"Each time a parent advice you they just want to protect you from something they screw, and they don't want you to screw."
H., 11th grade
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
...but fall almost exists here, too
There's a musical artist I'm fairly fond of named Denison Witmer. He's a singer/songwriter, and I'll admit I don't listen to him a ton, but every time one of his songs comes up on my iTunes shuffle mode, I desperately wish I could be seeing him live at that moment. Maybe that's why I don't listen to him much - I'm avoiding nostalgia overload. His music invariably reminds me of fall and cold weather - I've only seen him live in the months of October-December, and it is (in my mind) perfect music for bundling up and observing fallen leaves. Well, one of his songs just came on.
I'd really like to be in Grand Rapids this weekend. I know it's not quite fully-fledged fall yet, but my body calendar can't tell that after 7 weeks in Honduras. My mind is telling me of spiced cider, crisp winds at night and car rides, bare branches sticking into the solid gray sky, the feeling of a heater blasting hot air just inside of the entrance to a building, and (thanks to a friend's facebook status) Graydon's Crossings on Plainfield Ave. A dark wooden interior beckons me insistently. Or a Denison Witmer concert.
That said, I certainly got a fair taste of fall this weekend right here in Hondu. It's been fairly temperate weather for the last week - heck, the last few weeks, in fact, but this week has had cool winds AND clear skies. Yesterday, however, we left after school for a staff retreat north of town in the mountains, in an area called El Hatillo. The altitude make the weather downright chilly. I spent most of the afternoon/evening wearing a hoody (or as Western Canadians call it, a bunny hug?) and I slept with TWO blankets compared to my typical one over only my feet. We had a bonfire, and I actually participated in a touch football game. As the sun set during the game, I could fairly easily convince myself that I was in West Michigan. For the record, I had three receptions, one interception, and the game-sealing touchdown. Just another game of football for me, of course.
We had a couple of very good sermons, a talent show, and a few quite satisfying meals. We had hot chocolate - not even instant packets, but honest to goodness hot chocolate. I played cards, sat up until around 2 am - sometimes my WAKING hour as of late - and got some good journaling time overlooking a ridiculously pretty valley. I'm tired, but it was a worthwhile time.
We have one more week left in the quarter before exam week. Crunch time is already upon us. Woof. Fortunately, I've been letting myself feel closer to God more this school year than much of the last few years. Let's keep that up.
I'd really like to be in Grand Rapids this weekend. I know it's not quite fully-fledged fall yet, but my body calendar can't tell that after 7 weeks in Honduras. My mind is telling me of spiced cider, crisp winds at night and car rides, bare branches sticking into the solid gray sky, the feeling of a heater blasting hot air just inside of the entrance to a building, and (thanks to a friend's facebook status) Graydon's Crossings on Plainfield Ave. A dark wooden interior beckons me insistently. Or a Denison Witmer concert.
That said, I certainly got a fair taste of fall this weekend right here in Hondu. It's been fairly temperate weather for the last week - heck, the last few weeks, in fact, but this week has had cool winds AND clear skies. Yesterday, however, we left after school for a staff retreat north of town in the mountains, in an area called El Hatillo. The altitude make the weather downright chilly. I spent most of the afternoon/evening wearing a hoody (or as Western Canadians call it, a bunny hug?) and I slept with TWO blankets compared to my typical one over only my feet. We had a bonfire, and I actually participated in a touch football game. As the sun set during the game, I could fairly easily convince myself that I was in West Michigan. For the record, I had three receptions, one interception, and the game-sealing touchdown. Just another game of football for me, of course.
We had a couple of very good sermons, a talent show, and a few quite satisfying meals. We had hot chocolate - not even instant packets, but honest to goodness hot chocolate. I played cards, sat up until around 2 am - sometimes my WAKING hour as of late - and got some good journaling time overlooking a ridiculously pretty valley. I'm tired, but it was a worthwhile time.
We have one more week left in the quarter before exam week. Crunch time is already upon us. Woof. Fortunately, I've been letting myself feel closer to God more this school year than much of the last few years. Let's keep that up.
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