Remember this thing?

What would Hogle Zoo be without the lion water fountain?

New Friends

There is something great about seeing the boy bond with his new "brothers."  I suppose friendships can carry on to the next generation.

Summer Swimming

Cousins

We are spending the morning at Hogle zoo, and the kids are excited for a train ride.

We know how to wait for a plane in style.

Anything for Amelia!

Sometimes real men buy doll clothing...

Because Rumi is Just So Freaking Awesome!

Are you familiar with Rumi?  If not, then you ought to be.  I won't go on in any detail about the wisdom of this Sufi poet, but I will share one of his poems with you.  

You can thank me later...

Bliss—

    the instant

         spent seated

              on the terrace,

                   me next to you

                       two forms and

                             two faces

                                 with just one soul,

                                      me and you

The chatter of birds

the garden’s murmur

        flowing

     like a fountain of youth

        as we stroll

     through roses,

                                      me and you

The stars of the firmament, bent low to look over us

    Let’s eclipse them, shine like the moon,

                                      me and you

                                      Me and you join,

                                      beyond Me

                                      beyond You

                                           in joy

    happy, released from delire and delusion

                                      Me and you, laughing like this,

    reach dimensions where celestial birds suck sugary cubes

                   Magical! me and you, here,

                       in our corner of earth,

                       but wafting on airs of Iraq and Khorasan,

                                      me and you

    In one form here on earth

    in other forms in paradise

    eternal, sunk in fields of sugar,

                                      me and you
--Translation by Franklin Lewis

My Summer Vacation

For a number of reasons, I completed two courses at Columbia this Summer.  I took an Art Humanities class, and I thought it was great!  For six weeks I would trek up to campus and sit with a lively group of my peers to discuss great works like the Parthenon along with artists like Rembrandt and Pollock.  The classes were long as we met twice a week for three hours each session, but I really enjoyed them, and I made some great friends.

Summer continued, and so did my semester.  The second six week course consisted of Elementary French Level 2.  I thought that this would be a proverbial walk in the park; I was wrong.  Meeting four nights a week for two hours each evening, I quickly discovered that I was in over my head.  While we had many fun and engaging moments of teasing the professor about French culture, we had many more moments of looking at each other in total confusion.  I made some great friends (which is what I love about my school; just about everyone is awesome!) and I learned a little French, but I am very glad that the class is now over.

I suppose my Summer vacation starts now.  I have one week left of work, and then the boy and I are heading to Utah to visit with family, and I am most excited for this trip.  I have a lot of plans.  I want to see my grandparents and listen to their stories.  I want to see my niece and nephews and chase them around the yard.  I want to eat at Cancun Cafe with my mom.  I want to see the many friends that have been so supportive of me.  I want to spend a lot of time with a certain girl.

Yes, a lot of time.

You see, I am completely twitterpated and captivated by a really cute girl.

So as I count down these last few days until I can have a real vacation, I am grateful for new friends, old friends, family, food, and new love.  Life continues to smile upon me, and I love it!

I Will For You

I don't like to admit that other people are right, and I am wrong,
       but I will for you.

I am not very good at opening my heart and sharing my feelings,
       but I will for you.

I have never liked sharing my most delicious cheese dip with other people,
       but I will for you.

I don't like leaning on other people for support and strength,
       but I will for you.

I never thought that I would let my guard down and let someone get close to me,
       but I will for you.

I didn't want to travel down this path again,
       but I will
       for you.

Something Special

I received something special in the mail today.

It was a special something from someone special.

And now I am especially happy.


The End