First Day of Summer

I've been wanting to update for a while, and I'll take this an excuse to show off the summer themed blog decor.

In no particular order...

(1) Summer Session II has begun at BCC, and I'm already two days into the semester.  The students are more vocal than my previous semester, which is great considering it felt like a morgue during the Spring semester.  Since math itself is at college's lowest level, my prep time has been cut down considerably in time and effort.  At the pace I'm going at, I might be done with lesson plans by the middle of July.  But so far, so very good on the teaching front.

(2) As of this evening, I'm officially at 69.49 miles on the bike.  I was told by my father-in-law that if I don't have 100 miles under my belt by the time we start heading up to the summer cottage that he won't let me ride with him.  I'm making it an effort to see that I reach my hundredth mile by the end of the month.  Not only am I enjoying myself more and more after every ride, I've also noticed a considerable increase in speed and stamina.  Biking is sweet.

(3) With gloomy prospects on the horizon, I'm slowly beginning to discard my hopes of finding a local full-time job in education.  Today, I'm officially back on the job hunting scene.  If the classical school falls short, I really have no interest to be playing this part-time game for much longer.  I want to stay in Binghamton and raise a family.  If that means I have to find some employment elsewhere, I'm at the point where I'm ready to accept any full-time job that pays decently and offers some health benefits. So if you know of any full time positions that you think I'd be good at, please send them my way.  I'll do pretty much anything at this point.

(4) Andrea and I are now officially done with Sunday School.  For someone who does not have a difficult time with commitments, this ministry really challenged me.  It wasn't so much the material as it was the sacrifice of giving up your Sunday morning.  There were a number of times I'd rather of been at the adult Sunday school class, but I was still thankful to have worked with the children.  Andrea will be working with them again next year, however, I'll be focusing my time on Mission Groups.

(5) Went to Ithaca last Saturday to celebrate Elisabeth's birthday.  Be on the lookout for pictures, which should be posted by the end of the week.

A Mid-West Vacation: Part III

Last week, Andrea, Kellie and I visited South Bend, Indiana to visit Jessica Zekus, a friend and fellow alumna of Alfred University.  Currently, Jessica is a graduate student working to get her MFA and works with ceramic art.  Back in March of 2010, Andrea and I came to visit her, and this was Kellie’s first trip out to Indiana.  As we traveled, I did my best to blog and remember as many of the more notable details.  All the pictures in this installment are used with permission from Andrea.

Day 5: Friday, May 27, 2011 – A Beautiful Day Outside

With the rain gone, a perfect day of vacation laid before us.  But before starting our busy day, this would be a good time to mention the secret mission.  You see, throughout the entire week, Jessica's spectacular hospitality and generosity to the three of us was so unparalleled that we wanted to repay her.  So under the cover of "going for a run" Andrea and I borrowed Jessica's car (Kellie had secured her car keys the night before) while Kellie conversed with Jessica over a prolonged breakfast.  Knowing that Jessica was interested in buying a small external hard drive, Andrea and I bought her one and filled up her car with gas.  After some initial shock, confusion, and a made up story about finding it in the middle of the street, Jessica was gleeful and appreciative about her surprise.

Jess excited about having a backup for all her pictures.

After the surprises, it was off to the Potawatomi Zoo.  Grateful to have lived near a great zoo in Syracuse, I thought that the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend was just as impressive.  Apart from the typical exhibits, I was impressed by the number of animals that I saw for the first time, namely the camels, zebras, prairie dogs, kangaroos, wallabies, an anteater, a kuku bird, and a macaw.   In addition, I was fascinated with the Australian section they had, which actually put you in the exhibit and allowing you to be within an arms length of some of the braver animals.  And even though I had seen them in the past at other zoos, I thought their peacock and flamingo exhibit was good as well.

A goat inside his water bucket.  It wasn't really that hot outside.

 

Mrs. Camel on the left, Mr. Camel on the right.

Don't remember what this animal was, but the baby was cute.

The baby prairie dogs were very fuzzy and could easily fit
in your pocket!  Andrea wanted to bring one home.

 

With only an hour left before closing time, the four of us zipped over to the Shiojiri Nira, a Japanese strolling garden only a mile or two away from the zoo.  I was hoping it would have more flowers, but instead it was a landscaped area with traditional Asian trees.  So still a great take portraits, especially on the bridges and large rocks.  My favorite section was where someone had simulated a pebble dropping in a stream, except that the stream was composed of small white pebbles.  Like this...

Someone spent a lot of time to make it look so nice!

On our way back home from the zoo and garden, we decided to eat out for dinner. Last year, I was curious about eating at a Steak-n-Shake, and this year I got to try it out.  Though I loathe eating at greasy fast-food places, I thought I'd make an exception this time.  And I'm glad I did because it was quite tasty.  To get an idea of the place, think of a Johnny Rocket's (or any 60s or 70s burger joint) but a less selection and a specialty in unique steak burgers and milkshakes.

Dark chocolate, peach, strawberry and key lime.

Friday night concluded with a quick trip to the South Bend Chocolate Shoppe and one more night of (naturally) Sequence and ice cream.

Day 6: Saturday, May 28, 2011 – The Long Drive Home

I didn't mention it to Kellie, but I remember the trip back last year was miserable.  After having such a great time, driving back for all those long hours can be downright depressing.  Not this time.  It makes a difference when you have a third person with you to share more conversation and seat time with.  In fact, I thought the drive to Binghamton was as pleasant as the drive to Indiana.

Although it's not as amusing as the sign we saw as we were driving to Indiana, check out this beauty:

All of these are apparently legal for sale in Ohio!

For lunch, we stopped at the Cracker Barrel.  Andrea's family has a tradition of eating there on vacation so Kellie and I to followed her lead.  That meal (and some snacking) got us as all the way to Bath, NY where we were fortunate enough to join Kellie's family for their Memorial Day cookout.  After some brief picture showing and gift giving, the (relatively) short drive to Binghamton was quick and vacation officially declared over.

A Mid-West Vacation: Part II

Last week, Andrea, Kellie and I visited South Bend, Indiana to visit Jessica Zekus, a friend and fellow alumna of Alfred University.  Currently, Jessica is a graduate student working to get her MFA and works with ceramic art.  Back in March of 2010, Andrea and I came to visit her, and this was Kellie’s first trip out to Indiana.  As we traveled, I did my best to blog and remember as many of the more notable details.  All the pictures in this installment are used with permission from Andrea.

Day 3: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 – A Rainy Day

Unfortunately, not every day can be bright and sunny.  As expected, Wednesday brought lots of rain so we planned accordingly so it wouldn't dampen our plans.  Since we weren't in town on Sunday for the traditional service, we attended the late-morning Mass at the college basilica.  After the service ended, we admired the immaculate building.

This picture was actually taken in 2010.  It looks the same now
except the red banners were gold for the Easter season.

The chapel was adorned with many traditional Christian scenes
and icons.   Those who go to Good Shepherd will appreciate this.

Scenes were painted on the ceiling as well.

The window panes alternated between male and female saints.

After a brief visit to the chapel museum (sorry, no pictures were allowed), we visited biggest college bookstore in America, located on Notre Dame campus.  (For those keeping track, the biggest in the world is located in Toronto, Ontario.)  Because Jessica teaches at Notre Dame as well, she was kind enough to treat us to some t-shirts and souvenirs.

When our adventures on campus ended, the four of us hang-out at the apartment.  An assortment of activities commenced, including blogging, reading, and watching Finding Nemo.

Wednesday night was also bowling night.  I'll brag because I normally can't when it comes to bowling, but I won the first round with a 99-pin effort.  The second game Andrea played to her real potential and destroyed us all with a 156, which included the ever-elusive turkey.  Other important notes of the event included Kellie playing a respectable off-hand game because of her tendinitis, which beat me in the second round, and we also got to meet up with two of Jessica's friends, Chris and Christina.

As per tradition, the day ended with more ice cream, Sequence and conversation.

Day 4: Thursday, May 26, 2011 – Another Rainy Day

Thursday morning was met with much anticipation, but not because of the rain that stuck with us most of the day.  When we arrived on Monday, Jessica mentioned of a farmer's market and restaurant within that we just have to visit on Thursday.  Included in the deal was a free breakfast for Kellie, Andrea and me.  How could we pass that up?

Jessica wasn't ready for this picture, but we were lucky to manage a picture.  
Sharon was a bit  intimidated by Andrea's camera.

Breakfast did not disappoint.  Not only was the food scrumptious (I had the biscuits and gravy, but also finished off Andrea's buckwheat waffles and bacon, and Kellie's hashbrowns.), but the waitress was outstanding.  Sharon, a clearly well-fit elderly woman, was not only quick to ensure that your water or coffee was never half-empty, but she was also funny and eager to make you smile and laugh.  I like to exaggerate, but I pledge in honesty that Sharon is best waitress I've experienced.  

With our hunger satisfied, we began visiting the markets and stands, which thankfully, are always inside and safe from the elements.  Some vendors had the typical fresh fruit and vegetable stands, but the market was also populated with breads, pastries, meats, seafood, spices, candy and crafts of all kinds.  Collectively, we had purchased spices, cocoa extract, cherries, large Mexican wedding cookies, butter cookies with chocolate chips and a few flavored honey sticks.

Looking for cherries!

Jessica satisfying her sweet tooth.

Andrea and Kellie could have bought out this store if we'd let them.

Before having dinner, we spent about two hours at the campus museum (which is different than the basilica museum mind you).  This was an art museum, focusing mainly on North American art throughout a large range of centuries, including pieces of the Mayans and Native Americans.

Thursday night was dinner and game night at Jessica's apartment.  Unfortunately Chris, who joined us for bowling, was the only one who was able come.  So the five of us had dinner, played Apples to Apples, and ate ice cream.  And no, I didn't forget it, this was the only night we didn't play Sequence.

A Mid-West Vacation: Part I

Last week, Andrea, Kellie and I visited South Bend, Indiana to visit Jessica Zekus, a friend and fellow alumna of Alfred University.  Currently, Jessica is a graduate student working to get her MFA and works with ceramic art.  Back in March of 2010, Andrea and I came to visit her, and this was Kellie’s first trip out to Indiana.  As we traveled, I did my best to blog and remember as many of the more notable details.  All the pictures in this installment are used with permission from Andrea.

Day 1: Monday, May 23, 2011 – Travel Day

The journey from Binghamton, NY to South Bend, Indiana encompasses about 655 miles and times out at just under ten hours if you drive non-stop.  Needless to say, it takes a bit longer to get there considering gas breaks, food breaks and bathroom breaks.  Before even hitting the road, Kellie had her stitches taken out while Andrea and I put air in the tires.  But at 10:45am, we were on our way. 

Apart from the typical roadway hazards and annoyances (like construction, rush-hour traffic and poor driving), the most notable event occurred just as we arrived on the Ohio Turnpike.  A hailstorm was making its way across the highway along with some intense wind and rain.  At one point, we were unable to see more than a foot or two out our windows.  Taking the lead of my fellow drivers, we pulled off to the side if the highway and waited the storm out, which only lasted about five to seven minutes.  I regret not taking pictures of the storm and its marble-sized hail, but I had become preoccupied in scanning for potential tornados.  The rest of the trip was actually quite pleasant and clear weather-wise.  In fact, Andrea produced some sweet pictures of the Ohioan landscape, including this beauty.

A farm in Ohio at dusk

But all in all, the driving wasn’t too bad, and it was lovely to be greeted so warmly when we finally reached Jessica at Notre Dame University.

Day 2: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – A Day on the Campus

After a good night’s sleep and a wonderful breakfast, Jessica gave us a tour of the campus.  When Andrea visited last spring, it was still a bit chilly and very few of the flowers or other floras were in bloom yet.  This time the campus was in full blossom, and along the backdrops of the campus architecture, the entire university becomes a delight to the eye.  Apart from visiting the typical sites like “Touchdown Jesus,” the four of us also monkeyed around a bit in a low-branched tree.

"Touchdown Jesus" gets its name because the mural is centered
between the two uprights of Notre Dame's football stadium 

 

South Bend is actually home to three different higher education facilities.  Notre Dame University gets most of the attention, but tucked away is Holy Cross College, a liberal arts school with an emphasis in Catholic tradition, and also St. Mary’s College, which is an all-women liberal arts school that focuses on having their graduates make meaningful and spiritual impacts on the world after graduation.  All three of these schools neighbor each other and between them are two small, but gorgeous lakes.  Our afternoon was spent on walking around the lake trail, observing wildlife, and making conversations.

When the grand tour of the campus concluded, we bought some groceries to last us the week, had dinner, and played Sequence and ate ice cream for the rest of the evening.  It was an awesome first full day.

What's that Ruckus? #4

Over the past month or so, I've been on a World War II kick regarding my music.  Below are two songs from two different bands that I listen to and enjoy on a regular basis.


Specifically, House of Heroes, a lesser-known Christian band, released in 2008 the thematic album "The End is not the End," which is based entirely on the events before, during and after WW2.  With that considered, I could choose any track to feature, but I'm going to bring "By Your Side" to attention.  It's a heart-jerking acoustic song about brothership in the midst of battle, and in particular how the destruction of war changes families and lives forever.


A Rotterdam November actually derives its band name from the devastating events that occurred in Rotterdam in May of 1940.  In fact, the band offers this insightful excerpt:

What’s up with the name?  Well, Rotterdam is a city in the Netherlands where the downtown was destroyed by bombing during WWII.  At that time, Rotterdam was nicknamed, “the city without a heart.” However, the citizens rallied to replace the destruction with a new downtown and the city was reborn with a new “heart.”  Metaphorically speaking, Rotterdam became an old city with a new heart.  Translating this analogy to the human experience is at the core of the band.

In contrast to the first song, City without a Heart demonstrates that it is the people and not the structures or systems that make the hearts and passions of a unified community.  The parallels to Christian doctrine are numerous.

House of Heroes - By Your Side

(sorry for the poor audio quality)

Born on the plains / a farmers sons and brothers the same
Raised on promises / we'd stay that way
As boys we believed / summers at the sea
We were free / to become men of good will
side by side

And we were children then / footprints in the sand
and where the ocean bends / we made our promises

Duty soon called / 1943 we enrolled
Together we would be / our family's pride

And we were soldiers then / our bodies in the sand
and like that sand through our hands / go our grandest plans

And just to see you face for one moment / I'd cross the ocean again
the end is not the end

And I'll be by your side / on the other side

And through the cloud of death / we find our way back home
and though I hold your hand / all must go alone
And when you see the face of our maker / you don't have to be ashamed
He knows the promises we made


Rotterdam November - City without a Heart




The sky was blue yesterday
but today it turned to the darkest shade of grey
I walk the streets of a European ghost town

When will we be assured? I feel so empty 
When will we be understood? Somethings broken here

I don't want to live my life thinking and pacing 
I don't want to say goodbye to all feeling

Once people talked amongst these markets 
But now, the cobblestone is all alone
These fires have burned to a few embers

We could rebuild this, City without a Heart 
This isn't hopeless, City without a Heart. 


After all that's gone wrong, City without a Heart, 
I'm stronger than a bunch of bombs, City without a Heart. 
These were our dreams once, what looks like piles of ashes. 
The fires of destruction burn hot, but not as hot as my passions.

I don't want to give up now, we've come so far
I can't do this alone, I don't care who you are


Resurrect these buildings, let the melodies ring. 
Set the captives free, set the captives free. 
We could rebuild this city without a heart.