check. this. out.

a small few know what film this photo is from...(thanks to kristina for introducing this picture to me) and if you don't know what it is from, i highly recommend you find out. a new movie, called Everything Is Illuminated...

it beautifully captures Ukraine and its humble estate and yet the reality of what lies on the history of that country. it catches the simple minded and hilarious Ukrainian people as well as the typical Americans. it's a true story with genuis shots and the music is fantastic. the movie would not be a movie without alex.

please, please. go and rent this. and enjoy it. and think of Ukraine while you do. and remember everything that went on there.

maybe this post was in vain. maybe not.

...is anyone alive out there?

missed

this is one of my favourite pictures.

one of the three in the picture had a birthday recently. as i remember, she hates when people make it known that it is her birthday, but i just couldn't resist. her humor and admirable personality is missed but far from forgotten. it's been a looong while since i've seen her. i wouldn't mind seeing her soon.

happy birthday me-bon-who-lives-over-the-ocean. you canadian cuddler, you.

small tribute

..i watched snippits of divine secrets of the ya ya sisterhood this afternoon.
and saw a picture that mirrored so closely to a friendship that i love and treasure.
here's to three other people that made my life a never ending adventure.
one that had its twists and turns and trials and distance,
but we've got a big God and thus far He has helped us.

here's to Teri in the Philippines, Mindy in China, Rachel in Topeka
and me here. Wherever here is. sometimes i wonder if its possible
for a heart to be scattered all over the world

Some things I miss...

...something good to listen to: Ryan Adams
...something good to watch: Everything is Illuminated (coming out 21st of March)
...something good to eat: Chex Honey Nut mix
...something good to enjoy: peace

Happy Birthday To You...all three of you...

March 14

Growing Up

Somewhere, at one of these moments and at one certain time in that certain country and with these certain people...I grew up.

"it's been a long year dad..."

I've been really lazy lately. I have that feeling like I should stop being lazy and actually DO something with the moment but I feel like I've been DOING so much in the last six months that I need a breather...Americans don't know "breather" very well, unless its an out of breath breather from moving around so much. Oh, well. But tomorrow it starts...I'm going to some job interview for two hours and then on Sunday I need to get up and talk about my trip...which is super exciting and a little bit scary. I'm not your average public speaker...although I was in Ukraine. Man, in it was so strange. I could talk and talk without huge worry because there I was in front of a group of people that didn't understand me. I could use more broken english, or perhaps change what I said in the middle and the only person that would know was my translator standing next to me..Of course it was always simple and sweet but it was something and that was a blessing. I sometimes would rather go from small groups of people repeating the same thing over and over then to go in front of a huge group and say it once. I do miss that...I haven't really begun to miss Ukraine until just recently. Just about the time life started feeling "normal"...and I think I am an unhappy-when-it's-normal person because I like things upbeat...I like them snappy...

So I end with this:

"I quit...I quit....I quit....I quit Mr. White."

And thankfully...and graciously, He takes over. Couldn't think of it any better way.
...this picture is a friend Andrey from Bible School, his wife and their daughter Margaritta...seeing him was one of the best moments of my life.