I suppose it is time for me to write something a bit more on this blog. So first, an update. Still living in Eugene, I am just finishing my 8th month of living in an apartment by myself. To my surprise I found that I love it, always having preferred books to people anyway. : ) I am in my fifth year of physics grad school now and there may actually be an end in sight--I would like to finish by December 07. By the way, I would like all of you to know that if I do make that deadline, I plan to buy a greyhound or amtrak pass and traverse the country visiting as many of you as possible. Maybe I will finally get to meet Suzan (whose picture is on my fridge along with Lucille Ann) and enjoy the Smoky Mountains with Hannah. (Oh yes, I did also want to say, Hannah, that that bag you posted on the blog was delightful. And some day I want to compare New Zealand pictures with you. I think New Zealand is my new image of the garden of Eden. No large predators. Only one poisonous creature and I never met it. Delightful birds. And breathtaking scenery.)

So besides working on my research (climate change--looking at trends in sunlight measurements in Oregon to examine changes in the atmosphere), I spend a lot of time with church stuff. I'm back at the church I grew up in--like going home. I just became the moderator, sort of a head deacon, and am now trying to figure out how to be responsible for church finances, visioning, insurance policies, and spiritual growth among other things. It is sort of an overwhelming and exciting place for me. I feel perhaps the first weight of adult responsibility that I have experienced, and my poor sleeping has been evidence of it. But I also feel a deep sense of belonging and awe which means the world to me. Some days I walk into church with a tenderness for the people I see there that almost makes me want to cry. I had no idea people were so precious. And I try not to take it personally when people complain to me about stuff like the time the service starts. Is that sort of what it feels like to be a parent? What a gift. There are a handful of people at that church who have become incredible mentors and teachers to me. Because of their guidance and encouragement I have tried preaching a sermon, teaching Sunday School, and started asking questions like Am I living the gospel? more frequently than I ask questions like Does God exist?

And finally, the pirate report. My most recent adventures on the high seas came over New Year's when Lisa and I planned a Pirate Party and invited family friends. It is hard to convey the sheer brilliance of the event, but it included some fabulous food, decorations, costumes, and activities. One of the activities was a pirate translation of Psalm 1, following for your enjoyment. (Pictures show the event coordinators Long John Laura and Cap'n Tar-Tar.)

'Palm' 1

1 Booty to the pirate! who does not consort with landlubbers or sail in the wake of Davy Jones or call for Parley.
2 But his eyes are filled with the gold of the treasure and over the treasure map he navigates day and night.
3 He is like a ship sailing on smooth waters, with prevailing winds and rich helpless victims everywhere he sails.
4 Aye, the scurvy-scalawags that break the pirate code! they be like the coconuts that blow in the Caribbean fierce hurricane gales.
5 Aye, those who do not lash themselves to the mast, surely will be washed overboard and those found unfit to fly the Pirate flag will be sentenced to swing at noon from the yardarm.
6 For the great CAP'N surely charts the course with fair winds and calm seas and great plunder. But to those traitors, they will be keelhauled and find themselves banished to Davy Jones' locker forever!
Arrgh-men!!

A 'Pirates with the Pens' Translation (PPT)

Well, I remembered my password so here I am blogging about nothing. But! I am finally contributing to the "oooh" factor of the blog with pictures of our beautiful child. This morning before we could do anything else, she wanted to "play the jewelry game" which she created. When asked how it was played she said, "We hold up the jewelry and say 'oooh.'" Apparently we also put it all on. Since I own about 5 pieces of modest jewelry, I really don't understand the inspiration for this game unless it comes from the few times she's been window shopping with me in the mall. Oops! We recently purchased a Canon Powershot SD 600, so that is why you are able to view a picture I took this very morning! It is nifty.

I was planning on posting a nice update a couple of weeks ago, but what with the blogger change I couldn't remember my password. And I don't have a ton of time right now. So here is the short version: We are trying to buy a house. We are attending a mega church. (I love mentioning that because it still surprises me.) We are experiencing an unusually cold/nasty winter (which we get blamed for too!). I am working 4-8 hours a weekend for Hallmark. Mr. C. (as my family likes to call him) is working a normal 8-5 good computer job. We live in the city. The largest city in the state, which - I might add - I had not realized was so big. But it is okay. We are doing something called homeschooling, which at this point most people would just call brainwashing since the pupil isn't even three. It is basically just implementing a little bit more structure to our daily activities. I introduce a letter and number each week, we color a lot and do crafts. And we are memorizing a verse and catechism each week. Oh dear, I think I heard most of you fall off your chairs. But, when you consider the alternatives, it really doesn't seem all that extreme, does it?

So what are you guys really up to? I know where some/most of you are, but not what you are doing. Andrea W., Laura, Airika?

Hi all! I'm sitting at my desk at work right now, pondering the morality of wasting time while I'm getting paid. Does anyone ever have those days where you feel as if you can't do anything at all? I like to call it a work cramp. Thankfully, I have a job in which I can do things like read childrens books on those days, and it's perfectly acceptable.

I hope that everyone is celebrating Groundhogs Day in the appropriate fashion, which of course means planning on sleeping for four weeks straight (wouldn't that be nice?).

Yesterday I had my first major program flop in four months. At least I felt like it was a flop. The kids might have actually enjoyed it. I showed up at the branch and discovered that instead of being in the meeting room, I would have to conduct the program in the main library area. It doesn't seem too intimidating in type, but trust me, singing preschool songs at the top of your lungs in the library has all the ear-marks of a nightmare (thankfully, I realized that I was fully clothed, so I must be awake). So anyway, I prepared the for the program and only one girl and one boy showed up. Their parents, of course, left them alone with me while they proceeded to check their e-mail and read the paper. To make a long story short, by the middle of the program, I had both children covering their ears and grimacing while I sang the songs. The girl was actually whimpering. It must have been an off vocal day for me, because I've never gotten that kind of reaction before. Maybe they were just sitting a little too close to my powerful pipes! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, quite frankly. I guess I needed a pride check.

Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone!