Good evening, my friends.
I'm sitting in my basement abode talking on the phone (with Sasha) and enjoying the warm ambiance created by wood patent paneling that covers all of the walls of my room. It's alright, I don't mind. Never will I ever be at home in this world. That's a comforting feeling, though, because a restless, adventurous spirit has filled me and there's so much to do.
Living with Benjamin, Kristine, Madelyn and Collin has been a great encouragement to me. The kids come down and visit me now and then but it's never annoying. Collin woke me up this morning ...
KNOCK KNOCK
"Who iiiis it?"
"Aaaaaaah!" (as he runs over to me and jumps on top of my covers)
It was nice. After looking at the clock, shock and shame filled my mind at seeing that I was still asleep after 9 AM.
Having my keyboard in a setup and usable position is inspiring me to practice and think more about music. Right now more music and stimulus would be good for me.
My brother Benjamin is involved with the opening of a new Kwik Trip store tomorrow so he'll be getting up and leaving the house by 4:45 AM. It's unlikely that he'll be seen off by yours truly in the morning, but who knows, maybe I'll surprise him and make coffee.
LG washers and dryers = very nice. It's the YEAR OF THE APPLIANCES in this house.
Well, I should be asleep and be giving my entire attention to this call. So, until next time...goodnight.
P.S. - Please pray for me to find employment. Kristine is going to a Bible study in the morning and is taking me to the Kohl's area/mall and I will be putting in applications for a couple hours. Thanks.
KCK-ILY
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Finishing Trinidad.
I never did finish writing about my time in Trinidad. It was spectacular. We spent a lot of time just talking and being around the house, walking down the street to the shops, and me being sick and causing strife in my own mind because of the discomfort. I really do complain too much sometimes.
Saying farewell to Sasha at the airport was difficult. Although I knew that we would get together again in a couple weeks, at the time A COUPLE WEEKS seemed like a very long time. Karim (our friend) drove me to the airport and he showed us some things on the way. He was very compassionate about taking us places and providing us some transport.
I returned to the states with yet another adventure and experience behind me, but never apart from me.
Saying farewell to Sasha at the airport was difficult. Although I knew that we would get together again in a couple weeks, at the time A COUPLE WEEKS seemed like a very long time. Karim (our friend) drove me to the airport and he showed us some things on the way. He was very compassionate about taking us places and providing us some transport.
I returned to the states with yet another adventure and experience behind me, but never apart from me.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A week behind...
I wanted to blog everyday about my trip while being here but due to some unforseen circumstances I have not been able and not taken the time to. Shame... it's been such a beautiful trip and I will look back on it with great joy and appreciation.
The Chalcos have been wonderful to me. Right now my pain killers are kicking in so I need to lay down. Forgive me if I have made anything out to be over-dramatic and life-threatening. I'm fine and will be good soon. Some things are harder to swallow than others.
Goodnight.
KCK-ILY
The Chalcos have been wonderful to me. Right now my pain killers are kicking in so I need to lay down. Forgive me if I have made anything out to be over-dramatic and life-threatening. I'm fine and will be good soon. Some things are harder to swallow than others.
Goodnight.
KCK-ILY
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Frustration with time.
Here I am at 11:40 PM writing to tell you that I won't be writing about my experiences tonight. We went to Pizza Hut with Karrem (who is this funny guy that I NEVER know what he's saying but he's always paying for things) and he paid for us. What a nice trip it has been. The pizza was really good and we brought some home. With a full belly I will now be saying goodnight and hopefully there will be no nightmares.
Salud.
KCK-ILY
Salud.
KCK-ILY
Friday, November 6, 2009
Monday Part II
To conclude what we did on Monday in full would be good for my mind. Leaving things incomplete or not done well bothers me. Here goes...
Napoleon Dynamite...I hate it. Makes me sick and whenever I do muster up the courage to fight through a few minutes of it there's a heavy sense of regret afterwards. Some people think it's great, some people don't. The same as: some people have a sense of humour, some people don't. I can't say this about everyone, but the summer this came out I was working at WCYC (Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp) and hadn't seen the film yet. Two campers always commented about me when they came through the dining line. One would say, "Hey Napoleon" and the other, "Vote for Pedro". This never made sense to me until, between intermediate and senior sessions, I watched the whole thing. Understanding isn't always worth it. Hence the phrase, "ignorance is bliss". There is truth to this at times. My long, curly hair, goofy expressions and tall figure had reminded the campers of a star that a few watts short of shining. If God gave me the chance to go back and get those IQ points back I would, but that's not likely so I'll just have to work my way back up.
All that so say I watched a few minutes of it on Franco's PSP while the family was speaking in Spanish together. It's alright, I now have something to work for. Pray for me, please.
We had arroz con huevos (rice and eggs) for dinner and then sat around talking before retiring to bed. It's difficult for me to describe how an evening of talking and doing little things together feels in words on a blogs. Family, warmth, and connecting with laughter and discussion are things that just stick with you and grow you closer to people. Every night I feel bonding happening and it makes me glad.
I was so tired and ready to sleep. Almost every night I have woken up very early or several times in the night for one reason or another, and the exhaustion was getting to me. Sasha read Proverbs 10 and Jeremiah 29 to Ivanka and I before visitng slumberland.
Just another day in paradise.
Napoleon Dynamite...I hate it. Makes me sick and whenever I do muster up the courage to fight through a few minutes of it there's a heavy sense of regret afterwards. Some people think it's great, some people don't. The same as: some people have a sense of humour, some people don't. I can't say this about everyone, but the summer this came out I was working at WCYC (Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp) and hadn't seen the film yet. Two campers always commented about me when they came through the dining line. One would say, "Hey Napoleon" and the other, "Vote for Pedro". This never made sense to me until, between intermediate and senior sessions, I watched the whole thing. Understanding isn't always worth it. Hence the phrase, "ignorance is bliss". There is truth to this at times. My long, curly hair, goofy expressions and tall figure had reminded the campers of a star that a few watts short of shining. If God gave me the chance to go back and get those IQ points back I would, but that's not likely so I'll just have to work my way back up.
All that so say I watched a few minutes of it on Franco's PSP while the family was speaking in Spanish together. It's alright, I now have something to work for. Pray for me, please.
We had arroz con huevos (rice and eggs) for dinner and then sat around talking before retiring to bed. It's difficult for me to describe how an evening of talking and doing little things together feels in words on a blogs. Family, warmth, and connecting with laughter and discussion are things that just stick with you and grow you closer to people. Every night I feel bonding happening and it makes me glad.
I was so tired and ready to sleep. Almost every night I have woken up very early or several times in the night for one reason or another, and the exhaustion was getting to me. Sasha read Proverbs 10 and Jeremiah 29 to Ivanka and I before visitng slumberland.
Just another day in paradise.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Monday, the one no one wants to come.
Monday morning started early with restlessness again. My saving grace is, once again, coffee. C.V. to the rescue! She didn't make it for me, but I made it for her. This is her vacation too, you know?
Next Wednesday Ivanka is going back to her team in Leon, Mexico and the following day I fly back to the states. It really doesn't feel like I've been here a week, but when things are new, stimulating and energy consuming one doesn't notice the time passing as much. Napping during the heat of the day helps to consume time as well, and because this is not a regular habit of mine the days seem shorter. Perhaps this isn't completely true, though. My wake up time is much earlier than usual. I don't know. Seems like the waters of my life are whirling at times and stagnate at others. That's the joy of it all, randomness leading to spontaneity.
The cupboards in the kitchen were falling apart and I couldn't take it any longer so we decided to redo the kitchen. Dante left to sell his boomerangs and Franco went to work at HI-LO before we started. Once we got started we just kept going and going until all of the junk was off and it was barren around the cupboards and shelves. Have you ever seen that plastic cover they put on wood and cupboards to protect it from wear? Well, that was peeling off and there was need to strip it off. So strip it we did. Then I got out the sander and lightly went over everything to prepare for paint. Sasha, Ivanka and I got out the white paint after lunch and went to it. C.V. put too much water in the paint so it ran causing us to have to put two coats on. It looks so much better though and for this we are happy.
I have to run now, almost literally. We're off to the beach today and the van is honking at us to hurry. I will write about Tuesday and yesterday tonight... AHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!
KCK-ILY
Next Wednesday Ivanka is going back to her team in Leon, Mexico and the following day I fly back to the states. It really doesn't feel like I've been here a week, but when things are new, stimulating and energy consuming one doesn't notice the time passing as much. Napping during the heat of the day helps to consume time as well, and because this is not a regular habit of mine the days seem shorter. Perhaps this isn't completely true, though. My wake up time is much earlier than usual. I don't know. Seems like the waters of my life are whirling at times and stagnate at others. That's the joy of it all, randomness leading to spontaneity.
The cupboards in the kitchen were falling apart and I couldn't take it any longer so we decided to redo the kitchen. Dante left to sell his boomerangs and Franco went to work at HI-LO before we started. Once we got started we just kept going and going until all of the junk was off and it was barren around the cupboards and shelves. Have you ever seen that plastic cover they put on wood and cupboards to protect it from wear? Well, that was peeling off and there was need to strip it off. So strip it we did. Then I got out the sander and lightly went over everything to prepare for paint. Sasha, Ivanka and I got out the white paint after lunch and went to it. C.V. put too much water in the paint so it ran causing us to have to put two coats on. It looks so much better though and for this we are happy.
I have to run now, almost literally. We're off to the beach today and the van is honking at us to hurry. I will write about Tuesday and yesterday tonight... AHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!
KCK-ILY
God's people in Trinidad
"Sunday morning rain is falling"...
We had to take a taxi to the church building which was fifteen minutes away. Since there's always something to look at in the cities, it's not a big deal for me. I don't get tired of "travelling" (taking a taxi opposed to walking).
La Iglesia De Cristo:
De Church o Christ n dis place.
Although the Chalcos are Spanish speakers, most of the islanders are English speakers. This is a strongly accented and lots of lingo English that makes some people very difficult to understand. Once one is used to it, though . . . it's still sometimes difficult. This has been mentioned before, though.
The class was about works and faith and how important it is to have both. One comment that I commented on, after the initial comment was made, enlightened me to one of the points of interest in the church here. Sometimes there are language usages that can be somewhat confusing to one who has not had extensive English training. When I say extensive, I mean through high school. This is off subject though.
We had a great fellowship and brought two of the four cakes that were given to Franco to share and I got to meet so many people who are striving to be like Jesus on this island. I am always moved and encouraged to see believers in other places and the faith that they show. On Saturday there is a sports day for the church and we're all participating. I biffed my knee, but it should be alright by then. As long as I'm not doing the 25 meter race. Good times are always had playing games.
After a relaxed afternoon of napping and spending time together we decided to play Jump. Franco, Sasha and I played after dinner. For those of you who have never played before, it's an easily learned game that is good for fun in all occasions. Guess who won? Sasha...of course...
Sunday wasn't highly eventful...um...we got to assemble...that was brilliant. I have already mentioned my admiration for Franco and I won't go into it any further tonight, but on the topic of church and Biblical issues we lay on our mattresses and talked about all sorts of things for quite some time. It was good, but by the end of it I was definitely ready to sleep.
It's a strange thing. We haven't done a TON of things but we've stayed busy and it's always hot so I expect to sleep well at night. Well, that just hasn't been the case. Restless nights and getting up for water, washroom visits and pills have been quite frequent. This will pass, there's just a lot on my mind and my joints have been hurting in this climate. Pray for my body, it's up and down.
Goodnight, my friends and keep well. I'm 3 days behind, I know, but will make it up soon. I said that a couple days ago. If I had brought my computer it would be much more coonsistent, but travelling without it is easy and less-stress in the airport. Drop me an email if you have a change. I love hearing from you.
"You know who you are."
KCK-ILY
We had to take a taxi to the church building which was fifteen minutes away. Since there's always something to look at in the cities, it's not a big deal for me. I don't get tired of "travelling" (taking a taxi opposed to walking).
La Iglesia De Cristo:
De Church o Christ n dis place.
Although the Chalcos are Spanish speakers, most of the islanders are English speakers. This is a strongly accented and lots of lingo English that makes some people very difficult to understand. Once one is used to it, though . . . it's still sometimes difficult. This has been mentioned before, though.
The class was about works and faith and how important it is to have both. One comment that I commented on, after the initial comment was made, enlightened me to one of the points of interest in the church here. Sometimes there are language usages that can be somewhat confusing to one who has not had extensive English training. When I say extensive, I mean through high school. This is off subject though.
We had a great fellowship and brought two of the four cakes that were given to Franco to share and I got to meet so many people who are striving to be like Jesus on this island. I am always moved and encouraged to see believers in other places and the faith that they show. On Saturday there is a sports day for the church and we're all participating. I biffed my knee, but it should be alright by then. As long as I'm not doing the 25 meter race. Good times are always had playing games.
After a relaxed afternoon of napping and spending time together we decided to play Jump. Franco, Sasha and I played after dinner. For those of you who have never played before, it's an easily learned game that is good for fun in all occasions. Guess who won? Sasha...of course...
Sunday wasn't highly eventful...um...we got to assemble...that was brilliant. I have already mentioned my admiration for Franco and I won't go into it any further tonight, but on the topic of church and Biblical issues we lay on our mattresses and talked about all sorts of things for quite some time. It was good, but by the end of it I was definitely ready to sleep.
It's a strange thing. We haven't done a TON of things but we've stayed busy and it's always hot so I expect to sleep well at night. Well, that just hasn't been the case. Restless nights and getting up for water, washroom visits and pills have been quite frequent. This will pass, there's just a lot on my mind and my joints have been hurting in this climate. Pray for my body, it's up and down.
Goodnight, my friends and keep well. I'm 3 days behind, I know, but will make it up soon. I said that a couple days ago. If I had brought my computer it would be much more coonsistent, but travelling without it is easy and less-stress in the airport. Drop me an email if you have a change. I love hearing from you.
"You know who you are."
KCK-ILY
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