2009 in Review

I can't believe it's already 2010.
What happened to 2009?

This stuff:
rang in the new year
met 2 Canadian mounties while on vacation in Mazatlan
got sucked into Facebook
started knitting again; got sucked into Ravelry
reconnected with someone I hadn't seen since 1990
my maternal grandmother died; she was well over 100 years old
moved to NYC
went to Atlantic City for the first time
went on my second cruise
got sea sick for the second time
25th high school reunion
got a great deal on a KitchenAid mixer
enjoyed a quiet Christmas
prepared to ring in the new year

You know that new McDonald's commercial? The one with the young woman rapping in a van? If not, here it is:




She's a violinist and lives in my new neighborhood; there was a story about her and the making of the commercial in today's paper. Nice to see fun, inspiring articles for a change!

Happy New Year

And what a lovely way to ring it in:
an Alvin Ailey performance, followed by dinner at this place. Stayed away from the Times Square mele.

Welcome 2010.

Happy, Grateful Tears

I did not go to church this morning. Wait, that's not true. I went to church, but I spent the hour sitting in the kitchen, in the basement, on my mobile phone. And on this, Transfiguration Sunday, that was the absolute right thing for me to be doing.

Why?

Because I was talking to someone I have not seen since May 1, 1990.

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia; I was there December 29, 1988 - May 1, 1990. On May 1, I was evacuated with other PCVs. On December 24, 1989 rebel troops had crossed into Liberia starting a war that would last over a decade. On May 1st, I was on a plane- because the US Ambassador declared the situation unsafe and ordered the evacuation of all PCVs and other "non-essential" US employees.

So, one minute I was en route to the airport in Monrovia. Less than 12 hours later, I was in a holding room at JFK airport. After spending 18 months without running water or electricity, I found myself back in the US, staring at a neon sign advertising personal pan pizzas. Talk about abrupt.

Anyway, in Liberia, I lived in a small community not far from the capital (Monrovia)and while there, I became very close to a young girl who lived across the street from me. She was my constant companion and it broke my heart to leave her when I was evacuated.

I lost track of her as her family fled the fighting and I never knew if what happened to her. Awful, terrible things happened in my community after I left, and I knew some had not survived. Had her family made it to Ghana to a refugee camp? Had she made it to the US where I knew she had family?

I have looked for her off and on since 1990, and several months ago found information that lead me to Sunday. When I heard her voice on my message machine earlier that week, I cried. She now lives in Asia and didn't leave a phone number; her message said she'd call again over the weekend. My phone rang as I was pulling into the parking lot at church. Not only did she survive the war, but she is well, happily married, and pregnant!

We talked for nearly an hour. We have since emailed and I'm sending her all the photos I have of her and her community. They remind me of my Peace Corps experience and make me smile. Now they are the only photos she has of her childhood.

It was wonderful to talk to her, to know that she is well, to hear about her family. I look forward to rebuilding our friendship.

But she said something during our conversation that I found startling. She talked about doing short mission trips with her church, hoping to have an influence on someone young- just as I had had on her. Holy cow!

A boy I did Peace Corps with recently shared this quotation with me. I'd seen it before, but it took on a whole new meaning after reconnecting with my Liberian friend: "To the world you are just one person, but to one person, you are the world!"

It's Starting!

The days are getting shorter. I've already turned the heat on in my house. I sitting in my living room wearing fleece. Know what that all means?

College basketball is starting!!!!

And this is the perfect way to kick off the season, I think.

Oh yeah, and men's early and women's preseason rankings aren't so bad, either.

A New Day

I am the the daughter of folks raised in the segregated South.


And now a Black man is the President-elect.


Look what G*d can do!

From a friend:

This was sent to me from a friend.

Apparently, there's an ad campaign down in NYC trying to voters focused on policies and not race. The text reads "Let the issues be the issue" (italics mine). Click here for the campaign poster itself.

Red or Blue? Which are You?

Guess it's time to move back home.

You Should Live in a Purple State

Your preferences are 60% Blue, 40% Red You may not be a swing voter, but you feel comfortable around moderate people. You tend to do best in states with a red and blue mix - like Nevada and North Carolina. You are adaptable. You can converse with a church crowd as easily as with grad students.

Should You Live in a Red State or a Blue State?

Last Minute Voting Info

Ok, so you've made your choice for President. But what about your representative for State Assembly? Or State Supreme Court? Or Judge? And how do you feel about
that question/amendment/proposal?

Click here to see what will be on your ballot on Tuesday. If that doesn't give info on your state, try this.


Happy voting!

Scary Hallowe'en

Ok, so what do you do when the politician of your choice is behind in the polls and you want to make an impact? Just watch this video below for an idea.





That'll teach all those 10 year olds to choose the right candidate!