Friday Five: Exercise

Friday Five: Exercise from RevGalBlogPals:

I just got back from an 8 mile bike ride down the beach boardwalk near our home, and was struck with the number of people out enjoying physical activity. Runners, other cyclists, surfers, swimmers, dogwalkers, little kids on scooters….

It’s easy to lose track of my physical self-care in the midst of flurried preparation for a final on-campus interview Monday for a college teaching position in the Midwest (prayers welcome!) and the family move that would accompany it. But each day that I do make time to walk or ride my bike it is such a stress reliever that it is well worth the time invested!

So how about you and your beautiful temple of the Holy Spirit?

1. What was your favorite sport or outdoor activity as a child? I loved riding my bike. We lived in an area where I could ride my bike to my friend’s house (about 1/2 mile away) without getting on busy streets. I think this was probably when I really gained my independence. I thought I could go anywhere on that bike!

Recently, one of my best friends, my husband and I rented bikes in Golden Gate Park. It’s been 15+ years since I’d been on a bike. How did I let that happen? It was scary and fun all at the same time!

Barry, me, and Jen

2. P.E. class–heaven or the other place? Loved PE class. I had great teachers which I think is what’s all about… especially in middle school!

3. What is your favorite form of exercise now? It’s a toss up. I started running in seminary so I’ve only been doing it for about 5 years. I love practicing yoga too.

4. Do you like to work out solo or with a partner? Both. I love working out in the gym with weights and a partner. I get bored otherwise. However, I could just as easily go to the nearest park for a great solo run!

5. Inside or outside? Outside. One of the reasons why I’m not a fan of cold weather. I have trouble staying motivated in the winter!

Bonus: Post a poem, scripture passage, quotation, song, etc. regarding the body or exercise.

I’ve been reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s newest book, An Altar in the World. One of my favorite chapters so far has been Chapter 3 entitled, “The Practice of Wearing Skin.” She writes about praying for and loving our bodies. There is one particular line that stuck with me.  She writes, “Whether you are sick or well, lovely or irregular, there comes a time when it is vitally important  for your spiritual health to drop your clothes, look in the mirror, and say, ‘Here I am. This is the body-like-no-other that my life has shaped. I live here. This is my soul’s address.’ After you have taken a good look around, you may decide that there is a lot to be thankful for, all things considered.”

well said BBT.

Happy Friday!

I missed camp today

This week the Bay area CPE programs spent two days at a retreat center in Los Gatos, CA. Presentation Center is a beautiful retreat center nestled up the mountain off Hwy 17. We had an hour of free time built into the schedule today. The weather has been beautiful and quite a relief from the heat & humidity of where I found myself the last few weekends (Florida & Texas). I took advantage of the free time, sunshine, and beautiful space. I went for a walk.

I love discovering new places. There is this sense that I have to push myself. I have to remind myself that being willing to risk going down the unbeaten path might be worth it. I have the conversation with myself that even at my age of 30 (ahem) it’s okay to take the way that doesn’t look “safe”.

Today I discovered a path like this. It was worn down like a path that had been well traveled but it was not manicured. I doubt that folks have taken it recently. There was no sign but I could see something at the bottom. Curiosity got the best of me. I walked down a series of steps– 50 maybe– tucked into the hillside. I discovered what appeared to be an old meeting area.

Maybe not that old. There was a wooden platform at the front. Facing the platform were a series of benches circling around in amphitheater style. Weeds and plants sprung up from the crevices which was another indication that the area hadn’t been used lately. In spite of the  well worn steps, abandoned chairs, and full grown weeds, it was a beautiful place. I didn’t stay long. I didn’t need to.

It was vespers. Well, I don’t know what it was for the folks at the Presentation Center but for me it was vespers at Camp Pinnacle.

I missed camp today.

I missed hearing the voices of campers singing at the top of their lungs. I missed meeting missionaries, even the strange ones and hearing their stories of ways they witnessed God working in the world. I missed the beautiful mountain. I missed the peaceful (and sometimes orange) lake. I missed the swing set where so many beautiful conversations were held through the years. I missed hearing “God has something to say to you. God has something to say. Listen, listen, pay close attention…. “

I missed camp today.

Busy, Busy Days…

Next week we will have lived in California for a year. I can’t believe it. I’ll write more about that soon but I wanted to talk about other exciting events that I’m looking forward to very soon.

Starting tomorrow, we get to celebrate with our friends, Kate and Pablo as they get married. Lucky for us, they moved out here from Atlanta about the same time we did. They also decided to have their wedding here. So, we have to travel very little! I have the honor of being the minister for the wedding and it’s so exciting to perform the wedding for two folks you know and love. Congrats Kate & Pablo!

I travel to Florida next week to get ready for Morgan & Jared’s wedding. We’ll be going out on the Betsy Ann Riverboat for the rehearsal dinner, running the 5K in the Annual Chipley Watermelon Festival, and celebrating with the happy couple later in the day. It’s going to be another great weekend. Congrats to Morgan and Jared!

The next weekend, I’ll travel to my denominational meeting. I know, you are thinking, church meetings=BORING!! And while there will be parts that will leave me frustrated and bored, I get to see old friends and meet new ones! I get to visit with these incredible women (and men).

Wonderful celebrations all around. I’m excited and I know that when I get back to CA, I will need to sleep for days! What about you? What are you most excited about these days?

Friday Five

I joined the folks over at RevGalBlogPals a few months ago. And today, I finally played Friday Five (even though it’s still Thursday here!):

Gals and pals on the West and East coasts, and a few spots in between, may know of Trader Joe’s–a quirky, well-stocked, well priced semi-gourmet store that attains near cult status among some. I discovered it through my Aunt Judy, who always brought a couple of their desserts to holiday parties….The best was a chocolate ganache torte that had my four year olds begging for it (and among the only four year olds on the planet to know what ganache is, presumably).

My family has happily Trader Joe’d in southernmost California, up to the Northwest, and back down to southern Cal. And now we’re really excited because today a brand new Trader Joe is opening up across the street from our apartment. Wahoo! There are sure to be lots of tasty free samples on opening day and from now on we can just walk across the street to get a lot of our shopping done. I have a new spiritual directee coming tomorrow and she has already mentioned that she’ll be stopping in on the way here, leaving me to be jealous cause I’ll be spending that noon hour like, praying and preparing and study-vacuuming and everything, and won’t be able to stop in till the afternoon.

So in honor of the new Trader Joe’s, this week’s Friday Five is all about food shopping.

1. Grocery shopping–love it or hate it? I love it as long as I can shop when it’s not busy. I try going on the weekends but sometimes I have to go after work and this is my least favorite time! It’s so crowded.

2. Who is the primary food shopper in your household? That would be me. My husband is too much like my father. If I send him to the grocery store, then he’ll end up getting twice as much as I sent him to the store to purchase. There’s usually some sort of sweet treat (like we need it) or something extra for our dog, Jovi!

3. Do you have a beloved store like TJ’s which is unique to your location or family? I had only been to the TJ’s in Atlanta once or twice because it was across town. Now in California, I have two less than a mile from my apt. It’s wonderful! We miss Publix but Trader Joe’s is a wonderful choice.

4. How about a farmer’s market, or CSA share, as we move into summer? Or do you grow your own fruits/veggies/herbs? ooo, my favorite part of California yet! The farmer’s market is my favorite weekend activity. We are already planning our Sunday activity choices around the local farmer’s market. The good thing is that there is a farmer’s market that comes to my work during the summer in case I miss out on the weekend.

5. What’s the favorite thing you buy at the grocery store? Love, love, love Trader Joe trail mix and dried fruit varieties. Thanks to Em for turning my attention to the dried apricots!

What about you? What are your favorite things to purchase at the grocery store?

Beach Bums

 

 

 

We traveled to Half Moon Bay this weekend. It’s just a short 45 minute drive from our house. Yes, it’s the end of May and folks are wearing long sleeves, pants, socks, and are covered by blankets. It reminded me of a trip Barry and I took a few years back to Jacksonville Beach. Here’s how the conversation we had: 

B: “Let’s go for a walk on the beach.” 

L: (thinking, aw how romantic) “Sure. Sounds great. (stepping onto the beach from our hotel) EW!! What is this?”

B (startled and turning around) “What?? What’s wrong??”

L: “What is this stuff? This is not sand. This hurts my feet to walk on.” 

B: “What are you talking about?” 

L: “And it’s not white… it’s gross.” 

B: “You’re a beach snob. That’s what you are.” 

L: “Yes I am.” 

Well, hello? What do you expect when you are from the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches?

 

It Can’t Be June…

Really? Where has the time gone? I mean, in three weeks, I will have lived in California for a year. I can’t believe this.
We had friends in town over the Memorial Day weekend. Michael and I went to seminary together and worked at PBC. His wonderful sister always came to visit him in Atlanta and I had the pleasure of hanging out with her. Emily came with Michael to California for a visit. It was fun to see it through her eyes as it was her first visit. We had a great time and traveled a bunch. We covered Muir Woods, Sausalito, San Francisco stuff, Napa, AT&T park…..

This past weekend was a low key weekend. It was wonderful. On Friday night, I wanted to stay up to watch the last Tonight Show with Jay Leno. I watched Johnny Carson’s last show with my dad and thought it would be cool to stay up to watch Leno. The last words I remember Barry saying, “Um, You probably shouldn’t lay down on the couch. You know your going to fall asleep.” I woke up several hours later. My sweet husband made sure he recorded the show for me which I watched the next morning. (what did we do before DVR? oh yea, VHS) Did you see it? My favorite part was the last few minutes when he talked about his legacy….

On Saturday, we headed into the city to watch the Giants play the Cardinals. It started out to be a great game and then the Cardinals took over…. We used the CalTrain to get into the city and ate at a delicious Thai restaurant that I was introduced to me by May Vanderbilt. Yummy!

On Sunday, I slept in until 10 am and I can’t remember the last time I did this. Barry came to check on me because he thought something was wrong. I think I was still recuperating from Michael and Emily’s visit the weekend before! On Sunday, we traveled to Half Moon Bay and you can check out my pictures over at Facebook. 

This has been an exciting week at work. I attended a conference in Oakland on Mental Health and Spirituality. I can’t wait to write my reflections here. I wanted to get caught up from the weekend though.

Have you heard?

Have you heard of Swagbucks? My friends and family are probably tired of getting emails (Morgan & Jen). I finally signed up my husband and made the search page his home page. What is it? Well, it’s a search site that you earn points through. It relies on search engines such as google, ask, etc. so the search results are pretty reliable. There seems to be a few more advertisements. After a couple of searches, I get rewarded and the words, “You just won!” appears. I love it when I see this message.

To date, I have 200 swagbucks. I really wanted to trade them in after reaching my first Starbucks eligible gift card but I decided. I’m ready to turn them in. I’ll let you know what I decide but if you haven’t tried it, you should!

Click here to sign up! And invite friends!

Wordless Wednesday

Okay, so it won’t be completely wordless. I owe a big thanks to Mego for reminding me today is Wednesday. I wanted to post today anyway but I have this big, fat evaluation due tomorrow for the end of Unit 3 (wahoo!) so I’ll be writing me heart out tonight. Watch for new post next week…. And now, for your viewing pleasure…

Be Our Guest….

We’ve had the wonderful blessing of having my Ma, my paternal grandmother with us for the last two weeks. She flew back with me from Atlanta a couple of weekends ago. Morgan and Jared, the wonderful wedding couple arrived last Thursday night to hang out and take her back on Sunday. Here are some highlights!

 

a morning at the Monterey Aquarium

 

Barry and I at the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.

We even got to enjoy the Farmer's Market!

 

Morgan and Jared arriving at SFO!

What a beautiful day!

Playing around at Muir Woods

 

Jen came out to hang with us!

The other side of the bridge...

 

Alcatraz!! Almost there!

What's a visit to SF if you don't see where the intro to Full House was filmed?

It was so to see them go but we’ll see them in less than 50 days for the wedding! MD and Emily are heading out West soon to be the next guests at Chateau de Johns. We’re excited about their visit and getting to cheer on the Braves vs. Giants on Memorial Day. Get the calendar out and let us know when you want to visit too!

Hmmm, Good Question…

Morgan and Jared are taking suggestions on the song for their first dance. Go ahead… go on over here and put your two cents in…