Access map

Visit us at the Nara City Chubu Kominkan (public hall), usually on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (January-3rd, October-3rd, Tuesday) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

influenza

well it certainly figures that the one year I get all vocal about not getting the flu shot.... eric and I both come down with the flu. and on a fantastically beautiful, three-day weekend, to boot. Makes me wonder if I'll just get that shot next year....

my hero

My cousin Laura is my hero. At age eight, she was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes, and at age ten, she went into kidney failure while she was on vacation with her family. She was hospitalized for weeks and after she was released, she underwent months of dialysis. In July of 2005, she received a combination kidney/pancreas transplant—reversing her kidney failure and curing her diabetes all at once. She takes a mound of anti-rejection pills every day, but she is recovering wonderfully and has got her life back. She plays the piano (and the accordion!) and she loves to write and draw.

Why am I telling you this? Laura has never stopped thinking about those kids who still have diabetes, and has decided to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation “Ride to Cure Diabetes”—a 250 member team who will bicycle up to 100 miles through the Santa Rosa area in northern California in June. She has her parents’ and doctor’s support for the ride and I am sure she will do wonderfully. She has to raise $4000 to participate. You can help by making a tax-deductible contribution in any amount and mail it to me (payable to JDRF, who you can check out at charitynavigator.org) and I will make sure they get to Laura. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me: XXXams19[AT]onemain[DOT]comXXX (do not include the X's -- just a little spam control). Laura and I thank you in advance.

cozy weekend

We had a great weekend—went hiking with Finn and friends at Discovery Park. Lovely scenery and perfect hiking weather. The wildlife sighting highlight was an up-close viewing of a juvenile Bald Eagle. Naturally, I hadn’t thought to bring my camera.

On Sunday we ate at Beth’s, the Seattle greasy spoon, known for it’s 12 egg omelets (again, I wish I'd remembered my camera). Then we saw Children of Men—grim, but thought provoking. Finished off the day with a rainy walk around Green Lake with the dog and a bowl of macaroni and cheese.

What is this life that I lead?

I am utterly sorry that I have not posted in years. My crazy life insists that I devote my time to other things. I will make no more promises, but I will try to attempt the blog thing again.
What's going on with me?
Well, I am running three times a week (2-3 miles each time), I am starting abs and weights next week, so I'm pumped (or soon will be).
At work I am now advising TWO student organizations, Freshman Leadership Organization, and Baylor Leadership Organization. I am very busy at work and my boss is always coming up for new things for me to do.
My classes this semester are not as enjoyable as last semester, but such is life.
I am finally feeling like there are 1-2 people that I can be myself around, some of the time. I have a few workout partners, so its nice to process class together.
I have not found a church yet, BUT the Episcapal Student Center is where I go for Eucharist, Bible Study, and Morning Prayers. I really like Alex, our priest, and everyone is cool w/ me being Protestant. (Ah, the inclusive episcapals. Love them.)
I don't know if I am spelling Episcapal correctly.

log cabin

one more quilt finished! I have been working on this quilt through three cities and three years. I started it in 2005 for Jana and Mike's wedding, and didn't get done in time. Disappointed with myself, it sat and collected dust for a good long time before I picked it up again. On and off again, other quilts started and finished in between, but on Friday, I finished it. It's by far the largest one I've done so far (measuring a little more than 60 x 60"). I love the traditional pattern -- the log cabin pattern is traditionally made with a red center square, which symbolizes the hearth of the home....

SAM I am

We went to the Grand Opening weekend of the Seattle Art Museum Sculpture Garden on Saturday. It's fantastic and we're already looking forward to going back. One of the signature pieces is this one, called Eagle, by Alexander Calder, 1971. Eric and Matt liked it alot, but I am reserved, as it seemed all to familiar to me. I haven't written it off yet, and I am inclined to like it, as Matt pointed out, it is destined to become one of Seattle's icons....



We were also pleased to discover that the "garden" part of the sculpture garden was not overlooked. Many native plants were used, and they're only planning on mowing the lawns once a year. An entire beach and functioning aquatic habitat was recreated for the garden (the land was previously owned by Union Oil)....