to.

Since we won, we got the fine opportunity to dunk our coxswain - That's the one who yells and keeps you on track: Clip 1 and clip 2.

Here are some more team pics:



















Ahhh, I love rowing.

First day on Novice Row Team - D.C. Strokes

Well. I love rowing. OK, I said it. There's nothing like being on the water, paddling in unison and making your legs work it. And your allergies dissapear when you're on the water. But, before you become a novice with D.C. Strokes, you have to take the Learn-to-Row course. We had a great team there and most of the people on the intro team are here for the novice season, which is great. We miss our coach, Austin, though. You'll love him, too, once you take the Learn to Row course. Hint, hint.
So, we were on the water, rowing the fastest our group has ever rowed before. It was an amazing rush. We were pretty good, too. Not too much shaking from side to side. Bow pair - that's the two seats closest to the bow of the boat - were setting the boat, making sure it remained steady, so the boat would move efficiently. We were doing so well that I hated the thought of not getting some of it, at least, on tape. I still made sure to hold steady!

Here's a couple seconds of our first day as novices at D.C. Strokes:

Off to the races/A weekend in Cleveland

I spent Memorial Day weekend in lovely Cleveland, Ohio. The plan was to see my two handsome pups, who are visiting Grandma for a while, and to catch up with the fam.

Look how handsome! Here's Brock on his walk:

And here's Peanut:

But some very exciting things happened while I was there. First, I had some amazing margaritas with my parents, which means there was great catch-up conversation. Anyone who isn't able to see their family often knows how good it feels to share some current affairs with the two who raised you - a little alcohol makes it just a bit more fun. Second, I happened to get into town the day before the birthday party of my best friend Jen's hubby, Jeff.

Here's Jen with baby Kara:


Birthday parties at my age mean old friends, babies and toddlers, and a ton of fast talk, trying to fit into conversation what had been happening in the last year or two. It was great to see Jen and her family, Beth and Phil, Kelly and her family, Todd and Meagan, Corey and some old college buddies. At age 30, the average amount of children per couple is two. Wow! We're growing up.

So, Beth and her hubby, Phil, were at the birthday party. That's when I got invited to Phil's race. He's a race car driver in Cleveland. And he's good! Being able to see him race was fun enough, but Phil made it even better: He let me ride in the car. During the race! This is a pic of us just before hitting the track:



Here's Beth next to Phil's race car:

Look at all these cars ready to race:

Watch a short video clip of Phil racing. The image flip flops a bit. Sorry about that.

I can't wait to do this again! I defiantly have a need for speed.

After a great weekend, it was time to say goodbye. Dad decided to get dressed up for the occasion. He's silly. Hehe!

Memory game wall art has begun!

I'm sorry it has been so long since I added to this blog. While I was snowed in this week, I started working on a new project that I hope will turn out great. My love for Charley Harper's work inspired me to create a piece of art from his memory game.


Step one: Lay out the game pieces and cut cardboard to fit. I left extra cardboard surrounding the pieces. I'm not sure what size of frame I will find to work with this piece.

Step two: Glue the memory game pieces onto the cardboard backing.

Step three: Lay heavy books on top of the now-glued board to prevent the curling of the cardboard.


Now I just need to find a frame. I'm hoping for a heavy wood frame that I can make look shabby chic with some white paint streaks. Any thoughts?

It's finally here!

My order for the Clothbound Penguin Classics series has arrived! Now to find a proper place to display them. Adding them to the hundreds on my bookshelf just doesn't seem adequate. Maybe on there own shelf on the wall next to the piece of art I was talking about making from the Charley Harper Memory Game. I'll show you guys what I decide to try. Send ideas my way!

Memory game to piece of art

Here's my idea: Take the 30-some pieces of the Charley Harper Memory Game and create a piece of art for my white wall. I'm thinking about gluing the pieces onto cardboard I get from cutting up one of my moving boxes. The pieces will cover the cardboard, so none of the box will show. Then use decoupage glue to cover the whole thing. All I'll need to do after that is find a great frame at either a garage sale or antique store. What do you think?

This is the memory game: