The Great Debaters [2007] March 31, 2008

Tonight I went out with friends that my brother found for me. I must say they are very fun girls. Both are teachers and in grad school, so they took a break from studying and I took a break from doing nothing and we headed out to the movies. One thing you have to love about Ohio are that the dollar theatre is only fifty cents when you go in groups of three or more on Monday. How awesome is that! So off we went to see The Great Debaters.

I didn’t know much about the movie other than it was produced by Oprah, stars Denzel and its about a professor inspiring his group of young debaters. I honestly was expecting Stand and Deliver, Dead Poets Society, or Music of the Heart - all films about teachers coming in to save the day and inspire their students above their circumstances to overcome. A moving story set to a stirring score that leaves you with a warm fuzzy.

And yes this film contains elements of that but it’s more, The Great Debaters is a history lesson to remind us where we’ve been. It’s a story of finding your voice amongst cruelty, injustice and oppression, which started for three young, black students at Wiley College in the tiny town of Marshall, Texas as they learned how to debate.

It is very well done. Because it is based on a true story it has the haunting chill of reality that makes you cringe sometimes, but a reality we can’t ever forget. Denzel is a supporting character to the cast of students who are learning how to live in a 1930s America. It’s a little slow in the middle, but worth it. It’s a great rental.

Trip to the City: Pittsburgh March 30, 2008

This weekend mom and I took a quick overnight trip to Pittsburgh. It’s only two hours away but we got a great rate on Hotwire for the historic Omni William Penn and decided to make an adventure of it.

We left early Saturday morning and wound our way through the backroads of Ohio, WV and PA to reach Pittsburgh. There are some seriously small towns out there. I decided that what determined exactly how middle of nowhere someplace is, is how far away Wal-Mart is. If Wal-Mart decided it was too small to build you knew it was too small to live in. Forget about measuring with Target, that place is to shi-shi-la-la for the backwoods. The drive was beautiful though, but I was happy to get to the city.

Our first stop was the Duquesne Incline. I have no idea how to pronounce it but its an amazing view of the city. You see the sweeping views of the river, the stadium, the bridges and the skyline. It reminded me of Angels Flight in LA. I got to ride it in 2000, a year before someone died on it and it closed indefinitely. Honestly though, in PA, you can drive to the top of the ride (1220 Grandview St) and you don’t really need to ride it unless you really feel the need.

Then we drove to the University of Pittsburgh to tour the Cathedral of Learning. 24 classrooms were created representing the different nationalities that make up Pittsburgh: Lithuian, Irish, Polish, Indian, Hungarian, Scottish, English, Chinese, Yugoslavian, Swedish, Romanian, German, Italian, Czech, Syria-Lebanon, Russian, Norwegian, French, Austrian, African, Armenian, Ukranian, Israeli and Japanese. Each room is decorated to represent the countries’ highest periods of creativity. Many of the countries sent over their own artisans, architects and planners to decorate their rooms.

What’s funny is that to tour the rooms you’re given a tape-recorder and cassette with the narration. I kid you not. My favorite rooms were the English room because of the history. It was decorated with actual materials from the house of commons that was bombed during WWII. My other favorite was the Romanian. It was just spectacularly simple and beautiful with deep rich reds, black wrought iron and an incredible mural with encrusted gold leaf designs of the kings of a march of somesort.

It took us about two hours to tour, and that was rushing through the second floor. We needed at least 30 minutes more. Across the quad we went to see the Heinz Memorial Chapel, spectacular stained glass, so beautiful. The University of Pittsburgh is great. However some event was happening and we got locked on campus. All exit roads were closed. The GPS was freaking out practically screaming to turn left and we could not. Finally a policeman sensing our dismay opened a barricade and let us out.

Exhausted we headed towards the hotel. Upon arrival we discovered that they have an afternoon tea in the terrace room. Oh yea. I love tea. So we made reservations immediately. They had about 8 different teas - I opted for the Orange Pekoe and mom got the black currant. I liked her better. We got the Victorian Tea (for $17). It was fun, a good way to relax and absorb everything. The lobby of the hotel was beautiful. We wanted to get a manicure at the in-hotel spa but they were booked, so we went shopping at an 11-story Macy’s instead.

For dinner we went Church Brew Works. A restaurant in former Catholic Church built in 1902. As a former Catholic we felt slightly blasphemous eating. Deciding it was no worse than a coffeeshop/restuarant most mega churchs have. Besides, we got over it when we tasted the pierogies, so good. The food was great, I highly recommend it.

On Sunday, we had brunch across the river at Grand Concourse in Station Square. It is a converted railway station. It is gorgeous, full of stained glass and amazing views of the city across the river. Food was good too.

Then we headed home. As we drove down the freeway we passed the closest Ikea to us and my mom casually informed me that she’d never been. So we had to stop there too. I missed Ikea. But I quickly realized its no fun to shop there when you don’t have a space of your own to decorate. I got a little sad walking through there.

But now it was time to head back over the river, through the woods to mom and dad’s house in OH. There is a lot more in Pittsburgh I want to explore. It will have to be another weekend. I also can’t wait to see the drive when all of the trees are full of leaves and life. It will be beautiful.

Indoor Amusement March 29, 2008

Today Mike, Rocio and I took the boys to the IX Indoor Amusement Park. That’s right, all the joy of an outdoor carnival inside. Part of the Cleveland Convention Center is converted for one month of the year into an indoor playground with rides, cotton candy, hot dogs, random vendors and cheesy souvenirs.

It was kind of odd. But what else are you supposed to do in the middle of the winter in Ohio? I’ll ignore the fact that its almost April and its still 30 degrees.

The boys were so excited they couldn’t hardly stand it. I think they were just as thrilled to go to the IX as they were to go to Disneyland. All a matter of perspective I guess. Still a great half day trip. We had a lot of fun.

No guarantee March 25, 2008

Today a new friend lost his mom. She was only in her early 60s, good health, no apparent illness or problems. She was driving home had a heart attack in the car and died.

I didn’t know her personally, but I honestly am flabbergasted. It was so sudden and unexpected. I mean she just died today and her family will have her funeral services on Saturday. Where is the time to process in that? I mean I could barely begin to wrap my brain around the fact that she was gone and already the funeral is over. I guess that’s why you just go numb and switch to auto-pilot at times like that. There is no time to think about anything.

We know she didnt have time to think or plan for this. She and her husband just adopted two Brazilian children a few years ago. They are only 7 and 11 (I think). She was just driving home, probably thinking about other errands or what they’d have for dinner. She didn’t realize it would be her last day.

Makes you realize how right Proverbs are - we should never let the sun go down on our anger. We never know when our last breath will be. It made me do a quick inventory of my life, wondering who I need to talk to? I definitely made sure to tell my mom how much I love her.

Great way to spend a day March 23, 2008

1. Hearing a fantastic sermon about the the power of a resurrected life
2. Eating amazing food
3. Being with family
4. Playing dominoes and skipbo with the whole family, including my dad who hates games
5. Running around the yard finding easter eggs with my nephews, even being tackled by Mikey to make sure I didn’t pick up an egg.
6. Finding random sparklers in the closet and running around the yard some more with them lit
7. Sleeping in a massage chair with the heat cranked

Perfecto!

Happy Easter March 23, 2008

Last night my mom and I were running around prepping the house for Easter dinner. Not quite as intense as Christmas but there are still certain rituals that are important to observe.

The second most important is to set the table with proper Easter attire. [The first is the food.]This includes an entire tablescape - tablecloth, placemates, festive cloth napkins, flowers, dishes and glassware. I was busy with my red velvet cupcakes and we put on some worship music.

As we hustled and bustled around making sure we’d be ready for dinner my new favorite worship song came on, Lord you are good. It is best heard with a full gospel choir. The majority of the song is just the repetition of the phrase, “Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever.”

It made me think about Easter and how the ultimate reflection of that goodness is Christ’s suffering on the cross and ultimate triumph over sin for us to live victoriously. I can’t really wrap my brain around that. He is good in a way I don’t know how to be “good.” Not just good enough and more than favorable, satisfactory, honorable or adequate.

That word doesn’t even begin to describe the essence of his character that loves us so much he endured ultimate suffering for us to live forever with him.

I pray this Easter, as we are reminded of Christ’s death on the cross and miraculous resurrection, that we would discover the power of a risen Lord in a new way. That the day of celebration be more than tradition but one where we encounter the power of the abundant life he died to offer us in his name.

Back in the Baking Saddle March 22, 2008

For my brother’s birthday party, my sister-in-law asked us to bring something that reminded us of him. I brought chocolate chip cookies. As kids he would beg me to make them so he could use them in trades at school for homework, favors and treats for girls. I relished the chance to tell his friends about the Mike they don’t know, yet.

What I didn’t know was that my mom has a kitchen-aid stand mixer. Oh yea. That’s girl heaven right there. It was so fun to use. I forgot how much I enjoy baking. When I was in high school I did it all the time. I would bake cakes, from scratch, for church functions, fund-raisers, anniversaries and birthdays. I was so into it.

When I went to college I didn’t have a kitchen, then I didn’t have all the kitchen accoutrement, room or time. So I switched to boxed cakes or just buying it.

After the cookies I’ve gone in a small baking frienzy. I have many baking projects in mind. I’m going have to be careful not too sample too many. Perhaps I shall tackle sugar-free baking.

My next project are red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for Easter dessert tomorrow. Erika and I did a cupcake tour of LA and the red velvet was the baseline to judge all bakeries. I had never had one before. They are quite unique and delicious. I love anything red so I was happy with them

So now I get the chance to make my own. I used Paula Deen’s recipe, figuring if I could trust anyone to be my guide into these southern tradition it would be her.

So far so good. I just took the cupcakes out of the oven. Of course I had to taste one, they’re little red pillows of moist deliciousness. I forgot how relaxing this is for me. It’s akin to taking pictures. It brings me such joy and I love watching other people enjoy it. Who knows what else I’ll tackle. For now I’m off to make cream cheese frosting.

This is also a great way to pass cold Ohio days. We’re supposed to get more snow next week. i kid you not.

Happy Birthday Mike March 21, 2008

Today my brother turned 31.

For the first time in 13 years I actually got to be with him on his birthday. The last time was when he turned 18. He had just gotten into an accident and was in ICU. Memorable, yes. Festive, no.

This year, I think I was more excited about his birthday and the fact that I was here, but that’s ok I didn’t care. I’m choosing to believe that deep down he was just as thrilled.

We didn’t really do anything monumental. We went to lunch as a family. Then that night he had a birthday party with some of his friends. It was supposed to be a surprise but because he’s got a nasty sinus infection and was home all afternoon we had to tell him. Still a fun night. I got the chance to meet all of the people he talks about all the time.

It’s nice to be apart of his life on a more daily basis. Although as he finishes his degree it is very reminiscent of high school. He constantly needs help with homework. LOL. Somethings never change. In fact he asked that his present be help on a research paper. I really don’t mind. I get to be at his house, hanging out with him and his family.

This next year is going to be one full of changes for him. I pray for guidance, wisdom, clarity, vision, strength and endurance for him as he leads his family.

Mine ears do deceive me March 20, 2008

Tonight a couple of teacher friends told us about a new phenomenon in classrooms to help students keep their cellphone stealthy. They will download a mosquitone ringtone, a high frequency sound that only those under 30 can hear. In fact, it is most audible to those under 25. Apparently after 25 we rock out too hard and have damaged our hearing enough to elminiate this frequency of sound from ringing in our ears.

Think your ears are “young enough” to hear it? Click here and test yourself. I could hear the sound on the clip they provided but hear nothing on the link. My nephews were going crazy and covering their ears.

So I will have to stick with the same old tones for my phone. No covert texting or talking for me.

Back to Snow in Ohio March 19, 2008

Ooh that title rhymes. I like it. The title that is, not the inch of snow that fell this afternoon. UGH! It never stops.

Aaaahh reality, it really is a bitch sometimes.

After all of the frenetic activity in CA my heart was pumping, the vitamin D from the sun perked up my mood - it was like being on speed, I think. Now in Ohio I can feel everything slow down again. I didn’t get up today until noon. Since I did nothing I wasn’t hungry. But for dinner we had a stew that further slowed the heart and blood flow. I am slowly slipping back into hibernation. I’m cold. Everyone around me has a raging virus that comes back three, four and five times. I want to curl up under a blanket of vitamin C and come out in the spring.

I think I’m a little depressed. I don’t quite know what to do with myself again. I don’t quite feel like me here. I forgot who I was for a while. Going back to CA reminded me that I used to be active, adventurous, engaged, and busy. I have great friends there. I have lots to do there. Maybe I’m not adjusting as well as I thought.

I missed my family while I was gone. Is it possible to be lonely in both places? There I miss my family. Here I miss my friends. I just don’t feel a real sense of belonging anywhere right now. I wish I had roots somewhere. I felt odd the first day back in CA maybe the first couple of days back here will be rough too.

This too shall pass.