tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25797270358896107482024-03-12T21:50:19.317-07:00The Road to the Foreign ServiceJacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-52772445071266614402010-05-02T17:54:00.000-07:002010-05-02T18:04:29.321-07:00It's Official- the swearing in ceremony<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g8BeSjII/AAAAAAAAAMM/3dnj70tlbyE/s1600/DSC_0392%5B2%5D.JPG"></a><p class="MsoNormal">Although flag day is technically more exciting for us, the big deal day for the government is the “Commissioning Ceremony”; this is where the new class of diplomatic officers are sworn into service by the secretary of state.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jacob’s class was fortunate enough to have Hillary Clinton, our secretary of state, come and perform the swearing in herself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g6Tjd_6I/AAAAAAAAALs/v_SvqlEk5Os/s1600/DSC_0392%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g6Tjd_6I/AAAAAAAAALs/v_SvqlEk5Os/s200/DSC_0392%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466843183727902626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a></p><div><br /></div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The ceremony began with several speeches about of how wonderful this class of officers is, and how talented and great they will be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally the secretary arrived and she gave a 10 minute speech regarding how important their role as diplomats are, and how crucial their jobs are to American policy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She also talked about how talented the class is and how difficult it is to be accepted into this elite rank in the government.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Finally she recited the oath, and they were officially officers of the foreign service!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g7o5O2NI/AAAAAAAAAME/7wd_QnRsAaw/s1600/DSC_0434%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g7o5O2NI/AAAAAAAAAME/7wd_QnRsAaw/s200/DSC_0434%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466843206636198098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g7SC2z9I/AAAAAAAAAL8/0-zKTn8RaU0/s1600/DSC_0479%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g7SC2z9I/AAAAAAAAAL8/0-zKTn8RaU0/s200/DSC_0479%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466843200502550482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g6jLd1mI/AAAAAAAAAL0/SnEyoZhbij8/s1600/DSC_0490%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g6jLd1mI/AAAAAAAAAL0/SnEyoZhbij8/s200/DSC_0490%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466843187922196066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94g6Tjd_6I/AAAAAAAAALs/v_SvqlEk5Os/s1600/DSC_0392%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><p></p><div><br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-37046635433059284122010-05-02T17:28:00.000-07:002010-05-02T18:45:51.202-07:00Washington, DC- Flag Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bvtstaRI/AAAAAAAAAK8/PMZweJbeskI/s1600/DSC_0316%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bvtstaRI/AAAAAAAAAK8/PMZweJbeskI/s200/DSC_0316%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466837504209283346" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Well we finally made it to DC, I’m sure you have all been wondering what happened to us?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I apologize for not writing this entry sooner, we’ve been enjoying the life in DC and Jacob has started training.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>On Friday April 23<sup>rd</sup>, they had a ceremony they call “flag day.” It is the only time in their careers where they will receive their posting in a ceremony and it is celebrated.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the future they will be told where they are going via email.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bvwlXDHI/AAAAAAAAALE/_VrcGupxHsU/s1600/DSC_0321%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bvwlXDHI/AAAAAAAAALE/_VrcGupxHsU/s200/DSC_0321%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466837504983764082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a></p><div><br /></div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, the ceremony is one of the more stressful things we’ve been to, as you have very little control over what you will receive, and it is 45 minutes of your life that determines the next 2 years of your life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They had several speakers talk about the class and then they proceeded to announce each country with its flag on the big screen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They would follow this up with the job this person would be holding and the name of the officer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They would present each officer with the flag of the country they were heading to, and a folder with their training schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After they had announced about half the class they finally announced “Gaborone, Botswana”, and stated that Jacob would be taking on this job.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So the moment we have all been waiting for, well at least Jacob and I, has come and we are headed to Botswana in July!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bwABFC4I/AAAAAAAAALM/rBRxgvBRvPA/s1600/DSC_0335%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bwABFC4I/AAAAAAAAALM/rBRxgvBRvPA/s200/DSC_0335%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466837509126556546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bw2nKdtI/AAAAAAAAALc/mlm5zlTsbMs/s1600/DSC_0341%5B2%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bw2nKdtI/AAAAAAAAALc/mlm5zlTsbMs/s200/DSC_0341%5B2%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466837523781809874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bwQoPDOI/AAAAAAAAALU/2GIdQe4v_h8/s1600/DSC_0340%5B2%5D.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bwQoPDOI/AAAAAAAAALU/2GIdQe4v_h8/s200/DSC_0340%5B2%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466837513585757410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bwABFC4I/AAAAAAAAALM/rBRxgvBRvPA/s1600/DSC_0335%5B1%5D.JPG"><br /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S94bvwlXDHI/AAAAAAAAALE/_VrcGupxHsU/s1600/DSC_0321%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><p></p><div><br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-53324053387486117232010-03-25T17:00:00.000-07:002010-03-25T20:21:00.733-07:00Identity Theft Hot PotatoThe FBI says Identity Theft is "the fastest growing white-collar crime in America."<div><br /></div><div>Well, if you want to jump on that bandwagon, let me enlighten you on the best path forward: </div><div><br /></div><div>Actions:</div><div>1. Choose a state to steal personal information and data</div><div>2. When stealing said data, ensure you choose identities that reside in another state</div><div>3. Fraudulently represent identities in a third state</div><div><br /></div><div>Result:</div><div>Police precincts in all states do not want to take your complaint</div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-60505556549266970262010-03-24T15:03:00.000-07:002010-03-25T20:11:47.655-07:00Almost America<div>I think we need to come clean...we left America.<div><br /></div><div>I love America, but it's hard for me to resist exotic destinations...like Toronto and Montreal--although not exactly balmy this time of year. Admittedly, we had been planning to come through Canada since we embarked on the trip but still billed it as a Roadtrip Across America. How could we live with ourselves in this deceit? Well, it is a roadtrip across <i>North</i> America.</div><div><br /></div><div>We began the diversion in the Northland with a brief stay on Lake Ontario. We looked longingly over the inland ocean (i.e. great lakes) at the twinkling lights of the homeland on the horizon.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6wikel9-iI/AAAAAAAACa4/ZPHz14rp2xY/s1600/DSC_0153%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6wikel9-iI/AAAAAAAACa4/ZPHz14rp2xY/s320/DSC_0153%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452771258921777698" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I soon found myself feeling a little more foreign when the signs started changing to French as we entered Quebec. I think Amy found herself at home with a whole province of bilingual French/English speakers.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6wijgd1RGI/AAAAAAAACao/_Vk39rX13p0/s1600/DSC_0169%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6wijgd1RGI/AAAAAAAACao/_Vk39rX13p0/s320/DSC_0169%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452771242244654178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our entertainment for the 20 hours in Montreal was playing "visiting parents" to our friend, who is a 3rd year law student at McGill. I've never been on the other end of a college visit; we enjoyed seeing the classrooms, cafeteria, study lounges, meeting friends, going to dinner and then saying goodnight and going back to our hotel. In the morning, our little student came to pick us up at the hotel after her class and we went to visit her house where she lives with 4 other girls.</div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose it wasn't quite the same as a parental visit since we weren't constantly assessing if the tuition dollars were being well spent.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6wij7eSPzI/AAAAAAAACaw/LqhA1FB8YWA/s1600/DSC_0174%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6wij7eSPzI/AAAAAAAACaw/LqhA1FB8YWA/s320/DSC_0174%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452771249494310706" /></a><div><br /></div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-79998789704021396112010-03-23T12:20:00.001-07:002010-03-23T12:25:55.625-07:00At Home in the Heartland<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Enough with the personal financial troubles of the last couple posts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have certainly been a bit distracted by the responsibilities of life, but we are still making Eastward progress.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have made it across the Heartland of America—affectionately called the “land we fly over” by some of the folks who live on the coasts.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">While we have been in the Midwest we have not climbed mountains or tasted wine or walked the footsteps of movie stars.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The scenery is subtle with rolling hills of endless cornfields.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The people are hospitable and enjoy a sane pace of life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a good breather from our hectic travel schedule and life in the big city.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">For me it is also a return to family—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, a nephew and my dad. In my intermittent visits during and since college, I have taken snapshots of life in the Midwest but have not lived there for nearly a decade.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What strikes me while reflecting on the past 10 years is that despite the steadiness and routine of the Heartland, it is not exempt from the involuntary changes that come with the passing years of life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When my mom passed away two years ago this summer, it changed daily life for my dad and brother at home and has altered the dynamics of our family visits since then.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">We will experience much of the inevitable change of life from afar while we are away in the Foreign Service.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Potential change makes me appreciate the everyday life that we share with friends and relatives on our visits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While every day schedules may seem routine and unchanging, one day they will only be relived through fading memories.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is these everyday activities and moments of life that make the fabric we weave together to form our most lasting relationships.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have appreciated our time with all of you along the way and look forward to more memory making in the years to come. </p>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-17831204171578394212010-03-21T16:21:00.000-07:002010-03-21T16:23:26.219-07:00Ad Hoc, Compulsory Budget Reduction Fees<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">More than one state across the nation is in fiscal trouble, but their seemingly semi-random revenue generating activities can be frustrating.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To cut through the verbosity, I got a speeding ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I hope it helps reduce Illinois’ raging deficit.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">I suppose it doesn’t come as a surprise that we would meet a friendly State-trooper at some point in our journey, and I guess I should be happy we made it over 8,000 miles without handing over my license and registration.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I certainly can’t argue that I was speeding, but isn’t it frustrating to see those lights in your rearview mirror?</p>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-21994904402451434122010-03-14T13:48:00.000-07:002010-03-16T13:51:24.158-07:00Who am I?<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">If you were hoping for some existential reflections, you’ll have to wait for a later date.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Today my contemplations are about my legal identification.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">My identity was stolen last week—credit cards opened in my name and our checking account drained of funds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Although I will hopefully not have any lasting financial impact, my first few days of identify-theft remind me of coping with other tragedies like death.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When someone else has a death of a family member or friend, I can be empathetic, but I do not know exactly how he is feeling, nor can I truly share his perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I always felt bad for folks that had their Social Security Numbers stolen, but never shared in their anguish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">I never before contemplated these burning questions: Who is this imposter?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Does he even look anything like me? Is he at least good-looking? Why did he choose me? How did he get my information? Will he be caught? How can I ever rest easy about my identity security again?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Identity Theft is a very strange crime of which to be a victim.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I happened to find out immediately due to fraud detection at my bank and a credit card.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But the other new credit card I detected on my own by accessing my credit report.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I could not have discovered the crime until well after it was committed.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">These acts of fraud are a byproduct of our modern world.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While my friends and family recognize my physical appearance and voice and know my character through our interactions, the rest of the world recognizes my SSN, address and driver’s license and knows my character through a compilation of recorded historical behaviors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It would be quite a feat (Mission Impossible worthy) to be an impostor in my personal life, but much easier to use my basic information to get credit in my name.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">I hope my impostor had a fun weekend and enjoys his freedom before our legal system brings him to justice.</p>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-57248128453524698072010-03-14T11:51:00.000-07:002010-03-17T15:13:16.503-07:00Religious Freedom in the Desert<div style="text-align: center;">“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>– The Constitution of the United States of America, 1<sup>st</sup> Amendment (Proposed 9/25/1789; Ratified 12/15/1791)</div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Many of the first settlers in the American colonies were seeking freedom from religious persecution in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the same way, some of the settlers of the American West were seeking freedom from religious persecution in the Eastern United States.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our Constitution protects our legal right to practice any religion, but that has not necessarily changed the way people perceive and interact with those who have different beliefs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Mormonism began in the Northeast but resistance to these different beliefs led Joseph Smith to take the followers of this new faith to Illinois and ultimately Brigham Young led the followers to Salt Lake City.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the same way that the Pilgrims found freedom an ocean away from Europe and in the less populated colonies, Mormonism was finally able to put down its roots across the continent from its birth and in the isolation of the Utah desert.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Visiting Salt Lake City reminded us of the diverse applications of freedom in the United States; the Mormon family-oriented, conservative lifestyle is a stark contrast with our previous urban desert experience—the hedonism of Las Vegas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">We took the opportunity to learn about Mormonism from the experts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We visited Temple Square and attended a movie about Joseph Smith shown in the memorial building of his namesake.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was insightful to learn about his journey and the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6FQ1d1rM6I/AAAAAAAACaQ/l3KYmQKsn4Q/s320/DSC_0922%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449725903568057250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">We also enjoyed the modern day benefits of Salt Lake City’s location—the ski slopes!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A little bit of powder and warmth reminded us we were not in the Northeast.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a mystery to me how it can be warm enough to eat lunch on the patio of the ski lodge and then ski down the mountain on fresh snow—must be a miracle.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6FTw82n09I/AAAAAAAACag/9Bj_1btiXaA/s1600-h/IMG_7819%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6FTw82n09I/AAAAAAAACag/9Bj_1btiXaA/s320/IMG_7819%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449729124529066962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6FTwbsmiKI/AAAAAAAACaY/liQYodehsnc/s1600-h/IMG_7817%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S6FTwbsmiKI/AAAAAAAACaY/liQYodehsnc/s320/IMG_7817%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449729115628669090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></p>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-34102903983736080172010-03-11T21:08:00.000-08:002010-03-12T21:34:21.445-08:00Eastward HO!?The Expedition of Lewis and Clark, the California Gold Rush, the Louisiana Purchase, the Oregon Trail. America's cultural narrative is Westward. Even our pre-nation history is told by European explorers sailing into the sunset to the New World.<div><br /></div><div>Whether it is cultural indoctrination or innate aesthetic appreciation, there is something I love about going West. Watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean after crossing our great nation filled me with a sense of hope that tomorrow will be even better than today. But what if tomorrow means going East?</div><div><br /></div><div>Our road trip is no longer mimicking the historic expansion of the United States. Now we are driving east. I can't help but think how the trip is more than halfway done--and, for me, concluding an adventure can hardly compete with the adrenaline rush of beginning one. The outset of an adventure is filled with expectations--the end is filled with great memories, but the potential and unknown are no more.</div><div><br /></div><div>I shouldn't get ahead of myself here, we still have a continent to cross, friends and family to revisit and more exploration of what makes America great. The route back will be further north so pray we don't have to use our snow chains (since we don't have any;).</div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-76036308976044667282010-03-10T19:37:00.000-08:002010-03-10T19:47:35.950-08:00California, the land of reduced service levels...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hnNMteL2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/8a1Ucfx48Z0/s1600-h/DSC_0830%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmyXiEaOI/AAAAAAAAAJI/tNti-V2u3Uo/s1600-h/DSC_0808%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmyXiEaOI/AAAAAAAAAJI/tNti-V2u3Uo/s320/DSC_0808%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447216764801018082" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmx8wYffI/AAAAAAAAAJA/ShVblnsc4AM/s1600-h/DSC_0805%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmw7N-KsI/AAAAAAAAAIw/z3_KHXcN8ZI/s1600-h/DSC_0799%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><p class="MsoNormal">We will only comment on this for a moment, but I thought it was interesting to mention.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the east coast we hear about California being broke and their budget not being balanced, but I did not expect to experience the results of this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We stopped into a state park in Northern California to see the redwoods, we expected to find a state park with information and rangers…we saw one ranger.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We walked up to the visitor’s center and were greeted with a sign reading “please note due to budget cuts you may experience reduced levels of service”…hmmm we thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So we proceeded to get a map, and we tried to use the bathroom which we soon discovered was locked…reduced levels of service.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We decided to try and do a short loop to see an old redwood, called “old tree” that was supposed to be 12” across, we found the path and soon encountered a fallen down tree, we walked on and found several fallen trees across the path…apparently more reduced levels of service…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmw7N-KsI/AAAAAAAAAIw/z3_KHXcN8ZI/s320/DSC_0799%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447216740020660930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmx8wYffI/AAAAAAAAAJA/ShVblnsc4AM/s1600-h/DSC_0805%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmx8wYffI/AAAAAAAAAJA/ShVblnsc4AM/s320/DSC_0805%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447216757613297138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">We continued into San Francisco that evening and the next morning on our walk along the wharf were continually greeted with folks trying to save the state parks, we were clearly not the only people noticing the reduced levels of service…</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hnNMteL2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/8a1Ucfx48Z0/s1600-h/DSC_0830%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hnNMteL2I/AAAAAAAAAJg/8a1Ucfx48Z0/s320/DSC_0830%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447217225752522594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hnMbmH40I/AAAAAAAAAJY/ANZvPi9LtWE/s1600-h/DSC_0843%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hnMbmH40I/AAAAAAAAAJY/ANZvPi9LtWE/s320/DSC_0843%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447217212568363842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmyzcgCHI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/1pEMdwzQ728/s1600-h/DSC_0841%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hmyzcgCHI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/1pEMdwzQ728/s320/DSC_0841%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447216772293855346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-8165143977954525262010-03-10T19:27:00.001-08:002010-03-10T19:37:34.056-08:00Northern California, more American dreams<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hlDgONDKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/N1-qktud-ik/s1600-h/DSC_0879%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0IIeppI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fgNMiPSSMiw/s1600-h/DSC_0852%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0IIeppI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fgNMiPSSMiw/s320/DSC_0852%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447214596003636882" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkzvqIu8I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/o3OEHbXtngo/s1600-h/DSC_0843%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><p class="MsoNormal">We drove up Route 1 and 101 along the California coast, it is tremendous scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The rolling hills and incoming fog reminded me of Jurassic Park and yet we were right between two of the largest cities in America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We arrived late to Palo Alto and the next morning went running around the campus of Stanford University.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is unlike any other school, with Spanish influenced architecture and wide expanses of lawn.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a school known for its tremendous scholastic ability and its business school prides itself on its entrepreneurial flavor. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkzAO0NSI/AAAAAAAAAII/wixO2guuMNE/s1600-h/DSC_0780%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkypYbLQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/YEbnCwus-mk/s1600-h/DSC_0777%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkypYbLQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/YEbnCwus-mk/s320/DSC_0777%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447214570569149698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><p></p><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkzAO0NSI/AAAAAAAAAII/wixO2guuMNE/s1600-h/DSC_0780%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkzAO0NSI/AAAAAAAAAII/wixO2guuMNE/s320/DSC_0780%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447214576702862626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkypYbLQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/YEbnCwus-mk/s1600-h/DSC_0777%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkypYbLQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/YEbnCwus-mk/s1600-h/DSC_0777%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hkypYbLQI/AAAAAAAAAIA/YEbnCwus-mk/s1600-h/DSC_0777%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today we enjoyed the beauty of the Napa wine valley, we drove through the hills and stopped to taste the local varietals.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The people are friendly, relaxed and encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At one vineyard we ran into a gentleman originally from Wales who has become an American citizen and is a chef.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has decided to leave the wine industry and start his own business being a private chef.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He said in this country you have to have a dream and a goal, it’s great to be an American but if you aren’t living your dream and you don’t have a goal, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>you aren’t living up to what this country stands for.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hlDgONDKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/N1-qktud-ik/s1600-h/DSC_0879%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hlDgONDKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/N1-qktud-ik/s320/DSC_0879%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447214860168137890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0tbrCZI/AAAAAAAAAIg/gbLNaYIbq4A/s1600-h/DSC_0871%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0tbrCZI/AAAAAAAAAIg/gbLNaYIbq4A/s320/DSC_0871%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447214606016252306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0IIeppI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fgNMiPSSMiw/s1600-h/DSC_0852%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0IIeppI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fgNMiPSSMiw/s1600-h/DSC_0852%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hk0IIeppI/AAAAAAAAAIY/fgNMiPSSMiw/s1600-h/DSC_0852%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-18370754353300983712010-03-08T19:06:00.000-08:002010-03-10T21:47:25.626-08:00California, the land of the American dream...<div style="text-align: left;">We did it; we made it to the Pacific Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now some people have told us, that if we get tired of driving, we can always book a flight home once we get here…I think we’ll keep driving.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Driving from the city of human desires and imagination in the middle of the desert, we have now made it to Hollywood!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hollywood an American creation entirely different, a place where we create dreams, stars and stories.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhXRzOYNI/AAAAAAAAAHY/ZSd4OiQuwmA/s320/DSC_0735%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447210801847754962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal">We started our time in Los Angeles in Santa Monica, with a run along the beach and stroll down the 3<sup>rd</sup> street promenade.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We noticed something truly interesting on the promenade, people like to stand out, here in LA they want to be individuals and be seen, become a star.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In New York everyone wants to be an individual but you want to blend in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We walked down the promenade with our tea latte, which my sister told me I had to try, and listened to the musicians, watched the dancing trefoils (girl scouts dressed up as cookies trying to sell cookies, they were successful I should mention since my husband is truly a cookie monster at heart), and enjoyed the flavor of the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We made our way back to dinner to share in some good old family reunion time with all the cousins.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s320/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447209020021767378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfv5yKJHI/AAAAAAAAAHA/y7aHSRhYN5k/s1600-h/DSC_0688%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfv5yKJHI/AAAAAAAAAHA/y7aHSRhYN5k/s320/DSC_0688%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447209025874306162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s1600-h/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s1600-h/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s1600-h/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We continued our Hollywood experience by getting the specialized tour with a studio tour, and private viewing of a new film from my cousin Greg.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He then showed us the walk of fame and the Chinese theatre, and we saw the red carpet being prepped for the Oscars the following evening.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a true taste of Hollywood, and it was a great flavor of the excitement that is found in this industry of creating the uncreated and limitless possibilities that the human mind can come up with. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhX4SY0_I/AAAAAAAAAHg/jP9L4kHZHWA/s1600-h/DSC_0748%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhX4SY0_I/AAAAAAAAAHg/jP9L4kHZHWA/s320/DSC_0748%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447210812179010546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhXRzOYNI/AAAAAAAAAHY/ZSd4OiQuwmA/s1600-h/DSC_0735%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhY2tTIBI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wnUSNwYhLYQ/s1600-h/DSC_0750%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhY2tTIBI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wnUSNwYhLYQ/s320/DSC_0750%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447210828934881298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhWxkAyhI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/f5-BjDWf4no/s1600-h/DSC_0726%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhWxkAyhI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/f5-BjDWf4no/s320/DSC_0726%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447210793194015250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><p></p><div>We met up with another cousin, the rocket scientist and enjoyed another side of LA seeing the rose bowl and having some fantastic Chinese American food at a dumpling house.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here we heard about the latest in the scientific, space and robotic community in LA.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is the side of the human mind that strives to achieve the unachievable, discover the unknown and each question is taming the impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Her latest project is creating a robot to carry an astronauts' living facility, enabling scientists to explore and understand the moon--this is a challenging task!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is so precise and yet it is so creative in an entirely different way than the Hollywood films and New York Fashion.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">LA reminded me of the unique privilege we have as Americans to dream, to build and create intellectual capital.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hi02nl5uI/AAAAAAAAAH4/fRoT_CpoMOE/s1600-h/DSC_0761%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hi02nl5uI/AAAAAAAAAH4/fRoT_CpoMOE/s320/DSC_0761%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447212409458910946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hihe4WryI/AAAAAAAAAHw/1swPK3Ha_NE/s1600-h/DSC_0765%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hihe4WryI/AAAAAAAAAHw/1swPK3Ha_NE/s320/DSC_0765%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447212076669251362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hhY2tTIBI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wnUSNwYhLYQ/s1600-h/DSC_0750%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s1600-h/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s1600-h/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5hfvj-zfNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-typRS1UhmE/s1600-h/DSC_0684%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-77381977197732752872010-03-05T16:44:00.000-08:002010-03-10T21:07:33.187-08:00Dam, Sin City<div style="text-align: left;">To contrast God's creations, we thought we'd visit a few of man's creations.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Hoover Dam was the largest concrete structure and largest hydro-electric power plant ever erected when it was finished in 1936. Over a football field high and a football field thick--it takes a lot to harness the mighty Colorado River. As we drove over the Dam we couldn't help but be impressed by what humans can accomplish with a bit of planning.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s320/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445322899106295506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And then there is the human creation in the image of human creation--Las Vegas. In only a few short steps we revisited places we have actually visited--Egypt, New York, Paris. Only the last time we were in each of these places I didn't remember as many slot machines and strip show advertisements.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsVtMsYQI/AAAAAAAACZ8/YHZi2rZoujU/s320/DSC_0632%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445322913377706242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>At each step of the Johnson Family Vegas Vacation I was reminded of the lovable Clark Griswald--all the signs for the dam tour, our awful luck at the casinos (we lost all $2 we bet), the lone mobile homes in the desert and the remembrance of how important family relationships really are even amongst all the glitz and glamor of the Vegas Strip.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsWEV9pHI/AAAAAAAACaE/KFLHsmyfY-4/s1600-h/DSC_0631%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsWEV9pHI/AAAAAAAACaE/KFLHsmyfY-4/s320/DSC_0631%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445322919590601842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsVtMsYQI/AAAAAAAACZ8/YHZi2rZoujU/s1600-h/DSC_0632%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S5GsU4CH7tI/AAAAAAAACZ0/0ESi7bNbIVo/s1600-h/DSC_0604%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-7965258012226380262010-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:002010-03-04T21:46:13.599-08:00America’s amazing land formations…<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal">After departing New Mexico we hopped back on the road and our next destination was Sedona, Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we drove through this area of the Southwest we found lots of open space, land formations and lots of Native American reservations.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">There is nothing quite like the national parks, a place where we can enjoy the wide open space and natural beauty of our country without all the tourism and all the hustle and bustle of modern life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We decided to see what Arizona had to offer and made our first national park stop, the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"></p><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQp4kd-mI/AAAAAAAAAFo/0oII6OfI3j4/s1600-h/DSC_0445.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQp4kd-mI/AAAAAAAAAFo/0oII6OfI3j4/s320/DSC_0445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445010998725311074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQpOqPnuI/AAAAAAAAAFg/dYVfjcorKjA/s1600-h/DSC_0437.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQpOqPnuI/AAAAAAAAAFg/dYVfjcorKjA/s320/DSC_0437.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445010987475246818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQoeUJIFI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Puy1NktphqA/s1600-h/DSC_0415.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQoeUJIFI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Puy1NktphqA/s320/DSC_0415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445010974497644626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><p></p><div><br /></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">The Painted Desert is truly fantastic, the landscape is a movement of color, beginning red and orange and becoming purple and blue as you drive on.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Scattered throughout all this landscape are pieces of petrified wood from when this used to be a tropical climate.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The petrified wood is both unique and fascinating; the trees crystallized and became stone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQqxdSGGI/AAAAAAAAAFw/TE7SEQCwk38/s320/DSC_0480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445011013995993186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">We left the Painted Desert and continued down the interstate driving through the Coconino National forest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s amazing you drive through a beautiful national forest with several feet of snow on the ground, and then come over the ridge of the mountain and enter the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As you drive into Sedona it is absolutely beautiful with its red rock formations but it is a stark contrast to the wide open unobstructed views of the national parks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sedona has become known not only for its red rock but also its spiritual energy and vortexes.</p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">The town has become a center for retirement, tourism and spiritual growth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When you walk into the main strip in Sedona, you can find jeep rides through the red rocks, massage centers, UFO siting tours and centers for photographing your aura.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I don’t know exactly what photographing your aura means or looks like but it appears to be a popular activity.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">We took advantage of the red rock country and went for a hike up to Cathedral rock, the most photographed formation in Sedona.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was truly fantastic, and quite strenuous.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After completing our on the ground tour we took to the skies in a helicopter ride.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We spent about 15 minutes flying around the area and around the formations for a very unique view.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CWQeaE-EI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/EdOgiMFpxsY/s1600-h/DSC_0499.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CWQeaE-EI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/EdOgiMFpxsY/s320/DSC_0499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445017159275444290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQrrV7vBI/AAAAAAAAAF4/0QHwprCr2sQ/s1600-h/DSC_0516.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQrrV7vBI/AAAAAAAAAF4/0QHwprCr2sQ/s320/DSC_0516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445011029534424082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><p></p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CQrrV7vBI/AAAAAAAAAF4/0QHwprCr2sQ/s1600-h/DSC_0516.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CWR8BudpI/AAAAAAAAAGg/QJM3Pf0bDEw/s1600-h/IMG_7794.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CWR8BudpI/AAAAAAAAAGg/QJM3Pf0bDEw/s320/IMG_7794.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445017184406238866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CWRFy0tJI/AAAAAAAAAGY/YHwY2MfTjh0/s1600-h/DSC_0558.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CWRFy0tJI/AAAAAAAAAGY/YHwY2MfTjh0/s320/DSC_0558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445017169848218770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">After departing Sedona we took off up north to see the most famous formation we American have, the Grand Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We arrived just in time for sun set, and despite the cool temperatures it was still an amazing sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How do you really even try to describe the Grand Canyon, it is truly huge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We often make it larger than life, and I don’t want to do<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>that, but it is difficult to put into words the canyon created by waterways slowly eroding the land and showing us the sediments going back 1900 million years ago, it is hard not to be impressed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CZjUMmHuI/AAAAAAAAAGw/WNqlKChWQDc/s1600-h/DSC_0599.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CZjUMmHuI/AAAAAAAAAGw/WNqlKChWQDc/s320/DSC_0599.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445020781486939874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CZiowQwXI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Zc6gHVyVPJo/s1600-h/DSC_0576.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5CZiowQwXI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Zc6gHVyVPJo/s320/DSC_0576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445020769825374578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></p><div><br /></div></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-82363826715813782412010-03-03T09:06:00.000-08:002010-03-04T14:59:03.204-08:00Frost bite in the desert…You may be wondering how that is possible?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well it is nearly possible.<br /><p class="MsoNormal">While staying in Cochiti Lake, New Mexico on the Cochiti reservation, we went for a hike up out of the desert to see the ruins of the pueblo.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Several hundred years ago the tribe moved to the top of the mesa to protect themselves from the Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The story goes that the Spanish had been quite cruel to the native people as we have all heard many times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well the Cochiti got together with several other tribes in the area and drove the Spanish out of the region.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Cochiti than were afraid that when the Spanish returned they would be even more brutal, so they moved up to the top of the mesa.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You can still find the ruins of the pueblo they inhabited up there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The trail is actually the trail that the women would use to go retrieve water from below.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a fairly steep hike and it was especially challenging given the foot of snow that resided in some portions of the path.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I thought that my hiking boots would be ok with a pair of smartwool socks, however by the time we reached the top my boots were soaked and my feet were sloshing around inside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By the time we came back to the car at the bottom and returned to the house, my feet were blocks of ice and you could ring the water out of my socks when I took them off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5A6p0erj9I/AAAAAAAAAE0/4l953Ev9ypw/s1600-h/DSC_0351.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5A6p0erj9I/AAAAAAAAAE0/4l953Ev9ypw/s320/DSC_0351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444916439627304914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5A6o0GYNHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Oe6og1Kpeio/s1600-h/DSC_0350.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S5A6o0GYNHI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Oe6og1Kpeio/s320/DSC_0350.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444916422345503858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-39396247099609018042010-03-02T21:05:00.000-08:002010-03-03T08:00:24.327-08:00Renting the Reservation<div style="text-align: left;">We just left New Mexico after staying three nights on a Native American Reservation. We didn't stay in tepees, nor did we stay with Native Americans. We stayed with my aunt and uncle who own a house on land leased for 99 years from a Native American Reservation. Fewer groups have tried renting land for developments compared with those seeking quick money from casinos.</div><div><br /></div><div>I could see why the Native Americans would try to monetize their location. We were minutes from hiking up a plateau with views free of all human settlement. It took us less than an hour to get to the Rocky Mountains to ski on fresh powder and a base of 90 inches. The starry night sky was a crisp reminder that we live in the Milky Way (I often forget there are other stars than the sun when living in New York).</div><div><br /></div><div>In 45 minutes we were in Santa Fe, where one can enjoy a plethora of original art galleries and live entertainment. The City Different, as it's called for its uniqueness, entices artists and performers out of big city life to enjoy the small town feel. With 75,000 people and the third largest original art gallery selection in the US (behind only New York and San Francisco), Santa Fe clearly has a unique attraction away from a large metropolis.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a lot of appeal to living away from the hubbub of a major metropolis. The air is cleaner and quieter, and the people are small town friendly. But most jobs take you to the big cities. And, of course, we aren't currently picking a place to live in the US of A, so the contemplation of a slower, quieter life will have to wait for another day...</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46Gqsjo7kI/AAAAAAAACZk/phiYYeEfGxU/s1600-h/DSC_0369%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46Gqsjo7kI/AAAAAAAACZk/phiYYeEfGxU/s320/DSC_0369%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444437067610779202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GqAsJf8I/AAAAAAAACZc/59ICpGlXa5w/s1600-h/DSC_0377%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GqAsJf8I/AAAAAAAACZc/59ICpGlXa5w/s1600-h/DSC_0377%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GqAsJf8I/AAAAAAAACZc/59ICpGlXa5w/s1600-h/DSC_0377%5B1%5D.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GrZhONWI/AAAAAAAACZs/mvtKKrynLgM/s1600-h/DSC_0359%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GrZhONWI/AAAAAAAACZs/mvtKKrynLgM/s320/DSC_0359%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444437079680234850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46Gqsjo7kI/AAAAAAAACZk/phiYYeEfGxU/s1600-h/DSC_0369%5B1%5D.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GqAsJf8I/AAAAAAAACZc/59ICpGlXa5w/s1600-h/DSC_0377%5B1%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S46GqAsJf8I/AAAAAAAACZc/59ICpGlXa5w/s320/DSC_0377%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444437055835307970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-17784285692383298302010-02-28T14:12:00.001-08:002010-02-28T14:16:57.313-08:00The big horizon...The expanse of the horizon is something unknown to a New Yorker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is nothing quite like seeing the whole horizon without buildings, without roads, without power lines and without people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we drove through west Texas this afternoon and up through New Mexico this evening we could see for miles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The sun began to set over the mountains in New Mexico and it was a gorgeous orange which gradually turned to pink illuminating the clouds as it did so.<br /> <p class="MsoNormal">What is it about space that allows our souls to sour, our minds to wander and our hearts to run free?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps it is the natural site that we so infrequently witness in our busy lives, or perhaps it is the endless possibilities that comes with that great expanse of nature.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps we are forced to listen to ourselves think, there are no more distractions that we have created for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In our culture of cell phones, ipods, iphones and droids we don’t ever have to watch the world go by, we can simply continue to watch tv or listen to our music.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was an ad for the Olympics this year demonstrating just that point, it is a man walking down the street who is watching women’s figure skating as he walks along and turns the corners.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now maybe I’m old fashioned or maybe I love living by the old saying “to stop and smell the roses” but this seems a bit unnecessary. </p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">I think that’s why I found this stretch of the drive so mesmerizing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were told before we made this 14 hour stretch of our trip that it would be long and it would be boring, as it is in the middle of nowhere by our busy standards.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now reflecting on the drive, I found it refreshing, it is an incredible privilege to be able to see so much of mother nature, and see all the beauty that God has created.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rq529lluI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DhkgTmoZSwk/s1600-h/DSC_0335.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rq529lluI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DhkgTmoZSwk/s320/DSC_0335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443421379357939426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rq529lluI/AAAAAAAAAEk/DhkgTmoZSwk/s1600-h/DSC_0335.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rq5TxhqWI/AAAAAAAAAEc/D6nMuDEHBmA/s1600-h/DSC_0333.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rq5TxhqWI/AAAAAAAAAEc/D6nMuDEHBmA/s320/DSC_0333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443421369912109410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></p></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-70657269410085840072010-02-27T23:48:00.000-08:002010-02-28T14:12:11.113-08:00The Texas/Mexico Border<p class="MsoNormal">I found today that we were faced with an interesting issue, illegal immigration.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were driving from Houston to Santa Fe, this takes us along I-10 which cuts along the south of Texas through El Paso.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It actually takes you right along the border of Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tempting though it is to have made this a Nafta trip we thought better of it given the current state of drug wars that are occurring in Juarez at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We heard from Jacob’s cousin Matt, who is in the air force, that the US military have been banned from going to Juarez.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So we used my father’s words of wisdom, which always ring in my head anytime I travel “It is looks like a bad idea, if it sounds like a bad idea, it’s probably a bad idea.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">What was fascinating as we drove this stretch of highway is that the police are out and about looking for any illegal immigrants who are trying to cross the border.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we drove through El Paso it is obvious this is a border town, you can see trucks and men’s clubs littering the city.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through the fence you can see Mexico and it’s dilapidated homes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we drove out of El Paso there were four policeman surrounding one man, who we assume is being arrested for crossing the border illegally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now why 4 cop cars is needed for one man, I’m not sure, but it certainly made us think, how far do you need to get into the states to be considered safe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the North we have come in contact with illegal immigrants who are trying to make a better life, they clean homes, stand ready for work at day laborer locations and their children attend our schools.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So how far north do you need to travel to stop being hunted??<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The final interesting part of our immigrant lesson was that as we drove up I-25 toward Albuquerque, New Mexico we actually had to go through a border inspection, despite the fact we had not actually left the country, we still had to go through border patrol.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They actually have every vehicle come through the inspection and check that everyone in the vehicle is an American citizen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I don’t know what happens if you aren’t all American citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They did not even check our licenses which I think had more to do with our blonde hair than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is really amazing that in this rugged part of the country there still remains a rugged life and people continuing to seek a better life and find their frontier.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rXInBOwHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/UzseINCag30/s1600-h/DSC_0328.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4rXInBOwHI/AAAAAAAAAEU/UzseINCag30/s320/DSC_0328.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443399642543734898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-63224204339193323062010-02-27T23:16:00.000-08:002010-02-28T14:23:35.077-08:00Is everything bigger in Texas?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsLBQhHZI/AAAAAAAACZU/19YLkTgU2FU/s1600-h/DSC_0290.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsKAncAVI/AAAAAAAACZE/YbnLJR3-cms/s1600-h/DSC_0278.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsKAncAVI/AAAAAAAACZE/YbnLJR3-cms/s320/DSC_0278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443422756338925906" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">During the drive across west Texas with the 80 mph speed limit and deserted landscape, Texas certainly felt big.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A couple days ago in Houston, the four levels of overpasses and the 10 highway lanes each direction felt pretty big.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The turbo diesel, extended cab, V10 trucks were also big.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I suppose that’s to be expected when the oil is right under your feet.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">A big ego is understandable from a state that was a stand-alone country for nearly a decade and requires all high school students to take a course dedicated to Texas history.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is this spirit of independence that has been immortalized in one of the most well known moments in Texas history—The Alamo.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">174 years ago, next week, Davy Crockett and a handful of men made their last stand against thousands of soldiers in Santa Ana’s army.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The men hailed from across the United States and were standing up against recent centralization of power in Mexico City.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Less than two months after they all made the greatest sacrifice, Santa Ana was captured and his army expelled from Texas earning de facto independence (a treaty formalized the independence two years later in 1838).</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal">Our Texas experience may have been less historic than Davy Crockett’s, but it turned out a little better for us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Although we have never lived in Houston or San Antonio, we reunited relationships built in France, Connecticut, Illinois and Tennessee.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Despite our country’s dispersion and diversity, our almost daily meetings with friends and family make each stop seem uniquely familiar.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsK2s489I/AAAAAAAACZM/afyeKGb2RVg/s1600-h/DSC_0256.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsK2s489I/AAAAAAAACZM/afyeKGb2RVg/s320/DSC_0256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443422770857309138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsLBQhHZI/AAAAAAAACZU/19YLkTgU2FU/s1600-h/DSC_0290.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsLBQhHZI/AAAAAAAACZU/19YLkTgU2FU/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443422773691096466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsK2s489I/AAAAAAAACZM/afyeKGb2RVg/s1600-h/DSC_0256.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsK2s489I/AAAAAAAACZM/afyeKGb2RVg/s1600-h/DSC_0256.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4rsK2s489I/AAAAAAAACZM/afyeKGb2RVg/s1600-h/DSC_0256.JPG"></a></p><div><br /></div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-47128224435922406252010-02-24T23:17:00.001-08:002010-02-24T23:23:40.831-08:00Home of the King<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4Yk-IuyK6I/AAAAAAAAAD8/E0JhN_M_wt0/s1600-h/DSC_0204.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4Yk-IuyK6I/AAAAAAAAAD8/E0JhN_M_wt0/s320/DSC_0204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442077849638022050" /></a><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">How can you possibly drive through Tennessee and not stop at the home of the King??<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The man who transformed American music and culture and created the beginning of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley, yes folks that is who I am speaking of.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We made the trip to visit Graceland, we paid the $34.00, and yes it is in fact $34.00 to see his two planes, numerous automobiles, 13.8 acres of land, one floor of the home and his grave.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We felt as though we were really embracing this piece of history, the beginning of rock & roll and the beginning of “blingdom”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Until working at Tommy I never realized how America loves and embraces bling.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we walked up to the entrance to the “home of the king” the first sign reads “enter the blingdom” and indeed we did enter the blingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4Yk9lCfy6I/AAAAAAAAAD0/avS-7OqVQb0/s1600-h/DSC_0184.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4Yk9lCfy6I/AAAAAAAAAD0/avS-7OqVQb0/s320/DSC_0184.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442077840057027490" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-54137754255999487122010-02-24T23:11:00.000-08:002010-02-24T23:25:38.632-08:00A trip to music city USA…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4YluL7WC6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/euBtdl7EI8k/s1600-h/DSC_0127.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4YluL7WC6I/AAAAAAAAAEM/euBtdl7EI8k/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442078675129732002" /></a><br /><br /><div>The true value of this trip is the range of American culture we are able to see and take in, our first stop took us to Music City USA…Nashville, TN. </div><div><br /></div><div>After living in the big apple Nashville feels like coming home. It’s small downtown, center of intellectual development (Vanderbilt University), up and coming artists striving to achieve their dreams and it’s truly unique and individual coffee shops, create a feeling of community that transcends the layers of diversity. It is beautiful to see people all seeking to create something new and to express themselves through their music, their research and their beliefs. The culture of individuality and the desire to achieve your dreams is contagious. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were floored by the quantity of people we were able to check in with over the course of 40 hours. Seeing old friends and professors and hearing their stories are a great reminder of the freedoms we have in America. The freedom to think, the freedom to teach, the freedom to share beliefs and the freedom to start our own businesses. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although it has been several years since we have lived in Nashville, it still feels like home despite the changing restaurants, changing faces and new buildings. The welcoming nature of the people and the open and honest conversation continue to make us consider what life would be like in Nashville…</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4Ylt_TprzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/RAB3fxRZmIM/s1600-h/DSC_0111.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4Ylt_TprzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/RAB3fxRZmIM/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442078671742021426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-29507096895803482932010-02-23T07:35:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:51:53.343-08:00Playing in the Dirt on the Road of Independence<div><div style="text-align: center; ">"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." - Confucius</div><div><br /></div><div>Our first step was in New Canaan, CT on Sunday afternoon, and fortunately for us we have wheels. By Monday evening we completed our first 1,000 miles when we rolled into Nashville, TN on three good tires and a spare.</div><div><br /></div><div>The best part about renting is the lack of responsibility. As renters of our car, we don't have the pride of ownership, but we also don't have the burden of responsibility.</div><div><br /></div><div>When our tire burst on I-40, I was somewhat glad it wasn't entirely my problem, but then again we were the ones on the side of the road in the rain. When the car rental company told me roadside assistance would be there in an hour, my impatient independence inspired me to get out in the rain, lie on my stomach in the dirt and change the tire. But the joys of renting prevailed when we took the car to the Nashville airport and exchanged it for a new one.</div><div><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4QVNtfwZEI/AAAAAAAACY8/bH6zkThBuaQ/s1600-h/DSC_0102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4QVNtfwZEI/AAAAAAAACY8/bH6zkThBuaQ/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441497575065674818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4QUv598t7I/AAAAAAAACY0/MRzVNiqe9Kw/s1600-h/DSC_0108.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Zv10-Zs2SeA/S4QUv598t7I/AAAAAAAACY0/MRzVNiqe9Kw/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441497063017461682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div style="text-align: left;">On this first leg of our journey we are retracing our steps of independence. We spent much of Sunday driving through Pennsylvania--a vital link to our Nation's independence as home to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In Carlisle, PA we visited Dickinson College where Amy lived for her first year after moving away from home. On Monday we completed our drive to Nashville, TN where I (and Amy, after freshman year) moved to attend Vanderbilt University. It's been more than 8 years since I moved from my childhood home to explore the world beyond Illinois. And now I just keep moving...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-62881604502571019372010-02-21T23:59:00.000-08:002010-02-21T23:59:00.539-08:00Americans and their CarsAmericans like to drive. Cars are our freedom--ask any 15 year-old. The 16th Birthday means freedom to go where you want without parental supervision.<div><br /></div><div>In fact, cars tend to be a necessity in most American neighborhoods. Drive the streets of the suburbs, or even the exoburbs, of any American city and you may notice nothing but houses for miles. If you didn't have a car, you might starve before you could walk to a grocery store.</div><div><br /></div><div>We don't have a car. But we live in an anomaly of an American city--the Big Apple--New York City.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, we rented a car. Because we're driving 9,000 miles. Coast-to-coast-to-coast. The Atlantic to the Pacific and back again.</div>Jacobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05603852750662222148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-27407842913809234982010-02-21T23:00:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:12:16.082-08:00A year in the life of Amy...the challenge of decision-making<div>The road trip started with a stop in Carlisle, PA to visit Amy's freshman year of college, Dickinson College.</div><div><br /><div>As we drove off I-81 into Carlisle, PA, we passed the land of strip malls, Jacob turns to me and asks "so why did you decide to go here?". I say, "well it's actually really cute, wait until we get to downtown and the college." It is in fact an adorable old town with Colonial townhouses and buildings, the challenge is there's not a lot here beyond Dickinson, so the outskirts of town are not as quaint.</div><br /><div>This one question launched us into a discussion about the decision making process, something that I've never been exceptionally good at. I began to reflect on how I made my decision my senior year of high school and how much that decision was about asserting my independence and rejecting the influences that surrounded me. The funny thing is sometimes when you try really hard to not be influenced by the people we are surrounded by, we still are.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QFhWSCeaI/AAAAAAAAADU/nUqonCXoaME/s1600-h/DSC_0051.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441480320245463458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QFhWSCeaI/AAAAAAAAADU/nUqonCXoaME/s320/DSC_0051.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QFhN1mz6I/AAAAAAAAADM/THw9tn2WS1g/s1600-h/DSC_0048.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441480317978726306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QFhN1mz6I/AAAAAAAAADM/THw9tn2WS1g/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" /></a><br /></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2579727035889610748.post-79608269540043525312010-02-21T16:43:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:13:12.121-08:00The Foundation of Family<div>It's important to always begin with who you are, and the people who know you best. You may not realize it but your family knows what your mood is before you even say a word.</div><div><br />We picked up the rental car in Stamford, CT and packed it up with more than we probably need. That always seems to happen when you travel by car.<br /><br /><div>There is something strengthening about coming home, we went to church and it is so encouraging to walk into a place where everyone knows your name, and they are excited about everything you do. I mean it has always been that way, I would sing a solo growing up and probably make multiple mistakes but everyone still told me I did great. That's why it was so wonderful to start the day of our departure with church; they sent us off with great excitement.</div><br /><div>We followed church with a wonderful brunch with family, Grammy, Elizabeth, Mom, Dad and the two Christophers (Chris the adult and Christopher the nephew). It was wonderful to sit down and laugh and find the foundation of family.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QK8T8CBhI/AAAAAAAAADs/vZlk-4Lz9qo/s1600-h/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441486281030895122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QK8T8CBhI/AAAAAAAAADs/vZlk-4Lz9qo/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QK75S1TCI/AAAAAAAAADk/firllvfAhXY/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441486273878772770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QK75S1TCI/AAAAAAAAADk/firllvfAhXY/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QK7EtrQ1I/AAAAAAAAADc/1iw7_Ng5wMY/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441486259764282194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rgcCfTaSNyI/S4QK7EtrQ1I/AAAAAAAAADc/1iw7_Ng5wMY/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" /></a><br /></div></div></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17942095889104579754noreply@blogger.com0