More photos

Catching Up

The first two days of 2011 were divine. Days 3 - 22 have been exhilerating and exhausting at the same time because of professor visits, a small customized program for a university from Davenport, Iowa, the arrival of the 50 member Central College Jazz Band, the arrival of 15 alums/band groupies and the presidential visit.

Yes, the new president of Central College, his wife and their 14-year old daughter spent three whirlwind days here in mid-January. While here, he met many of the people who make this program what it is including homehosts, professors, community partners, university partners, past, present and former students as well as the staff of the Central House. In my role as timekeeper, chaufer and tour guide, I was able to spend a great of time with the new president. I found him to be a quick study, a good listener, a man with clear direction and a man with a heart. Based on emails from various contacts on the Pella campus, the visit was an incredible success. The president returned to Pella feeling positive about this program and what we do here. Yes, there will be changes, but I am certain the integrity of the program will remain.

I had over 300 photos on my camera this morning. The above photos are just a few of the highlights.

New students arrive tonight. The new semester begins tomorrow.

A great beginning for a new year

View from the hotel:

View from beneath the umbrella:

Some of us were lucky enough to welcome in 2011 from a nice, warm, sunny beach in Cancun, Mexico. My hope is that the pleasure gained from walking along the beach sets the tone for the entire year.

Group photo with Picknik

Thanks, Naphtali.

Adios to Fall 2010

Departures begin Friday.

Avoidance: Blog surfing and Thinking about food

Baked Brie (All credit goes to Fresh365)

Serves 4-6

8 ounces brie cheese round

1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)

1/4 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon orange zest1.

Preheat oven to 400F.

Place brie on a baking sheet.

Pour maple syrup over top, and add cranberries.

Sprinkle with thyme and orange zest.

Place in oven, and bake 25-30 minutes, until brie is soft when cut

Remove from oven, and carefully transfer to a serving plate

Serve immediately with crackers.

I have final research papers to grade, travel plans to make for a group from Central that will be here in January, on and on and on, but what am I doing? Blog surfing and thinking about food.

Last night I worked out a menu for Donna and Andrea's visit over Christmas and then went shopping for the non-perishables on the list that included lots of cheap red wine. Is baked brie on the list? Time will tell....

What's in the cards for 2011?

When I first started traveling in Mexico, from time to time I would come across old women in small towns and villages who "read the cards." Tarot cards. Many times I never understood a word they were saying for various reasons....my poor Spanish, their poor Spanish, my hearing loss, chickens and/or ducks pecking at my feet. The readings lasted from 10-30 minutes. I would always come away feeling fascinated and could maybe recall one or two comments made by the reader. I liked the process of selecting cards, the layout, the hidden away house, the sense of being an insider in the culture. Trust me, once I left the reading, I never thought much about it again, but I was always open to having readings when the opportunity arose.



About this time last year, a friend told me of a woman here is Merida who does tarot card readings. She is French. In addition to French, she speaks Spanish and English equally well. Of course I had to make an appointment. We began that session in Spanish, but when we realized I I really was not understanding the instructions, we switched to English. The session was short and actually helpful.



I decided yesterday that I needed to have a reading to celebrate the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011. Monique's readings are divided into 3 parts....the big picture known as the "tree of life" that consists of 20 cards. The second part is 10 cards and pertains to one certain subject fo the seeker's choice, the third is 4 cards in answer to a question. As the final part of the reading, Monique told me to shuffle the cards and then pick one. This one card would represent my life in 2011. The card I selected was The Chariot.



According to Wikipedia, yes, Wikipedia:

The chariot is one of the most complex cards to define. On its most basic level, it implies war, a struggle, and an eventual, hard-won victory; either over enemies, obstacles, nature, the beasts inside you, or to just get what you want. But there is a great deal more to it. The charioteer wears emblems of the sun, yet the sign behind this card is Cancer, the moon. The chariot is all about motion, and yet it is often shown as stationary.

What does this all mean? It means a union of opposites, like the black and white steeds. They pull in different directions, but must be (and can be!) made to go together in one direction. Control is required over opposing emotions, wants, needs, people, or circumstances; to bring them together and give them a single direction, your direction. Confidence is also needed and, most especially, motivation. The card can, in fact, indicate new motivation or inspiration, which gets a stagnant situation moving again. It can also imply, on a more pragmatic level, a trip (usually by car), a vehicle - in the shop for repairs if the card comes up reversed - or a message.

On the one hand, the Chariot indicates loyalty and faith and motivation; a conviction that will lead to victory no matter the odds. But the chariot can also signal a ruthless, diehard desire to win at any cost. The Querent should be reminded to save his energy for what comes after. Victory is just the start of things.

Hmmmmmm.........