Our Experiential Learning

Marketing Tip to Tip

2012-01-25T14:42:00.000-08:00

Do you think BitGym heard about my Tip-to-Tip run? The company has created an app that "enables users to virtually travel through iconic locations around the world while on the treadmill or exercise bike".How cool would it be to step on a boring old treadmill and find yourself moving through the streets of famous cities and landscapes? I bet I'd run faster, longer and happier with this little

Cleansing Fast

2012-01-21T06:33:00.001-08:00

I had this friend in the Peace Corps who I admired for his spiritual discipline. He was a devout Christian, an avid prayer and confident evangelist. The other thing he did well - and often - was fast. I've never been one for limiting my caloric intake. I love to eat, not in a foodie type of way where I know quality, but in a 'let's get together and chat over a tasty meal' kind of way. Also, I get

The Sunshine State

2012-01-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

When we booked our tickets to head to Florida in January we assumed we'd be leaving a New York plastered with snow, ice, and the trash that goes uncollected during the colder months. It hasn't yet snowed here, but it was still cold enough for us to get excited to go down south for a few days and enjoy some sun. What I was most looking forward to was the chance to hang out with 3 generations of

Two birthdays in Ohio

2012-01-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Sarah and I are so blessed to have two wonderful families... and an abundance of frequent flier miles. After celebrating Thanksgiving with the Monley clan, we repacked and headed out to The Ohio to celebrate Christmas with the Zaengers.It was not a white Christmas, but Kathy had the house all decked out in Christmas cheer. Allan’s brother Paul and family, as well as Grandma Zaenger were in

Holiday Train Show

2012-01-14T07:40:00.000-08:00

We had heard from so many folks that, "you have to go to the Holiday Train Show at the Botanical Gardens" during the Christmas season. Living across from the Gardens has been such a blessing for us, and we have enjoyed all the shows (see previous blog posts) they've put on so far, so it was with much excitement that Sarah and I set out on a surprisingly not-so-cold friday evening.The show is

Kick up Those Heels

2011-12-11T21:10:00.000-08:00

When Dominic and I told Aunt Dee we were moving to New York City she was thrilled. One of the first things she told us to do was see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. We made that happen tonight Aunt Dee. The ladies did not disappoint!Talk about holiday cheer, this was quite the show! With high kicks and precision, dressed up as reindeer and Santas, the whole production was delightful.

Forget Santa, Rachel's Comin' To Town!

2011-12-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

You all have one; she's that friend that'll do anything for you. That friend who could care less about distance, time zones or poor correspondence - she's there for you no matter what. For me, that gal is Rachel. Twice. Twice! Rachel has flown to NYC to spend a long weekend with Dominic and I. She's just the best.Rachel came to town this weekend and enjoyed the Winter Merienda and the big city

Fordham's Winter Marienda

2011-12-09T23:00:00.000-08:00

Each year, Fordham recognizes the graduating class of International Political Economy and Development students at a December merienda. As far as I can tell, in the Philippines a brunch or mid-morning snack is called a merienda. Here at Fordham, the rules are changed a bit and the professors, students and the dean of the graduate school gather for a formal dinner and awards ceremony.Be prepared

The Millennium Network

2011-12-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

I have a great friend from the Peace Corps who works for the Clinton Foundation. She generously invited me to be her date to this year's Millennium Network fundraiser. I wasn't sure how I'd be holding up after the red-eye back from Seattle, but who passes up the opportunity to spend time downtown with a great friend and former U.S. president?Between the free drinks, movie star, rock band, Chelsea

T & P Turkey Trot 2011

2011-11-26T09:24:00.000-08:00

Not to be outdone by the Run To Feed the Hungry or the Turkey Trail Trot, our family decided to establish the first annual T & P Turkey Trot this year. We take our Thanksgiving Day runs just about as seriously as we take eating Thanksgiving dinner - or giving thanks for that matter: Preparing to gallop with gratitude through the streets of Woodland:T (Tom) and P (Peg) themselves oversaw the

Duty Calls

2011-11-21T20:41:00.000-08:00

When I returned from my most recent trip to Seattle on November 4, I said goodbye to my co-workers, wrapped my employee's Thanksgiving presents, and called it a pretty great year. The only trip I had planned back to the West Coast was for a mighty Monley Thanksgiving in SF. As it turns out, I was very wrong.One email last Monday and two days of flight swapping was all it took for me to turn right

Tip-to-Tip Time Change Fun Run

2011-11-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

I am as stubborn as a mule. A few weeks ago I decided I wanted to run from the top of Manhattan to the bottom, but I was busy and then the weather was cold. I couldn't get the goal out of my mind though, so this morning I woke up and said: "today's the day". I was mad at myself for not letting this unnecessary objective go. I set out on the D train, transfered to the A and transfered again to the

A Fairly Full Week

2011-10-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

On Monday Dominic hosted an IPED table at a grad school fair in San Fransisco and on Wednesday and Friday I held corporate tables at our client's health fairs in Manhattan. It was a fair-full week!Health fairs are fun for people like Dominic and I. You get a great opportunity to talk about something you care about in front of an attentive audience (if you have freebies to distribute that is). For

Beauty Around Town

2011-10-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

This is a ChrysanthemumBelieve it or not, 320 kiku flowers (as you can see) have been grown from a single stem. You can train them! Learn more about ozukuri displays by calling (718) 362-9561 and press 146#.

Mother Kathy, Sister Rose and the Whole Act

2011-10-17T20:39:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month Mom & Dad drove out to New York for a weekend get-a-way. We did a little hiking in Vermont and enjoyed the just-changing colors through Massachusetts. Lovely colors, loving parentsWhen we got back into the city, the men went to bond while Mom and I went to Broadway. We had been waiting months to see the divine Sister Act. The songs were new, but the show was all glitz and

Homecoming!

2011-09-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

One wouldn’t accuse Sarah and I of being overly ‘invested’ in campus life, since I began at Fordham. We take advantage of the gym and the beautiful grounds to run through in the morning, but - save for the occasional visiting dignitary, interesting lecture, or free meal - we tend to be disconnected from activities on campus. So as we approach the end of our time here, we figured that homecoming

A Friday Funny

2011-09-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone!In July we were introduced to a fun little game called planking. It's been around for awhile, but we're not very good at staying on top of what all the hip kids are talking about (despite nearly living and working daily on a college campus).Planking:Well folks, yet again we're out of date. Now, we should be batmanning:Time to start conditioning our feet muscles.

Thank you France

2011-09-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

Where do you get this view of lower Manhattan? I'll give you two hints...Here's her right arm...Here's her left arm...Here's her nose...You're right! Lady Liberty herself. Today Dominic and I climbed the 357 steps up into her crown and learn about this generous gift from the people of France. While the artist Bartholdi worked with a man named Viollet-le-Duc to design her head and arm, he began

Borough Updates

2011-09-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Back from it's summer hiatus, the Bedford Mosholu Community Association is in action once again! Each month a group of invested citizens (including yours truly) meets to discuss our neighborhood and its issues. We started the 2011 season with a bang last night.Right off the bat we were re-introduced to our dedicated executive leadership by President Barbara. I'm not sure how long Barbara has been

Back to School | Making the Grade

2011-09-01T16:43:00.000-07:00

As Dominic headed off to his first day of school yesterday I took my worms on a field trip to the Botanical Garden in my GNAUSA cart. The Bronx Green-Up* was hosting a booth at the farmer's market and after a year of watching those little worms consume all our compostables I was wondering how their ecosystem was holding up. I rolled up to the table and a Master Composter named Junior was

It Must Be Love

2011-08-30T17:10:00.003-07:00

Last night we cheered Venus and Roger to victory with our close friends, Nathan, Jamie, Susan Sarandon, Tony Bennett and Dr. Ruth. Oh New York. The U.S. Open gave us a hearty dose of nationalism. We had a great time studying the game of the world's great professionals - all the while taking in the expensive tastes of tennis fans. Coming from Buckeye nation is sure was a switch to walk to the

All's Quiet on the Eastern Front

2011-08-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Irene came late last night and left this in our neighborhood: Clearly we're doing just fine here. Equipped with three gallons of store-bought water, batteries, candles, a cooler and two bags of ice, it seems we'll be set for a week full of cool hydration and romantic dinners by candle-light. Thank you all for your prayers this weekend. We're safe and sound.

Irene-aggedon

2011-08-27T05:41:00.000-07:00

Hello readership. I didn’t realize this tropical storm was a big deal until I turned on the television today and saw that the news is reporting that this hurricane Irene is apparently shutting down NYC. I’m not quite sure how to react as the news headlines for our ‘earthquake’ last week were written with similar verve. Sarah and I are steeled for a weekend inside, fully

MoMA Visit

2011-08-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

After weeks of Saturdays spent baking on the beaches of New York we decided to switch things up this weekend and visit the Museum of Modern Art. Dominic was expecting some eccentric exhibits, but was surprised to find famous and current artwork drawing our attention. We spent the entire day wandering about. It's the real deal people. Dominic's favorite. We have the home made quilt to prove it

Yoga: Suspended in the Air

2011-08-14T05:05:00.000-07:00

All it takes is one Groupon and all of a sudden I have found myself suspended in midair at AntiGravity Aerial Yoga classes this summer. That's right, AntiGravity. You may recall the last time I attempted to fly through the air with the greatest of ease... fortunately this practice is closer to the ground and involves less swinging. I recommend this practice if you: a) love trying new things, b)

Monkey See Monkey Do

2011-08-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

I learned how to build a terrarium online at a website called MonkeySee. Over the course of five 3-minute videos I was able to pick up how to construct the ecosystem by choosing the right container, building the foundation, and adding and arranging the plants. I took another 8 minutes or so to learn how I should care for the little thing and, voila a new hobby!I'm not sure what has always drawn

Our Year Two

2011-08-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green." Jeremiah 17:7-8.By faith, patience, compassion and love Dominic and I are celebrating our two year anniversary today. I feel like the most blessed woman on earth! During our

Newburyport, MA

2011-07-29T21:05:00.000-07:00

Tell me if you would like to live here or not: You're in a small town next to a big city, you're surrounded by the mountains and sit right on the coast, your weather is warm and sunny year round, you have culture, sidewalks, bike lanes and farmer's markets. Tourists can whale watch, shop and dine out on fresh seafood. Your history dates back to the formation of the country.Just call me urban

What Would You Do?

2011-07-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

I was standing in line at Family Dollar today when three kids came running in the door heaving deep sighs of relief from the heat. The frigid store stands directly in front of the bus stop so while Mom waited outside the kids were free to cool off near the cash registers. The youngest boy - not quite two I'd say - made a bee line for the toys while his sisters hung around the checkout counter

Ergonomics Please

2011-07-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

I don't mind working from my corner of our living room. The 'office' is fairly organized and I have a window view of all the street happenings down below. Our apartment is quiet and I have complete control of the thermostat so there's really not much to complain about. Unfortunately, I have aged. My back has been screaming at me for some time to stop sitting on one of our hand-me-down wooden

Hit the Road

2011-07-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

Dominic and I have not traveled extensively together, but we’re starting to rack up the out-of-town experiences under our belt. To celebrate America’s birthday this weekend we took the Bolt Bus up to Boston. We have dear friends Kyle and Sara who recently moved to Beantown and they were amazing hosts. We tend to think we know what it takes to show guests a good time. Dominic and I strike a nice

Thank you Patriots

2011-07-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

Born in the U.S.A.!

Older. Wiser.

2011-06-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

One more year, come and gone. To celebrate the start of a fresh 365-day rotation around the sun, Dominic planned a day for us enjoy what I love: playing in the sun and eating delicious food.The Bronx is lovely, especially when you surround yourself with the NY Botanical Garden and - new to me this summer - Orchard Beach. One bus from Fordham Road, just past Co-Op City, this 'engineering marvel'

Beat the Heat

2011-06-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived. Not the kind of summer that prompts open windows and evening iced tea on the patio, I mean the kind of summer that hits you like a sauna when you walk out the door and forces evening showers just so you can sleep. Showers would be nice, of course, if there was water pressure in the apartment building...With temperatures at or above 90 degrees all week I've learned about a new

Goofing off with Guests

2011-06-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

It's safe to say this blog has been neglected the past few months. Before you go pointing fingers, just remember that our preference will always be to live life offline and report on what we learn from the experiences here when we have a chance. Sometimes though, we're not learning we're just playing. We've had quite the run of guests lately. NYC draws a crowd. Here they are in photos:RPCVS: Easy

Paradise Unpaved

2011-05-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

After living in the Bronx for almost a year now, I think I subconsciously began to believe that the whole of New York was covered with 6 story buildings, bodegas, and unisex barbershops. Luckily Sarah and I had a chance to get out this weekend to get a taste of the nature that New York State has on offer.After finishing up my last final, and Sarah a long week at work, we boarded the Metro North

Sidewalk Art

2011-04-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

What are we going for here?1. Bilingual Education? Valuable outreach in the South Bronx2. Busy Line Effect? It does save some time to eliminate the extra two letters here3. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Perhaps they're published?

Orchids on Broadway

2011-04-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

The NY Botanical Garden is hosting Orchids on Broadway from now through April 25. I would go there every day if I could. I took my parents last weekend and had so much fun I couldn't help but return with Dominic in tow this afternoon. Scattered throughout the conservatory, the delicate flowers pop out of trees, shrubs and formal glass cases. Three things I didn't know before the orchid show that

Saving Soles

2011-04-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

I'll sacrifice a tree in the Bronx for Dominic's nostalgia. Better here than stuck to my shoes...

All Are Welcome

2011-03-28T17:54:00.000-07:00

They're a good looking couple if I do say so myself! This weekend Mom and Dad stopped by for a visit. Rolling up on Friday afternoon you'd think they lived a few minutes down the street... until you watched me move three loads of 'closet clean out items' from the trunk. I guess it is about time I collected the extra wedding decorations, my precious photo albums, and my George Foreman Grill.

Project Cicero

2011-03-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Project Cicero gives books to under-resourced NYC public schools, homeless shelters, juvenile detention facilities, community centers, and reading programs like the one where I volunteer each week. Books come from an annual citywide book drive. It's a nice exchange from independent, public and parochial schools, organizations and corporations to the places mentioned above. In 2010, Project Cicero

Ninth grade Earth Sciences

2011-02-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

Three weeks ago the director of a reading program where I volunteer approached me with a 'perfect fit'. She said, "Sarah, you work in health and one of our students is failing his ninth grade Earth Sciences class and needs a tutor. In my mind I think you'll be an excellent tutor for him!" Earth Sciences and health promotion... it was a correlation similar to Peace Corps designating me a Community

NY Style Caribbean Getaway

2011-02-13T12:49:00.001-08:00

This is our new mid-winter escape. Thank the Lord for the New York Botanical Garden. I'll admit, the winter is making us weary. It's cold, it's brown, and the frozen yellow snow has trash poking out of it now. Yesterday we splurged on a family membership to the garden. It was the best investment we have made in a long time. Inside the conservatory we wandered through the exhibits ranging from a

Nine Days that Changed the World

2011-02-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

June 2-10, 1979, Pope John Paul II traveled to his native Poland to address a war-torn country. One third of the population saw him live, millions more listened on the radio and watched him on television as he told the depressed population: "Do not be afraid." Newt and Callista Gingrich came to Fordham last night to present a screening of their newest documentary, Nine Days that Changed the World

AeroGarden 3 weeks | Marriage 1.5 years

2011-02-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

February is National Indoor Gardening Month! According to my first edition of AeroGrow magazine, there is an entire website of webinars and videos on indoor gardening. I now have my very own, year-round garden calendar so I know exactly when to plant for vine-ripened tomatoes all winter long and when fresh spring greens would be likely to sprout for summer salads. If I sound excited about this

A Sunday Sigh

2011-01-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

Here we are ending January without a clue how this month has passed so quickly. It could be that we spent less than half the month in NYC, or that we spent only half together. This week was the end of a whirlwind of travel activity for a bit. A bit.I arrived at LaGuardia on Tuesday night and non-intentionally stayed on Pacific Time for the remainder of the week. After work on Wednesday, while

The Philippines

2011-01-22T15:19:00.000-08:00

As I sit and stare out of the Fordham Library window at this.......I can’t help but think about the stark contrast from where I was just a few days ago. Sarah was kind enough to agree to allow me to take advantage of a great opportunity to attend a 2 week Project Assessment course in the Philippines. My first time in Southeast Asia was a wonderful experience. The trip began auspiciously enough

AeroGarden Part 2

2011-01-18T18:45:00.000-08:00

I planted my AeroGarden one week ago today. There couldn't be an easier process. The machine knows when to turn on the lights and when they should go off. Sixteen hours of light, eight hours of dark. The AeroGarden can stay on a healthier schedule than most Americans! Here's what it looks like when I put in my seed pods:The great thing about the garden is that I know when to expect my plants to

Crafty Christmas

2011-01-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

I spent time over Christmas and New Years with two of the best, most talented women in the world: My Mom and my Mother-in-law. Fortunately for me, they are both willing to share their gifts with others. A few years ago my mom joined the Prayer Shawl Ministry at church. She's been knitting up a storm ever since. Her newest project is knitting hats for babies in the hospital. She got several

AeroGardening Part 1

2011-01-15T18:04:00.000-08:00

An AeroGarden is the ideal garden for a NY apartment. An AeroGarden is the best gift a husband can give. Thank you for my Christmas present Dom!We had a small Christmas exchange before leaving for Sacramento. Dominic surprised me with this thoughtful gift for our tiny place. I got the herb garden seek kit with the actual growing machine itself. The great thing about an AeroGarden is that it grows

An Ode to Rachel

2011-01-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

Rachel o Rachel what can I say?She's lovely and kind and always makes our day.She'll love you and call you and never go away,Even when you move she's willing to pay-For a ticket, a Metro card a trip to the city,She'll surprise you at home and make you feel pretty...Special.She's a professional, responsible and cooks just the best,Quesadillas, guacamole and dessert better than the rest.Rachel

A Day in the Life

2011-01-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Back to the BX*.I will admit, I am feeling overwhelmed by all there is to say about the past three weeks. I've decided to work backwards starting with my day - well a portion of my day - today.Before leaving town we did our best to clean out the refrigerator. I have been gearing up for a grocery run for a few days now (trust me, it is necessary to do so) fully anticipating my desire to avoid the

A very merry Christmas

2010-12-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

Dominic and I spent a very special Christmas in Yolo County, CA this year. My first Christmas with the in-laws and my first visit to downtown Sacramento. I was delighted to be a part of the annual caroling party, the very social happy hours, the family dinners and midnight mass on Christmas day. Thank you for hosting us!The events started a week before Christmas with the neighborhood, family and

Tis the season

2010-12-15T16:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas in the Bronx is in full swing in the our household. It's always an adventure finding our Christmas tree. Our first year in Seattle we had a Christmas bush, last year we cut down our own sad-looking Charlie Brown Christmas tree. This year we went with a Christmas fern!Pretty impressive I realize. Unfortunately the fern branch is not as rigid as one might hope and so we were pretty

Landmark Quiz

2010-12-13T16:23:00.000-08:00

Dear West Coast Readers,Please take a look at the photo below and leave us a yes/no comment to the following question:Do you know the name of the cultural landmark where this photo was taken?I am certain that by answering honestly you can end a marital debate and earn me a Chipotle burrito.

Learning to Cook

2010-11-29T18:16:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: This is not a cooking blog. I don't know how to cook, but I was so surprised with my progress since August 1, 2009 I couldn't help but share. Experiential Learning at it's finest.There are several reasons why I don't enjoy cooking. I'll admit, my recipes are not organized and I can never remember what our favorite meals are. I'll say that I don't enjoy grocery shopping, and I'll

Doesn't This Look A Lot Like Christmas

2010-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

I am going to write an ode to my Gnausa* shopping cart. I love it. I push it everywhere. It even transported our Christmas pine home from Little Italy yesterday evening.Life this year is much different from life last year. We're the the big city, so we get a smaller Christmas tree. To be fair, this was our "love fern" two years ago (Sarah and Dom spend within their means):Anyway, we're thrilled

Thanksgiving in Columbus

2010-11-26T20:17:00.000-08:00

We're celebrating Thanksgiving with the Zaengers this year. A week in Worthington fills my heart with gratitude and appreciation for my parents, family and friends and what they have done for me over the years. My parents always roll out the red carpet when we come home. It doesn't have to be a holiday to get some TLC and genuine hospitality. Not only do they cook up delicious meals, but they

Getting Noticed in our New Neighborhood

2010-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to campus for a jog by myself. On the way home I crossed the street to our apartment and a friendly gentleman struck a running pose and commented: "What, no partner today?". I had no idea who this guy was and his question caught me off guard. I quickly replied "not today" and headed home. What? People recognize me?Then I realized, I've lived here for nearly three months! We do

Summer Must Be Over

2010-11-17T20:04:00.000-08:00

Because today I had to say farewell to our local farmer's market. It was bittersweet because I also learned that this season NYC food stamp users received more than $200,000 in special coupons for fresh produce from the markets. Why do all good things have to come to an end?There's a hopeful program here called Health Bucks. Since 2006, the number of farmer's markets receiving these coupons has

We've Got Worms

2010-11-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

In our new compost container that is!That's right, situated here in the middle of the Bronx I've started my own container compost. All it took was a friendly environmentalist, a yogurt container full of dirty squirmies, and the raw produce leftovers I seem to constantly accumulate from my farmer's market fare. Watch out, this little investment is preparing us for some springtime container

Good Morning America

2010-11-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

This weekend IPED sponsored a career trip to the nation's capitol. Dominic has been pretty consumed with school so I'm going to provide an introduction here and hope that you'll ask him what his experience was like. This was his first time to DC!Dominic's first few days were jam-packed with tours, meetings and networking events. The alumni and program director really show the grad students a good

Big Bambu

2010-11-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

We're new here, but we know a good view when we see one:Last month two artists named Doug and Mike Starn built an enormous bamboo fort on top of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's art, so of course at 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 50 feet high the structure could be described as: "the complexity and energy of an ever-changing living organism". Ultimately, I think some cool guys just wanted to

October whereabouts

2010-11-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here we are. November. Oh goodness!Since I spent most of the beginning of October out of the state on business travel, I'm going to summarize briefly with three photos. We'll start with the most adorable and work our way back:Seattle, WA1. I just couldn't stay away from that happy face (or from my client responsibilities). So just about a month after I left I flew back to Seattle for a four-day

Waiting, and Hoping and Praying

2010-10-31T13:24:00.000-07:00

Katie's right. If you haven't yet, please invest in a ticket to Waiting for Superman. Not only is it worth going to catch a glimpse of my admirable brother-in-law, but sometimes it's good to get your priorities rearranged. Kids will do that for ya."Kids look at the world and make certain predictions - they think it's a cold, heartless place because they've been given the short end of the stick

New Experiences with Ancient Artwork

2010-10-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

I spend a majority of my time here:So naturally I relish in the weekend opportunities to venture down the D train to Manhattan Island where the big city lights, the music, the fashion and the 14th century baptismal fonts await...Today Dominic and I spent the day visiting The Cloisters. Although we could see our neighborhood from the medieval museum it felt like we had dropped into a different era

Farming in the City

2010-09-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I love farmer's markets. Some have said it's because I'm white, perhaps it's my general interest in fresh food, or preference for produce grown close to home. Whatever the reason, if there is a farmer's market in the neighborhood I'll be there.Thank you, NY Botanical Garden, for bringing a farmer's market to my neighborhood every week. As a part of a larger Edible NYC initiative, I

A Park in the Sky

2010-09-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

In it's heyday, the High Line was referred to as the "lifeline of New York". The raised railroad was built to save lives and deliver food to the industrial district for almost 50 years. All the cool people (that I know) are talking about this railroad because two years ago the city transformed it from a rundown eyesore to a trendy public park.I sold a visit to the High Line to Dominic like this:

Remembering 9-11

2010-09-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

It's not that I would ever forget that day. Walking into Mrs. Bookwalter's AP English literature class, noticing the television, and complaining: "I don't want to watch this movie". It could have been a horror film but it was the morning news. Nine years later I never would have imagined I'd be standing at Ground Zero behind an ABC News Radio reporter to see the families, dignitaries and patriots

The beginning. Finally.

2010-09-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

Someone once said that the best way to realize how blessed you are is to compare notes from the beginning and the end. Dominic and I have gotten into the habit of doing this with weekly prayers. I've learned to notice exactly how specific needs are met or concerns are calmed over time. It seems like we have plenty needs and concerns these days so I decided to publicly document the beginning of

We Heart Seattle

2010-08-31T22:23:00.000-07:00

We weren't supposed to fall in love with the city. Seattle was intended to serve as a means to an end. To Dominic and I, moving to Seattle was a haphazard response to some post-Peace Corps decision making. We knew we loved one another -- but we knew it in Armenia. How would things work in our own country? Where could we test out the relationship's strength on "neutral ground"?I'm from Columbus,

New York, New York

2010-08-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

Dominic and I made "the big move announcement" a few months ago. At first, people were just congratulatory and excited, but as the date of departure approached I realized that Seattlites hold some serious opinions about the Big Apple.People are funny. Despite the fact that this move was a certainty we had some reactions along the lines of:"Do you own pepper spray?""Beware of the metro."Literal

The Bronx

2010-08-30T18:27:00.001-07:00

Well I (Dominic) arrived. After a longer than expected flight from Seattle to New York I made it to our apartment in the Bronx. Bedford Park more specifically, though I imagine that means little to any readers of this blog. The pod arrived two days later and I’m happy to report that, due to Sarah’s awesome packing skills there wasn’t a broken dish or otherwise ruined item in the move. I would

Seattle hospitality

2010-08-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

If you are visiting Seattle -- or just someone looking for a good restaurant recommendation -- and you ask our friend Steve where to get the best food in the city, he will reply:"At my house".A former head chef at the Hilton (among many other things), Steve wouldn't be exaggerating. He is a great cook.Dominic and I met Steve more than a year ago at Bethany's Wednesday Night dinner. He is a social

The Office of Compline

2010-08-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

I suppose it happens to everyone when it is time to prepare for something new: lists appear.Ok, if you're me then you make lists anyway, but I have a particularly high volume of lists floating around these days. Lists about what to take and what to pack, who to see and who to write, what to buy and what to sell... it's really quite out of hand. I'm also making mental lists of things that should

And we're off......

2010-08-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

....well, almost. We haven't quite left for New York yet, but we did get everything packed. And the packing (surprisingly) warrants a blog post of its own. Who would'a thunk it.After pricing out and weighing the options, we decided to go with a 6x7x8' moving pod. We figured we'd have to get rid of a lot of stuff due to size limitations, but we thought we were ready for those sacrifices. As the

Whew. Summertime.

2010-07-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

What a summer! We always knew we would be heading into a whirlwind of events when June hit, but if the neglect of this blog is any indication of our hectic schedules then you'll note that the past two months have kept us rather distracted.Here's the big announcement:We're moving to New York City! Oh the experiential learning that is to come...I know it is not much of an announcement at this point

Belly Dancing and Container Gardening

2010-06-06T18:44:00.001-07:00

The two topics seem to have very little in common, but they're helping to remedy my guilty conscience for having not stuck to the actual title and purpose of this blog: Experiential Learning. Lately our posts have revolved around what we do -- and have lost focus on what we are learning from it.When I got back from the Peace Corps and transferred to Seattle I wanted to maintain periodic postings

Child's Play

2010-05-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

A very dear friend of ours works for the Seattle Times and always seems to know what's happening around town. This evening she invited Dominic and I to attend Giant Magnet at the Seattle Center. I had seen the sign promoting this event weeks ago and asked Dominic if we could check it out. "Maybe it's like those large Velcro walls," we thought. "Or maybe it's like that ball you put your hand on in

San Juan Island

2010-05-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

We've been trying to take more advantage of the wonderful things on offer here in the northwest lately. With spring finally peaking through, we decided to take a camping trip up to the San Juan Islands in the very northwest corner of these great contiguous United States. As I (Dominic) was in charge of hastily arranging this excursion, it was so great to arrive at our campsite and find that it

National Day of Prayer

2010-05-06T18:32:00.001-07:00

At Capital I assumed it was a strange maze, in Seattle I simply overlooked it. It wasn't until I went to Bethany's Day of Prayer during lent that someone spoke of a labyrinth's use for insight, peace and renewal. The Labyrinth is an ancient symbol and tool for prayer and meditation. I've lived with labyrinths in my neighborhood for years, but had never tried praying in one... until today.I

Kentucky Derby Bets

2010-05-01T15:18:00.001-07:00

And now... for one Chipotle Burrito....Drum roll please... This is for you Aunt Rad:Sarah's Picks:Noble's PromiseIce BoxPatty O'PredoJackson BendConveyanceDominic's Picks:Line of DavidHomeboykhrisLookin' at LuckyDevil May CareAmerican LionHere we go!

Happy May Day

2010-05-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

"Sweet May hath come to love us, Flowers, trees, their blossoms don; And through the blue heavens above us The very clouds move on." - Heinrich Heine, Book of Songs Happy May Day to one and all!Dominic had never heard of a May Day basket, so last night I explained the joy of surprising friends and loved ones with a little treat on the first of May. I don't quite remember what we used to

Sarah's Surprise Saturday

2010-03-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

We had a heck of a Saturday. Sarah loves surprises so I arranged for us to take a flying trapeze class. Indeed… I’m talking about flying through the air with ex-gymnasts (naturally, what else would they do for work?) guiding you through all the swings, flips, leg hangs and pass-offs while suspended 30-40 feet above ground. You, our humble readership, are likely thinking to yourselves, "great!

You-dub

2010-03-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

After an amazing sun soaked Saturday, Sarah and I thought that Sunday would be the perfect opportunity for us to finally go and check out the cherry blossoms on the University of Washington's campus that we had heard so much about. Unfortunately, as we exited church we were greeted by plenty of clouds, gloom and cold. But we braved the elements (a bit of an overstatement) and headed out

Life is Still Calling

2010-03-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

Last week was Peace Corps week. To celebrate, Peace Corps held an information session and country fair at REI. Dominic selflessly volunteered to man the Armenia country booth so I went along for the ride.It was fun to meet people investigating the organization. The questions you get like: "How was it?" or "What did you do?" Continue to stump us, but every Returned Peace Corps Volunteer loves to

As Seen On TV: Spring Cleaning

2010-02-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

We love our apartment. So bright, cheery, plenty of space and lots of light. In order to have that light, however, you've gotta have lots of windows and we sure do. Seven in fact. That said, it's an apartment building where window washing is not high on our manager's priority list. We're not on the ground floor either. This spring has been unseasonably warm and sunny. So sunny, in fact, that

Bethany Day of Prayer

2010-02-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

This morning I went to the Peace and Spirituality Center at St. Mary on the Lake in Bellevue for Bethany Presbyterian's annual Day of Prayer. Our church's old pastor, Bruce Murphy, and his wife Di led a group of about 30 people in a time of 'seeking stillness'. Not one accustomed to regular stillness, these days have been rare opportunities for quiet prayer and rejuvenation in the past. Last year

Seattle's Sunny Saturday and Sarah's Super Bike Route

2010-02-20T17:02:00.000-08:00

I'm making this post...well... Jus' Because I can. I know it's inconsiderate of all our freezing blog fans in the Midwest, but really, how could I resist the shorts and sandals post in the middle of February?There's nothing like a sunny Saturday in February to inspire you to dust off the bikes, pump up the tires and throw a picnic lunch in the backpack. This is exactly what we did today. I've

A Victorian Valentines Day

2010-02-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

On Saturday morning Dominic and I woke up early to get ready for our weekend away. He had planned a quick overnight to someplace special but I hadn't the slightest idea where it could be. I packed light and threw on my boots (just in case). When we didn't go to the car I was surprised, when we walked past the bus stop I was stumped and when we continued past my office to the waterfront I was

Newly Wed New Technology

2010-02-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

Dominic and I celebrated our six month anniversary on Monday. As a surprise I gifted him an Analog Pass-Through DTV Converter Box. It's not much of a gift. To be honest it felt a lot like throwing money into the trash can, but with the Olympics just days away and March Madness not far after, my options were either the converter box or countless hours in The Spectator (the sports bar down the

Tea Time

2010-01-31T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today Dominic and I spent time with friends doing what friends do: hanging out.I decided last week to throw a tea party and gather as many girlfriends as possible for some good conversation and crafting. Dominic enjoyed the opportunity to watch basketball at a friend's house. It occurred to me about a week and a half ago that I have a million excuses not to spend time in casual conversation with

We're official

2010-01-17T15:33:00.000-08:00

What's wrong with this picture?a.) That's not our carb.) I've been wearing those galoshes since 2005c.) I'm holding an umbrella in the rainWell, it's official. Dominic and I have a licensed Washington automobile. It's not that we're excited because we drive it all that much, it just gives us that much more respect on the friendly Pacific Northwest roadways. Truth be told, it was rough zipping

Life in the Big City

2010-01-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

I was putting away dishes yesterday afternoon when I heard a person shriek and a thud outside the apartment. I ran to the corner widow and saw a man laying on the side of the road with his bike to the side. He was rolling around and clutching his stomach with three people nearby. A woman was on her cell phone and two minutes later the fire truck showed up. Soon thereafter there was an ambulance

Greenish-brown thumb

2010-01-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

Since obviously we don't have children, and my apartment building (and husband) prohibits labradoodles, I get a lot of pride from my plants. I have five total, and they've done surprisingly well in our apartment's climate.West Seattle has a great nursery where I found paper whites a few weeks ago. I remember forcing these spring-flowering bulbs into winter bloom way back when, but was wondering

San Francisco Surprise

2010-01-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

I have quite a wife.Christ being a tough act to follow, makes my birthday (December 26th) a day that I (and I must assume others) don’t really look forward to celebrating all that much. It’s just bad timing. I dread having to recharge (or appear to) the day after Christmas for another celebration… and it’s my own birthday. But with marriage comes new priorities, new skill sets. Sarah happens to

OH... HO HO HO

2009-12-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

I started worrying about our trip to Ohio in May when I booked the red-eye flight from Seattle to Columbus via Washington D.C. Despite some inclement weather the weekend before, all our prayers paid off and we arrived safely at CMH on Christmas Eve morning.After brief naps and a remote work day, we celebrated the birth of Jesus at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. It was the first time we had been

Advent Sabbath

2009-12-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

There's a new Chipotle at 3rd and Pike and Dominic decided that today it was time we make our inaugural visit and celebrate the spirited Christmas decorations in downtown Seattle. We've been trying our very best to take the advice of a recent Bethany sermon series on remembering the sabbath and keeping it holy. After a nice advent worship service this morning and a warm day inside relaxing and

Oh Christmas Tree

2009-12-09T22:11:00.001-08:00

You try your darndest to get everything out and on the table before committing to that largest of commitments; the covenant of marriage. Truly. Children, Religion, expectations, living situations, shower schedules… we went over all of ‘em. Or so I thought. We tweaked our work schedules weekly to make room for pre-marriage counseling, read books, arranged and met with a mentor couple who had

Quilting Lessons

2009-11-19T19:30:00.000-08:00

Ta da! Started in October when Dominic's mother, Peg, came to visit and here before your very eyes today: My first complete picnic quilt!Peg came up to Seattle by car -- which was a good idea because it would be hard to carry a sewing machine and folding table on a flight from California. I sure am glad she did because it gave us the excellent opportunity to experience what she warmly referred to