What's the greatest thing of everything there is?
I want to wake up to the brevity of life.
2 Corinthians 5:13-17
If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Viva
Went to Las Vegas last weekend with Muffin, Sweeting (Sweety, Sweetini), Heatherb (Feather), and Maus (Flaus). It is now Thursday and I'm still EXAUSTED!
Sweeting, Erin, and Muffin hadn't ever been to la vega before! We stayed at the Mirage so the group convened late Friday night and stayed out until daybreak walking around our hotel, Ceasars, and the Bellagio. Quote of the first night from Heather "If I do a faceplant in the casinos, cut a sister OFF!" For the record, she did two faceplants and there was no cut her offing happening.
Saturday I bounced right up and was ready to go. I took a walk down the strip while the rest of Team Vega was sleeping. Once everyone was up, we went to the pool... (THE POOL!! in Februrary!!)... and did more people watching and slot machining. That night for dinner we went to Koi in Planet Hollywood-- it was tres chic minus the weird annoying bachelor party hitting on the girls at the table behind us. One of the guys was just SUCH a d-bag to the point that it almost spoiled dinner. We spent the rest of the night waltzing around Paris (where HeatherB ALWAYS wins... she won 100 bucks at Roulette and another 150 or so on SLOTS of all things), New York New York (where we went to an awesome dueling piano bar), and Luxor. Sweeting went to the dark side and I wasn't feeling well so we went home while Muffin, Erin, and HeatherB stayed out and made the obligatory sunrise FatBurger run.
Sunday... more of the same but took longer to get out of bed :). We went to "Carnegie Deli" in our hotel for lunch. All of us ordered normal-people sandwiches except Muffin who ended up with seriously the biggest sandwich ever. It was like a 2X4 of corned beef and turkey. The highlight of lunch was this guy who pointed out the sandwich to his wife, and the woman looked at it and said, "That's the grossest thing I've ever seen." Muffin turned bright red and didn't really eat it. He brought half back to the room and let it sit there all afternoon until we demanded it be removed from the room. 
Sunday night Erin, HeatherB, and I went to LOVE Cirque du Soleil. It was SO great. It was just so great! I had been really wanting to see it and we think our nosebleeds were actually the best seats in the house since we got to see the big picture of everything. The music made the show so fun to watch. I got strangely emotional at the end of the performance... it was just so beautiful haha. The colors and the people and the music... sigh. It was really really neat. Monday Sweeting and I made it to the airport and launched the long trek home. Got back really late on Monday night and was back at work on Tuesday morning. The last time I was in Vegas was in 2006 and frankly I think a Vegas run every two years is PLENTY. You just completely lose track and stop carrying about the money that is being spent. It's like it becomes Monopoly money.
Every penny becomes worth it though when I think about the billions of laughs (we had a quad, you know... where there are two bunk beds and four people - Sweeting and his Appletinis and the Wan - It's not THAT kind of an emergency - the disfunctional ironing board in the room - do you think he's gay? - they were asian! - Muffin being "not hungry" and eating Sweeting's leftover BLT 6 hours later - the gross penne at the buffet - Sweeting's thousands of flushes in the middle of the night). You know, I LIKE Vegas. It's just a lot of fun. The lights are beautiful, the energy and people around you keep you pumped up, you never run out of things to do or people to watch. Really though I could have a laugh-out-loud weekend with these people anywhere in the world.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Small drop of ink...
"But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew, upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
I voted!
Did my civic duty and got myself to my precinct to vote today! Parking in front... friendly neighborhood voter helpers... clear and concise voting procedures (turns out kindergarten "connect the dots" skills do turn out handy!)... and the reason all of us really go to the polls: the "I Voted" sticker. Woo hoo!
Go America.
Monday, February 11, 2008
How to Build Heathy Relationships
Savior - He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
Dr. Dick Foth is a guest speaker at NCC a few times a year and I can't say enough for how lucky we are as a young church body to have his wisdom and perspective. There is something about Dr. Foth that is difficult to articulate - a humility mixed with strong leadership and an ability to just speak to people's hearts.
We ended our "How" series with Dr. Foth talking about How to Build Heathy Relationships. Just wanted to share a few thoughts he had...
Love is accurate estimate and adequate supply of another person's need.
History Giving - Who we are is almost exclusively a function of our histories. Knowing about someone's background is necessary to loving them. Makes sense! God knows our history and still loves us.
Affirmation - We all want to know why we're worth loving. Prayer awknowledges someone's value. Words. Actions.
Covenant - Time, tenacity, truth telling. Being able to tell someone what you think, feel, and know... and trusting them with it. Knowing someone will "never say 'quit' "
Dreaming - If I can trust you with my history, maybe I can trust you with my now and my future. Sharing dreams increases their power and possibility.
Love cannot be built without trust and respect. Trust and respect builds as you cycle through history giving, affirmation, covenant, and dreaming.
One thing that touched me... Dr. Foth shared that for years he struggled with stuttering. When he met his future wife, he told her he didn't think she would want to stay with him since he had such a stuttering problem. She told him she hadn't noticed. A few years ago I found out my dad had a stutter when he was young, and because of that it was a feat to deliver his high school graduation speech. It wasn't until my mom told me about it that I realized my dad still does, on rare occasion, stutter. But to me it has always been the way he talked... I honestly didn't notice. There is a sweetness in Dr. Foth's voice that reminds me of my dad and that just... choked me up a little :)
My God is mighty to save
Dr. Dick Foth is a guest speaker at NCC a few times a year and I can't say enough for how lucky we are as a young church body to have his wisdom and perspective. There is something about Dr. Foth that is difficult to articulate - a humility mixed with strong leadership and an ability to just speak to people's hearts.
We ended our "How" series with Dr. Foth talking about How to Build Heathy Relationships. Just wanted to share a few thoughts he had...
Love is accurate estimate and adequate supply of another person's need.
History Giving - Who we are is almost exclusively a function of our histories. Knowing about someone's background is necessary to loving them. Makes sense! God knows our history and still loves us.
Affirmation - We all want to know why we're worth loving. Prayer awknowledges someone's value. Words. Actions.
Covenant - Time, tenacity, truth telling. Being able to tell someone what you think, feel, and know... and trusting them with it. Knowing someone will "never say 'quit' "
Dreaming - If I can trust you with my history, maybe I can trust you with my now and my future. Sharing dreams increases their power and possibility.
Love cannot be built without trust and respect. Trust and respect builds as you cycle through history giving, affirmation, covenant, and dreaming.
One thing that touched me... Dr. Foth shared that for years he struggled with stuttering. When he met his future wife, he told her he didn't think she would want to stay with him since he had such a stuttering problem. She told him she hadn't noticed. A few years ago I found out my dad had a stutter when he was young, and because of that it was a feat to deliver his high school graduation speech. It wasn't until my mom told me about it that I realized my dad still does, on rare occasion, stutter. But to me it has always been the way he talked... I honestly didn't notice. There is a sweetness in Dr. Foth's voice that reminds me of my dad and that just... choked me up a little :)
Monday, February 4, 2008
Mom and Dad in DC
I had a GREAT visit with Mom and Dad last weekend-- it's so fun to have them experience my life here in DC. With California so far away, it's hard to keep them involved and updated with my friends, job, church, etc.
I picked up my NEW CAR (!!!!!!) on Saturday morning (Thank you Brennan for dragging yourself out of bed and taking me to Manassas wayyyy early on a weekend morning) and picked Mom and Dad up from Dulles on Saturday night. We went to church at Ebenezers then off to an amazing meal at 1789 - a restaurant I hadn't been to before, but Mom and Dad went to when they lived here in the 70s. It was very fancy :)
Sunday went to the National Cathedral (neat tour I hadn't done before) and walked the Monuments then had a super fun dinner at Filomena with BW, Brennan, and Paul. But then, there's no such thing as a NOT fun dinner with BW, Brennan, and Paul.
Monday was State of the Union! We had all our "R" and SOME semi-indifferent "D" friends over for David and my 3rd Annual SOTU Tex Mex and Watch Party.
Tuesday night I got to include Mom and Dad in a real Washington-style evening-- we went to the Denny Hastert Tribute Dinner at the Ronald Reagan WTC atrium. Newt Gingrich and Bob Michel hosted the event-- other big wigs included Boehner, Oxley, Blunt etc.
Denny hosted a staff reception after at Johnny's Half Shell... SO great to see the old Hastert crew and reconnect with some people I had lost track of. My short time in that office was nothing short of remarkable.
On Wednesday my parents got to meet my boss! Then Johnny treated David, myself, and M & D to lunch in the West Wing at the White House!! So exciting to be able to have that experience with them... and a very small way to say thank you for all their dedication to my education, career, and life in DC. I would have never gotten further in this city than my 8th grade class trip if not for their support! I'm a lucky girl.
I picked up my NEW CAR (!!!!!!) on Saturday morning (Thank you Brennan for dragging yourself out of bed and taking me to Manassas wayyyy early on a weekend morning) and picked Mom and Dad up from Dulles on Saturday night. We went to church at Ebenezers then off to an amazing meal at 1789 - a restaurant I hadn't been to before, but Mom and Dad went to when they lived here in the 70s. It was very fancy :)
Sunday went to the National Cathedral (neat tour I hadn't done before) and walked the Monuments then had a super fun dinner at Filomena with BW, Brennan, and Paul. But then, there's no such thing as a NOT fun dinner with BW, Brennan, and Paul.
Monday was State of the Union! We had all our "R" and SOME semi-indifferent "D" friends over for David and my 3rd Annual SOTU Tex Mex and Watch Party.
Tuesday night I got to include Mom and Dad in a real Washington-style evening-- we went to the Denny Hastert Tribute Dinner at the Ronald Reagan WTC atrium. Newt Gingrich and Bob Michel hosted the event-- other big wigs included Boehner, Oxley, Blunt etc.
Denny hosted a staff reception after at Johnny's Half Shell... SO great to see the old Hastert crew and reconnect with some people I had lost track of. My short time in that office was nothing short of remarkable.
On Wednesday my parents got to meet my boss! Then Johnny treated David, myself, and M & D to lunch in the West Wing at the White House!! So exciting to be able to have that experience with them... and a very small way to say thank you for all their dedication to my education, career, and life in DC. I would have never gotten further in this city than my 8th grade class trip if not for their support! I'm a lucky girl.
BYE BYE BIG WIZ!!!!
Liz left for Denver last week... boooooooo!!!!!!! I'm sad to lose my american-idol-singing, office-watching, partner in crime and in life buddy, but she's definitely doing the right thing and made a great move for an exciting experience! I'm proud of you BW.
Ty and Mignon obviously knew the best way possible to send her off... with ice cream cake :)
Ty and Mignon obviously knew the best way possible to send her off... with ice cream cake :)
In Memoriam
Adam Paul Kaplan
June 20, 1983 - Dec. 28, 2007
Resident of San Francisco Adam Paul Kaplan, beloved son of Ken and Christine and brother to Noah, passed away early in the morning of December 28 at the age of 24. Adam was born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley. He grew up in Lafayette and graduated from Acalanes High School in 2002. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology last August from San Francisco State University, where he also minored in holistic health. Adam spoke often and with much interest about a graduate program he was hoping to attend called Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. He was also interested in working on an organic farm and was looking forward to travel abroad with his friend Ryan. He had an evolving passion for music and books and in the last few years had developed a great appreciation for reading. He loved basketball and nature and especially time spent playing and hiking in the hills and parks with our adorable and loving dog, Jenna. Adam loved his family, the most special of times being those spent with his big brother Noah, who never gave up in his efforts to counsel and guide him. He also enjoyed his many aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished friends. He will be remembered most fondly for his good heart, intelligence and sensitivity; sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself; the discipline and passion he had for the things that interested him; his individualistic nature, loyalty to family and friends, the twinkle in his Irish eyes -- and finally, for the long, difficult and heroic battle he waged against his illness. Adam is also survived by his loving grandmother, Bette Kaplan, and his many adored uncles, aunts and cousins: Marc, Marilyn and Matthew Kaplan; Danny Boyle and his partner Harvey Berman; Tom, Michael and Katie Lynn, Richard, Joanie, Loretta Jr., and Jim, Pam and Jillian -- all Boyles. He also leaves behind a very caring and loving extended family. We are greatly comforted in the belief that Adam is now reunited with his much loved grandparents, Dan and Loretta Boyle and Bernard Kaplan, and his dear friend and former teammate, John. A Celebration of Adam's Life will be announced in late spring. Memorial donations can be made to Stanford University's Bipolar Disorders Clinic by contacting Lorraine Alexander, Office of Medical Development, 2700 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94205, telephone 650.234.0613. Adam had a unique and refreshing way of looking at the world and we will miss him and carry him with us each and every day.
June 20, 1983 - Dec. 28, 2007
Resident of San Francisco Adam Paul Kaplan, beloved son of Ken and Christine and brother to Noah, passed away early in the morning of December 28 at the age of 24. Adam was born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley. He grew up in Lafayette and graduated from Acalanes High School in 2002. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology last August from San Francisco State University, where he also minored in holistic health. Adam spoke often and with much interest about a graduate program he was hoping to attend called Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness at California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. He was also interested in working on an organic farm and was looking forward to travel abroad with his friend Ryan. He had an evolving passion for music and books and in the last few years had developed a great appreciation for reading. He loved basketball and nature and especially time spent playing and hiking in the hills and parks with our adorable and loving dog, Jenna. Adam loved his family, the most special of times being those spent with his big brother Noah, who never gave up in his efforts to counsel and guide him. He also enjoyed his many aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished friends. He will be remembered most fondly for his good heart, intelligence and sensitivity; sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself; the discipline and passion he had for the things that interested him; his individualistic nature, loyalty to family and friends, the twinkle in his Irish eyes -- and finally, for the long, difficult and heroic battle he waged against his illness. Adam is also survived by his loving grandmother, Bette Kaplan, and his many adored uncles, aunts and cousins: Marc, Marilyn and Matthew Kaplan; Danny Boyle and his partner Harvey Berman; Tom, Michael and Katie Lynn, Richard, Joanie, Loretta Jr., and Jim, Pam and Jillian -- all Boyles. He also leaves behind a very caring and loving extended family. We are greatly comforted in the belief that Adam is now reunited with his much loved grandparents, Dan and Loretta Boyle and Bernard Kaplan, and his dear friend and former teammate, John. A Celebration of Adam's Life will be announced in late spring. Memorial donations can be made to Stanford University's Bipolar Disorders Clinic by contacting Lorraine Alexander, Office of Medical Development, 2700 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94205, telephone 650.234.0613. Adam had a unique and refreshing way of looking at the world and we will miss him and carry him with us each and every day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)