tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134232582011-12-01T06:29:02.742-06:00Elisenoreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-48202760880610304632011-10-21T19:31:00.000-05:002011-10-21T19:31:39.867-05:00

I find myself swaying – with and without baby Cito in my arms. It's marvelous to feel her close to me; sometimes, at night, we practically touch noses. She is my inch worm, and no matter where I place her on the bed, shortly thereafter she is at my side. Citori is finding her smile. Sometimes I'm given a lop-sided goofy grin, other times it's full fledged – almost ear-to-ear. These moments

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-64837320597278887732011-07-02T19:10:00.000-05:002011-07-02T19:10:30.599-05:00

Moving into month nine of Peach's pregnancy, everything is starting to loosen up, and I wouldn't be surprised if I were to develop the characteristic “waddle” by week's end. My bursting belly feels increasingly weighted down, and at an appointment today my midwife agreed, Peach's head is dropping. This brings me running to the bathroom even more frequently – imagine a five pound weight

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-36403448384077145202011-06-15T16:58:00.000-05:002011-06-15T16:58:15.435-05:00

I recently responded to a request from NPR calling for baby stories - and here it is, for your reading pleasure as well. Our story begins in southwest Alaska, in the remote village of Aleknagik. After globetrotting through most of my 20s, the last place I expected to fall in love was bush Alaska, where there are seemingly more ptarmigan than people, but I suppose crazier connections have

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-52614312448806733082011-05-20T19:27:00.004-05:002011-05-20T19:38:02.095-05:00

After many months away – save for a snippet of a poem I wrote in February – I return to bloggerland, smiling. My on-line silence has been somewhat intentional; instead of committing myself to “A bit of random banter from Alaska”, I've elected to write letters, and make headway on a manuscript detailing a cross country bicycle trip I took, seemingly, once upon a time. Time can be a great

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-7557607816864425252011-02-27T11:11:00.000-06:002011-02-27T11:11:27.726-06:00

Highlighted in Sunlight She bursts Forth in Full Array Ready to Show the World the Depth of her Soul the Graciousness of her Spirit and the Magnitude of her Heart

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-92216521714354933222010-11-24T17:24:00.004-06:002010-11-26T19:49:57.372-06:00

It was in Ketchikan's bay where I saw my first wild sea lions, feeding on herring which flashed when flanking the surface of the water. On that rare sunny day in southeast Alaska, Jeff and I continued along the seafront boardwalk to the harbor, where boats of all sizes – like the “Kenai Jane” – bobbed up and down. If boats could talk, (I do enjoy personification) I imagine the bobbing vessels

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-80942339242426074402010-10-31T15:19:00.001-05:002010-10-31T15:21:45.469-05:00

Today I did something I rarely do – I said, “thank you, but no”. Dizzy with vertigo, Aleknagik Lake School's 3rd, 4th & 5th grade teacher called in sick, and I was given a choice – to acquiesce to substituting out of the overwhelming sense of duty and obligation that I felt, or, to hold onto my initial intention to rest, write and sip sweet raspberry zinger. After a lot of internal back and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-85993142479935127752010-09-28T15:19:00.002-05:002010-10-29T08:28:40.362-05:00

Away from the self-induced swarm of topsy-turvydom I turned myself over to during the summer, I am trying to wend to the quietude of Aleknagik, Alaska – yielding to a slower pace, allowing distractions to dissipate, and hopefully, re-establishing some sort of equilibrium. This is not my natural inclination, (and, is it anybody's?) but it is something I seek, yearn for, gravitate to. So far –

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-20793280166429627442010-06-17T16:23:00.003-05:002010-06-17T16:23:58.981-05:00

Stories are on my mind. You see, I'm trying to come up with a good one to tell at the next Storytellers' meeting in central Minnesota. It's a monthly event – perhaps one could compare it to a book club, writers' circle or the like – and what is required of attendees is simply something to share. I suppose, it's kind of like adult show-and-tell, for the story may be presented in any way, shape

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-27505931559869054642010-05-17T00:51:00.001-05:002010-05-17T01:04:51.010-05:00

In Aleknagik, Alaska – “School’s Out for the Summer!” This popular marching band tune is my mantra today. It’s funnily familiar, how the anticipatory countdown to summer floats through time. Life seems ever-changing, but now and then, it can also carry a characteristic déjà vu. I feel light – free from a persistent paper-flow of lesson plans, homework packets, textbook assignments and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-13674865557894014792010-04-22T02:43:00.004-05:002010-04-22T02:54:11.004-05:00

I don't quite know what it is – this inescapable compulsion to write. Somehow, it grabs a hold of me and won't let go until I put myself through a painstaking process to produce something. In earnest, I continually attempt to heed my Sussex professor, J.P. Rosenberg's good advice – to delight in the writing process, and to be proud of what comes out of it – but truth be told, the resultant

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-78610277986656362662010-04-07T13:19:00.004-05:002010-10-29T08:30:36.937-05:00

I sometimes read books randomly – opening to a nondescript page, and plunking my curiosity down upon it. This is how I came to learn about “gribble” in a textbook on Crustaceans – which, altogether, outnumber the constituents within other classifications of animals. The author, Edward Ricciuti, explains that gribble (which is about the same size as a peewee ant) can really wreck havoc on

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-44620439260051041132010-04-06T00:48:00.003-05:002010-04-06T01:20:51.697-05:00

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-68729388095470843512010-03-21T14:00:00.005-05:002010-10-29T08:32:06.710-05:00

Sometimes the cold can catch you before you even step outside. It's this characteristic dryness that finds me first – off-guard, of course. In seconds, my fingers seem to chap and crack around the nail, static electricity takes a hold of my hair, and I cannot seem to re-apply Burt's Bees chapstick quite often enough. I lick my lips in sweet surrender, remembering an eccentric that I met at

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-91117554482647922372010-03-03T02:04:00.004-06:002010-10-29T08:32:47.613-05:00

“a language in the world that everyone understands...the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed in and desired.” (Coelhlo – pg. 62) I've just finished Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, a story about a shepherd boy from Andalusia manifesting his Personal Legend. Santiago's quest begins with a re-currant dream of a journey

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-89659118344632247202009-12-28T07:32:00.008-06:002010-10-31T15:32:35.471-05:00

I haven't been making the time to write - instead, I've been mixing banana pineapple smoothies with a three foot hand-held blender in five gallon buckets, learning "One Voice" by the Wailin' Jennys on guitar, snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding every chance I get, jamming on the djembe with an impromptu reggae band, eating an assortment of truffles, and attending Paul Hinderlie's culinary art

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-32661026828040573672009-12-11T17:08:00.004-06:002010-11-24T17:45:42.740-06:00

At Holden there is always something going on – a concert, workshop, presentation, discussion, documentary, coffeehouse live music night, talent show, dance party, and, on the schedule for tonight is hot chocolate and a village-wide cookie decorating extravaganza. Sweets have been on the docket everyday, actually, so we are full swing into spirited holiday mode. Yesterday I made pumpkin bars,

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-77620866619388276822009-11-30T11:58:00.000-06:002009-11-30T11:59:42.858-06:00

Eternal Spirit,Earth-Maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,Source of all that is and that shall be,Father and Mother of us all.Loving God, in whom is heaven.The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe!The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the earth!Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.With

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-90649662708357798232009-11-26T19:52:00.007-06:002009-11-26T21:24:59.022-06:00

A close friend, Lisa, recently gave me a card with the Confucius quote: "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." And at this morning's Bible study, verses 16-18 in 1 Thessalonions chapter 5 especially resonated with my heart - "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you."I've been walking around Holden today with an exuberance of

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-44394910956243848792009-11-21T17:29:00.008-06:002009-12-29T01:56:16.104-06:00

is white! I rode up the mountain in yellow school bus Jubilee yesterday, and by the time we got to the Village some of the banks were almost six feet high. During the month of November Holden has been inundated with snow - another 32 inches to the 72 that are already on the ground would set a record! Glancing out a window pane, it's looking quite possible. Yesterday the mavericks were

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-4419954633198373182009-11-18T15:47:00.004-06:002009-11-18T15:58:55.800-06:00

outstanding! It's been full of surprises – beginning with an impromptu dental cleaning in Portland on my friend, Eric's sofa. His girlfriend, Leslie, is a dental hygienist; we traded tit-for-tat – a cleaning for a massage. The second surprise was a 14 mile hike along Eagle Creek to a waterfall I was actually able to walk behind. The experience was more than remarkable – moving through mist

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-88349667979112475622009-11-12T16:22:00.002-06:002009-11-13T18:21:28.878-06:00

I was all smiles! There we sat, the five of us – Ariel, Elaine and Mike, Francois and myself – inside a cozy Squamish eatery after a full snow day at Garibaldi Provincial Park. Pints were brought, wetting appetites for yam fries, halibut, greek salad, a hamburger with all the fixings, and my three bean vegetarian chili. Mine was the first dish to arrive – decoratively complete with a cornbread

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-4781915614633516682009-11-01T09:26:00.004-06:002009-11-01T10:52:26.235-06:00

six weeks have slingshot by me. This is what I was thinking when Treyton produced his slingshot for show-and-tell last week. I wasn't sure initially, now to respond to this situation, but I realized rather quickly that my little guy had no intention to harm anyone; he was just really excited to share a special present from his grandfather. And so, I allowed "the weapon" into the classroom, and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-33688250620466737992009-10-19T19:28:00.003-05:002009-10-19T19:40:23.352-05:00

What is insanity? Albert Einstein once said it's "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." This is precisely what I was doing all morning - unplugging and plugging in power chords, switching power strips off and on, and flipping breakers back and forth...all in a futile attempt to make Apple computers turn on so that we could continue with mind mapping our

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-43528831079115747092009-10-18T16:49:00.003-05:002009-10-18T17:17:01.987-05:00

"When you are aware of space, you are not really aware of anything, except awareness itself - the inner space of consciousness. Through you, the universe is becoming aware of itself!When the eye finds nothing to see, that no-thingness is perceived as space. When the ear finds nothing to hear, that no-thingness is perceived as stillness. When the senses, which are designed to perceive form,

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-39477204193925968212009-10-12T23:19:00.001-05:002009-10-12T23:24:19.256-05:00

The ways in which people move from one place to another here in Alaska continues to amuse me. As a spin off from the movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, this entry is appropriately titled according to the methods I've used to transport myself from point A to B to C and so on this past week - well, with the exception of the first and the last. I'm still waiting for a chance to get lost in

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-83715126242324072602009-10-04T16:04:00.004-05:002009-10-04T16:56:24.021-05:00

Could you please explain the VMC in a multi-engine plane? What are the standard auto rotation procedures in a rotary wing aircraft? These are just a sampling of questions which have been tossed back and forth at the Alaskan Espresso Shop beside Dillingham's airport runway. In the last week I've been mixing lots of lattes and mingling with plenty of pilots. In general, I'm totally lost with

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-56548977871144373372009-09-27T00:40:00.001-05:002009-09-27T01:01:52.327-05:00

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-56560385195315300462009-09-27T00:30:00.002-05:002009-09-27T01:04:02.943-05:00

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-61991748070565172942009-09-25T13:53:00.006-05:002009-09-30T22:27:40.527-05:00

For the next six weeks I'll be in Dillingham, Alaska, a village on the southwest coast that is renown for its salmon fishing. Come summertime sleep deprived fishermen pull net after net of King, Sockeye, Coho, Chinook and Pink salmon out of percolating waters. The town grows into quite a cosmopolitan place actually, with the influx of seasonal workers from all over North America, Africa, Asia

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-85032745142209060912009-08-22T05:31:00.001-05:002009-09-27T00:59:40.508-05:00

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-33146725736947499722009-08-16T03:59:00.002-05:002009-08-16T04:04:47.650-05:00

Hmmm...what to write? So much has happened during this last month in Tokyo. Reflecting upon some of the highlights, I think about singing with my sister, Erika in Inokashira park one Saturday night. We had a single fan consistently within earshot - a self-proclaimed "alien" who was amicable and missing a few front teeth. A fireworks display in Koremasa was outrageously incredible and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-660413344582527512009-07-12T19:55:00.002-05:002009-07-12T20:05:55.507-05:00

I would love to liveLike a river flows, Carried by the surpriseOf its own unfolding.There is this game I learned and love called art-o-mancy. A good friend, Annie, introduced me to it while we were in San Francisco at the Asian Art Museum in May of 2008. It's quite possible she made it up, and it's also entirely reasonable that this same game and similar versions are played all around the world

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-45090962820691550022009-06-17T16:50:00.003-05:002009-06-17T17:09:24.918-05:00

I woke up this morning like I always do at Holden, listening to moving water in the creek just outside my window. I'm a "2" in the kitchen today, which means I won't put an apron on until 11:00, and so I lackadaisically linger, pondering what passing events will take me through this Wednesday. I imagine a djembe and a guitar will be part of the equation. For bus arrivals and departures most

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-27087928422248813582009-06-10T12:37:00.005-05:002009-06-12T20:26:57.116-05:00

Alas, I write once again, this time from Holden Village, Washington. It's been nearly four months since my last entry, and I've been meaning to blog ever since I've arrived - just one week and two days ago - but have been waylaid with hikes to Holden Lake and Copper Basin, climbing around avalanche chutes on all fours, keeping up with culinary responsibilities (as a volunteer in the kitchen),

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-84687531303555521912009-02-17T08:39:00.001-06:002009-02-17T08:41:29.621-06:00

"When we really listen, when we really pay attentionto the sounds of joy and sufferingin the universe, we are not separate from them,we become them.Because in realitywe are not separatefrom those who suffer.We are them.They are us.It is our suffering and it is our joy."By Bernie Glassman

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-54330994798636218242009-02-14T14:55:00.002-06:002009-02-14T15:36:39.313-06:00

Having thrown ourselves into a number of new places, meeting an assortment of people - from tranquilo fishermen to zealous Jehovah witnesses, shade-grown coffee producers to Albanian tourists - Lloyd and I decided to re-visit two Nicaraguan spots I´ve especially enjoyed - Ometepe Island and San Juan del Sur. The first is a playground of sorts 276 kilometers square in the middle of sweet water,

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-65944021297150239292009-01-27T12:21:00.002-06:002009-01-27T12:48:40.973-06:00

With a bit of hesitancy yesterday I hopped on yet another Ticabus coach - this time bound for El Salvador. While a part of me was eager to explore somewhere new, the other part was quite content and at home in Nicaragua - with gallo pinto for breakfast, Eskimo ice cream in the afternoon, and a return to favorite restaurants in León, El Sauce, on Ometepe Island and in San Juan del Sur at night.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-51831147446382131952009-01-14T11:36:00.006-06:002009-01-27T12:54:53.122-06:00

There is a particular green paint coloring innumerable walls in Nicaragua. It´s lighter than lime, somewhat minty and matte - versus sheen. It covers buildings - inside and out; anyone who´s been to Nicaragua and is reading this may likely be nodding their head in agreement. More than once I´ve wondered where all of the paint came from, whether gratis brushes were also part of the deal, and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-75565872471031297352009-01-06T13:43:00.011-06:002009-01-08T17:04:52.099-06:00

A 20 minute hike, 30 minute bus ride and 40 minute stint in a pick-up truck with three other nomadic travelers brought me to Moyogalpa, which has the only ATM on Ometepe Island. It was a mission and a half to get here, so I´m spending a leisurely day catching up on communication, possibly visiting a museum which supposedly hosts Nicaragua´s largest collection of decorative funeral urns, and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-91843936415347736402008-12-29T11:12:00.002-06:002008-12-29T11:25:29.041-06:00

Most people dream of a white Christmas. Mine was spent on a white sandy beach. There were no snowball fights or decorated sugar cookies, but there was an afternoon game of cricket and plenty of golden toasted marshmallows. I wanted to hang stockings by our campfire, but soon remembered the only socks I had were smelly and at the hostel anyway. Five Aussies, one English-Colombian, a Swede and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-46847510024605329172008-12-23T22:11:00.003-06:002008-12-23T22:36:18.344-06:00

Today is both an ending and a beginning. I sent my little sister, Erika, off on Delta flight 414 at 9 this morning, and have spent the remainder of the day resting and readying for the next step in this journey. Tomorrow a.m. I´m catching a TicaBus - Costa Rica´s most popular coach service - to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, where I´ll spend Christmas holidays with an English-Colombian kite

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-14782201180518714852008-12-12T23:11:00.002-06:002008-12-13T00:26:33.066-06:00

Greetings from Costa Rica! I flew into San Jose late Monday night and have been collecting stories ever since - some more poetic than others of course. There is a certain glamor to life on the road, but it wears off quickly when you´re too nauseous to look out the window and busy heaving into a plastic bag. This is what happened to me today returning to the city from Samara beach. I´m not

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-50736506463860323382008-11-12T19:54:00.003-06:002008-11-12T20:19:56.868-06:00

How To Build Global CommunityThink of no one as "them"; Don't confuse your comfort with your safety; Talk to strangers; Imagine other cultures through their art, poetry and novels; Listen to music you don't understand; Dance to it; Act locally; Notice the workings of power and privilege in your culture; Question consumption; Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-38169453189470855462008-10-30T08:50:00.002-05:002008-10-30T09:20:23.421-05:00

October 29th, 2008A Mosaic"She is a curious one, always with a question. For the most part she is confident, but she also has days of self-doubt. She longs, sometimes, for two opposites simultaneously - like the stability of a career, location or constant someone, yet the freedom of movement across continents. She loves languages and generating discussion between groups of people - especially

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-24799389390325699742008-10-08T11:33:00.002-05:002008-10-08T11:49:19.380-05:00

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable RainforestI still cannot believe that I went to Africa without a pair of pants. I did go shopping before I left, but I was distracted by a camping espresso maker, and forgot all about the pants. I tried buying some at the Owimo markets in Kampala. But it was not a success. As usual, I forgot to try them on before I bought them, and when I got back to the

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-28269781148200305552008-08-31T20:25:00.004-05:002008-08-31T22:43:41.741-05:00

Six weeks in Japan have passed in a flash and I pause to recall a stream of memories. The photos below depict some of the highlights - of Rin, one of my students at ASIJ's Summer Day Camp (SDC) getting a piggy-back ride from his little brother; a Mohawk-leather jacket-kilt combination I saw on the streets of Harajuku, Papersky's CD release gig in Shibuya; a trip to Sendai for a Rakuten Eagles

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-22562590331930919692008-08-31T20:00:00.003-05:002008-08-31T20:24:39.033-05:00

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-64172906294678661722008-08-02T03:51:00.006-05:002008-08-02T04:44:13.286-05:00

July 11th my little brother, Andy, married his high school sweetheart - Miss Jody Kliber. The day was divine, albeit a bit windy. Most of the photos were taken inside Lady of Lourdes church; we did pose for a few outdoors between stone walls on the east side, as well as one in front with Jody hoisted atop the railing and surrounded by all eight bridesmaids and their groomsmen.Jody was

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-70979917019260462422008-06-30T06:23:00.003-05:002008-07-13T09:14:53.260-05:00

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" A good friend of mine attaches this Mary Oliver quote to the end of all of her e-mails. An entire essay could be written to respond to this question, breaking it down and defining what each word means to me. Put simply, I'd say plans in our precious lives should be open to wild adventures! I write from Washington D.C.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-81952344898118668462008-06-28T19:12:00.002-05:002008-06-28T19:15:23.822-05:00

A group shot: Me, "Mad Dog" Max, the ever so lovely Aremy and "Gum-gum Bum-bum"!

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-66035936081401997582008-06-28T19:08:00.002-05:002008-06-28T19:11:08.920-05:00

Cruising around Louisville on my Trek! Just ahead of Missouri and the Ozarks, Kentucky has been my favorite State to tour.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-50510489178182891502008-06-28T18:12:00.006-05:002008-06-28T19:07:24.048-05:00

We were lucky to have no major problems with flooding crossing the Midwest.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-52803598751478261392008-06-21T20:25:00.004-05:002008-06-27T07:28:03.447-05:00

Two days ago we crossed the Ohio River by ferry - leaving the Shawnee State Park area in southern Illinois and entering the pennyrile region in western Kentucky! The landscape continues to be rolling but orange daylilies have replaced the echinacea I saw throughout Missouri and Illinois alongside the road.Cyclists we've met in passing have issued the following caveat - beware of unfriendly dogs

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-82397577814823492082008-06-13T11:27:00.004-05:002008-06-13T12:27:25.300-05:00

Alex and Aremy woke up this a.m. floating. We'd pitched our tents alongside a creek in Girard's city park - which I guess was a mistake! There really is something to the cliche "hindsight is 20-20" isn't there?! I can only imagine what people are experiencing in Iowa with all of the flooding. The rain pelted us throughout the night; the crashing thunder and flashing lightening allowed us

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-17716626200323696172008-06-06T10:45:00.004-05:002008-06-13T11:27:01.660-05:00

Each time I sit in front of a computer to post to my blog I go blank. It's difficult to convey the panoramic picture of life on the road. Some days seem interminable while others zip by as if in fast-forward mode. Both command a great deal of energy, and physical exhaustion definitely takes its toll on one's brain.I notice my creativity has suffered; parsimony guides my blog entries - they're

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-65363934835561095102008-06-03T18:53:00.003-05:002008-06-03T19:20:29.247-05:00

Whoo hooooooooooo, to date we've logged ~1300 miles, crossed three states and I've only had one flat tire! I had a puncture this afternoon just before our second summit. Alex and Max are our expert bike technicians so I was well taken care of - I've learned loads about fixing flat tires, "truing spokes", adjusting "limit screws", and keeping up with chain maintenance in the past couple of

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-13162428196172626982008-06-01T22:52:00.003-05:002008-06-01T23:04:59.785-05:00

This was an epic climbing day - over 4,000 ft! Hungry bellies commanded we stop for tomato & cucumber sandwiches half-way through.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-3298844933394405792008-06-01T22:46:00.000-05:002008-06-01T22:51:36.778-05:00

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-42702680957209984412008-05-27T17:44:00.005-05:002008-06-06T10:45:21.240-05:00

...100F degree temperatures would abruptly drop to 20. A few days ago we were snowed in for a day in Eureka, Nevada!...we'd have to watch out for mountain lions and rattler snakes. We were warned about a few isolated mountain lion attacks in California, and rattler snakes became a motif in Nevada. We saw many sunning themselves alongside US Hwy 50 - coined "The Loneliest Road in America" by LIFE

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-45130143975767766192008-05-19T12:58:00.003-05:002008-05-19T13:46:29.313-05:00

After five days peddling strong we've stopped for a rest. Altogether, we've logged approximately 300 miles - traveling through arrid regions, up lucsious mountain passes at 8,500 ft., and then down, coasting, curving and trying not to get smacked by too many bugs in the face. I had a fly hit me square in the forehead, and another drop down my top on yesterday's 15 mile descent. We're starting

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-35750596922590287032008-05-16T23:56:00.004-05:002008-05-17T00:10:55.596-05:00

Dear Good People,If you want to learn more about Faithful Fools in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, and Colegio San Francisco in Nicaragua,you can go to www.faithfulfools.org. Under the "Abundance" you will be guided as to donating through paypal. Word from the bikers is that all is well. Blessings to all for your generosity, especially those who are a peddlin'. Peace,Carmen at Faithful

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-85120566779016536112008-05-14T16:52:00.006-05:002008-05-14T17:08:41.354-05:00

Dear Friends of Elise,I share with you photos of the bikers as they set out from Faithful Fools this morning, May 14th. What wonderful beings they all are. They were sent off with good wishes from the folks on the street. Blessings upon them!Carmen Barsody, OSF

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-33624430893980919652008-05-12T23:48:00.006-05:002008-05-13T00:15:03.679-05:00

I write from San Francisco, California! My good friend, Anne, and I arrived on a midnight flight last Friday. We've spent a couple of days unwinding and touring the town - wandering around the Asian Art Museum all day Saturday and enjoying gallo pinto at my favorite Nicaraguan restaurant that evening with Mr. DXx. On Sunday we meandered around Japantown, stopping for sushi and then moving onto

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-64318579825785604152008-05-03T22:38:00.002-05:002008-05-03T23:46:42.203-05:00

In recent weeks each day has been a stream of endless activity. There's rarely a moment where I sit to ponder, marvel and be still. Tonight, however, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to do so. I write from the Days Inn in Dickinson, ND. Yesterday I drove ~450 miles to be here for the Rotary 5580 District Conference and I'm having the most fantastic time. The weekend has been a mix of

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-23577933616172338662008-02-22T10:53:00.002-06:002008-02-22T11:18:35.303-06:00

Interesting conversation always seems to come about with cups of coffee. Today I sit in Common Roots, a quaint cafe on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis. I've recently returned from a month in Nicaragua and it's been a morning of reminiscence. In four short weeks I learnt so much - to turn corn masa into lop-sided tortillas, to catch mini-waves and unsteadily stand upon my surfboard, to spout out

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-23697240364864297902007-09-29T01:21:00.000-05:002007-09-29T01:24:38.587-05:00

To an English Friend in Africa By Ben Okri, For Daisy Waugh Be grateful for freedomTo see other dreams.Bless your loneliness as much as you drankOf your former companionships.All that you are experiencing nowWill become moods of future joysSo bless it all. Do not think your ways superiorTo another'sDo not venture to judgeBut see things with fresh and open eyesDo not condemnBut praise what you

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-4249117013996101862007-09-13T09:47:00.000-05:002007-09-13T10:24:49.874-05:00

It's September 13th, and finally---I'm updating my blog! In the past year I've abandoned my on-line journal for academia, however, now that I've submitted my dissertation and officially completed my MA in International Relations, I'm free to deviate from reading academic journals, and writing in a rigid structured fashion. It's interesting though, somehow my sentences are still a bit too long -

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1171286592747137162007-02-12T07:13:00.000-06:002007-02-12T07:23:12.763-06:00

As kindly suggested, I've decided to preface the previous random post with a bit of an explanation! Every year the British Council sponsors a competition where they invite international students to "write a letter home" detailing their experiences abroad, how they've been influenced, etc. I thought I'd throw my name in the hat and below is my entry. Results are out by the beginning of April

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1170489146952507252007-02-03T01:50:00.000-06:002007-02-03T01:52:26.973-06:00

Greetings! I’ve just read your e-mail and I’m ecstatic to hear you’ve bought airline tickets to visit in March! Until now I’ve tried to convey my English experiences as best I could via phone calls and photos, however, there’s certainly no substitute for experiencing everything yourselves. It’ll be fantastic to expose you to the same sights, sounds and scents that I’ve encountered in England.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1165324332650495192006-12-05T06:33:00.000-06:002006-12-08T08:55:11.326-06:00

Here today, in London tomorrow, and off to Morocco the day after! I've been a busy bee, but I guess that's more or less status quo. Speaking of 'bees'---I've just learned this and wish to share it:Did you know that bee pollen is a near perfect food? It contains twenty two amino acids (so is a good source of protein), twenty-seven minerals and all known vitamins, in particular the B vitamins,

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1160761124371100702006-10-13T12:34:00.000-05:002006-10-13T12:38:44.386-05:00

I've been here a day short of two weeks, and while initially I thought I'd transitioned terrifically in two days, I've now realized it'll take time. Superficially, England doesn't appear to be considerably altered from what I know. However, scratch the surface, and instantaneously there are inCREDible insights into a contrasting culture incomparable to another. Yes, I reckon that's more or

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1156868236705514432006-08-29T11:16:00.000-05:002006-08-29T11:30:41.166-05:00

We've grown up way too fast,living day by day.But the memories of the past,will never fade away.Maybe someday,you'll decide to settle down.But until then,keep tracking new ground.Think of all the places,that you've traveled, unraveled.The many faces met along the way.We know that there are many places, you still have to roam.But right now, it's just good to have you home.Just think of all the

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1147596697302556822006-05-14T03:22:00.000-05:002006-05-14T03:51:37.323-05:00

Dear 2006-7 In-bound JETs, Greetings and WELCOME to Aomori! By now you've probably realized you'll soon be living in Honshu's most northern prefecture: nationally noted for the Nebuta festival, redelicious apples, and labyrinth-like snow banks.Some of you have already had extensive experience with Japan - its language and culture, while others are wondering what exactly to expect. I was part of

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1146960274059549892006-05-06T19:04:00.000-05:002006-05-06T19:04:34.063-05:00

Sunset in Sai! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1146141122607837972006-04-27T06:47:00.000-05:002006-04-27T07:32:02.616-05:00

"Thinking about Bicultural Marriage is important. First of all it can deeply know the history and culture in each country. Next power to speak a foreign language might be postponed in dramatic form. The reason for the most important thing is however that the possibility that it can meet a wonderful woman like Elise rises. Seeing the wide world even when marrying thinks it is important the

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1143722088891354322006-03-30T04:04:00.000-06:002006-05-06T19:02:37.593-05:00

Tis been awhile since I've blogged. It's not that I lack material or motivation, but my energy's been engaged elsewhere. I've had loads of vacay visitors, conferences in Yokohama and Tokyo, and trippy trips of my own to hippy Hiroshima and cultural Mecca Kyoto! "Curry King" FTF came back for a month's stint and we headed to Mt. Hakkoda heaps. Most memorable was our backcountry hike up "

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1142428570933473732006-03-15T07:16:00.000-06:002006-03-15T07:16:10.940-06:00

Kimonos! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1142428369135123552006-03-15T07:12:00.000-06:002006-03-15T07:12:49.140-06:00

I dated a Rockstar! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1140221186165837772006-02-17T18:02:00.000-06:002006-02-17T18:06:26.176-06:00

Hello!With this letter I wish to apply for a Lyseng Musical Scholarship to assist me in the acquisition of a new flute. Since childhood music has been an integral and important part of my life. It has and continues to comfort, challenge, and reward me in numerous ways.My first memory of music was when I was five years old, singing "Angels Watching Over Me" with my mother each night before

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1137896057925332452006-01-21T17:10:00.000-06:002006-01-31T00:46:09.180-06:00

Twenty days in Australia, seven in Viet Nam, and here I sit Sunday morning snug under cozy covers trying to remember it all. I've spent the last 10 days re-adjusting to life in Japan: to re-acclimate to frigid temperatures, to remind myself what it's like to work, and to routinize daily life. My first days back in Aomori were a bit bizarre. I felt split in two, physically in Japan, but

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1134138356939059282005-12-09T06:59:00.000-06:002005-12-10T04:19:28.216-06:00

I've begun the official countdown...in 4 days, 18 hours and 35 minutes I jet off to Oz and then Vietnam for almost a month of vacay! Whoo hoo, I'm ecstatic to eat mouthwatering mangoes and macadamia nuts. And, I'm even tossing around the idea of tasting kangaroo! M.S. and I'll fly into Sydney and spend Christmas with the Surrys. Then, on the 26th we'll pick up our rockin' rental at Avis and

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1134132724174387112005-12-09T06:52:00.000-06:002005-12-09T06:52:04.180-06:00

Holiday hullabaloo at Stefan's flat... 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1134132014214438142005-12-09T06:40:00.000-06:002005-12-09T06:40:14.220-06:00

Greg, Brian, Stefan, Natalia, Me, Melanie and Ryuko at Jazz Dance Eve.! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1131232375115516912005-11-05T17:12:00.000-06:002005-11-05T17:12:55.143-06:00

An autumn's reflection... 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1130970161500014792005-11-02T18:45:00.000-06:002005-11-02T18:50:05.316-06:00

This was said to me within the first week of my arrival in Aomori in August of 2003. Initially, I believed the statement to be entirely unjust and ethnocentric. It was a Toyama teacher's reaction to my nose ring. At the time I felt that I was being forced to surrender my individuality to become a cookie cutter stereotype of Toyama's idealized JET program ALT living in Japan. However, in

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1128820386672564352005-10-08T20:13:00.000-05:002005-10-08T20:13:06.676-05:00

The Ringo Stars 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1128820348975782962005-10-08T20:12:00.000-05:002005-10-08T20:12:28.983-05:00

Top of Mt. Fuji! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1128819886373526322005-10-08T18:05:00.000-05:002005-10-08T20:04:46.400-05:00

Last weekend I took a mini-road trip with 4 JET mates! We jaunted southwest in G.M.'s lass *Shiela* on Thursday, stopping for respites at our favorite "Conbinis": Lawsons and Sunkus, and that night at an Indonesian restaurant to celebrate M.S.'s birthday! Just after midnight we made it to the base of Japan's tallest mountain and pondered the idea of initiating our trek with headlamps right then

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1127001528172356472005-09-17T18:58:00.000-05:002005-09-17T18:58:48.176-05:00

Sushi Maki! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1127000123013556952005-09-17T17:45:00.000-05:002005-09-17T18:35:23.020-05:00

It's that time of the month again...to update my blog for all of my "avid" readers! He he he...September has been full of fun. I've been adventuring out around Aomori prefecture on my new Yamaha 50cc scooter! My latest and greatest highlights are a hike up Mt. Iwaki (in preparation for my pilgrimage up Mt. Fuji on 09/30!) and last night's wild and crazy sushi "maki" making fiesta with B.E.M.S.

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1125220926896324172005-08-28T07:35:00.000-05:002005-08-28T07:37:53.926-05:00

I recently returned from a lightening trip to Minnesota! I was there for exactly 7 days, and in that span of time I managed to travel to all edges of the state. I flew into Minneapolis and ate at an outrageous organic raw foods restaurant, attended a funeral for my great-uncle Lyle in Hawley, re-visited my University in Morris, interviewed for an Ambassadorial Scholarship with Rotary

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1125217053246607842005-08-28T03:17:00.000-05:002005-08-28T03:17:33.263-05:00

The Spoffords in August of 2005! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1122359224668117582005-07-26T00:55:00.000-05:002005-07-26T01:27:04.673-05:00

Yeah for summer! Toyama H.S. is now "officially" on break...meaning, the students only have to attend classes in the a.m. versus all day! I still have to make appearances at school, but I'm allowed to deviate from the 8-4 monotonous grind. Yesterday I spent the morning finishing J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (which I highly recommend!), and today I'm baking rye beer

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1120311001259199242005-07-02T08:25:00.000-05:002005-07-02T08:30:01.296-05:00

Wow, the last week has been a bizarre one! I played in a sand VB tourney with B.Y. and D.Y., swam to an island 850 meters away from Asamushi sunset beach, attended a massive end of the year Aomori Rotary party where I was coerced to solo on "Edelweiss" accompanied by E.P. on the saxophone, and I celebrated my 25th birthday! I received many e-mails and cards saying "Can you believe you are a

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1119762325868679142005-06-26T00:05:00.000-05:002005-06-26T00:05:25.870-05:00

Me and Mikiko at the Ugly Sweater Party! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1119762139928815612005-06-26T00:02:00.000-05:002005-06-26T00:02:19.930-05:00

2005 Nebuta Float 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1119166065218130222005-06-19T02:30:00.000-05:002005-10-29T05:38:05.016-05:00

...Yippee...gotta love the weekend...especially sunny Sundays with no obligations. Today my good girlfriend T.B. stopped over. We hung out a hammock I got from Thailand and enjoyed the beautiful landscape from my 3rd story porch. From there I see multi-colored tin roofs of flats, my snowboarding wonderland: Mt. Hakkoda, and when I'm lucky, Mt. Iwaki which is approximately 45k's

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1118447569005429172005-06-10T18:52:00.000-05:002005-06-10T18:52:49.006-05:00

Emily "cousin IT" & Erika 

Elisenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13423258.post-1118447374801194432005-06-10T18:49:00.000-05:002005-06-10T18:49:34.803-05:00

Me and Sara! 

Elisenoreply@blogger.com