Happily Home Again

Hi everyone,

This morning found me home, on the floor in our living room with my first cup of coffee, playing fetch with the puppy. NICE.

While it feels luxurious to be back, I enjoyed the trip to Houston and Denver. Well, maybe NOT the part about driving in a blizzard over Monument Hill, but all other parts. Seeing friends was good, work was good, and catching up with Mom and those who provide care for her was..... well if not good, something close. I left Houston musing on how our basic ideas about life ultimately determine our experience, if we are lucky enough to live that long.

A high spot in Houston was a night Ann and I went out and enjoyed La Boheme at the Houston Opera for $35. The seats, front of house and in the center, were fantastic and the performance was out of this world. For anyone who still may stay away from opera because you can't understand it - the advent of overhead translations made all the difference.

Love to you all,
Alana

Hello from Denver, CO

Hi everyone,

I find that life on the road takes me away from life on the computer (why is this not a surprise?). Picture me with my feet up, laptop on my lap, looking out to a sunny 20 degree Celsius day in Denver Colorado.

So far the trip back to the US has been a blessing - but I must say that things move at a much faster pace here than they do in Kinsale! My presentations went well at CTU - the university that brought me may have other work and interests in the future. It is also interesting to chat with others about living in multicultural settings from the vantage of the US where there is such a big overarching USness to the conversation.

Love you all and more will come in spurts as I travel,
Alana

Voting for the first time!

Hi everyone,

This is just a quick catch up to mention that I got a chance to vote for the first time - at my church! Last Sunday was the Easter Vestry meeting (always held the week after Easter). Typical of most smaller congregations it became clear that a few do it all. It was also funny to watch the tension between wanting to hold democratic elections and encourage people to nominate whomever they wanted but not really wanting to go over the number of slots - so that we didn't really have to count votes.

My name was put up for representation to the synod - not that it is likely that enough people know me to vote for me but indicative of how in another 3 years when we vote on that again there might be a slot for me there.

Another milestone, as the man who passed us on our drivers license said! And an important one at that.

Love to you all,
Alana

Wahboards anyone?

Hi everyone,

This is a quick post as Margie and I are about to go out to the gym but I thought you would want to see us in our glory leading a rousing session of "She'll be coming round the mountain" at the last multicultural group. In the US I never played my washboard much - the reception from other people (except for Louise's Dad who had me play a solo and scared me to death) was usually luke warm.

The people in our multicultural group loved it however, most having to try it out themselves. A big hit all around.

So here's hoping that this leaves you laughing - a rat a tat tat boom boom!
Alana