Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Not the easiest read of the year, but definitely a very satisfying one. You will be inspired by Greg Mortenson's personal mission to build schools in some of the most volatile parts of the world: Pakistan & Afghanistan. His ability to understand and embrace a culture often misunderstood in the western world is an eye opening experience. The determination and courage it takes to do what this man does is incredible. He is truly the best example of actions speak louder than words I have seen in a long time. Instead of talking about what needs to happen - he is doing it. Bravo!



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2008

2008: A Year in Review

Places I traveled:

Colonial Heights,VA
*saw my whole family play a Wii (especially TJ & Johnny boxing)
*surprised Em & E on their birthday
*enjoyed Christmas with my family

Atlanta, GA
*stayed at the Ritz
*stepped inside the Georgia Pacific headquarters and felt important
*ate at yummy restaurants like Ted's, Gladys Knight's Chicken & Waffles
*had a drink at the top of the Westin while overlooking the city
*toured the Coke Museum & Millenium Park...alone
*visited the Georgia Aquarium where I fell in love with a whale shark

New York City
*finally saw RENT (on Broadway that is)
*hung out in Greenwich Village
*had Pinkberry, and then continued to dream about it
*bravely went to the Bodies exhibit
*shopped, shopped, shopped

Galesburg, IL
*met my beautiful nephew Dimitri
*got to sleep in a room where Carl Sandburg once stayed, which just happens to be in my sister's lovely new house
*ate at a delicious Creperie'
*walked an Italian Greyhound

Greenville, SC
*stayed with Heidi & Spencer and went swimming
*had a delicious fried turkey
*ran my best time in the Electric City Turkey Trot 5K – 30:15

Spring Lake, NJ
*showed Em Ryan's old house
*saw the ocean
*ate 7 lb. Lobsters

Chicago, IL
*toured the city
*took in some improv at The Second City
*drank handshaken margaritas made with fresh squeezed lime juice
*picked up a copy of the November 5 Chicago Tribune

Napersville, IL
*shopped in the adorable downtown
*celebrated at Kara's wedding
*ate Chicago style pizza

Books I Loved:

The Book Thief
Shadow of the Wind
Moloka'i
Marley & Me
Kite Runner
A Thousand Splendid Suns
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Water for Elephants
The Other Boelyn Girl

Things I Learned:

Worry less about what others think of you.
Give thanks for your blessings – every day.
If you wake up and want to do something – then do it if you can!
Work is work – end of story.
Hug people you care about often.
Anything is better than watching TV.
I feel better when I write, and best when I talk about it.
Knitting something for someone else makes me feel happy.

Proud Moments:

*I have a wonderful marriage to an amazing guy (4.5 years!)
*I taught myself how to knit.
*I kept running even after I hurt my knee.
*I'm organizing a Pennies for Peace campaign for my school in 2009.
*My blog (Thanks Heather for getting me started again!)

Update: Mission Organization

Just wanted to let anyone out there in the blogosphere who is interested that Mission Organization '08 is officially over. Our humble abode is officially spruced up for the new year. I am wiped out. G'nite.

A short list of what I did:

*cleaned out built in cabinets in living room. (Now Ryan has a place for his photography gear!)

*organized media room (aka the basement, but let's call it the media room because that's where we watch movies, and it is what all the fancy people are doing)

*rearranged and organized the last frontier (aka neglected guest bedroom - it is a very happy room now that it has had a facelift, and I just love it)

*cleaned everywhere

*framed and arranged some photographs by my favorite camera man

*found lamps & finally hung pictures in the guest room formerly known as the purple palace

*even made my first cup of coffee in my French Press -- oh la la!

The Bears

I have decided that I am a Chicago Bears fan. I know, I know, this seems totally out of the blue. However, this came to me when I was at my parents' house over Christmas break. My dad & Ryan were watching football and the Bears just happened to be playing. That's when I realized that I was a Bears fan. I knew right then and there that the reason I hadn't ever been able to connect with an NFL team was because they never seemed right for me! Whenever Ryan would convince me that I needed a team to root for he would always make suggestions (usually based on how many old VT players were on the team). I would try to like a team for the heck of it, and I tried many - Broncos, Ravens, Falcons, Giants, Browns (my precious Lee Suggs #22 played for them...sigh). They were good teams, but I felt something was missing inside. Then it hit me...hey! I love Chicago, AND I love Bears! BINGO! So, GO BEARS...GRRRRR!

Mission Organization

I have been given a gift...a gift of vacation time. i feel the need to do something productive with this time instead of just wasting it away. Since we have been in our house over 2 years now, I feel that I have really come to know what we use & what we don't use on a regular basis. When we moved in, we did a great job of unpacking for the most part. But then, there were all of these other "things" that just got tossed in a spare bedroom closet or even better, the basement. So, my mission will be to take all of those random things and assign them to places that make sense. I really want to maximize the space that we do have. I also think it would be fun to be one of those container people, you know what I'm talking about. They open a cabinet or drawer and BAM everything is so fantastically arranged in boxes and containers. Those people don't have to dig...and I like that! So, I'm off, to get containers and get organizing! Sorry this blog was so lame, but that is what is on my mind at the moment.

The Spirit of the Season

I'm not an in your face kind of person when it comes to matters of faith. Part of that might be my Catholic roots in the midst of the sometimes unaccepting Protestant community where I live. However, that is neither here nor there. Today there is something I would like to share with you. For Christmas this year my parents got me the Willow Tree Nativity set. It was something that I saw awhile back, and just thought it was perfect. I was very excited when I opened it! Well, it came in about a hundred boxes and plastic bags. But as I was unwrapping it, I couldn't help but be moved by the miracle it represented. I love those small, quiet moments of your life where you realize the magnitude of something you may have skimmed over before. I don't know why our hearts are touched when we might least be expecting it, but you can't help but feel a sort of inner peace when yours is. One part of being a Catholic that I really enjoy is the emphasis that Christmas is just starting on December 25. I love the symbolism of Epiphany on January 6, twelve days after the birth, when the wise men came and the good news was then spread to the world. Those twelve days after Christmas give you a chance to settle down after the madness of the holiday and reflect. So when others may rush to pack up their tree and decorations, whisking Christmas away, I like knowing that I have some extra time. Merry Christmas!

Favorite Christmas Albums of All Time

I have a lot of Christmas music in my house. For a while I loved getting new Christmas albums every year. In the past few years I have been a little disappointed by some of the ones I have bought. I think, "Hey! I love this singer, this will be a great one." Only to get home and find that their songs are a little too "breathy" or "jazzy" or "groggy." Here are my top four in no particular order...

1. Bing Crosby's White Christmas - it doesn't get any more classic than this. Bing is the ultimate Christmas crooner. He makes me want to sit by the fire and sip on a Hot Toddy. Actually, scratch the Hot Toddy, I have never had that, and it sounds pretty disgusting. Let's try Hot Cocoa instead.

2. Amy Grant's Home for Christmas - this was THE Christmas album for me growing up. Amy's sweet voice, blend of contemporary and classic, and my own nostalgia is perfection. It takes me back, and I love that.

3. Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas - no popular Top 40 artist to date has been able to recreate the rocking album she delivers. Some might have a great song or two, but every song on this is delicious! Part gospel, part pop this CD is always the first one I listen to when I want to get in the holiday spirit after Thanksgiving.

4. Christmas with Coniff - from my parent's own collection, this record has been around for as long as I can remember. It went on a hiatus when record players did, but I still remember the cheerful voices beckoning me to go on a sleigh ride.

Purl Stitch

This morning I taught myself how to do the purl stitch. Now I can do the Knit 1, Purl 1 (k1p1 for all of you knitters out there) pattern. This is the pattern that makes the little "v" that many sweaters have. Check out my first attempt. (If you click on the picture, you can view it larger.) Now I am one step closer to socktopus! Very exciting!

Socktopus

Socktopus

And that is why I want to learn to knit....how freaking adorable is that? I know what little Dimitri will be getting in the future! ;o) I guess I need to get started if I am going to master some of those techniques before he is in Middle School.

I Survived the Class Christmas Party of '08

I can now breathe a sigh of relief. For the next 364 days I do not have to deal with the craziness that is a class christmas party. Not sure why I am being so grinchy? Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine 20 children, a dozen parents, and at least 3 goodies bags. Take that and multiply it by 5 doughnuts, 3 grapes, 1 apple, and a juice box. Throw in a snowflake "craft" that involved nothing but liquid glue and glitter. For fun, add decorating gingerbread cookies and blasting Christmas music. Mix in questions like, "Can I have thirds?" "What else are we going to do?" "When can I decorate MY cookie?" "Is that a pinata?" "When are we doing the pinata?" "Can I do MY cookie now?" "When will it be the sing-a-long?" "Why aren't we having recess today?" "Was that the whole party?" "Someone called me a dummy!" "He took my doughnut!" "I want to eat my cookie now, can I?" "She's making fun of me....STOP MAKING FUN OF ME!" "I don't like this!" "He said I was stupid." "I did not." "Did too!" "NO I DIDN'T" Sprinkle with tears and Merry Christmas Everyone!

I Knitted!!!!

So, this will have to be quick because I should be getting ready for work....ahh!

I decided I wanted to learn to knit. I thought it would be a fun hobby that would be a little more productive than surfing the internet or watching TV. I went to Michael's and got a book, some needles, and some yarn, and left feeling excited about my new hobby. Well, after 3 hours of watching You Tube videos and looking at my book all I had was a big knot. I was frustrated and went to bed where I dreamt about two hands that were knitting - how mocking, right? At school I asked everyone I knew if they could knit - no one could. I even went so far as to ask my class if they knew how to knit and about 5 girls raised their hands. So, I knew I had a backup plan - no matter how sketchy learning to knit from an 8 year old might be. Then, yesterday afternoon I sat down, rewatched a few YouTube movies and continued to get nowhere. I was getting frustrated. I knew it was hard and that it would take me awhile to get the hang of it, but I couldn't even master the basic stitch...how was I ever going to make those beautiful blankets? Ha! Finally, after dinner, I decided to try one more time...I casted on, got the first row, then, got another, then another. I started screaming and Ryan looked over and was like, "WOW! You're knitting!" Indeed I was!

Here is a pic of my first attempt....not pretty, but lovely to me all the same.

"Where Everybody Knows Your Name...."

Yesterday I had a revelation. It was a good one, and I felt really happy! When you grow up in a place and stay there throughout your entire childhood there is a sort of comfort you get in feeling a part of a place. You have a history there. I grew up in a pretty small place. In fact, I lived in the same house, in the same room until I went to college. It was in all reality, a great place to grow up. Despite all of the griping I did in my teenage years, but who doesn't do that, right? I could walk through my backyard to get to my aunt & uncle's house. I rode my bike, towel around my neck and goggles on my handlebars, to swim practice every summer morning. I went to elementary, middle, and high school with the same people. You would always see people you knew while shopping with your parents in Ukrop's - former teachers included.

It wasn't until recently that I finally looked around and realized that Ryan and I were on our way to building a similar place for ourselves in Lynchburg. If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be living in this city, I would have laughed. Lynchburg isn't exactly the place that I imagined for myself. It is a place, much like the place where I grew up, where people have lived their whole lives. Everyone you meet has family or old friends here. There aren't a lot of people, like Ryan and I, who move here randomly. Transplants I like to call them. We moved here knowing nobody!

Over time, and without even being aware of it, we have become a part of this community - however small that part might be. So here is a short list of things I love about this small, ultra conservative, crazy place I call home.

1. My Friends. I have met some of the best friends I could have ever wanted here. Although it is hard to meet people who are like us here, we have managed to find some wonderful people. I love that we can pop over to each other's houses on a whim, see each other at church, and get together for fine Mexican cuisine regularly. We make our own fun, and I like that.

2. Rivermont Avenue. I freaking love our neighborhood. I love our home, and all of its quirks. I love our quiet, little street. I love being able to walk out of my front door and onto Rivermont for a walk or jog on the sidewalk that runs along this adorable, historic street. I feel so lucky to have found it! Everyday when I drive home, I feel happy that I am here.

3. The Cavalier. Yes, I do go to a place with that hideous name. Ha! It truly has become our neighborhood "Cheers!" I find it hilarious that we can walk (from our house) to this dive of all dives and have people call us by name, and pretty much have our beer waiting for us. I mean, how awesome is that? It also doesn't hurt that they have THE best burgers and fries with homemade ranch. End of story!

4. Downtown. Those of you reading this that are Lynchburgians might be thinking, "What downtown?" But, if you look closely at our downtown it has the bones of something that will one day be really amazing. I am such a supporter of the revitalization of downtown that I hate going into new developments like, Wyndhurst, ugh! In the 4+ years that we have been here, we have watched it go from a ghost town to a place where new shops, lofts, & restaurants are slowly creeping in amid lots of renovation construction. I can't wait to see what is next for DT!

5. Running Community. OK, so I am by no means a hard core "runner." I do enjoy running and doing 5K's (Thanks Heather! She was the one who got me started, and is the best runner I know along with her boyfriend Gregg!) but I would call it more of a hobby than a passion. But, I just love that there are so many people around here who love running. It is really motivating to see everyone out and about. I love how there are always tons of races going on for people of all abilities. It reminds me a lot of Richmond! *Sigh*

Christmas Parties

I love a good party - making a fun appetizer or dessert, getting dressed up, listening to festive music, hanging out with friends and family. There are so many fun things to do this time of year it can get overwhelming! It is all worth it though, because you know that in a month, it will all calm down. Your decorations will be put away, the music will go back to what it was before, your pants won't be so tight, and your bank account will start to replenish itself. But then, maybe your life goes back to being a bit too normal. I think that Christmas should always be the biggest and brightest celebration of our year! If we celebrated all the time, it wouldn't feel special. But, don't you think we need just a few more parties every now and then to make life a little more glam? Maybe you go to fun parties all the time and you are sitting there thinking that I'm a big lame-o. And I'm not talking about the occasional birthday party, 4th of July picnic, or such thing. I've come to realize that people get so busy with their own lives and their own schedules that we sometimes don't stay as connected as we can. We spend the year going at a frantic pace, too busy all the time. Then, when December rolls around we try and play catch up with the people we have missed all year. Why? That is why I think we should make more occasions, celebrations! Everyone likes to be invited to a fun party. You don't need presents and a "holiday" to do it. Start thinking of new things to celebrate like a "Post Christmas Cocktail Party." Wouldn't it be great if in mid-January we all got together to celebrate the fact that we made it through another holiday season? It would be a fun way to ease out of the festivities without having to quit cold turkey! So I say that when this year's holidays are coming to an end...party on, party people!

Empty Nest

My sister just left after being in Lynchburg with us for the past 8 weeks. I am sad. That is all. At least Jimmy is here.... :o)

Guilty Pleasures

We all have them. Lately, it seems that a lot of people try to be superheroes and deny the fact that they have these weaknesses. They like to pretend that they only eat carrot sticks and read works of literary genius - and I am not discriminating against carrots or great books I think those things are great. BUT, let's be real people. Even my cat has a guilty pleasure. See #1 below. Oh, and don't worry - Emily was finished with that bowl of ice cream (which Molly smelled from across the house.) But anyways, one cannot survive with this kind of strict, no nonsense life for long. So, I propose that we start embracing these guilty pleasures for what they are - funny parts of our personality.

I will even start this ball rolling by listing some of my own guilty pleasures.

#1 - Ice Cream - If eating a bowl of ice cream when the need arise means that I will be 2 pounds heavier for the rest of my life, then so be it because who wants to live without this delicious treat? Not I! Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies & Cream, Butter Pecan, Strawberry....(and don't even get me started on Dibs!) Enough said.

#2 - US Weekly - I have a subscription. Yeah, laugh it up - or roll your eyes if you have to. Yes, I know some of the stories are a little fake. Yes, I know that I am feeding the celebrity worship problem in our nation. But hey, it's not like I'm standing in line for hours to get a glimpse of the Jonas Brothers. One of the best feelings I have every week comes on Saturday morning around 11:00 when the postman comes to deliver my new magazine. I can rest assured that after a long week of mental exhausting 7 years olds, I can relax for the 30 - 40 minutes it takes me to read this delight from cover to cover.

#3 - Snooze Button - Just try and deny that you don't use this, I dare you! I personally feel that the Snooze button was one of the best inventions, ever. There is nothing better than setting your alarm for 5:45 and then snoozing your way to 6:30. I mean, it's like you cheated your way into 45 extra minutes of glorious, lovely sleep. And is it just me or are those snooze minutes THE best sleep of the night?

#4 - PJ's - For those of you that know me, you know that I love to shop and accessorize and find the perfect outfit. I really do like dressing up, it makes you feel good. However, you better believe that when the door closes on my workday, I come home and almost immediately put on some comfy clothes. (All jewelry must go at this point, too.) And who says PJ's can't be cute?!

#5 - Pop Music - Britney, Christina, Beyonce', Mariah...I just love those gals. You know why? Because any song that makes me what to bust a move is fine by me. Yeah, I know. It's not the "coolest." You won't find it playing at your local coffee shop while you sip your organic coffee in your recycled sweater BUT when I'm having a bad day there is one surefire way to make it better - pop in some pop, crank it up, and shake your groove thing! Trust me - no one is watching and if they are - all the more hilarious.

So, those are just a few of the many things that I secretly (and for some of you) not so secretly love. If you haven't tried those things - go ahead, live a little. You might just find yourself a little more smiley.

Twilight

I feel like I didn't really have anything to say when I first sat down to write tonight (at the urgent request of my followers - and by followers I mean, Heather), but now I feel like I have too much to say! SO, one more thing before I go....

Do you Twilight fans out there REALLY like this book as much as you say?

I read the book and also went to see the movie yesterday and I must say that it's still just a little much for me. I mean, come on people, isn't it just a little bit too sappy?! Doesn't it move slower than a grandma in pumps? Ok, I'll admit, Edward Cullen (the movie version) is dreamy. But, PEOPLE...this book is the cheesiest, just put it in a blue box and call it a day. Let's not be sucked in by the hypnotic powers of Edward - we need to call a spade a spade!

Confession: I do not like it, and I feel like a hypocrite - but somehow I am still dying to know what happens to the star crossed lovers, Edward & Bella. OH, and did anyone else feel that Bella was just a little too angry and whiny in the movie? UGH! She was a lot more likeable in the book...

Soup

Ok, so maybe it was my last blog about Despereaux - which is also a tale about soup (if you don't know what I mean, yet another reason for you to go read the book!) that put soup on my brain. Don't you just love soup? I mean, what in the world is more comforting than a big, hot bowl of homemade soup. Now, I'm not talking about the canned soup you buy in a store. I like that in a pinch, but it's always super dehydrating from the sodium and has weird textured vegetables and even stranger pieces of "meat." Sorry, I can't eat the meat in canned soup. I mean the kind that you make in a big pot, chopping and blending and stirring and seasoning! I find making soup to be very therapeutic. I freaking love making soup. I pride myself on my very own "Chicken Noodle Soup" which I developed and have tweaked over time. It is one of my recipes that I don't know how much of this or that I put in, I just do what feels right. I guess I just understand it! Recently I tried one of my sister in law's recipes for "Chicken Corn Chowder" and it was absolutely amazing (as is her "Tomato Bisque!") I just feel the need to become a master soup maker, and I just want to learn how to make as many soups as possible! I am like the soup monster! TO SOUP!

The Tale of Despereaux

Well, another book is being ruined by Hollywood. The Tale of Despereauxis the latest victim. If you have never read this book, you should. When it first came out about 4 years ago, my friend (and library media specialist guru) Jody, recommended it to me. I read it in about a day. I loved it so much that the following weekend, I read it aloud to my husband, Ryan, on the way to Richmond. Now, my husband is a great guy, but he is not a children's book enthusiast like I am. In fact, he doesn't even really read fiction all that much apart from the rare book or two every now and then. He really prefers anything science related - especially if it is really hard to understand - like quantum psychics...but I'm getting off track. Anyway, he ended up loving the book just as much as I did much to his surprise! Well, I have been using it as a class read aloud ever since - and every class has been spellbound by this book. Upon first glance, it is just a fairy tale, one which centers around a mouse. You are even tempted to groan at first and say, "Not another book for kids with a mouse hero!" or "Who likes mice anyway?!" (Trust me, you won't if you ever have one as a visitor in your home...but I digress again...) But upon reading the first chapter you are instantly in love with this tiny, big eared, big hearted mouse. Despereaux falls in love with a human princess - breaking all mouse rules as he is touched by the beautiful princess and even talks to her! GASP! Despereaux is sent to the dungeon and the story unfolds taking you to meet a troubled rat and a lonely, misunderstood girl. Just another story right? The thing about this book is that the narrator speaks to the reader, even asks questions as the story is told. This small touch that Kate DiCamillo uses casts a magical spell on the audience, especially a young audience. Every time I have read this book, my students get so involved that they even answer these questions aloud. It makes my heart so happy to know that there sit 20 second graders who don't need pictures to enjoy a story, all they need are words. For some, it is one of the first novels they hear, and I love that it speaks so directly to them. When you look even closer at this book, you see real examples of the often complicated themes of unconditional love and forgiveness - presented in a way that even small children can understand. I guess that is why I love this book so much. It is a quality piece of literature that doesn't seem stuffy or unapproachable. It teaches all of the right values in a world that is somewhat selfish. I just hope that the movie won't stop kids (and adults) from reading it. Maybe it will encourage people to find it that may never have known of its goodness!