Possible Internship, you say?

Michael and I were working at the community garden, clearning brush and weeding. A reporter from the Vancouver Voice, SW Washington's only alternative newspaper was there for a story. I asked him if I could stop by sometime to see what they do, learn, work for free...? He said, yeah! We'll probably put you to work right away.

Very good, indeed.

http://www.vanvoice.com/

Pug Play Date

There was a pug play date in late August that we found out about from Meetup.com. About 30 pugs, lots of snorting and smiles...

Guemes Island

Last weekend was instrumental in helping me recover from my "Too Much New" Blues. We went to visit Michael's family: his Aunt Randi and her husband Dick were so generous and kind. They invited us to a family party on Samich/Sawich Island and then to their cottage on Guemes Island. Both islands are off the Olympic Penninsula.

It was WONDERFUL to be by the ocean; I had forgotten how much I love being by water and water calms me. When we returned home to Vancouver, I felt compelled to bike to the Columbia River every morning to pray, to find peace.

I feel like I have been returned to myself.

The picture is of Henry, contemplating the seagulls and nuclear physics, while also guarding Mike's Aunt Randi from evil.

Apple Orchards and Other Good Things...

I haven't written for a while because, I guess, there hasn't been much to report. I fell into a little bit of a funk spiritually, which made everything else hard. I would stay inside a lot rather than exploring Vancouver or get really anxious and scared that something bad would happen when I did set out.

But recently, I've forced myself to have one adventure a day: whether it's biking to the store instead of driving, stopping in at a coffee shop, or reading a magazine at a park, I am committed to getting out of my confining comfort-zone.

And it's been working.

After about 2 weeks, the anxiety is gone. If a bad thing happens, then I can handle it. Moreover, I've felt the thrill and joy of adventuring that I haven't felt in a while--since we were roadtripping. This came as a result of a daily promise to find some God-space, some small spot of wildness within the city that I can pray.

Below is one of my newest spaces: an apple orchard outside the Fort Vancouver National Site; while it's man-made, God is the reason that the trees are growing.

Job

I, Michael, got a job!

Bethany and I have been having a very enjoyable summer while dealing with the not-so-enjoyable prospect of having to pack everything up and head home due to lack of work. We had set a deadline of August 30th to figure out whether or not we were pulling out. Things have been looking bleak as we had both interviewed only once, and I have been worrying that I was not looking hard enough and was being too picky: I have really wanted a job where I can work at the Portland Rescue Mission a lot, and even most part-time jobs ask that I work early afternoon shifts, which would have defeated much of the purpose.

My early morning habit of scanning craigslist (not the best method for finding work, I'm sure) was not yielding results until I came across a part-time position as a math instructor. Upon further reading, I saw that it was for a company that trains men and women to be wind turbine technicians. I was interested, submitted my resume, and was immediately scheduled for an interview (which I enjoyed - I don't care to play the "Is this a good time for you?" game).

Friday, I interviewed for the position. I wore my nice interviewing suit (I am VERY glad we brought it with us) and did not forget my last name (the man interviewing me is Italian - I know Maurizio, let the jealousy begin). Beside that, my experience at both Water Street Rescue Mission and Portland Rescue Mission spoke to my ability to not only work with adults, but to teach Math with empathy while undertaking many other administrative duties AND proactively improving the curriculum. BAM! This is exactly what they were looking for!

I was a little confused for a moment. I thought most schools wanted to fleece their students while placing respect and empathy at the bottom of their lists. I also thought all my busy work, time starting a non-profit tutoring agency, and high math scores would work against me. Things were a bit weird, so I started looking for a catch.

The catch is, I will be making the math curriculum! What?! I love making math curriculum! I make tiny math curriculum every time I tutor, and I love gathering inexpensive resources to make it happen! Also, I'll need to be ready to tutor. Awesome! I would have to have 2 classes a week (at least for now) chat with other instructors to see what math they want the students to practice, and for the most part, be the force that makes sure the students and instructors need only to focus on wind turbines, and not on the math. This is what I want!

So, I wondered just how much this might detract from my time at the Portland Rescue Mission. I have since found out that at the moment, I need only spend Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at work. The rest of my hours can come from WORKING WHEREVER. Yes, I can work at home, preparing powerpoints, grading papers, etc. For the moment, as a part-time position, I simply throw those hours on a timesheet, and I get paid.

Ok, ok, I have probably ruined the surprise already but suffice it to say, I was very excited and anxious to hear about the job. It was either this, or stocking shelves by myself 20 hours a week, every morning, for much less pay, or heading back to Pennsylvania (which isn't so bad - I have been missing everyone, especially my brothers). This position had 77 applicants, so I tried to not get my hopes up.

Monday morning, I was offered the position! I am still getting settled, but it looks like Bethany is not the only person with God on speed-dial. We could have been sent back to PA having learned the lesson that a couple does not leave on adventures and just have everything magically work out. We could have found ill-fitting jobs. We could have found ill-fitting jobs that paid just under what we need to stay out here, and eventually have to pack-up anyway. All these things would have been fine, and for all I knew, been part of God's plan for us. Instead, I am offered a job doing something I love. A job I never really knew existed. A job where I can be paid doing what I do best, while being appreciated. A job that affords me time to remain at the mission (I only have to reschedule one of my 5 students!). A job that is 3 BLOCKS AWAY FROM WHERE I LIVE! It is very surreal. I don't know what to say.

If you haven't heard from me yet, know that you will be getting a call soon. Things are starting to settle down again (last weekend I visited family up in Seattle, this week I have been bouncing around finding clothes, going to work, and going to volunteer) so I will have time to call people shortly. Now, everyone who is reading this will have a place to stay if they decide to visit Portland! Thank you for reading along with us so far.

God Bless!
Michael

Best Book for Celebrating Small Victories

Dough: Simple Contemporary Bread by Richard Bertinet

Rather than kneading with one's palms, Bertinet teaches bakers to stretch and the fold the dough. Also, his bread recipe uses 4 (four!) ingredients. No milk, no butter, just salt, water, yeast, and "strong" flour (bread flour). With these 4 ingredients, he gives over 30 recipes.

I just made my standby bread recipe (Rustic Italian Bread) using Bertinet's kneading method. This bread was so much more airy and light then the 10 other times I've made it. I'm sold! (Below is the bread before and after baking: normally, it's about half that size.)

Also...(but less for victories and more for commiseration)

How to be a Dometic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking by Nigella Lawson.

Why? Because of lines like this: "The good thing is, we don't have to get ourselves up in Little Lady drag and we don't have to renouonce the world and enter into a life of domestic drudgery. But we can bake a little--and a cake is just a cake...This isn't a dream; what's more, it isn't even a nightmare."

With her by your side, blunt and truthful, what ever about the day that didn't work--it doesn't matter anymore. My mind is forced to move on to the challenging but fundamental task of baking.

I have an interview! (Sort of)

Today has been filled with lots of little victories!

Background:
Michael's been away most days at the Portland Rescue Mission this week, and, as he puts it, I've been "without a playmate." I bake and bike and read, which is fun. But summers are always difficult for me in that I don't have many people to hang around. I also get this weird, "Gotta get away" panic when I'm around new people--not all the time, but more so when I'm not a good place spiritually.

So, this week has been lonely as well as rife with the question, "How, exactly, am I suppossed to meet people?" Work and church are the usual answers, but no work (yet)and no church (yet).

But today!:
But today I got a call from one of the first positions I applied for and they'd "like to move forward with my candidacy." Translation: interview! It would be an editor position (yay!) but only $15-17 (not yay). However, a foot in the door is a foot in the door.

Also, I found this great website for meeting up with people based on interests: www.meetup.com. It's like Facebook and Craig's List had a baby. I might be going with a group tomorrow to check out a farmer's market and then have a picnic lunch. There's also a really cool book group that meets at a pub!

Afterwards:
And now, I celebrate. Rustic Italian Bread is baking in the oven and I'm listening to a fun, silly audiobook with dragons and dopplegangers. What a good day!

(And you know what Michael prayed this morning for me: "Lord, please give Bethany something unique and different for today" while I added, "And [something] good" (just in case). But God, like Domino's Pizza, delivers.)

Job Search

Been a while since our last post, and a few things have happened - mostly job search stuff. We're still in Vancouver and we're now seated in front of an inflatable screen about to watch the newest Star Trek movie in a park downtown while surrounded by a Friday evening market. Bethany sets herself apart by looking 20 but sitting on a foldable chair with a blanket over her legs knitting.

The last few days have been interesting. We settled in to our nice little apartment then visited an international food festival a matter of yards from our apartment (first ever in Vancouver) where we met a lot of promising contacts. Turns out it was organized by local Christians. Seemed like providence.

Since then I've visited the Portland Rescue Mission twice (got free lunch and cake this last time!) And I felt very welcome. I was worried that the friendliness of Water Street was a local phenomenon. Kevin Bradley even seems interested in making an intern out of me. I know God will put me where he wants, but it would be nice to have something so soon.


The job search is certainly complicated by my priorities. I want to spend as much time as may open up at the mission, but those hours are 1 to 5. I tried my hand at being a canvasser but I felt guilty and only lasted an hour. So far there is nothing else open, though we are both checking out some internships in Boston. Do I hear another roadtrip?

The dogs are doing fine and have enjoyed meeting a lot of other dogs in the apartment and the dog park. Phillip has to be careful because he looks like a running hot dog.

Toodles!

Bethany Wants Something, She Gets It

We moved in! Our address is 1800 Murton St Apt 106, Vancouver, WA 98661. The entire process took less than a day. Crazy!

Most fast-paced miracles seem to occur when Bethany tells God she wants something. I picture God going: OK! I'll get right on that, Ma'am! Wednesday we decided we wanted to move somewhere close to Portland (close enough that I didn't have to drive to the mission) was safe, inexpensive, and generally nice. That morning when using the internet and power at a coffee shop (in exchange for buying a pot pie!) I chatted with a lady about the area, shared a bit about what we were going through, and she turned out to be a Christian (not as many out here as in Bible Country) with a great recommendation for a place that is about 15 minutes from downtown Portland, is safe, inexpensive, etc!

We decide to drive by the place, then stop in after driving by. A few hours later we have the paperwork signed and the van unloaded (mostly). We are greatly enjoying the place and all its amenities (such as a work-out room and sauna - for cheaper that we've ever paid for a place) and the quiet we get in spite of the fact that it is an apartment complex. Oh yeah, it's also cheaper than staying in campgrounds every day. Bit cleaner too.

I'll post soon about what my plans are at the Portland Rescue Mission and whatever temporary or long-term work we find. :)

"After Tuesday, we don't know what happens..."

Tomorrow Michael visits with the Director of the Learning Center at the Portland Rescue Mission. What we are hoping for...a paid position in Oregon (Portland?. What we are preparing for...he doesn't have any leads.

This could mean the end of our road trip, or the beginning of another one.

Since Friday, the puggies, Michael, and I have been hanging out along the Hood River, an hour outside Portland. They've got some awesome mountain biking (for Michael) and I've got some awesome books from Powell's City Books in Portland--a bookstore that sells used and new and takes up an entire city block! Also, it's right down the street from the Portland Rescue Mission. While we've been relaxed and enjoying our time, at the back of my mind is something that Michael said on Saturday--"After Tuesday, we don't know what happens..."

After Tuesday, we find out if we are settling in Portland or are on our own again. I'm really not excited about the job search. It's been a good six months since I've looked at jobs for myself, even longer for Michael. It just seems that it's a path fraught with frustration and, quite frankly, hopelessness. It's been a stress that I've wanted to avoid. Moreover, I just don't have any sense of direction: do I want to teach, do I want to go into publishing? The only consistent response is that I don't want stress, I want something fun, challenging, different. But mostly, I want to be where Michael is loving his job. I've had my shot at career-dom, now it's his turn.

Hitch-hiking Hikers

Here are the two hikers to whom we gave a lift while we were in Yosemite National Park; one is a former cop and the other had a lot of jobs, including blues club owner. Michael gave some details earlier in the post.

What he didn't tell you is that we were in the middle of a fight--I'd been attacked by mesquitos (15 bites in less than 5 minutes) and was picking a fight with Michael. Michael was not being very good and refused to fight and went into the local store. I'm still fuming when he comes back 5 minutes later, saying, bright and cheerily, "I've got these two nice guys that want a ride." We have only the driver's seat and the passenger seat, the other seats have been removed for better storage. The rest of the van is packed with our gear.

I'm thinking, "First of all, I'm not done being right. And second of all, where the heck are they suppossed to sit?"

It was very nice giving them a ride--I was expecting a couple of obnoxious SoCal boys, but they were so fun to talk to. They gave us the inside scoop on the contentious Oregon/California relationship.

Best Book for Driving Through California

If you ever get to see the golden hills of CA, then I highly recommend the book The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. This is one of my all-time favorite books. It's a young adult fantasy book that I read as a teen, and, unlike so many YA books, I read as an adult and continue to value. The language, characterization, and plot are all sophisticated though appropriate for teens, and yet they are compelling and interesting for adults.

The reason I recommend this book for California is because Harry, the main character, lives in a world similar to ours--but not (there's magic). She is kidnapped from her Victorian-esque colony and eventually trained as a warrior by her Arabic-esque captors (think Lawerence of Arabia). The setting of this novel takes place in a desert colony and the bordering "hills." I had such a hard time picturing this environ but driving through CA, the setting finally made sense. The hills weren't PA hills; instead, they are lush, overwhelming mountains and valleys, dry and barren and yet so awe-inspiring.

Ask and You Shall Receive

The title of this post works on a few levels. First, Kate Flint requested more photos. As of this moment, I have uploaded 13% of the photos/videos we have taken so far. The link is:

2010 Tip Photos

I'll put that somewhere else on the blog as well.

The other way that the title relates is; we are really liking Oregon. I imagined there would be a bit of disenchantment when we finally arrived. Maybe a lot of snobs or the wrong types of hippies. :) But when we strolled/biked through Eugene today, Bethany and I felt very vindicated. The town is about the size of Lancaster, is very social/eco - conscious, and in need of a learning center director.

I had a surprisingly great amount of success chatting people up about the missions in the area. It appears they are not centralized though they are well staffed with volunteers. Also, this is not the bible belt. Christianity meets with a little hostility. I worried at first that if I begin a learning center here, will it ever have the success water street experiences? Will there be much support? Will it be well-received? Then I thought; doing the Lord's work is not about my own success. No mission will be able to flourish under me if I make it about me and not about the clients.

Also, for those reading this at water street: Robert, I have had some very good fried chicken here, but not as good as the chicken I've shared with you. I need to have some more. I'll owe you a bunch if you finish all 7 books. Manny, I would not have been able to get internet during this trip without your advice on tethering. Murphy, I have been to the bayou, and I still found no one with your accent.

I wanted to get some feedback on a debate Bethany and I are having. Which state has the worst drivers? I think California, though Florida is scary and I have heard bad things about New York. Please weigh in on the poll on the right side of the page. In Oregon, while driving the speed limit, I had 53 cars pass me (therefore speeding) 11 were from out of state, 11 were from Oregon, and 31 were from California.

Finally, I wanted to say we've hit our stride on the road. We can have dinner, set up camp, feed the dogs, and clean the van in under 30 minutes upon arrival at a camp site. Also, I've learned how to make camp coffee (using a gravity filter). Finally, I've learned how to completely disassemble my bike and fix it up new in order to save space. I won't mention that I've also saved on storage and time by wearing the same thing day-in day-out. Please ignore the fact that I am wearing the same thing in almost every photo.

I meet with a fella from Portland Rescue Mission on Tuesday. Till then, we're burning some time. We might spend another day in Eugene, but soon we'll check out Salem then Portland. Toodles!

Where We've Been

Greetings from the California coast. A lot has happened since our last blog. We lost our phone for a while, eventually gutted the van, then found it next to the laptop. Now we have internet again, though we're using the internet at the campsite where we stayed last night. I'll see if I can recap what we've been through since the last post.

Dang, I don't think I mentioned the Grand Canyon yet, and that seems like we were there weeks ago. Very beautiful. Not much more to say. I have many pictures, and I intend to organize those soon and get them posted to Picasa so y'all can see them. I climbed to some pretty crazy places, took the dogs on no-dog-trails, and watched the sun set while talking to a nice ranger fella.

We then decided to head up to Utah as was our original plan. After checking out some of the really cool rock stuff there, we turned around and headed for Vegas. I almost got Bethany to gamble on a slot machine at the pitstop we made, but she held firm. We then bought a milkshake and hit the road for California.

We wiggled (and all you can do on most of California roads is wiggle at about 30 mph) to Sequoia National Park. Very scary on the roads, but very beautiful. The pugs had fun claiming some of the largest trees in the world. Bethany napped while I went up to some very scary perches. The pictures are neato.

To wrap up, we then spent two HOT days at a recreation (read: boating) park where I got sunburned and we found the phone after reorganizing the van. Yesterday we then went to Yosemite, gave a lift to two pretty cool older hikers back to the car then left for a 3 day hike, then went to a place south of San Francisco. We slept amongst trees that are thousands of years old. Very cool. Literally. Bethany has been freaking out now that we are out of the heat (in a good way). We then basically gave San Francisco the finger by only visiting for an hour. Long enough for Phillip to pee on it and me to get a burger from McDonalds (though Bethany did get some sourdough bread which is apparently San Fran's thing). That brings us up to date!

I will be back with more details and pictures in short order. Until then: toodles!

Report from Mobile Fluffy Cave

The pugs are in pug heaven. They are constantly smiling as they nap in a traveling, air-conditioned, and blanketed van filled with our 5 water bottles (which I greedily fill at any and all water sources) and dine on Spam as we have recently run out of dog food. By the way, I like my traveling man cave a lot, especially now that we have a power inverter to power the laptop. Phillip has even decided to poop downtown first in Cincinnati, then New Orleans, and today Albuquerque. Albuquerque deserved it.

A picture of happy Phillip and one of Henry napping any way he can.



This is because Albuquerque has no Hispanic restaurants in its downtown area. I have been eating ramen/rice topped with canned meat for most meals except for important "must-eats". These include but are not limited to: sweet tea, barbecue, fried okra, corn bread, jambalaya, beignets, and JUST A LITTLE MEXICAN FOOD IN, OH, I DON'T KNOW, NEW MEXICO!

Hehe. We asked around and found a great place in old Albuquerque. Much worth the look. I had beans.

By the way, we just passed into Arizona and the song "Ocean Front Property" (in Arizona) started playing. Also, we can see the reason why the park we were going to use this evening is closed. Forest fire. Someone forgot to put all his coals out. He's getting a misdemeanor. We thought the smoke was a cloud from a distance.

Also, Bethany is a little punchy. She just said, "WALMART! HEEEEEEY, WALMART!" She also awoke from a nap to say, "They have ice cream at lake Jacob!" (Where we are staying tonight - Grand Canyon is 30 miles away: will see sunrise and sunset there tomorrow).

What else? We passed through Texas in a sprint last night. Phillip pooped in New Orleans yesterday and Albuquerque today. I replaced the oil in the van the night before yesterday. We are going to replace it again in about 30 minutes.

Texas looks a lot like Pennsylvania. I have been getting wary of people saying, "Oh, you'll really like Oregon, it looks a lot like Pennsylvania." That can be said of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Thanks to New Mexico and Arizona for being deserts. Also, they are actually cooler than all the previous states. The pugs went for a walk and didn't end up panting. That is a nice surprise. Also, not as many bugs.

That brings us up to speed. I think I'll do pictures for the next post. We have a good few.

Recommendation and Acclaimation

Best book to have on your mind while traveling through Lousiana: Charlainne Harris's Dead Until Dark. Yay, Sookie Stackhous

Fountainbleu State Park

Do not know how to pronounce the name. Any takers?

Cleanliness

Hello, my name is Bethany, and it's been 6 days since my last shower...

Since we've stumbled across lakes or public fountains every day since our departure, we've been (relatively) clean. But there comes a bursting point where lake water just don't get you clean no more.

We are currently (as I 'after the fact' write) in Lake Lurleen State Park, outside Birmingham, Alabama (Bama Nation!). It's the morning after and enough is enough. I wind my way to the bathhouse, which is suprisingly clean and modern and took my first real shower in almost a week. It was glorious!

The one downside: My tan, my lovely, gloriously glowing tan that had developed in just the last week--turns out, it wasn't really a tan. It was dirt.

Leaving the bathhouse--I was sweating inside the building because my one shower (though only an environmentally friendl-ish 10 minutes) had made the poorly ventilated bathhouse steamy and overly-heated. I left the bathhouse quickly but almost instantly wanted to retreat back inside because outside was even worse than in--and it was only 9 am!

Current music for visiting Alabama: (which I actually heard on the radio coming here!) Home Sweet Alabama by the Charlie Daniels Band...anybody know if there's an apostrophe in the name?

Morning Wake-Up Call

Lake Nolin State Park, Saturday Morning

Loud, whining bark from a small dog--because he's tied up...

Woman to her child (in calm, Southern accent): Can I have your hat?
Woman to her child: Can I have your hat?
Child: My hat?
Woman: Give me your hat, baby.
Child: Why?
Woman: Give me your hat. I need to beat my dawg. (To dog:) You know better!

Enjoying Art

Lois-ville?
Louie-ville?
Loua-ville?

Nope, it's Loua-vull.



Here's Michael playing in either a work of art or cool pool that stretch about a city block along the Louisville water front. Despite the sign that said, "High levels of hydrogen: do not swim," he did.

The snake's belly is full 'cause he's just eaten--and so's Michael's!

National Parks are Deceiving

A few nights ago (I guess it was Thursday) we tried stopping in a park in Ohio. I checked the TomTom and Google maps (which is how we wing it most of the time) and saw a nice large national park not too far from Columbus, Ohio. We even called to confirm there were sites available and that they were dog friendly. The lady assured Bethany that there were plenty of spots and the check-in was easy. No need for directions was indicated.

TomTom took us to the "entrance" which was actually a very nice empty building with a nice large empty parking lot and no camping sites. After I lost my mind (Bad directions is my biggest pet peeve) we backtracked 30 minutes to a state park we passed on the way. It was a nice park, we got a chance to practice our fire building, tent setup, and we unloaded a few more things from the van. In the morning we took our time making breakfast, set our course for Columbus for lunch (Skyline Chili!), then started driving around 11 or so.

In all this time, I think we were in one of the branches of the national park. The thing I didn't realize was: national park just means "hillbillies welcome." It felt like Deliverance, and I have only heard of the movie. Lots of shacks and ghost towns with the random gas station attendant hogging all the town's five teeth to himself. Just kidding, these people are very nice! Everyone says hello and doesn't mind that I don't shower.

My friend from college, Honker, heard I was heading toward Cincinnati so we met up at his parent's house. He will be in Portland in August, so we'll be seeing a bit of each other this summer! Bethany and I felt bad for the dogs so we cozied up in the van for the night. Pretty comfortable, though a little cramped. I'm getting used to it though.

I'll tell you about yesterday and today later. Just got internet through my phone, so we'll be able to update this blog more frequently. Feel free to e-mail!

Mike

You've got a one (sound)track mind

Yesterday was my last day of the school year, possibly my last day teaching. Ever. For months--years, even, I've imagined what this Grand Escape would feel like.

On the radio that afternoon, Tom Petty's "Freefalling" played. I was just amazed at how well this song connected. The speaker has something wonderful that he's leaving behind, and he knows that he should feel guilty or at least remorseful--but he is so captured by the intensity of being free.

Another song that resonated with my resolution was Jordin Sparks, "One Step at a Time." I know that I should bring attention to this teeny-bobber, feel-good junk...but one does feel good listening to it, as though a tiny bubble of joy has broken through. The line, "It's gonna happen when it's suppossed to happen, and there ain't no reason why, Just one step at a time" seemed tailored fit to my journey, the many moments of waiting and hoping for this last car ride on Route 222.

But what are your songs? What song would you want to listen to as you make your Grand Escape? What it be peppy or mournful, Taylor Swift or AC/DC?

I've got--I say 3 days, Michael says 14--to get to Oregon...what should be the soundtrack for this trip?

Last Day in PA

I have moved before. Once, I helped my brother Matt pack up a truck, drive to a storage unit, unpack, repack, then drive to Pittsburgh, then almost help unpack IN THE SAME DAY. Somehow, the packing involved in this trip has been even more hectic. I was worked to the bone making donation/recycling/storage trips while cleaning, watching the dogs, and making the calls necessary to get rid of furniture Water Street (in the form of Tom Paschke :) ) would not take. So, I was rewarded for my efforts when we left yesterday.

And then there was one...one more day left

We have condensed our 4-bedroom house to 10 boxes, 2 hike packs, and 2 puggies. I would like to thank the intense humidity and heat, the nasty mouse droppings at the back of too many cabinets, and the lack of boxes/bags/carrying devices for this very difficult honor.

I am glory-ing in the feeling of leaving the house for the last time tomorrow and just being on the open road. Will it feel more real then? I can feel this intense bubble of excitement and anticipation about to burst in my chest at the thought.

We had a fun bonfire last night and got to see friends one last time. I think last night--leaving hit me more fully than before. Leaving means no longer quick get together's or calling up and hanging out. Instead, it means quick catch-ups and brief how's it goings. The real work in staying close and involved will start.

I hope that--with wherever we "land"--we can find a community of friends and supporters, people who get (and, even more, enjoy!) our humor, who will just sit around a bonfire with us and ask for no more entertainment then shooting the crap out of a mildly innocent neck pumpkin.

Lancaster has been wonderful. Oregon, you have a lot to live up to.

--Bethany

Bye, bye Garden

And here's my garden. The new renters have already planted their tomatoes (in my garden!) The rabbits have also moved in on my rutabagas, the slugs on my lettuce--and the rain has pulled down my peas. Slowly, slowly I'm being pushed out.

Weeds and Other Deeds

Check out the picture. Can you figure out what that is?

It's my to do list: before we leave there are, of course, lots of things that are not mended/cleaned/polished up. But this is the back field...a friend said that if we called it the meadow, then we didn't have to worry about mowing it. Fair enough. If only the landlords felt so too. My excuse has been, I love bugs and wildflowers--and (she mutters under her breath) hate mowing.

Oh well. 15 minutes a day of weedwacking and then 15 minutes a day mowing the wacked weeds.

7 days left!

Plans

Michael here. My final days in Lancaster are coming to a close. If I had known that I would live amongst the Amish 6 years ago, I would have laughed. Now I already feel a loss when I think about the place I spent my young adult years. I have dated, engaged, and married Bethany, graduated and unsuccessfully used my college diploma, then determined to leave - only to discover the thing that might really keep me here: the learning center at water street.

Those who know me might also know that I become very shy at times, and very outgoing at others. I enjoy myself a lot when I am outgoing, and I think I finally isolated what makes me outgoing: working with adults in a Christian learning atmosphere. I sensed this when I worked as a camp counselor, and a little as a tutor, but never so strongly and consistently as when I volunteered at water street. I know I will miss the mission, but at least I have ascertained what makes me tick. I count myself lucky: I don't think many people know what will make them happy. Now, I know.

This summer will be an enjoyable experience for many reasons. The hiking and camping will be a fun way to get in touch with my manly side (I write that a little tongue-in-cheek, but not entirely). The change of pace will be nice for my relationship with Bethany. Exploring the outdoors will be a wonderful way for me to recharge. However, I cannot help but see this as a retreat in the negative sense as well.

I have developed many relationships in Lancaster. Bethany has (until recently) enjoyed a wonderful job. Friends have started springing up. My volunteer time has been widening in scope. To leave now sends (inadvertently) the message that we do not care. It tells friends and colleagues that they are not as important as our wanderlust. It has already confused and hurt some, though all have been kind in their reception of the news.

Like a teenager who first pops-off to college, then to overseas mission work, then an advanced degree or military career, I feel like I am addicted to the moratoriums of western life. Here I am jetting off to Oregon when I could be starting my life's work in Pennsylvania. Why does my spirit still point west when I dislike the messages I send? Am I whipped? Apathetic? I would like to think not.

Man plans and God laughs. I learned that lesson when I tried to get through college then ended up on the wrong side of a lawsuit. Now, I find myself yearning for the lack of a plan, yet planning none-the-less. I want to zip out to Oregon, but now I have another purpose besides running away. I desire a future where I can 'volunteer' at missions for the rest of my life. If there is a way to do that, I want it to happen. Oregon seems to be the place where this search will start.

I have heard of the learning center in Portland and the work done throughout the state. I think I should start there. My short-term plan is to enjoy what Oregon can offer me. My long-term plan (which might even - gasp - involve more school) is to make a career out of what I have done the last 3 months in water street. I am excited, because no matter how far below my goal I fall, I know I will be joyful with my profession for the rest of my life. God willing.

Mike

In Case of Bears...

Bill Bryson, how dare you?



Do you know how many times he mentions bears or bear attacks or (gasp!) bears eating my food? It's ridiculous! He should be ashamed of himself. Let me quoteth to you some of his facts/horrors as used in his book, A Walk in the Woods.



-"Black bears rarely attack. But here's the thing. Sometimes they do. All bears are agile, cunning, and immensely strong, and they are always hungry. If they want to kill you and eat you, they can, and pretty much whenever they want. That doesn't happen often, but--and here is the absolute salient point--once would be enough."



And of course...



"Up to that moment it had not occurred to me that bears might prowl in parties. What on earth would I do if four bears came into my camp? Why, I would die, of course. Literally [crap] myself lifeless. I would blow my sphincter out my backside like one of those unrolling paper streamers you get at a children's parties--I daresay it would even give a merry toot--and bleed to a messy death in my sleeping bag."



Merry toots are just not my thing.



I read this book at the beginning of my "research" into our (Michael and Bethany's) upcoming journey: we have sold off, packed up, and said goodbye to life in Lancaster and are headed to Oregon (somewhere there in). Our goal: hike and explore. Our goal after reading Walk? Not to become the bits that gets stuck in a bear's mouth.



Perhaps I'm overly concerned about something Mr. Bryson added for cheap thrills and chills; something small, something minor.

Perhaps. But then, if I didn't obsess over bears, then what else would I do with my free time? Pack, plan? Hardly.

Here's a funny clip from comedian Mike Birbiglia who says, (paraphrased) "There are so many bears in Alaska that they give you a pamphlet. The pamphlet says if you see a bear, play dead... That seems like a real gamble..." Watch the full bit at http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/514688>

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