blah, blah, blah

What's in your trunk?

2007-10-19T15:30:00.000-05:00

The other night my roommate, Ruth, and I were coming home and were stopped by a (perhaps bored) police officer. Just a little background - the neighborhood we live in is about 95% African American, maybe more. It is rare to see white people around, especially late at night. Most often, the only reason white people come into the neighborhood is to buy drugs. That being said - here's what happened.

Police: Could I see your license, sweetie? (sweetie? that's harassment already...)

Ruth (she was driving): sure, here it is.

Police: And your insurance.

Ruth (hands it to him): Can I ask why you pulled me over?

Police: We'll get to that in a minute. (Touche!)

(takes his sweet time looking at her lisence and insurance)
Police: Why are you in this neighborhood?

Ruth: We recently moved in down the street a few blocks (and gives him our address)

Police: Uh, did you check out the neighborhood before you moved in?

Ruth: Actually we did. Our church is planting a new church in this neighborhood and we wanted to be in the community.

Police: Well, you sure know how to pick 'em. This is one of the worst few blocks in our district. (leans over and looks at me) What about you? What are you doing in the neighborhood?

Erin: I'm her roommate, we live in the same apartment and are just going home.

Police: Well, do you ladies have anything in the car I should know about? Weapons - knives, guns? Any illegal substances? Open containers? Any dead hookers in the trunk?

Ruth: No, we don't have any of those things.

Police: Well, uh, good luck to you. (and he walks away)

Wait a minute - did he really ask us if we had dead hookers in the trunk? Yup, he sure did.

Oh, and he said the reason he pulled Ruth over in the first place was because she didn't use her turn signal when she turned the corner. However, my TYPE A roommate ALWAYS turns on her turn signal - even when pulling into a parking spot.

The hookers in the trunk weren't dead - just gagged and tied up.

...and the explanation...

2007-10-19T15:20:00.000-05:00

The new name was chosen because it explains what we do as an after-school program. Once a student is enrolled in our program, we take them by the hand and walk them through life - we tutor, mentor, and love them - until they are responsible, well-adjusted adults.

We generally shorten it to "By The Hand" or "The Club". I am fond of using the initials - BTH - especially in e-mails and such.

The mystery is solved.

Name Change

2007-10-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

The after-school program I work at just changed it's name - mostly to be able to distinguish it from other after-school programs. "Kids' Club" is too common, can't trademark it, etc.

I've gotten mixed reviews about the new name and I want to know what you think. I don't want to sway your opinion by telling you the reason behind the new name, but I will post again in a week or so, just in case you're curious.

So, the new name is: By The Hand Club For Kids

Initial reaction? First thing you think when you see it?

2007-07-11T22:16:00.000-05:00

I love to laugh. Usually, I'm laughing longer than everyone else and often laughing when nobody else finds the situation humorous. This, however, I hope you find as amusing as I did...

So, there I was....at Dominick's (a grocery store for you non-Chicago folk) with a couple ladies I work with picking up some stuff for a pizza party for the kids. As we were checking out, I took the cart and went over to the ice cooler to put the four 22-pound bags of ice in the cart. As I was heaving the final bag into the cart; an older, very sweet looking black woman walked up to me and asked, "Where'd ya hide the body?"

"The body?" I whispered, "there are two."

She laughed so hard I thought she was going to fall over. She went and checked out and was still laughing as she was loading her groceries into her car.

HA.

2007-06-24T22:54:00.001-05:00

My mom and I decided that we needed a vacation...

We drove up to the U.P. and stayed in this cute little cabin....

Saw a beautiful sunrise...

I even made a fire...without paper or lighter fluid (Mom didn't think I could...)

And then on our way back we stopped at Castle Rock - a remnant of my childhood...

Nice vacation, Mom!!

I was where?

2007-06-16T15:07:00.000-05:00

So there I was....

I had just gotten to my seat; I had a ball park frank in my hand (why is it that hot dogs taste so good at baseball games?) and was settling in for the Tigers vs. Brewers baseball game.

As I took a bite of my juicy frank, a glob of mustard squirted out from the other end. I grabbed an extra napkin ready to attack the stain on my pants, when I realized the mustard had landed on the napkin and NOT MY PANTS!! Right then and there, I knew it was going to be a great game.

Notice the date on the ticket....June 12th. That's right - the night of Justin Verlander's NO HITTER!!! If you are a baseball fan, I know you'll either be extremely excited for me, or just jealous. If you're a Tiger's fan, you'll know this hasn't happened at a home game for the Tigers in about 25 years....

I was excited....GO TIGERS!

The End

2007-06-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

This post is dedicated to Jessi Ralston:

The only one who reads my blog :)

This past Tuesday was the last day for the students here at CRPS. Some of them will attend the new contract school that is moving into our building this fall; but most of them are going their separate ways. It's really sad to think that I've hugged some of them for the last time!

Here are some pictures of the balloon release we did at our End-of-the-Year BBQ. God blessed us by keeping the rain away - and by some AMAZING BBQ chicken and rib-tips!

Up....Up...

And away they go...

Le-Le and Michelle

I TOLD Anna I'd get a picture of her before the day was over!!

oooh-wee!

2007-05-02T08:28:00.000-05:00

Craziness....that's what's going on at Circle Rock right now. With only 5 weeks left of school (WOW!), lots of the normal end-of-the-year stuff is expected to happen. The weather is nice, so kids check out, behavior problems increase, classes go on field trips every other day....you know, end-of-the-year stuff. I think it's going on 10-fold at Circle! With the school closing its doors after the first week in June, and re-opening as a new school in the fall, craziness is definitely ensuing.

Amidst the chaos, I have been job hunting. I really wanted to stay in Chicago and I really wanted to still be working with Urban Ministries, preferably on the west side since I've become so invested here. Enter God. Yesterday, after a couple interviews and much prayer, I got an official start date of my new job! Enter Kids Club. You should check out their website. KC is an after-school program started in the projects of Cabrini Green, in downtown Chicago. 2 years ago, it expanded to having two sites, the new one on the far south side. This fall, a 3rd site will be opening on the west side in Austin, only a few blocks from the school I work at now. The ministry is growing in leaps and bounds - and because they depend so much on volunteers, they wanted to hire someone to help recruit and place volunteers. Enter me. I'm so excited to be working with churches and local colleges to network lay-people and students in a way that will not only enrich the lives of the students in KC, but also their own.

So, if you ever want to tutor, teach an elective class, or serve dinner; as the new Volunteer Coordinator, I can help you out! :)

OH, beyond all that - I get two weeks off in June! Everyone sing with me - "God's been good to me, oh God's always been good!!"

6-2, need I say more?

2007-04-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

If the Tigers come in town to play the White Sox and I don't get to a game, I feel guilty - like I'm not a true fan. My brother and I made plans to go to a game, but when I double booked myself for the evening, I had to bail on him - leaving last night the only option to see my boys from Motown.

Karen (who I'm convinced is a Tiger's fan at heart) and I had a little adventure last night...

First, we scalped tickets (gasp) - which was a good option. We got tickets for 1/2 the face price!

Then, we had the biggest, messiest brats and italian sausage the ball park had to offer.

When we arrived at our seats and the game started, we immediately likened our situation to the movie "Fever Pitch". We were surrounded by season ticket holders who all knew each other by name, bought rounds of beer for one another, and talked White Sox history.

Even though it drizzled on and off the whole game, it was well worth sitting completely surrounded by Sox fans - especially when the Tigers scored 3 runs in the first inning and won 6-2!!

Chicaaago...

2007-04-19T14:43:00.000-05:00

I love Chicago. I can't believe I've been here for over 2 1/2 years, especially since my move here was supposedly "just until I figure out what I really want to do". God's had other plans.

As I was going through my pictures for a project I'm working on, I found these and thought I'd share....

The skyline from a boat

"The Bean" in Millennium Park

Walking back from Columbus Park, near my school,
with Brittany, Jackie, Michelle and Andre

ta-da!

2007-03-23T08:50:00.000-05:00

Over the past 2 years, I have been working on setting up the library at Circle Rock where I work. I (along with lots of fantastic volunteers!) spent literally hundreds of hours working on organizing, sorting, and doing data entry on these books. After all the books were entered into our database, we spent MANY more hours labeling, taping, and shelving the books. OH yeah, let's not forget about painting the room...

All together, Circle Rock now has a library with over 6,500 books! And, 95% of them were donated!

Last week we had a Dedication Ceremony for the library - it was great to have all the boxes gone, all the books on shelves, and no more data entry!!!

basket or cart?

2007-03-09T15:51:00.000-06:00

Every time I go grocery shopping I face a dilemma: lug and keep my anonymity or push and be certain everyone in the store knows I'm there. It never fails - the disease of the shopping cart. I get one with sticky wheels, or one that needs an alignment, or the one that seems to have hydraulics. It's always the ones that make noise that are my favorites though. Sometimes they just squeak a little, or rattle, but the cart I had yesterday takes the cake. I ran into Dominick's to pick up frozen pizza for dinner - my roommate and I were having a Survivor party. I decided while I was there, I should pick up some other groceries I needed. Thus, I enter the store and face the familiar dilemma: basket or cart? I tend to opt for the basket: no traffic jams, easy to weave through the produce, keeps me from buying too much. But I needed milk, orange juice, pasta sauce...I could feel my arm throbbing already. So, I wrenched the cart from the corral and headed toward the produce section. Immediately I realized my cart was possessed, I might as well call him Beelzebub. He pulled to the right, the wheels must have gone through a syrup spill in aisle 6, and to top it off, he made the most irritating noise that could be heard at least 3 aisles away.

Maybe next time I'll come armed with WD-40.

Maybe I'll hire a delivery service.

No wonder I usually eat chips and cheese for dinner.

At least I enjoyed the pizza :)

red, yellow, GLUE!

2007-02-26T14:12:00.000-06:00

Over the past 2 1/2 years I have had enough experiences, conversations, and "open-mouth, insert foot" moments to write a book. I love the kids I work with - they make me laugh. Today, in particular, I've had a couple of these moments.

I was working on an art project for the 1st/2nd grade class - a paper hat fashioned after an African Kufi. Two of my favorite 8th grade students came in and one of them wouldn't leave unless I gave him one of these hats to wear. I wonder how long it'll stay on his head after he sees the 1st and 2nd graders wearing the same things. Mervin, you look fabulous.

Moments later, a 4 year old from the Pre-K class came in. Elijah wanted to show me what he had been working on in class - patterns. He had strung different colored and different shaped beads onto a string. He began reciting the colors of his beads....red, yellow, glue; red, yellow, glue....
I asked him if he could say "blue" - he said "glue". I said "ba-ba-ba". He said "ba-ba-ba". Then I said "loo-loo-loo", he said "loo-loo-loo". Then I said "ba-loo", he said "ba-loo". Then I said "blue", and he said "glue". (with a HUGE smile of satisfaction on his face). I was trying SO hard not to laugh at him.

Next week, when I'm dragging the same child down the hall, as he's screaming at the top of his lungs - please remind me of this moment so I remember that I really do like kids. :)

...check yes or no...

2007-02-22T12:54:00.000-06:00

After Natalie and I hiked 3/4 of a mile from the far parking lot (we refused in wait in line for a shuttle)....we made it for George Strait - the King of Country.

(they didn't realize that while they were taking this picture, they had been put on the "Kiss Cam" on the big screen)

Some quotes from the concert:

"George Strait is such a stud." - Karen Flaherty

"Ronnie Milsap is such a stud and I like his shirt." - Jessi Ralston

"I still can't feel my finger or toes." - Natalie Palmer

FUN times ladies - we definitely need to do a summer concert before Jessi leaves the country...

Da Bears

2007-02-07T12:34:00.000-06:00

GO BEARS!!!

So we all gathered at Natalie's for a rip-roaring Superbowl party. She made her fantastic chicken chili (which would have gone great with chocolate covered carrots, but someone forgot those)

Then Hester made history by scoring a touchdown on the kickoff return....and Karen inspired us to do a little cheer...

...and a pyramid
(to Jupp's credit, we forced him to join in - we couldn't have made a pyramid with only 5 people!)

At halftime we ate cake - Karen and Jessi made me a birthday cake, ahem, a Happy Groundhog's Day cake.

And then came the 2nd half...

"Cheer up, Jupp, there's always next year..."

Ahhh...

2007-02-06T09:34:00.000-06:00

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Have you ever gotten done with a meal - a really good meal, perhaps your favorite - complete with dessert, and at the end you're not overstuffed, yet you're completely satisfied? A small, content sigh escapes your lips - aaahhh...that's how I've been feeling lately.

I used to look at this verse and think, "how selfish to think that I deserve or could receive more than I could ask for or think of." I was overlooking an important phrase - according to the power at work within us. Only by the Holy Spirit my requests, hopes, passions, and dreams are realized. All of it is for HIS glory!

This has been the theme of my life the past couple weeks. To quote my friend, Stephanie, "God bless your ministries." Well, He has definitely blessed my ministries...

GO TIGERS!!

2007-01-25T12:56:00.000-06:00

I know its only January - but I can't wait for baseball season to start again! I don't have to wait too long though - I'll be going to a Spring Training game in March! This past weekend Dad and I went to Detroit for TigerFest. They had Comerica park sectioned off and heated a little bit - they had autograph areas, tours, the ALCS trophy on display and lots of souvenirs for sale.

This is me with Jeremy Bonderman (pitcher for the Tigers) and the ALCS trophy

The day before an ice storm had hit the majority of southern Michigan and the drive there was absolutely gorgeous! This picture doesn't do justice, but you get the idea....

nEbRaSkA

2007-01-16T13:12:00.000-06:00

I had quite the adventure this past weekend in Nebraska, visiting Mari & David! From obnoxious drunk guys on the airplane to ride-a-longs in a police car with David to eating Cajun food dumped out on the table, I'd say I had quite the experience! Plus, it's always an amazing time catching up with friends I haven't seen in a while. It was FREEZING there - I don't think it got past 10 degrees!! But, I did get to see some snow!! If anyone ever has a desire to visit Nebraska, Mari is the world's best hostess - I had amazing sheets to sleep on, she cooked for me, made me coffee, and even let me use their "indoor hot-tub"!

David took us shooting on Sunday afternoon - don't I look intimidating?? I could have put the picture up of the mouse we used for target practice, but thought that was a little too gross :)

I'm still thinking of names for the "girl" Mari will be having in May (I'm convinced that's what your baby will be!) - now that I'm back at work, I have lots of inspiration....how about Donnisia or Samadhi?? ;)

Thanks for the FANTASTIC weekend! I love you guys!!!

Slack Line

2006-12-30T21:47:00.000-06:00

My brothers came back from Texas and New Jersey - where they went for Christmas with their girlfriend (Curtie) and wife (Kevin). So we celebrated Christmas this morning - complete with Monkey Bread. This afternoon Curtie busted out his Slack Line. (It's a strap pulled tight which is attempted to walk across while it bounces and swings - Curtie's explanation) This was the first I'd heard of one of these and he set it up in our parent's front yard between the basketball hoop and pine tree. I have to say I felt a little like I was training for the circus. By the way, this is way harder than it looks. I think I finally managed 8 or 9 steps across it - Curtie said it took him a couple weeks to be able to walk across and back. I was pretty proud of myself ;) And, I'm quite certain our neighbors were thoroughly amused.

What's with the weather in the 50's at the end of December?? Where is our SNOW?? I even went up to Lake Ann to visit friends and there wasn't snow up there either! Bogus.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-21T13:21:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine sent me an e-mail with some Christmas comics - I weeded out the inappropriate ones, but thought these were funny!!

Who thinks it should snow for Christmas?? I do. Maybe I'll have better luck in Michigan with some lake effect snow than here in Chicago. I am excited to head to GR this weekend to spend Christmas with (half of) my family - and I think I'll listen to Christmas music all the way there, just to prove to a certain someone that I'm not a Christmas Grinch. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Confession

2006-12-07T10:21:00.000-06:00

Okay, I admit it. I am a reality show junkie. You have to give me credit for whittling it down to 2 "have to" watch shows though - I think it used to be 4 or 5. Now, The Amazing Race (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race10/) and Survivor (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor13/) are at the top of my list.

I am really upset that Candice and Dustin were eliminated last Sunday. I had them pegged to go all the way. And I really wanted them to win because maybe, just maybe, it would prove to people everywhere that blondes aren't necessarily dumb and completely ditzy - They'll always be #1 in my heart. ;)

What is it about reality tv that makes me keep coming back to it every week, usually with great amounts of anticipation? I can't wait for Sunday and Thursday evenings, wondering what is going to happen next, who is going to get kicked off...which team is going to have the biggest fight this week? Maybe I'm pathetic, maybe I'm lame and have to get my excitement vicariously through other people - but honestly, I'm okay with that. =)

So if you're ever wondering what I'm up to on a Sunday or Thursday, now you know. And, I love company - I miss the days at Lake Ann when we would have 5 - 10 people in one room watching Survivor to see Rupert stealing someone else's shoes - feel free to join me. And, if anyone could handle spending 40 days straight with me - we could apply to go on The Amazing Race together. (I know you just spent at least a few seconds considering that)

Trees, Chains, and Line dancing

2006-11-28T16:14:00.000-06:00

My parents came to Chicago for part of Thanksgiving weekend and we went downtown (with about a million other people) to see all the Christmas decorations (you're welcome, Dad). I have to admit, the giant Christmas tree is actually pretty impressive. http://chicago.about.com/od/attractionsentertainment/a/111505_tree.htm tells me that: "Chicago's massive 85 foot tall holiday tree is comprised of more than 100 smaller Balsam Fir trees illuminated with more than 4,000 twinkling red, gold, white and green lights and 130 glowing ornaments."

I think the most amusing part was we saw a couple city workers chaining baby Jesus to the manager. I suppose someone tried to take him - and, honestly, I didn't know whether to laugh or be bewildered. Who does that?? But, I guess he did come to "set us free"....

I don't have a picture of it (BELIEVE me, I wish I did) - but I also had a fun time teaching Mom a couple line dances in her living room. It very well could have been my favorite part of the weekend - watching her try to figure out the "Sleazy Slide" and the "Watermelon Crawl". She's my hero. :)

the back door

2006-11-07T13:58:00.000-06:00

I was talking to my grandma (who is precious, sweet, and lovable) on the phone the other day and she was telling me about some turtles that live near the railroad tracks behind her house. About once a year, the railroad comes through and grades along the railroad tracks, covering the turtle's holes. So, Grams-to-the-rescue, goes out and unburies the entrances so the turtles can get out. A modern day hero, I tell you. Well, I guess this year when Grams went out to dig, she couldn't find the holes. She was so worried that the turtles had been trapped and suffocated. She asked me, "Turtles dig back doors, right? So they can out in case something happens?"

All too often I spend a lot of time looking out for myself - making sure I have a "back door" in case something happens. It seems to me that this is one more way of saying "God, I can take care of myself, I've got my back." It's a good thing God knows better than I do and I'll consider experiencing both my "doors" being covered as building character.

And - Grams, yes, I'm sure turtles dig back doors.

My Keri came back...

2006-10-30T13:39:00.000-06:00

This weekend, my long lost buddy from "the Tribe" came to Chicago to visit me!! It's a good thing we had ALL weekend to talk because I haven't seen her in over 2 years! Keri ( www.myspace.com/kbtravelbug )
spent two years overseas with a mission called Operation Mobilization. Check out the ministry here: www.om.usa.org

This is us downtown by the Daley Center, which is all decked out for Halloween. Nice orange fountain, huh?

Ooh...look what I can do...

2005-12-13T16:29:00.000-06:00

As I endeavor to teach myself about Blogs (which is a tremendous feat, given my lack of technical knowledge), today's lesson was about posting pictures. This is Charity and I in Boston this past August. No, we did not walk around Boston in matching "Happy Camper" shirts, we just put them on to take this picture...

Looking at this picture makes me remember what warm weather is like. Too bad we're expecting a snowstorm in Chicago tonight!

My first post...

2005-12-12T17:13:00.000-06:00

So, I've been looking at all my friends' great blogs and decided I should start one of my own. I'm not sure who's going to look at this, but I thought I'd try to keep my life updated to all who might be interested!

Since I'm just trying to figure this out, it might not be very interesting for a while...but I'm working on it!!