Nationals baseball game

Kenyon and I recently went to a "Nats" game. That is what the locals call their baseball team. It was truly a living-in-the-big-city experience. We rode the DC Metro in to the district. Walked a couple of blocks to the stadium (with the crowds from the Metro). And, experienced sticker shock at the food prices. How could a family possibly afford a night out at the ball field? Yikes!

There were a couple of differences between our previous experiences at the Royals games in KC and a Nats game in DC (besides the metro ride that eliminated a need for parking). First, I was star struck (as usual) that I could see the U.S. Capital building while living my every day life. I wonder if I will ever get used to that? Second, it was obvious by the third inning that our team would emerge victorious. The Nats were playing the Cardinals. The Cardinals never had a chance. We left at the seventh inning stretch due to it being a Thursday night, and Kenyon now working - necessitating a need to rise before the sun in order to get to work on time due to traffic. As we were leaving our team hit (another) home run. Though they are currently making headlines due to leadership instability - the Nats are a winning team and it was fun to be on the winning side. 

My biggest take-away though. I think they need a new marketing team. Why? Because someone with a brain should have realized that their iconic "W" was already taken. Every time I looked at that "W" I had one thought. Can you guess what it is? Walgreens! I now see that "W" every where. Never once do I think baseball. Nope. I always come back to the convenience store/pharmacy. 

Do you agree or disagree?

just Sheri, still exploring new surroundings

homelessness

Since posting about people living in the woods I have become increasingly interested in the homeless issue in our community. I've been asking around to see what I can learn.

In a recent conversation with a doctor (who also sits on our Board of Directors) I learned that the hospital system doesn't do a good job of tracking those without a place of residence. It had been decided by someone in hospital registration that everyone must have an address to put in to their computer system. If it is a required field in their software program, there are ways around this - such as creating a code for those without a place of residence (e.g. 9999). This would be helpful because one could later run a report for all the 9999 addresses and know how many individuals were admitted and/or discharged without a place of residence.

This doctor told me that she currently had three of 30 patients in her wound care center who are homeless. That is a large percentage! One man who is living in his car was forced to enter an address upon registration. His solution - four digits from his drivers license and the word Ford. Why Ford? Because that is the make of car he drives.

More and more I admire the compassion of those who want to help this population in their time of medical need - which is simply an added complication to an already desperate situation.

just Sheri, saddened that this is happening in America

Busch Gardens

While on our weekend getaway, I told Kenyon I want to go to Busch Gardens. You should have seen his face. He was trying to figure out how to get out of it. I couldn't understand (at first) why he was so reluctant. Then it dawned on me...gardens...flowers...he is probably thinking I am going to take him to look at flowers.

Now, this could be an easy assumption as I am obsessed with flowers. I did make him take me to the flower market in Amsterdam. One of our weddings was at a Botanical Garden. It is plausible that I would ask him to take me to look at flowers. But, that was not my ask...not this time anyway.

Busch Gardens is known for it's beauty. Notice their claim to fame, "The World's Most Beautiful Theme Park." But, that isn't why one goes to this destination. Oh no...I give you one word. Rollercoasters!

This is a shot I took that shows just three of the options available. We did these and more.

In our nearly four years of marriage, Kenyon and I have never been to an amusement park together before. It was a first for us. Apparently my husband did not know I have an affinity for beautiful flowers AND thrill rides.

just Sheri, lovin' the loop-de-loop

Colonial Williamsburg

This weekend Kenyon and I took a road trip to the origins of the United States - Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.

The buildings are old and well preserved. In case you are not aware, the typical homestead had three buildings. The main house. The servant/slave quarters. A kitchen. These buildings were built in the 1700's.

The best part of this tourist attraction is the staff - dressed in period clothes, demonstrating what life was like in the early days of our nation. 

a farmer working the field

a man training oxen to pull a carriage, yoked

a horse drawn carriage

after watching this for an afternoon I have one overwhelming thought, "the simple life is NOT simple - it is a LOT of work!"

There was homage paid to our founders, or colonizers who were trying to rule the world, which ever way you want to look at it

There were wonderful herbs and seeds available. It made me wish I had a yard, perhaps someday...

After the tour of Colonial Williamsburg, we went across the street to the modern day shops where one can find a Baskin Robbins (and other goodies) without all the effort of having to milk a cow, churn the milk and find some complicated way to freeze things without electricity.

just Sheri, grateful for modern conveniences

looking for a church?

When you are looking for a church - what do you look for? What elements are essential to make it feel like "home?"

We are new to this community. In the last decade+ finding a church has not been as difficult. When moving to the midwest, church invites abounded. One of those invites led to a church home.

Recommendations from that church home in Topeka led to a church home in Kansas City. That was "home" for nearly a decade.

When moving to North Carolina, again church invitations abounded. One of those invitations led to a church home. This was the same story in Cambodia, as well as in Mozambique.

One might think it more difficult to find a Christian church to attend in an all Buddhist country, but apparently I am having a harder time in my homeland.

At the MLK event in Fredericksburg, there were multiple churches represented. We visited a few of them and found one we really like, but now that we have moved more than 30 miles away that seems too far to drive and really be involved. We have done this for the last few weeks, but then I came to the conclusion that it isn't enough to just show up. If I were content to sit and listen Sunday to Sunday and not really get involved it might be okay. But, that is not what I want. So, we are in the hunt for a church home in our new city - without an invitation or recommendation. Simply deciding where to go is tougher than imagined.

I have done an internet search. I acknowledge there is only so much one can glean from the internet, but I couldn't come up with another option and it did provide enough information to short list which ones to visit. This process had me asking, what am I looking for in a church?

Here is the basic criteria:

1. Teach the Bible (usually found on the "About Us" page)
2. Have an ethnically diverse community, and that is best demonstrated by a diverse staff
3. Have outreach programs to the community that are aimed at the poor and under served (more important to me than vast ministries serving church members exclusively)

These are the elements that the church I am looking for will possess, this is  the description I believe God has given for his desire of the church on earth.

On the surface this seems like a simple criteria. I assure you, it is NOT. I have found a dozen churches that meet two, but not all three. I have found only one in the city we live in that demonstrates all three through the information on their website.

We will visit a couple of times and hope for the best. If it doesn't work out? I am not sure what our next strategy will be for finding a church home in our new city.

Suggestions are welcome.

just Sheri, searching for a church

Lacrosse National Collegiate Champions

This weekend was the National Collegiate Championship for Lacrosse. I attended in support of Pablito.

I still cannot say I fully understand the rules of Lacrosse. Players can smack each other hard with their sticks...no penalty. But, there was a penalty called for holding and I swear I didn't see anything happen - nothing at all. I do know it is not uncommon for Lacrosse players to have bruises or suffer from concussions.

It was a close competition between Lynchburg College and their competitors, the University of Cincinnati, but in the end Lynchburg was the victor. Hooray! They even get a nice trophy (and free t-shirts, very popular with the college kids) to show for it.

Hooray!!!!!

just Sheri, cheering from the sidelines

wedding shower + reunion = fabulous!

This weekend I drove in to Washington DC for a special event. I don't often do this (driving in to DC) for a couple of reasons. First, the traffic is bad no matter what time of day nor what day of the week, thus taking the train is preferred if the destination is within reasonable walking distance from a train stop. Second, finding parking is worse than the traffic. But, for this event I made an exception.

The special event was a wedding shower.

The party was in honor of Emily. Emily has been looking for her Prince Charming for some time now. It turns out she has known him for about 15 years, as a friend...and didn't see him as anything more until recently.

A few years ago I met Emily. We worked together and a had shared passion for building community and capacity overseas. She now works in the Office of Global AIDS Commission in DC, overseeing the work in Southern Africa.

The shower was a lovely celebration and a gathering of strong, intelligent women...all of which are doing interesting work (with many high powered organizations) around the globe. There were some new faces, but many familiar ones...though I had not seen them in a couple of years.

The hostess of this gathering is Allison.

I met Allison at a large HIV conference on the West Coast of the US about four years ago. She was the speaker and I found her research intriguing. We stayed in touch professionally, and with so many common conferences and complimentary work projects - a professional relationship also became a personal one.

She was working at Harvard at the time of our meeting. She is currently a PhD student at Johns Hopkins and the co-author of two books and many articles, one of which I have posted before on this blog...but I didn't devulge that I knew the co-author personally. To read the article click here.

In the pink on Emily's right is Janae.

I also met Janae in my former work. She had been hired as a contractor to do some assessments for HIV programming. She now works for the State Department. 

Turns out she also is friends with someone I hung around with when living in Phnom Phen, Cambodia...it is a small world after all.

And, Christine. I met Christine in her role as a researcher for Johns Hopkins. We had contracted with the organization to evaluate our largest, multi-country program. Spending time in the African bush together is a VERY bonding experience! When Christine moved back to the US to start her family...turns out she moved to Fredericksburg. Over the years we would get together for tea and chats when I was passing through the area. Then I moved overseas. It was great to reconnect with Christine...and learn that she is pregnant with her second child.

These were only the familiar faces. It was a wonderful gathering of women. Strong, intelligent, world changing type of women. I love that we have shared passions and experiences and I especially love that we can get together and celebrate a wonderful moment in the life of another.

Congratulations to Emily! Thanks for providing a venue for a fabulous reunion.

just Sheri, still realizing the perks of our new location

Arts Council Community Event

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day. Kenyon had picked up a flyer from the library advertising an Arts Council community event.

They had demonstrations of lace making, quilting and painting. The work of local artists on display and live performances.

It was a nice way to spend a lazy Saturday. We collected lots of flyers for future events at the performing arts center, the repertory theater, and more...these will likely be the subject of future posts.

The only downside, the event wasn't well attended. Apparently that is a common issue in these parts. Inside the District there are many events that draw large crowds. We live outside the District in the Commonwealth of Virginia where most people simply reside and commute long hours for work. When home, they don't get out much...at least not for community events like this one.

We will keep trying these out. Someone (or a group of someones) put a lot of effort in to planning this event. We will continue to support this effort. It was well put together, despite the small crowd.

just Sheri, appreciative of the arts

Garage Sale-ing

Saturday Kenyon and I toured our new surroundings by visiting strangers homes and looking at their stuff. When I moved to the midwest the idea of Estate Sales and competitive garage shopping was a foreign concept to me. I still find it a little odd that in America we publicly post our address for everyone to see and invite strangers to our home (personal space) for the sake of selling our stuff.

Just before moving overseas, we hosted our own yard sale. That was a new experience for me.

We decided that visiting other people's sales might be a good way to stock our new home with needed containers and such. We didn't find any treasures, but we did have fun looking and exploring our new surroundings.

Are you an avid garage sale shopper?

just Sheri, treasure seeker

bits of my weekend: Laotian festival

This weekend Kenyon and I participated in a great festival. It is an annual celebration held at a local Wat (aka Buddhist Temple).

This photo is taken from our old home in Cambodia. Wat Lao Buddhavong looked similar, but it was out in the middle of the countryside of Virginia.

There were all types of fresh vegetables, meats, food vendors and cultural dances.

It had been raining earlier in the day, which made the place muddy. The mud made it feel even more authentic.

As we were sitting at a picnic table of one of the vendors; eating noodle soup, green  papya salad, and fried fish; I was drinking iced coffee with milk - suddenly it was as if I had been transported to another world. I was back in Asia (without the two days of air travel). Even Kenyon said it reminded him of Psar Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market).

We walked around and I snacked on Cheik Chien (fried bananas). I was so full I could burst. Then I saw Krolan (sticky rice and beans in a dried bamboo shoot). I had to have some. This was a regular snack on the drive between Phnom Penh and Poipet when I lived in Cambodia. The best Krolan came from vendors on the side of the road.

The experience was such a special treat. The little bits of Khmer that I had learned were coming back to me. Kenyon started quizzing me - how do you say "hello?" how do you say "thank you?" how do you say...thankfully, I could answer his questions.

It was such a wonderful day. My friend Phim moved to the US as a refugee from Laos over 20 years ago. She was our hostess and tour guide at the event. She bought me a sticky rice steamer as a souvenir. It sits proudly in a china hutch since I have no idea how to use it. She has promised to teach me...that may be the subject of a future post.

just Sheri, exploring Virginia

bits of my weekend: multi-cultural fair

This weekend Kenyon and I went with some new friends to the annual Multi-Cultural Fair at the local college.

There were booths of goods from different parts of the world. Stages with various performers...singers, dancers, fashion, etc.

As with any community event there were also rides and games. Kenyon was fascinated with the bucking bull, but wouldn't give it a try.

This reminded me of the annual event in Kansas City at Swope Park...though it wasn't nearly as big as that event.

My highlight of the day was meeting a man from Uganda. We talked about the uniqueness of his part of the world. The Good: perfect weather. the largest and tastiest avocados I've ever seen and a tasty mango, avocado smoothie (don't knock it until you try it). The Bad: matoki (some like it, I do not) and political/tribal unrest.

It was a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. The only thing that would have made it better, sunshine. It was a little colder than I would have liked.

These fairs are available in many cities across the US. Have you been to one? What was your favorite part?

just Sheri, multi-cultural

Surprise...a familiar face.

Sunday morning Kenyon and I walked in to the church we have been visiting. It seemed like a typical Sunday morning. Then what do I see on stage? It was Pastor Reggie. He was our pastor when we were living in Boone, NC.

He had his mom with him. She had served us Thanksgiving dinner our first year in North Carolina. She came over after service and gave us the friendliest greeting. It was good to see a familiar face in our neck of the woods.

I was once again reminded that it is a small world after all.

Pastor Reggie was on fire and his message fit perfectly in to the sermons that had been delivered recently by the Senior Pastor of the church we are attending. I thought I might share a bit of that here...

There are two timelines:

Chronos: that is chronological time, you are born on a certain date, then month-by-month and year-by-year things happen to us. We are all very familiar with this timeline, but it is not the ONLY timeline in life.

Kairos: divine appointments orchestrated by God for a divine purpose.

Pastor Reggie said, "The purpose God created for you, kairos, is greater than the chronos timeline of your life." 

How do we get there? 

One word...SURRENDER.

We surrender by enduring the interruption of our plans, dealing with root issues, and waiting on the Lord.

These are all things I am struggling with presently. It was a timely message for our church. It was a timely message for me. My kairos timeline isn't finished, there are things happening that I cannot see. I will hold to that truth in this time of uncertainty.

just Sheri, the grateful recipient of a surprise visitor

cherry blossoms blooming

People come from miles around to see what is now in our back yard...cherry blossoms in bloom. Want to see a sample of what you are missing?

just Sheri, loving the beautiful trees

confession: I tried a neti pot

The sun has peaked out a couple of days recently...tempting us that spring might be coming. It also seems to be tempting the blooms. Cherry blossoms are a common sight theses days - so pretty. Well, the other thing that seems to be in full bloom is my allergies. Ugh!

I cannot recall EVER having allergies like this. Yes, cats make my eyes itch and my sinuses clog, but that's it. Mom, correct me if I am wrong...but I believe this is the first time that I have been so clogged that I snore like a freight train in sleep and during waking hours I can only breath through my mouth which doesn't seem to be working as well since I cannot seem to catch my breath. One day as my eyes were watering like I'd just cut an onion, my nose was so clogged it felt swollen and I was breathing like an asthmatic my co-worker said, "Sheri, you need a neti pot."

S: A neti pot? what's that?

Well, apparently while I was away in another country Oprah and Dr. Oz introduced America to a tea pot used to pour a saline solution in to your nasal passages to drain them. Pour the water in one nostril and the ooze comes out the other. Though the product had received the Oprah stamp of approval, my only response was YUCK!!! I quickly forgot the suggestion.

Days later, after I'd tried over the counter options and continued to suffer the neti pot was suggested a second time as a remedy for my allergic woes. This time it was my friend Angela, who I suspect was tired of hearing my heavy breathing and nose blowing. Angela took it a step further. She took me to the nearest store, purchased the neti pot for me and then proceeded to force me to use it. You should have seen me, I was squealing like a little child. I have always been too afraid to use nasal spray - why would I pour a saline solution up my nostril? WHY?!!! She is a mother, thus she is used to this kind of behavior and before I knew it she was forcing the issue. When it was over the most amazing thing happened - I could breath. I took many deep breaths and was sold.

I am now the proud owner of a neti pot and would like to say that if your sinuses are backed up it is just what the doctor ordered and you can still trust the Oprah stamp of approval.

I am told that this is only the start of what is to come in a Virginia spring. Supposedly there are days when it gets so bad that there is a layer of yellow pollen on your car and if you open a window in your home it gets on everything. If that is true, then the neti pot is going to be my new best friend.

Have you tried it?

just Sheri, an allergy sufferer

honoring International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day...so I realize I am a bit behind on posting. I will have to ask for some grace as I have recently started a new job, and as a result spend hours a week commuting...the combination of the two has left me little unscheduled time. Add to that a nasty case of allergies and I have been rather useless at the end of the day and am certain my writing would be incoherent. So, now that my head is starting to come out of the clouds I wanted to share with you a bit about an event I was a part of recently in honor of International Women's Day...

On an evening in March a small group of women got together. They convene often, I was an invited guest. I had been asked to speak on women's empowerment from a global perspective. This was not a group of academics, though they were intelligent. It was not a group of socialites, though there may have been some with means and all were generous with what they had. No. This was a group of women from the local baptist church. To be honest, I wasn't sure how to approach the topic of women's empowerment to such a gathering. Here is a summary of my message:

There is systemic oppression of women in many countries around the globe, especially outside the Western world.

In some places women are not viewed as human, but instead as property.

In some instances, access to money for materials or resources is restricted for women.

There are even times when the profits of her labor are not hers to control.

The earth is full of systemic oppression of women. Since women are most often the primary caregiver of the family, it has an effect on her children too.

The results of such systems are; rampant domestic violence, epidemic rape, a lack of educational attainment or opportunities, generational poverty, untapped potential and a loss of productivity for society.

In my approach to women empowerment, women are the primary recipients, yes, absolutely. However, men are not the enemy. Rather, they are important allies. As the power brokers, they are needed as party to change if change is going to be long-term. Also, men play an important role of protector as daddy, brother, neighbor and husband. Men need to be included as change agents.

I shared a popular video called The Girl Effect.

Since I don't like to do a talk without including a tangible action step, I encouraged them to "think globally, but act locally." I asked them to give to the Women and Girls fund at the Community Foundation where I had been volunteering. They gave and I delivered the funds to my new friends.

So, in honor of International Women's Day - invest in making the world a better place.

just Sheri, an honored spokesperson for the cause

Marital Communications 302: gridlock traffic

These days I spend more time than I'd like on the road getting from here to there and back again. I don't know if it ever gets easier or if people just get used to it...but commuting sucks.

Kenyon is taking a nighttime nursing class and goes in the same direction as me, just at different hours (against the traffic).

A few nights ago as I was trapped in gridlock traffic and he was heading on the same highway northbound we were talking on the phone. He asked which exit number I was near. I told him and irritatingly noted the fact that it had taken me half an hour to travel 4 miles. He had blown by me and reassuringly stated, "yeah, it doesn't look like that traffic is going anywhere!"

Thank you very much!

just Sheri, still wishing for a teleporter

bits of my weekend: Alexandria old town and a parade

Kenyon is taking a nursing class in Alexandria. He kept telling me how wonderful their downtown is, so I accompanied him this weekend.

I spent the first couple of hours in a coffee shop working to complete the Women and Girls health and wellness status report. Since starting my new job I haven't had as much time to work on it. While in the coffee shop I learned that I picked a good day to come to town - this was the day of the annual St. Patty's Day parade. I hadn't been to one of those in years! This was a favorite annual event when living in Kansas City.

I watched a bit of the two hour parade. Mostly I people watched and wished I'd thought to bring my camera as some of the costumes were unbelievable.

When the parade was over and the crowds started to clear, I browsed the shops in old town. I loved the mix of local, international and chain stores. The people were pretty mixed too - I lost count of the number of different languages I heard that day. I got caught up in a book store when Kenyon called to tell me his class had ended. Somehow it was already after 4pm.

We met up near the area where we parked the car and decided to have dinner at one of the restaurants in old town.

It was a fabulous day of productivity, celebration and relaxation. However, seeing things from other countries and hearing other languages had my mind wandering to the people I have met in foreign lands and my heart missing the life I once lived.

just Sheri, still in transition

a second vehicle

Now that I have a job and will be commuting about 20 miles each day, we were in the market for a second vehicle. Our number one criteria was fuel efficiency. Number two was that it fall in our price range. Number three was that it would be nice to have some space to put stuff, especially as we anticipate setting up house in the near future. The two may seem contradictory.

Thanks to the wonders of Craig's List we found a small, hybrid SUV that met our needs and some of our wants. The seller gave us a fabulous deal and I now ride comfortably to and from work each day.

just Sheri, unexpectedly riding in luxury

visit to Gari Melchers Home and Studio

On a recent Sunday Kenyon and I took a tour at the Gari Melchers estate. It is a beautiful older home from the 1920's. Gari Melchers was a portrait artist...and apparently a pretty good one.

It costs money to go in to the home and art studio. Since we have not received a paycheck in months, we didn't do that part of the tour. What we did do was the FREE guided tour of the grounds on the estate. The tour is guided by volunteers and there are a couple of tours like ours scheduled throughout the week.

It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon...being outside in nature, on a walk, and learning about things I had no knowledge of before. I learned about indigenous vegetation and wildlife...and also about natural elements that were introduced from other places like Europe. But, the best part for me was the insight on what life was like in those days.

There was a carriage area in the front of the house with a cement stoop to let the ladies off. The designated garden area was HUGE. Why? Because that is what it took to produce enough food for their family. Because this man was a sought after artist they had a big and beautiful house and other amenities like ice.

Where they got the ice is the most interesting story to me. It's source is a nearby creek. It was obvious they had created a pooled area kind of like what happens when beavers build a dam, but this was man-made with stones. In the winter they would lay out slats of wood and let the water freeze, then stack more wood on top of the frozen water, and so on and so on, until they had layers of ice. Before the ice melted, they would come out with a ice saw and cut it in to blocks then store it underground. They would serve this treat at parties because ice was considered a luxury item.

Walking the grounds I kept thinking about the value of self-sustained living.

just Sheri, intrigued by sustainable living

bits of my weekend: couples dance

Kenyon and I are still working on making our new location feel like home, and that means getting out and about. We had heard about a community dance being put on by a local church. They were going to provide childcare until 11pm. There would be some food and music. We decided to go. Worst case scenario, we would make a memory that later we could say, "Do you remember that time..."

We definitely made a memory!

We were one of the youngest couples in the room. Most were in their 50's. The music was a jazz band. We knew we were out of place when the lead singer mentioned a song that should take the group back to memories of the Ed Sullivan show. Hmmm...we don't have memories of that show as we weren't born yet. My husband can often have me laughing until I cry while giving what I call his "running commentary." Our dance event was no exception.

It may not have been the kind of event that had us kicking up our heels, but it was an enjoyable experience. Honestly, I was impressed with a church that would go to such lengths to give couples a good time - providing food, music, a fun atmosphere and most importantly childcare.

just Sheri, happy feet