Run to see this!

I got the chance to see a sneak preview of Bella, a heart-warming and AMAZING movie that's opening in select cities THIS weekend.

You guys- it's awesome. It's a beautiful story with deep characters. The story challenges the audience to redefine love and consider issues bigger than themselves. There's love, friendship, loss, family and cultural issues that are all boldly, but sensitively addressed.

This is the director's first film and it won at the Toronto Film Festival last year. The director is Hispanic and is following a heart cry to portray Latinos in a positive light and get away from the Hollywood-slapped stereotypical roles.

Similarly, the lead actor had a conversion experience four years ago and decided to only PLAY positive characters (he's Latino also). Before his conversion experience, he played typical "negative" roles and became HUGE in Mexico- a "heart throb" for good reasons. For four years prior to Bella he was out of work and turned down several multi-million dollar contracts because of his refusal to take part in another movie where Latinos are negatively portrayed.

The Executive Producer, Sean Wolfington, spoke at the sneak preview I attended and he's fired up about this movie. Wolfington also produced Braveheart and Passion of the Christ. There are hopes and predictions that Bella will be huge. There are a lot of Christians who are behind the scenes of this movie. However, the movie doesn't have that hokey, low budget or cheesy feel. It's the real deal.

The acting is amazing, story is beautiful, and message is provoking.

You can read a little more about the folks behind the scenes.

GO GO GO see it!!! Support it on its opening weekend!

Broken Computer

My computer is on bedrest, hence my absence.

Tuesday was World Food Day and I attended an event in the Russell Senate building. The event was hosted by the Senate Hunger Caucus and partnered with World Vision and the North American Miller's Association. It was a "luncheon" of sorts. The event highlighted Acting on AIDS and various food movements that are making a difference in global hunger.

At the event, we partook of the Broken Bread Poverty Meal, which is a simple porridge meal that is an example of what is fed to poorer people throughout the world. During the meal (a bowl of porridge and water), we were told sobering, true-life stories of hunger and pain. There were stories of prostitution, declining health due to AIDS (caused by prostitution or unfaithful husbands), and orphans. All situations had a common denominator- they were ultimately caused by hunger. Acting on AIDS also shared that "nutrition levels have been found to be directly correlated to the effectiveness of treatments for chronic diseases such as AIDS."

It was very effective and I walked away with a greater appreciation of what these movements are doing. It was a more than appropriate way to observe World Food Day.

Been a while...

I realize that I haven't posted any updates in a while. This is mostly because I've been busy and partly because I've been lazy in my "down" time.

I have been running solid for about two weeks. If I wasn't in NC, then I was committed to something every night of the week. Between dinner dates, the Pregnancy Center, and Leadership Group, there's been little time in the evenings.

Tonight is the last night that I have an obligation in the evening for a solid week! Yay!

I went to NC last weekend. About 75% of my time was spent with Michael. The other (itty bitty) percentage was spent with friends, family, and my pillow.

Mike took us to my favorite restaurant, Bianca's, on Friday night. I love it because of their fresh, rotating menu. The Italian food is authentic and the atmosphere cozy. Plus, it's one where acoustics don't interfere with conversation.

On Saturday, Mike and I spent the afternoon together. We mostly piddled in the yard and just enjoyed one another's company. That evening, we met Mallory and Dave before joining Mike's family at the fair. His sisters and brother in law were there. It was a fun evening! I've included a few pictures for your viewing delight.

On Sunday afternoon, after church, Mike and I went to lunch with his parents and sister, Jessica. We tried a new (to us) restaurant that was buffet style. The food was fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the company and casual conversation. After parting from them, he and I bought some flowers for his yard. We let the day cool, while passing time inside. Then, we got to work planting them in spots throughout the yard. Delicate touches were added around the mailbox and near the driveway.

"It looks like a girl lives here now," he said with a smile and hand squeeze.

I enjoyed that comment. My hopes are that THIS girl will live there one day...

After our hard work, we had a yummy meal and the evening was done. I'm looking forward to simple Sundays like that.

Life comes at you fast

I've been kind of busy lately. Busy enough that I can't believe tomorrow in Monday again. Not that Mondays are bad, I just wouldn't mind a little more R&R.

Some updates:

• My speeding ticket was reduced. Hallelujah! My lawyer (I still get a kick out of writing that) got my speed reduced to 74 in a 65. That will definitely help with my insurance costs. Also, I'll get fewer points (if any) on my license. That was (and still will be) an expensive lesson learned.
• I've set a date for my important eye exam. I'll be donning my glasses in late October for an eye exam on the 2nd of November. I'll be wearing my glasses at least a week. This exam will determine if I'm qualified for implantable lenses.
• The National Center for Leadership program has begun. We met on Wednesday night for our first dinner and a "meet and greet" session. There are 11 people in our group. We spent about three hours getting to know one another, hearing about the program, and eating a delicious Italian meal! You can look for updates to their website pretty soon...

I worked a bit this weekend. Rich is on a Commission for "Advancing Intercultural Competencies." The Commission addresses justice issues that fall under six categories: Racial Harmony, Gender Equity, Human Sexuality, the Disenfranchised, Pop Culture, World Religions, and Internationalization. There's a lot that's discussed when the Commission meets! It is always very interesting when I get to join him for the meetings. They convene twice a year and once in D.C. It usually requires working on a Saturday.

This year, the meeting was on Friday afternoon until the early evening. After we adjourned "business talk" we went to dinner at a delicious Indian restaurant, Rasika. I'd never been there and it was worth the wait. The food was amazing and the presentations of the dishes were just as impressive.

After dinner, we went to my favorite theatre, the Woolly Mammoth, and saw The Unmentionables. It was a fitting play considering the Commission's passions and themes. The acting was phenomenal and I enjoyed myself.

I made it home shortly after 11 and pretty much went to bed. It was "business as usual" with the Commission on Saturday morning. We finished shortly after noon and went to lunch at one of the yummy German restaurants on the Hill. When I was "free" from CCCU business, I basically went home and crashed for a while.

Today was lived in fast forward too. The National Center for Leadership had a commissioning ceremony for us today at the National Presbyterian Church in D.C. It was a nice ceremony in which we Fellows were called to the front of the congregation and recognized. The congregation prayed for us and then talked with us after the service. I was surprised at how many people I actually know just from the circle I've already been exposed to. It was great to have the congregation's support and blessing.

Between services I also met my mentor, Katlyn. We had the chance to speak for about ten minutes. She seems really nice and I'm excited to learn more about her and from her. She only lives about five blocks from my house too!

After the two services, we had a cookout on the church lawn to celebrate. Previous alumns of the program, mentors, and friends joined us for a yummy feast. It was a great time and opportunity to get to know some folks even better.

Our next meeting (Wednesday) will be the first one for which we have to prepare. We've been assigned some literature to read. I'll be focusing on the first three chapters of Vocation: Discerning Our Callings in Life, by Douglas Schuurman. Also, our group will be leaving for the beach next weekend. We'll be going to Bethany Beach, DE, from Friday until Sunday. I'm anticipating some fun carpooling, honest conversations, and a memorable weekend. Hopefully I'll get some awesome pictures to share!

Coasting

Mike and I went to his company's employee appreciation party at Carowinds on Saturday. I hadn't been to Carowinds since I was in high school. A lot has happened since then and I couldn't help but let my mind drift a bit as I walked through the park. There are many new rides (or new to me), most of them being roller coasters. They were shiny and twisty, smooth and fancy. The seating was even "modern" compared to other coasters. Instead of traditional seats where one climbs aboard and plops into a bucket, the new coasters had seats where your feet dangled or they tilted backwards (much like how the passengers rode) or there was no seating at all. The riders simply stood and were harnessed into position. Overall, great improvements that made the coasters edgier.

Towards the end of the day, Mike and I walked to the back of the park. There was a coaster I recognized- The Hurler! It's old and wooden and the line was non existent compared to the hour-long lines we'd been enduring. Mike and I walked right up and got on board the traditional coaster.

It took off like all others and memories came flooding back. This coaster rocked when I was in high school!

I remembered this moment.

The car clicked up the hill. It jolted as wheels met track and belts pulled at the train.

Click, click, click.

I looked at Mike and he was grinning as I imagined myself doing. The park beyond him was shrinking as we climbed the hill. Someone in front of us was already screaming. We were at the top and gravity was calling.

We sped down and the old tracks let us know their age. It felt like we were running over a bunch of firecrackers. The wooden tracks seemed to buckle underneath us and I realized that maybe there wasn't someone screaming in front of us. Maybe it was the tracks.

We flew faster than the other coasters we'd been riding. I then realized that the speed wasn't making it more enjoyable. The rails fought the metal train and were ferociously winning. There was that scream again. Was I getting a headache? We caught the hills and my stomach was somewhere two seconds back. Awesome!

We raced around the corners and I prayed. All I could think about was whiplash and that maybe I was too old for this. I looked at Mike. His face mirrored my own. It was this odd combination of thrill and hate.

Oh, geez, another turn. This meant another dance with the Whiplash Devil. I looked ahead and could tell that we were a little over halfway done. I definitely had a headache. I must be old now. I should write AARP and inquire about a membership.

Somewhere between the headache realization and the screeching halt, we finished the ride.

"WOW!" I caught my breath and said another quick prayer (of thanks this time). "THAT was an experience."

Mike laughed. The man in front of us turned around and grinned with apparent agreement. He had to be at least thirty. I wondered if he was going to need help off the ride.

We all made jokes about the ride while laughing a little uncomfortably. I wondered if their laughs were laughs of relief too. We had survived.

The Hurler is a fitting name. I wasn't tempted to physically go where it suggests but I sure threw out (up?) any ideas that I could endure that ride again. Maybe it means I am old. Maybe I was just an idiot when I rode it in my younger years. Or finally, the tracks have just changed themselves. They're wooden and aged. They're weathered, but still perform.

I've weathered some things myself. Been on my own roller coaster since then. I'm looking forward to staying on it for as long as I can.

It was good to return to an old stomping ground with my new friend.