Phillip and I got a little sidetracked on hulu last night. We were trying to finish up this last season of Lost but have saved the season finale for tonight!! If you like "the office" you'll think this is funny
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
take a hike
I was told to walk a mile in different shoes
but I didn't like the color
I was told to walk a mile in different shoes
but they were old
I was told to walk a mile to understand my brother
I didn't ever do what I was told.
- j.m.
On Tuesday as a part of our continuing desire to start a routine here I decided to join a gym and since the nearest YMCA was only a mile away we put on our walking shoes. What I didn't' know is that two streets north of us is the dividing line between the white neighborhoods and the black community. I have never seen such a monumental (albeit invisible) divide!!
I have always wondered what the big deal was when it comes to race. I try to treat people fairly, I've never noticed outright racism but I guess you can't understand how different you feel when you are the only black person in a room full of white people until you walk for a mile on a crowded street and not see anyone who is white.
The lady next door to me was pretty horrified to hear I had taken a walk on Girard st (Poplar st is the divide) but when I visited the gym and saw my kids playing happily with a large group of children with darker skin I was pleased to see them enjoying themselves without all the social baggage that gets picked up along the road of life.
but I didn't like the color
I was told to walk a mile in different shoes
but they were old
I was told to walk a mile to understand my brother
I didn't ever do what I was told.
- j.m.
On Tuesday as a part of our continuing desire to start a routine here I decided to join a gym and since the nearest YMCA was only a mile away we put on our walking shoes. What I didn't' know is that two streets north of us is the dividing line between the white neighborhoods and the black community. I have never seen such a monumental (albeit invisible) divide!!
I have always wondered what the big deal was when it comes to race. I try to treat people fairly, I've never noticed outright racism but I guess you can't understand how different you feel when you are the only black person in a room full of white people until you walk for a mile on a crowded street and not see anyone who is white.
The lady next door to me was pretty horrified to hear I had taken a walk on Girard st (Poplar st is the divide) but when I visited the gym and saw my kids playing happily with a large group of children with darker skin I was pleased to see them enjoying themselves without all the social baggage that gets picked up along the road of life.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Homesweet
This is for the fam and everyone else that cares about what the inside of our house looks like. No pictures of the front yet so we'll start in the:
Living room with a huge tv and an amazing surround sound. Phillip has been dying to introduce the kids to the star wars trilogy and last night was the night. It was very ummm... engulfing (a.k.a. loud).
Dinning room
Kitchen
Kid's room (Eliannah is on a air mattress and Phillip picked out the bedding. Eliannah just loves her "pridy monkey bed")
Master Bdrm
Living room with a huge tv and an amazing surround sound. Phillip has been dying to introduce the kids to the star wars trilogy and last night was the night. It was very ummm... engulfing (a.k.a. loud).
Dinning room
Kitchen
Kid's room (Eliannah is on a air mattress and Phillip picked out the bedding. Eliannah just loves her "pridy monkey bed")
Master Bdrm
Pulpit, pews and reasons not to hit the snooze
Hooray for Sunday! Since we went to New York last Sunday, today was our first attempt at finding a church for the summer. We are praying that the hunt will be short so we can develop some relationships and get involved quickly. Here is what our morning looked like.
Wake up around 8:15, get online to check the bus schedule, realize we were going to miss the early bus into the city, have a relaxing morning getting ready for chuch, get online again to check and see if it was going to rain walk down to the bus stop and catch the bus going into downtown.
As you can see, our church routine will look a bit different this summer! Once we arrived downtown and started walking towards the church (a 1/2 mile walk) I quickly realized that my lovely new high healed white sandals were going to spend the summer on haitus if we are going to walk that far on Sunday mornings.
The church we checked out was established in 1829 and I just can't tell you how lovely the sanctuary was with beautiful marble pillars, hand carved walnut pews, a massively decorative pulpit, and a little stamp on a table in the foyer to validate your parking! Validated parking was more expensive than the roundtrip bus trip - I just can't get used to that!
At the begining of the service we heard a wonderful saxaphone and orgen duet that was really beautiful. After sitting through a nice service and collecting our children we started walking to our bus stop. Originally we had thought we would eat lunch in the city but since we managed to depart from church without a single hello from any of the members (we tried to talk to people, we really did!) we decided to just try to get home, unfortunatley the buses don't run as often on Sundays and we waited about 30 with tired kids before catching the bus and getting home way later than we had planned.
I think with a bit more planning (checking bus schedules to and from church) and maybe looking into a church a little closer to our neighborhood things will go better next week.
Wake up around 8:15, get online to check the bus schedule, realize we were going to miss the early bus into the city, have a relaxing morning getting ready for chuch, get online again to check and see if it was going to rain walk down to the bus stop and catch the bus going into downtown.
As you can see, our church routine will look a bit different this summer! Once we arrived downtown and started walking towards the church (a 1/2 mile walk) I quickly realized that my lovely new high healed white sandals were going to spend the summer on haitus if we are going to walk that far on Sunday mornings.
The church we checked out was established in 1829 and I just can't tell you how lovely the sanctuary was with beautiful marble pillars, hand carved walnut pews, a massively decorative pulpit, and a little stamp on a table in the foyer to validate your parking! Validated parking was more expensive than the roundtrip bus trip - I just can't get used to that!
At the begining of the service we heard a wonderful saxaphone and orgen duet that was really beautiful. After sitting through a nice service and collecting our children we started walking to our bus stop. Originally we had thought we would eat lunch in the city but since we managed to depart from church without a single hello from any of the members (we tried to talk to people, we really did!) we decided to just try to get home, unfortunatley the buses don't run as often on Sundays and we waited about 30 with tired kids before catching the bus and getting home way later than we had planned.
I think with a bit more planning (checking bus schedules to and from church) and maybe looking into a church a little closer to our neighborhood things will go better next week.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The trashman wants a rose
The people here in Philadelphia are so nice! We are living in a little row house and every evening around 6 the neighborhood comes outside for a few hours. People out walking their dog always have time to stop for a minute while the kids pet their pet. Harry and Grace, an older couple, sit out by their front steps and say hello to everyone who passes - and greet them by name. The neighborhood kids play baseball in the middle of the street or basket ball with a milk crate nailed to a tree. Today was trash day and I lugged the trash out to the curb seruptitiously glancing at my neighbor's trash to make sure I was putting the can in the right place. Around noon the garbage truck came up the street and since it is such a narrow one way street the trash collectors have to grab the can, and physically sling the contents into the truck (no automated arms here!). Once they are done they just chuck the rubbermade trash can back in the general viscinity of your house and you have to hope that you get the right lid back on our trash can since can and lid don't make it back to your yard as a couple.
At first I thought the trash collectors were mad for all the rose bush clippings that filled our trash can but when I looked down the street I saw all the trash cans on their side as they had landed. I enjoyed a quiet chuckle until the two "can slingers" up the street shouted at me over the noise of the truck. I wasn't able to hear them so I walked towards them thinking I had done something wrong (paranoid I know). When I got closer I heard one of them say
him: "Why you throw all those roses away?"
me: "Oh, I'm sorry, was I not suposed to put them in with the regular trash?"
him; Why you throw awl those pretty roses away?"
me: Oh, I trimmed the bushes back because they were overgrow and the roses were all full of bugs.
him: Why din't you put those roses on the table or somethin?'.
me: Because they were NASTY
him: next time you cut back yo roses, save me one.
me (walking away down the street) O.k. I'll leave them out on top
him: (to my retreating back) ... an a bottle of wine too!
Did I just get hit on by the Garbage Collector?
At first I thought the trash collectors were mad for all the rose bush clippings that filled our trash can but when I looked down the street I saw all the trash cans on their side as they had landed. I enjoyed a quiet chuckle until the two "can slingers" up the street shouted at me over the noise of the truck. I wasn't able to hear them so I walked towards them thinking I had done something wrong (paranoid I know). When I got closer I heard one of them say
him: "Why you throw all those roses away?"
me: "Oh, I'm sorry, was I not suposed to put them in with the regular trash?"
him; Why you throw awl those pretty roses away?"
me: Oh, I trimmed the bushes back because they were overgrow and the roses were all full of bugs.
him: Why din't you put those roses on the table or somethin?'.
me: Because they were NASTY
him: next time you cut back yo roses, save me one.
me (walking away down the street) O.k. I'll leave them out on top
him: (to my retreating back) ... an a bottle of wine too!
Did I just get hit on by the Garbage Collector?
Once upon a tourist
Philadelphia is a city that loves its history and its tourists. It has a bus system set up to take you to all the tourist section of the city called the PHLASH (which is similar to a transit system in Seattle called the SLUT). The bus stops underneath a huge purple flag and is the very best way to get around if you are a tourist.
In the Historic District they have something called "Once upon a Nation" which is 13 benches throughout the city at various historic places where story tellers (stage actors) tell an interactive story of a person or place of interest that helps you understand your history better. I cannot describe how great these are for children and for helping them relate to people that lived so long ago and did so much for our country.
On Wednesday while we were looking for the next stop on our OUAN map we noticed a crowd collecting in one of the parks. There were some actors in historic costume mustering volunteers (children) for the continental army. After Z, E, E and Stephanie signed up they had to stand for inspection, learn how to salute, how to hold a rifle, and how to charge the enemy. It was very entertaining for the children and the man who played the drill sergent was very entertaining. I could really understand better how difficult it was to be in Washington's army, what was required of a soldier (they needed at least one lower and one upper tooth) Ect. . Fun and educational! What a concept!
(Eliannah thought they needed some more work)
In the Historic District they have something called "Once upon a Nation" which is 13 benches throughout the city at various historic places where story tellers (stage actors) tell an interactive story of a person or place of interest that helps you understand your history better. I cannot describe how great these are for children and for helping them relate to people that lived so long ago and did so much for our country.
On Wednesday while we were looking for the next stop on our OUAN map we noticed a crowd collecting in one of the parks. There were some actors in historic costume mustering volunteers (children) for the continental army. After Z, E, E and Stephanie signed up they had to stand for inspection, learn how to salute, how to hold a rifle, and how to charge the enemy. It was very entertaining for the children and the man who played the drill sergent was very entertaining. I could really understand better how difficult it was to be in Washington's army, what was required of a soldier (they needed at least one lower and one upper tooth) Ect. . Fun and educational! What a concept!
(Eliannah thought they needed some more work)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Intercourse
Yup! That's right! We went to Lancaster County home of the Pennsylvania Dutch and spent four hours in the little city of Intercourse. The kids played at a neat little park and petting zoo, we had lunch, went on an hour long buggy ride and came home with some strange questions.
1.) What is so evil about zippers and buttons?
2.) Can you be in the world and not of it?
3.) Why are all their curtains green?
It was difficult to explain to the kids that they were Christians that held to a stricter interpretation of scripture but worship the same God and read the same bible. They sure do look different but they smile the same, laugh the same and love the same. I saw a sign that said F.A.M.I.L.I.E.S. = fathers and mothers illustrating love in everyday situations. What a motto! Their mission statement is great too but what the kids enjoyed most was playing on the wooden train and swing set. (Oh, and the ice cream made from local happy Amish cows milk)
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Cheese Whiz and "Catch-up"
Since so many things have happened I've condensed it into the following points.
Last week my aunt was in town and we relaxed pool-side for a few good days of rest before the frenzy began.
Tuesday: Phillip left for Philadelphia
Wednesday: the children went to visit Grandma Cynthia in Palm Springs
Thursday-Saturday: I cleaned the house, packed up the kids and moved furniture around so the landlord could recarpet while we are gone.
Sunday: Got to go to my "old" church in Santa Clarita which had just moved in to its new building
Monday: got up early, drove 90min to John Wayne airport spent a looooooonnnnnnngggggg day entertaining the restless litter of children on the plane and arrived in Philadelphia around 11. I'm so thankful my mom and niece came with us to help!!
(oh, and as a side note just so you know what a nerd I am not only did their suitcase match their back packs, but I also had their shirts match their backpacks as well, Why is this important? no idea!)
The good news is that we found a furnished house to rent right behind the Philadelphia art museum in a very quiet neighborhood. I'm excited because it is close to public transportation but away from the hustle of the city. Also, I'm told our 60 year old neighbor wears a thong bikini in her backyard so we've been warned not to peek over the fence unless we want TMI about the joys of aging gracefully. I say "you go girl". The bad news is that we can't move in until Friday and until then we are in a teeny little extended stay. The kids are actually doing well sharing a bed together.
Today we did some site seeing, I think we will go to Lancaster and Gettisburg tomorrow. We're taking it one day at a time since the munchkins haven't adjusted to the time change yet.
Oh, and as I'v heard, you are supposed to order the cheese steaks "with the whiz". Yuck, cheese whiz isn't real food in my opinion. Also, 100 heat + 90% humidity = too hot for Central Coast kids. Yesterday was pretty bad but as we were driving home from dinner Eliot looked out from the van and told Zak "Your window is crying". We got to see a good old fashioned thunderstorm and the rain made today much more tolerable.
Last week my aunt was in town and we relaxed pool-side for a few good days of rest before the frenzy began.
Tuesday: Phillip left for Philadelphia
Wednesday: the children went to visit Grandma Cynthia in Palm Springs
Thursday-Saturday: I cleaned the house, packed up the kids and moved furniture around so the landlord could recarpet while we are gone.
Sunday: Got to go to my "old" church in Santa Clarita which had just moved in to its new building
Monday: got up early, drove 90min to John Wayne airport spent a looooooonnnnnnngggggg day entertaining the restless litter of children on the plane and arrived in Philadelphia around 11. I'm so thankful my mom and niece came with us to help!!
(oh, and as a side note just so you know what a nerd I am not only did their suitcase match their back packs, but I also had their shirts match their backpacks as well, Why is this important? no idea!)
The good news is that we found a furnished house to rent right behind the Philadelphia art museum in a very quiet neighborhood. I'm excited because it is close to public transportation but away from the hustle of the city. Also, I'm told our 60 year old neighbor wears a thong bikini in her backyard so we've been warned not to peek over the fence unless we want TMI about the joys of aging gracefully. I say "you go girl". The bad news is that we can't move in until Friday and until then we are in a teeny little extended stay. The kids are actually doing well sharing a bed together.
Today we did some site seeing, I think we will go to Lancaster and Gettisburg tomorrow. We're taking it one day at a time since the munchkins haven't adjusted to the time change yet.
Oh, and as I'v heard, you are supposed to order the cheese steaks "with the whiz". Yuck, cheese whiz isn't real food in my opinion. Also, 100 heat + 90% humidity = too hot for Central Coast kids. Yesterday was pretty bad but as we were driving home from dinner Eliot looked out from the van and told Zak "Your window is crying". We got to see a good old fashioned thunderstorm and the rain made today much more tolerable.
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