I'm back!!

Thanksgiving: 2 vacations

I know its about a week late but I wanted you to know it is possible to have 2 vacations when technically you are only on one. Mind you, these are the highlights only..

Vacation One:  I was flying back to the ATL when up in the sky, there's me, there's a plane,........and there are a sea of clouds.  Yes I am in the plane looking out my window flying at about 20,000 feet.  The sights to be seen are amazing.  Flying above a blanket of clouds that were vast like an ocean.  In the far distance there was what appeared to be a mountain( which would really be news to many geographers since that haven't recorded this mountain on any map).  What was it really??????  Another cloud( a different type of course-can someone remember all the different types of clouds we had to learn).  And of course in the far distance there was the bright sun appearing to set over the sea of unending clouds.  I felt like I was in some tropical world where there were no big bugs, and lots of cushioned sitting.   

Vacation Two:  What's warm, bright, and full of good delights?????  Its ATL of course!  There is I am proud to say a 24/7 prayer ministry there where you can go at any time and prayer and be with God.  One can also do internships where all you do is pray( they have 3, 6, 12 month opportunities).  This movement started in Kansas City and ended up in ATL.  They also have services during certain parts of the day, everyday.  So I went with Nisy a couple of times and it was really refreshing.  The reality of God's presence and understanding of His attributes was undeniable and its difficult to remain the same after you encounter that.  I realized(nothing that most don't already know but few really do) we need much time alone in His presence until we are utterly spent.  Sounds dramatic but I think appropriately put.  I think the world would be changed with more Christians(me included of course) desperate to gather at HIs throne consistently, daily, humbly........

Right back at you!

Hello again--> back from a long hiatus of night float and day floating at work .  Admitting pt can be tiresome and interesting at times. Anyways..........

Tonight I and my bible study friends enjoyed a night of fine piano skills. Natalie Zhu and she is pretty swift on the keys I tell you.  It was almost surreal how fast she can move her hands. First we started off with a Mozart Sonata(always playful and fun)  but the middle movement is slower and threatened to put me to sleep and cause me to snore.  This is a major faux pas at a public event where sound is everything.  Thankfully it was the first piece and I stayed awake.  Then it was one to Debussy and Images I and II.  Some movements in II almost put me to sleep but I fought hard!!  It was really beautiful I must say.  Like being under waterfalls without getting wet or short of breath(this is always a good thing).

Then a new piece(world premiere of Among Gardens by Chia-Yu Hsu a Duke Univ. person) Very interesting these composers(she was actually there!)  It was supposed to mirror sounds she heard of people, birds, wildlife etc. in the Duke gardens at different times of the day.   It reminded me of Debussy a little.  It was different at least.

The last was Mordesky(I think thats how you spell it) and his various promenades.  Now this threatened to send me off my chair and on the floor.  This was the very fast/ intense piece(I think I am spelling this word wrong but maybe not) with fewer lulls.  I liked it but I think I got lost in the movements.  I will have to enjoy these recitals when they don't happen on week days.  I think I would have been more relaxed if I would have been able to lay down or recline but you really can't do that at these affairs.   Now i am almost drifting off as I type....... I must go to bed!

The FINALE! Crazy

Well its over  and now the summer has lost its zing(except for people becoming Christians) there is less spark in my stride.  Feder won........... AGAIN, big surprise.  But ah there is the world cup which was actually pretty funny in a weird sort of way.  The best quote from yesterday was from my previous roommate(who shall not be named) which is a typical US atititude).  She calls me, wondering whether or not I'm at home, I tell her no the world cup has just finished and I was at my firend's house watching.  She says: "We've been watching the Tour de France b/c there was nothing else on"--> I couldn't believe my ears-->  a billion people in the entire world were watching soccer(INCLUDING the FRENCH)  and its as though we were watching ice melting.  Interesting.....

So I watched the game w/ French people and that was interesting/scary.  I was for Italy so you can imagine the tension after the first penalty kick from a bad call bringing the French up one.  After that the game really got exciting(Italy scored to level the playing field) and then settled into a bit of a boring lull.........until the star captain  french player head-butted an italien player 2 minutes before the game would come down to penalty kicks.  Talk about out of control temper, bad timing and weirdness of attack.   Their star player had gone form the hero to the bad, bad, bad,  mean player with a red card and a dismissal from the field!  So the better team(in terms of play) for the entire world cup won(Italy of course) and things ended well.  Of note is the fact that these tie games are recorded as draws in the record books even though someone does win in penalty kicks. Bravo Italia--> they didn't even have to pay for this win!!  The talent of the players in the last 3 games was amazing!!  They had the all fans shocked in disbelief of their ability to score and connect.  No one could question any of their wins--> If you don't believe me simiply watch and you will be amazed(you don't even have to understand soccer) or you could ask a German fan--they were burned PRETTY PRETTY bad.  Emphasis on the bad if you didn't catch that! Comments, challenges, different views???  Now if thier coaches and players could just become upright in nature.................

What I learned from the world cup:  Its worth watching: Drama, Suspense, Disappointment, Love, Anger.........its life!

WOW........The World CUP!!!!! Work should cease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved Italy vs. Germany, the suspense, the craziness, the almost!!  AHHHHHH!!  My co-workers stared at me because of my interesting reactions!!  Again the rise and fall--> how quickly things changed in 1 minute literally.  Oh and by the way--> I shall be infectious I dare say.  I will be staying here(where I am in Philly)  for my fellowship. 

Final Words: WATCH or tape the WORLD CUP!