Sunday, June 28, 2009

"On an Evening in Roma"



After seeing the major sights in Rome, there is still one thing that stands out more than any other. At the Borghese Gallery, I was given the chance to sit and observe sculptures by Bernini and countless other famous artists. With all of the breathtaking artwork, none were more beautiful than a painting by Jacopo Zucchi. I've inserted a picture I found on Google Images, but nothing can really do it justice. Sorry if you don't like nudies in your art, but I just find it breathtaking. I always feel such a sorrow for Psyche after she knows who her lover is. I do think C.S. Lewis captured the story perfectly in his book, Till We Have Faces.

In short, Rome was spectacular. In my mind, there really aren't enough right words to describe it to someone; all I can say is that you have to go there. You have to stand in the middle of the Colosseum, sit at a edge of the Trevi Fountain, and walk to the top of Palatine Hill. Everyone (even those who are not deeply religious) need to stand in awe of the awesomeness of St. Peter's Basilica.

Even as I bumped along the cobblestone roads to the airport, I kept thinking that I'll be back in Rome some time. My Chacos may be a little more worn out at that point, though.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I Still Learn a lot From Them


After years of arguments, fights, pushing, shoving, growing, and moving, I cannot begin to describe the kind of impact my brothers have had on me. Yes, I know, that cliche "we've-grown-to-love-each-other-more" kind of thing is bound to rear its ugly head at some point, but it's different than that. I've often wondered what kind of childhood kids have when their the only kid in a family.

God made us to be relational, and it wouldn't be much fun not having another little person running around with whom you could relate. I'm always afraid that I won't learn all that I could from my brothers, but then I stumbled across Conner's blog, and I realized that my learning from them doesn't end just because of age or distance. I won't see Conner and Amy for two years at least. That's a pretty hard pill to swallow, but I think I'll be able handle it. Cameron was in Saipan for a year, and I made it out alive.

I just hope that I've made a similar impact in their lives, for being the youngest qualifies me for a lot of learning and some teaching. But they have taught me to think deeper and reach further than I naturally would . . . or else I'd be the Washerwoman for the rest of my life.

Friday, June 19, 2009

My European Home



While driving through Hungary, I realized the landscape seemed to be a carbon-copy of Ohio. If you know me, you'll know that Ohio landscape is not a great start for a 60 day trip.

But as I sit in the living room of my parent's small block apartment, I try to think back on any expectation I had for Romania. My mom refused to show me the pictures of the apartment in Tennessee for fear that I wouldn't come. That was motivating! For the first time since 2nd grade, I'll be sharing a room with my brother; it should be interesting to say the least.
The picture is the view from the bathroom window; I chose that view because I liked the fact the window was punched th
rough the wall. All of these apartments were built by the government during the communist era. Some pretty wild things went down, and Romania is just starting to bounce back from it. At first I wondered at the little country houses that were painted any color of the rainbow, but then I realized that these people had been so starved for color for so many years. It is sad, but it makes sense. I absolutely love living with the bare essentials, though. I think that is certainly something I could be happy with . . . a small apartment, a kitchen big enough to cook, a fridge big enough to hold drinks and a few perishables, and a bedroom that is cozy. As long as I can look at the sky and have a good book next to me, I'm satisfied.

The next picture is of my father and me. Yes, I'm wearing one of thoooose scarves, but it's only because I'll be able to say, "Oh, this? It's just a scarf that I got when I lived in Europe." ;)

Sunday, June 7, 2009

"When the lesson's over, you'll be with me..."

So, after a month of IT work, my time there is done. I have gained a love and respect for all the cooky guys who work in there, but most of all, I've learned to ask questions. Being in a completely foreign environment has given me a healthy respect for those who have expertise in an area of which I know absolutely nothing.


One man, James, was always helpful in explaining the importance of what we were working on, and I am forever grateful for that. Working hard is something that I can say I hadn't really done before. Sure, I've sweat and gotten backaches from things I've done, but I've never felt to great about washing my hands at 4:30 and seeing little brown bubbles slip into the sink. If anything, I will no longer complain about BCNet. :)

I'll get to see my parents in roughly 3 hours. Hooray! I am very ready for them to be back. It will be a fun wedding, but I must say, I've been kept in the dark on a lot of it. I don't even know if it's in a church or outside. Alabama in summer... let's pray it's indoor.