A Sign

Every Day Should Be Saturday

Perfect Saturday morning? Getting a great hair cut at my salon, Il Camelion in Park Slope, followed by browsing through a cute kitchen store (and having to tear myself away before I bought everything inside) and then finding a perfect card to send to a friend at a paper shop. After that? Sitting at Connecticut Muffin as it drizzles rain outside, sipping my iced chai latte and reading my current 'list' book, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. 

Chris and I spent the afternoon inside relaxing and then went to the grocery store and bought stuff for dinner.. crab legs! What?! It was raining all day, we had nothing else to do.. why not make crab legs for dinner and watch a movie? 

What did you do today?

Go Mets!

I thought that since my last post a few hours ago was on the negative side, I should end the day with something fun. Last night we went to a Mets game with some friends. Chris and I have never been to a Mets game so we were pretty excited for last night's game since the season is close to being over and it's the last season the team will play at Shea Stadium. 

We met our friends at the Stadium, two of which are our new friends Dominick and Bini. They recently moved here from Germany. Bini and Ashley met a few years ago when they were living in England with YWAM. This was their first baseball game and it was fun to be there with them. Baseball isn't big in Germany so Chris explained the game.
It started to rain at about the seventh inning. We quickly moved up to some seats that were under the overhang. It got pretty cold too. Met's were playing the Cubs and were tied until the 7th inning when the Cubs got three runs. With the rain, the cold, and all of a sudden being down by three we were not happy campers. Highlight of the game up till that point? This pigeon. It's sad but true.. He flew up under the overhang we were sitting under and every eye was on him.. especially those who were sitting under him. It wasn't a minute later that he dropped three bombs on a poor guy sitting three rows in front of us. Everyone around us groaned and laughed and I'm sure were happy it wasn't them! Oh well, they say it's lucky if a bird poops on you. The guy laughed it off, I handed him some napkins and we were all back to watching the game. 
Well, we went into the 9th inning still tied. Cubs batted first and didn't score. Ashley and I were hoping that it wouldn't go into extra innings because we were freezing. I don't really even like base ball. It was classic- bottom of the 9th, game is tied and Mets have two outs. We have two men on base, the hit goes to center field and the guy on second makes it home. Mets win and we can all go home and warm up :) Woohoo!

Despite the rain and cold it was a fun night with friends and we were able to see the Mets play at Shea Staduim. 

Venting. It's Therapeutic.

I'm sorry, but I just need to vent this out. 

Why is it that some people, after meeting you only once or twice, think that they can talk to you any way they want? I mean seriously, who are you?! You don't know anything about me and you have the audacity to criticize my clothes, the book I am reading, and ultimately my choice of profession?? (Which, by the way, is how we happened to meet in the first place?) Generally, I will not use this blog to talk about work because not only is there a confidentiality code within my profession, but also simply because I don't want to start using this as a means to vent work problems. Except for this. And really, this can cover a wide gamut of areas because there are people like this everywhere you go. People who think they are too cool for school and feel as though they have the right to tell you all about it. Some are more open about it than others, some slip it into natural conversation leaving you with the question.. 'did he really just say that?!' or 'who do you think you are?'

"Cha-Heads". That's what we call them in the interpreting/deaf community. 

Here are a few sample comments from an interpreter I have recently been teamed with.:

First time we met "I really don't want to be an interpreter. This is just an in between job until I get my masters so I can teach ASL. I don't want to get stuck being an interpreter."

Second time we met/worked together "I think interpreters who wear black give other interpreters a bad name" 

Third time we worked together "Why are you wasting your time reading fiction?? I prefer to read about actual events, religion, politics, sports, biographies.. it keeps me stimulated."

A warning to you: keep up the comments like that- to interpreters you are teaming with- and pretty soon no one will want to team with you. And yes, that can be requested. Most of us who are interpreters are in this profession because we want to, we enjoy it. Who are you to talk to us like you are better than this lowly 'middle job' as you call it?? 

News flash: INTERPRETERS WEAR BLACK! It's the easiest clothing choice so that you have a plain, dark background for your hands so that the deaf client can easily read your signs! Yes, dark red, blue, green or brown are acceptable.. but black is ideal! How is doing my job professionally giving other terps a bad name? (Not to mention..this is New York. Everybody wears black anyway)

And lastly... some of the greatest authors and novels in history wrote/are fiction! William Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Dante, George Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Emily Dickens, Toni Morrison, Ernest Hemingway, Harriet Beecher Stowe... I could go on. But they should just take them off the shelves.. what a waste of time.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Alas... there are some interpreters who I really enjoy getting to know while we work together. There are interpreters who you can chat with and make the job fun. There are others with whom you simply have to grin and bear it. You show up for an assignment, do your job and leave. This particular interpreter is going to be one of them. I will not engage in small talk. I will not tolerate rude or 'cha head' comments, whether they are directed at me and my black shirt, or just in general. And if I need to, I will inform 'the powers that be' to please not assign me this person as a partner.  

The only positive of working with this interpreter one morning a week is that the same day in the afternoon I am with one of the best team interpreters you could ask for. This terp is sweet, knowledgeable, encouraging, willing to teach, offers constructive criticism as well as praise. I am so thankful that I was put with her and really look forward to all that I will learn from working with her for the rest of the semester. 

See, a positive along with a negative. Thanks for letting me vent.

Veggie Dessert-Heaven In My Mouth

Remember that Rhubarb Crisp I was going to make yesterday for our special HEROES dinner? Well, let me tell you! It was amazing.

A-maz-ing. 

Look at those wonderful crispy oats and that beautiful pink color. 

I seriously have been dreaming about this stuff all day. I couldn't wait to get home tonight to eat some more!
Add a dollop of whipped cream and what do you get? Perfection. 

Ohhh goodness. I think rhubarb is my new obsession. 

Really, I have always liked rhubarb. My grandma makes an amazing rhubarb custard dessert with a meringue topping that I have loved since I was a little girl. My mom grew rhubarb in her garden and I would always request this dessert when my grandma would come and visit. Her recipe is more involved than this rhubarb crisp and I wanted something simple so I thought I would give it a try- I am so happy I did! Did you know that rhubarb is actually a vegetable? A vegetable it may be, but because of it's tart taste it is most commonly used like a fruit when baking. Next, I am going to make my grandmother's recipe, and then maybe a strawberry rhubarb pie. This vegetable is not going to be good for my waistline.

Are you drooling too?  

Bittersweet

This morning we had to say goodbye to our pastor and his family. We have known for a few months that they would be leaving us at the end of the summer, God has called them to another church in Baltimore, MD. but moving day has approached much faster that I thought. I can't believe today is the day. How do you say goodbye to people who have become like a second family? They have been here serving at our church since the first time we came on a BUMP missions trip eight years ago. They are one of the main reasons Chris wanted to come out here and serve for a year as a urban missionary with UTOPIA (Urban Target Outreach Program In America), a year that has turned into more than five years and in the meantime we got married, I joined him in Brooklyn, and he is now the Youth Pastor. How do you say goodbye to the man who has taught you so much about how to live your life for Christ, the woman who is such a strong example of a godly wife and mother and has become your friend, or the boys who you have watched grow up from the time they were 6 and 7 to teenagers in your youth group? We are very excited for them and how God is going to use them at this new church because we have seen how God has used them in our lives and in the lives of our church body as well. But at the same time.. it's just so hard to see them go. I know God has a plan for their family, for Chris and me, and for our church. He will take care of us and even though change is hard and scary and sometimes hurts, I am rest assured that we are all in His hands. That is, after all , the best place we can be. Change can also be exciting...once you get past the scary part. I am trying to focus on that- on what the Lord has in store for us, for our church. He has taken them to Baltimore for a reason just like he is keeping us here in Brooklyn for a reason. So, we wont say goodbye after all. Baltimore is not that far away and we have already talked about them coming back for our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner together (I can't wait!). Instead, we will simply say farewell and see you soon.

* * *

On a lighter note... tonight is also the season premier of HEROES! It's our favorite show and I am so happy that it premiers tonight so that I wont be so sad all day. Plus, it's our favorite show. Does anyone else watch this? If you don't I highly recommend it (Mondays, NBC 9/8 central). We were die hard '24' fans (thanks to our good friend Ish) but when HEROES came on they were on the the same day, same time, so we would have to tape one and watch the other. Eventually, we just quit watching 24 because HEROES was just way better. It's our favorite show. Did I mention it's our favorite show? I am even making a special dinner tonight for the occasion: stuffed porkchops (with cornbread stuffing), steamed asparagus, new potatos, and rhubarb crisp for dessert. Yum.

Signs of the Times

I was looking back at some of the photos that I have taken over the past few months and noticed that there were quite a few photos of different signs- storefront signs, advertisements, even street signs. Some of them I have taken for artistic purposes, and others just because they were kinda crazy, (or like this one, because it made me think about a certain red head in my family). I thought I would begin sharing them with you. 

I was not planning to use this particular sign as the first installment of my 'Signs' photos, but I thought I would pay a tribute to my poor little sister who went to the hospital today with a broken nose. This one's for you Betz. 

Because I Want To, That's Why

I have decided that I am leaving work early today. Usually on Tuesdays I am interpreting an english class right now, from 1-3:30. Today I had to go with a student to the financial aid department at 1:00 and so my team interpreter was alone for the first 20 minutes of class- no big deal however because it's a literature and film class and today they are watching the film Lolita*, after reading the book the last two weeks. Anyway.. she said she was fine alone- all they are doing is watching the movie anyway- (and I have already seen Lolita since I interpreted the very same class for another student a year ago) so I was free to take care of a few things. Well, I have taken care of them. I am done. Usually on Tuesdays I come back to the office and stay until 5 to get things done or to be available if a student needs me.. well I have decided that I am going home now. Early. I got my things done, I don't expect anyone to need me between 3:30 and 5 and so I am leaving. So there. Whatcha gonna do 'bout it?




* For those of you who read this blog and know about 'The List', Lolita is on it! I have only read parts of the book, from interpreting the class, but I have seen both versions of the movie. Pretty good. The story is a little disturbing: young girl, older man etc.. very controversal. I guess it was banned from being read in some schools, but apparently it was beautifully written.

Painting the Town.. Vignette #2

I thought I should finish blogging about Rachel's visit so here it is. this may be a long one but I have a lot to get on here. 

Saturday morning Jason, David and James arrived and I went to pick them up. It was SO foggy! The weather was hot and HUMID- we were waiting to get rained on that night and in the meantime were stuck with some nasty weather.. but cool photo opportunities! On the way to the airport I pass the Verrazano Bridge and with the fog beginning to engulf it I just had to take a picture. I pulled over to the side of the highway and got out to snap some photos (trying to take them while driving was just not working out for me, not to mention it's kind of dangerous)

The Verrazano Bridge isn't as popular as the Brooklyn, but it's Chris's favorite and a really beautiful bridge. It connects Brooklyn to Staten Island. On the way home the fog had gotten worse and you couldn't even see the tops of the bridge! 

After picking up the boys we got some pizza at Dominicks and then headed for Coney Island. With the humidity, heat and fog, it wasn't the ideal day to see it, but we still had fun. They are closing the park down for renovations and that was the last weekend it was going to be open. We got some food at Nathan's, walked the boardwalk, took a ride on the Cyclone and left. It started to rain that night so we wanted to find something inside to do. We headed into the city to Ripley's Believe it or Not. Seriously, some of that stuff.. I couldn't believe! 

Unfortunately Jodi had to go home early so Sunday morning Rachel and I took her to the airport before church. That afternoon the two of us has some perfect Rachel and Janet time in Prospect Park. We sat, drank ice coffees from Connecticut Muffin, talked, prayed, relaxed.. it was wonderful! 
In case you don't know, Prospect Park is kind of Brooklyn's Central Park- but it's not busy or touristy. It was designed by the same guys that designed Central Park. It's one of my favorite spots, I love it!

Monday I took the day off and we all went to Canal Street in search of some knock-offs. Purses, watches, sunglasses.. whatever. Jason wanted to get a Coach purse for Julie and I advised him not to get one on display in the shops.. instead have them take you to a back room or something because this is where they keep the good stuff. I have been led through a door in the wall to a back room, or to another building on another block.. but I have never experienced what Jason and I did to get that purse. The woman told us to follow her as she walked down the street.. I thought she was taking us to another building.. after we go down the block, around the corner and half way down another block she stops at a van. A van! She opens the door for us and inside along the sides and back of the van are small shelves crammed with purses! The seats had been taken out, the windows were darkly tinted and a small wooden bench was placed inside for us to sit on! We got inside, she shut the door and turned on a light and proceeded to show us the goods. We did a little bartering and in the end Jason got a very nice purse to take home to his wife and and even better story to tell along with it! 

After Canal Street we headed to MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) to get some culture. (We had already gone to the Guggenheim while Rachel's brother was here) I was really excited about this because the special exhibit was Salvador Dali- you know the melting clocks?? Most people know him as a surrealist painter, but did you know that he also did film? He did some silent films and then later worked with Walt Disney on a short cartoon and Alfred Hitchcock on the dream sequence in his 1945 film Spellbound. (Has anyone seen it? We have been watching a lot of his films through netflix this past year but haven't seen that one yet..)

That night we went and saw the taping of Conan O'Brien. Did anyone watch last Mondays show? I don't think we were shown in the audience, but maybe you could hear our cheering. 

All in all it was a great time. I am still amazed at how much we got in! 

A Normal Day.. A Strong Reminder

I woke up this morning like any other morning. I got ready for work, walked to the train, boarded, rode it to downtown Brooklyn, got off and walked to the school that I work at. Today is like any other day. Right? Today is September 11th. Seven years ago today started off as any other day as well.

I didn't even remember it was September 11th when I woke up. I think it was while Chris and I were standing on the platform waiting for the train that he said "Oh, today is September 11th..." "oh yea.." I said "wow, I can't believe it's been seven years.." I have gone about my day not really thinking about it. I went out for lunch today and I looked around me at the other people sitting at tables, the people walking outside, chatting, eating.. like any other day.

I still remember where I was and what I was doing seven years ago this morning. I was a freshman in college- my roommate and I were in our 8am english class together (which by the way is entirely too early to have english class) when it was interrupted and we were told that a plane had just flew into a building in New York, that it was all over the news. Our prof. let us out and we went to watch the news on the tv in the student union- we were there to see the second plane crash into the South tower of the World Trade Center. I had just been in New York five or six weeks before that for BUMP. I remember kneeling down on the floor of the student union, watching the news coverage and crying.

The next summer we returned to NY for BUMP and visited Ground Zero... it looks so different now. I remember the wreckage, the letters and memorials to family and loved ones that were lost. I remember the somber feeling that hung in the air all around the site.. the faces of the people looking on. It was quiet. I remember standing there holding onto the fence with tears running down my face.

I don't know anyone who died on September 11th. I wasn't living in New York at the time. But does that mean it shouldn't effect me? That I shouldn't remember? If anything, it should be a strong reminder of God's faithfulness and the plan He has for us. I don't understand why God lets things like that happen. But I do know that He is Mighty and Powerful and that He is in control. Not one person who died that day was not loved by our Lord. Not one person who lost someone they cared about was forsaken by our Lord. He wants us all to come to Him and know is Love and Peace and Protection. When our lives are shaken by things we can't understand He is there for us to run to. I may not feel the same way today, September 11th, as I felt seven years ago today.. but I always want to remember, to know with confidence, Whose hands I am in.

"'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future'."

I am sure that tonight we will watch the news and see the different stories of the various memorial services in the area honoring those lost on September 11th. I know that I will be moved, that my heart will go out to the people I see who have lost someone..those people whose lives will forever be different, who will wake up next year and ten years from now and 20 years from now knowing what day it is. I know that I will feel so grateful for the things that God has given me, for Chris and my friends and family, that I have them with me. I know that I will pray for those people I see.. that God would draw them near to Himself, give them peace and comfort and that they would turn to Him with their brokenness and experience His healing.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, A Vignette

So our first full day together the three of us girls ate dinner at a thai restaurant called Yum Yum Bangkok and then went to see the broadway production of Mary Poppins. I have always loved this movie, it's probably one of my favorites. I had been told that the show was geared toward a younger audience but I knew that the three of us would enjoy it regardless... enjoy? We loved it! (although not better than Wicked) At first it was a little weird because it isn't exactly like the movie, but I realize that it was probably more similar to the books. Has anyone read the books? I am very interested in reading them. The actress that played Mary Poppins was fabulous and the music was great. I was especially impressed with how they did 'Step in Time' and 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' which are my favorites from the movie.
We had great seats too- good job Rachel on getting the tickets! It was at the New Amsterdam Theater which was build in 1903 and is absolutely beautiful! I read up a little on the theater before going- the Ziegfeld Follies used to preform there!
We had a great time at the show. It was the perfect kick off to the week. There are two other Disney Broadway shows and I really want to see them both. Lion King, which has been around for a long time now, and a new one- The Little Mermaid. Anyone want to go with me??

Snippets

It was so fun to have Rachel here! She and her friend from camp, Jodi, arrived last Wednesday. They did their own thing on Thursday while I was at work and then we met up for thai food and a night on Broadway. Friday morning they met Ray's brother who came in from Boston in the city and then I met up with them again after work.  Not only did Rachel, Jodi and Stephen (only for a night) stay with us.. but our friends David, Jason and James came in on Saturday morning and are here until tomorrow. The past week has been so great. We saw and did so much! Here are a few snippets from the past week.. can you guess what we did and saw?

Jess, this one's for you:

Chris and I really love living in New York, the culture, the food, the diversity.. all at our fingertips. But just like anywhere you live.. life can settle in and it's easy to take for granted the wonderful things around you. The past few days have reminded me that we need to take advantage of the things to do, see, and experience here in New York. 

More to come on our adventures...

RACHEL

RACHEL GETS HERE TODAY!!!

These are from the last time we were together.. back in the cold Minnesota winter. The above picture was taken at Rudy's house. We were shooting rifles. It was taken right before Chris got hit above the eye and had to get stitches. We had a lot of fun with Rachel and Rudy!
This was when we were home for Dave and Jessica's wedding!! It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

I love my Rachel...

****

She just called! She and her friend Jodi made it successfully from JFK airport on the train and they are walking to my apartment right now!! 

More blogging later...

Not a good way to start the day

Work has been pretty stressful lately and I knew that today would be no different. Expecting to be interpreting alone all day from 9am - 7: 45pm and going without the massage I thought I would be getting this weekend- I wasn't looking forward to the day ahead of me. I was tired and my back and shoulders ache from too much interpreting. I made my usual stop at Starbucks on my way from the train to work, got a coffee and a Berry Stella (you MUST try one- they are now my favorite thing) and headed into work. I knew I had about 45 minutes before I had to interpret my first class and was looking forward to sitting at my desk with my coffee and taking my time before going to class. I got in to my office, set my coffee on my desk.... and the next thing I know it's tipped over, spilled all over my desk and on the floor. All of it. The whole thing. Thank goodness it didn't get on my keyboard. I spent the next 20 minutes making three trips to the bathroom to get paper towels, more paper towels and then to wash my hands because they smelled like coffee. I knew I didn't have time to walk back to Starbucks and get a new coffee, so I resorted to buying a cup in the bookstore cafe. College bookstore 'cafe' coffee. Need I say more? BUT, God was looking out for me. A sub interpreter was sent over to help fill in some of the gaps today and I was more than grateful, as are my back and shoulders. 

Starbucks... I'll see you tomorrow morning and I promise to be more careful with you from now on.