Life Changing Events!

As if from out of nowhere, life has accelerated very quickly in the Kovac household.  With my full-time employment at Vestal school district, changes are happening rapidly and quickly.

The first change was the bittersweet departure of BCC.  Almost a year to the very date of my new employment, I was asked to adjunct a developmental math class.  It was a huge blessing at the time and acted as reassurance to both Andrea and I that we were supposed to be in Binghamton another year longer.  Despite trying to increase my credit load, it never happened and the possibility to earn full-time employment through the community college seemed slim at best.  So on the Wednesday before classes, I dropped off my paperwork and keys, gave a fond farewell to the chair and secretary, and prayed over the office and department.  I hope that my travels will bring me back, however if I never return, I'll know never to bad mouth community colleges again.  They are a special and unique place that honestly serve communities better that most other social organizations that claim to do the same.

Since it was about that time anyway, the living room and back porch are getting a much needed face lift.  Both Andrea and I enjoy rearranging furniture and decor.  To me at least, moving stuff around helps keep the apartment fresh and new, while also representing (in a way) a new season of our life.  As for the back porch, it's been due for some serious renovations.  The paint has been peeling off the floor ever since we moved in and since our landlord hasn't decided to do anything about it, I'm taking the initiative myself while also honing my home improvement abilities.

As God would have it, the truck that we have been "borrowing" from the church lost it's transmission, leaving us with one car again.  With the financial support of a new job and the previous experience of buying a vehicle, purchasing another used car wasn't as difficult or stressful this time around.  When we finally pick it up, I'll write another eulogy and pictures of the soon-to-be-deceased truck.

But the most significant change this week has been in attitude and spirit.  This employment, above all other things it represents, is an answer to years of prayer.  The job, the pay and the benefits are obviously nice, but more important is that we have been provided means and comfort of staying in Binghamton to raise a family.  We're already so committed to Good Shepherd and our families and other loved ones are so close by.  To remain here with a clear purpose and direction is a blessing from God that will be told over and over again to friends, family and children.  And the central message of that blessing will be how God provided and is worth of praise.

Soli Deo gloria

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Part III

Before we knew it, Sunday was upon us.  The five of us worshiped at Albert's church in the Newport area.  Afterwards though, we probably witnessed very non-tourist event.  On any given day, but especially the weekends, many Rhode Islanders head to Ocean Drive State Park (just south of Fort Adams) to fly kites.  We were fortunate to arrive at a good time because there must have been over 100 kites in the air.  Despite the large number of pictures seen here, it won't do it justice.  I really enjoyed watching all the kites.  

This might indicate my excitement for kites.

Four different people were flying these kites.  Apparently they were training
for some synchronized trick competition .  They were astounding to watch.

Jellyfish?

More stunt kites, but with streamers this time!

And after hearing about how great it was, we finally tried some Dell's frozen lemonade.  It was delicious and refreshing on a very hot summer's day.

And with that, Tom, Andrea and I headed back to Binghamton.  Another long-weekend vacation is in the books and a month of summer left for all to enjoy.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Part II

With Albert as our trusted guide, we had a delicious Saturday lunch overlooking Newport Harbor and touring through the historical parts of Newport.

Newport Bridge

More boats in the harbor.

Lunch Time!

Wild animal (cracker) life.

Picture was taken exclusively for its door decoration.

An old house...

and two more of them nearby.

Eventually, we moved closer to the heart of Newport.  Soon the residences started giving way to the business center and community landmarks.

One of the two more remarkable places we visited was the Trinity Episcopal Church, one of the oldest standing churches in the country.  And yes, if you squint enough that is a three-tiered pulpit in the middle of the aisle.

A woman that fearth the Lord shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of
her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.  Proverbs 31:30-31

Albert pointing out the pew where George Washington probably worshiped.

Most of the rectors have been buried in the lot next door.

Installed in the brick sidewalk.

Goofy picture aside, I thought this was the most interesting story Albert told us.  What I remember from the whole ordeal is that the Rhode Island Artillery Company is directly under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island governor, and not the United States government.  Something about saving the governor during the revolutionary war and some legal document that separates them from the rest of the national military.  A brief history can be read here.

We returned to Easton Beach and there were significantly more people there.

Our reason for returning though was the Cliff Walk that runs along the West side of the bay.  The cliff walk is a several mile stretch of walkway that cuts behind the property of super-rich summer home owners.  Apart from the ocean and mansion gawking, there are also a clearing where you can splash in the ocean.

Kellie enjoying the ocean view.

A small, little beach home to stay in during the summer.

And another one here.

The evening concluded with a trip to see Shakespeare in the Park.  The performance was "The Tempest," which I enjoyed quite thoroughly.  Although it was my first encounter with this particular play, paying attention in my literature classes paid dividends here.  No photography was allowed, so no more pictures in this post!

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Part I

The title is the official name of our smallest state of the union (by area), and during the last weekend of July, Tom, Andrea and I traveled into the heart of New England to visit two dear friends, Kellie and Albert.  Kellie was already in Rhode Island, spending two months of her summer with her boyfriend Albert, a long-time Rhode Island resident.

We started our tour on Friday at Fort Adams.  Immediately to the north of the base lies on Brenton Cove and Newport Harbor, which was beautifully decorated with motorboats, sailboats, and other sea-worthy vessels.  Just a bit west and no more than 3 miles south is the Atlantic Ocean.  Needless to say, Fort Adams served as an important naval base and controls the largest seaway into the state.  Another interesting history note: Fort Adams is said to be near impenetrable because of its network of tunnel mazes that allow or discouraged people to enter or leave the fort.  When under a lock-down, these passages would be the only way to access the military base, and the soldiers that duty there would have to be trained to navigate the caverns without getting lost.  After some lunch and goofing off, we went to the beach!

Brenton Cove 

Children in these miniature sailboats are learning the basics of boating.

In 1799 a gun fortress was constructed.  Plans were started in 1864 for Fort Adams.
Construction was completed in 1857.  Fort Adams was continuously garrisoned
from 1842 to 1950.  It was the location for Civil War troops training,
also troops for the Spanish War, World War 1 and World War 2.

Despite its "red tide," Easton Beach in Newport City is probably the most traveled beach facility in all of Rhode Island.  When you get there, it's not hard to see why.  The beach is large and has a number of attractions and restaurants nearby, including a few uppity-snobby beach lounges.  However, when we arrived late Friday afternoon, there were relatively few people there.  And that was nice, so we took the time to frolic and play in the water.

Chasing after the destructive seagulls

What is this?

On either side of the bay, there are beautiful houses and mansions.

The figurehead of her own ship, thank-you-very-much.

Found this "Kentucky Derby" treasure floating in the waves.

The 'gulls had their way with Tom's bag.

After washing the sand from our toes, we took the long journey back to Hope, RI where we finally meet up with Albert, had dinner, played games and told stories.  A classic end to an exciting day.