blog

today.



I usually like to keep things light and airy around here, but in light of today's events I really can't help but at least comment. I have spent much of the day reflecting on things between what I was doing then and what I'm doing now.

Then, I was walking from Dr Hust's 1st period biology class to my locker. I needed to get my books for my 2nd period American History class with Mrs Prewitt. My best friend from childhood, Chase, casually walked up to me at my locker and said "Hey, did you know someone hit the World Trade Center with a plane?" To be perfectly honest, I didn't even know what that meant. "Hmm, that's terrible," I thought. But New York City meant nothing to me. Even in days passing when I saw President Bush at Ground Zero, I remember thinking "I wish I understood the geography of New York more so I could even fathom this. I wish I knew what Ground Zero was." At the time, it was all a very distant and abstract occurrence.

Today, I sit in my apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan ten years later, watching people with American flags draped around their shoulders run outside my apartment. I remember every detail of this day ten years ago (even what I was wearing, which I'm sure probably doesn't surprise many of you), but it means something completely different to me today. I have friends and bosses and coworkers who lived here and tell me about their experiences of the day firsthand. I understand the geography and significance of the events that day. I know now, in a very small way, what the impact of a tragedy like that would have on this city. It's heartbreaking and sobering and mind-boggling all at once. It's heavier on me today than ten years ago because now I get it.

Ten years ago, I never thought I would live in this city, and, quite frankly, didn't have a desire to live here. But, I would never trade the understanding that I now have.

[I took this pic from Carrie's blog. I loved it too much not to post. Thanks for sharing, CCD!]

madiba

















Last night my South Africa mission team ventured out to Brooklyn for some authentic cuisine. Our trip is getting closer (and closer!!) and we thought it would be fun to have some local South African fare at Madiba. It was delicious. I had fish and chips (with a fancier name than that) with fried calamari. There were a few extra adventurous eaters at the table, but I'm working my way up to that. All of the food I tried (including pap) had incredible flavor and made me even more excited about my trip. If you're in the NY area and up for the trek out to Fort Greene in Brooklyn, it's certainly worth it. And, of course, the design and aesthetic of the restaurant was my favorite part.

happy birthday(s)






















Today I'm wishing the happiest of birthdays to my favorite set of quadruplets, my roommate Katherine and her 3 womb-mates! (You can also check out her sister Quinn's blog here.) We're going out to celebrate for dinner with pizza and dessert in Brooklyn, and I'm only wishing that the three other siblings could join, too. Maybe next year we'll get them all here in the Big Apple for the occasion.

Also, it's my older brother Brent's birthday today!

[It must be a good day for birthdays. I think so.]

good reminder

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8
























[on the sidewalk in my neighborhood]