Uphill idealist

I went to see Slum Dog Millionaire this afternoon with my best friend Sue. I was not sure what to expect from the film and had all but given up hope of seeing anything that had been nominated for an Oscar make it to the small city I live in, but to my great delight it made it here. There are so many things I enjoyed about this film, I find it hard to know where to begin. I found myself responding with "Ah has!" by way color and images were used symbolically, the soundtrack perfectly emphasised the mood of each scene, the honest and sometimes gritty story still managed to maintain a hopeful manner in telling, and the fantastic dance scene (that managed to tip their film-making hat to all the traditional Indian/Bollywood films before it), made me want to jump out of my seat and get up on my feet too. Wow. I won't ruin the film by tell you any spoilers - or give you a plot synopsis, but I will give you some advice. Go to the theater and see this film, you won't regret i...

Image from Mendochino College Sunlight poured into the streaky windows of the downtown storefront, as a natural yet unfamiliar rhythm coaxed our feet to move. Smooth breath exhaled to gratefully take in the newly warmed air. Students bared their winter white limbs as older folks smiled, as if they were remembering their own teenage spring long ago. People walked taller, chatted longer, and took more time to linger outside in the now non-frozen air. Spring arrived quietly today as people worked in their offices and children sat in school. Each one of us will celebrate spring in our own way: long walks in the neighborhood, driving windows down in a just washed car, music pumping in the stereo and smiles like I haven't seen since August. Look around, take notice, don't miss it. SPRING IS HERE! T.L. Eastman 09'

A couple of weekends ago, I was able to attend a Women's retreat at Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center. I had a lovely time meeting the other people and having a chance to reset my heart and mind and contemplate lots of questions that had been buzzing around in my head. (Tammie, Me, Lori and Donna) So often when asked the question, "What do you do?" I pause, ponder and wonder what answer to give. You see in youth ministry, what my work is is often as eclectic and changeable as the weather in western NY. What I work at in my work is unpredictable, always interesting and never, never boring. This is probably much of the reason I like it, that - and I enjoy the students I work with so much. They help keep me young.(or so I think!) However, in ministry it can be challenging to understand what I do does not validate who I am. Yes, I am a teacher, a wife, a mom, an artist, a singer and a writer; but all those descriptions do not and should not box me in. My weekend away gave me a ...

For your chilly Wednesday viewing pleasure... Jack Johnson with "Upside Down" Do you ever feel the need for quiet, sabbath, stillness, and rest. Does noise and activity ever wear away at the calmness of heart, upset your balance, and cause your attitude to be crunchy as best? I long for a beach that is filled with white sand, with sailboats in the distance dancing in the wind. I long for warm sunshine and the sound of surf, with seagulls diving and my heart slowly rising. Away from the cold of winter and wearying away, I'd look to the water to find my new way. A few days ago and friend said to me, 'I'd like to run away for a while.' and I agreed. A day away sounds like the perfect place to be. T.L. Eastman 09'

and make our hearts dance.

Image from beingboring.com Stale bread: In the last week or so, I've been dealing with car trouble. First replacing the fuel filter to stop chugging uphill, then having to go back and have the gummed up fuel pump replaced. In the process of replacing the pump, the gas tank was discovered to be rusty in places and was replaced in order to prevent fuel leaks in the future. I went out to start my car this morning in all 9 degrees of warmth, and it would not start. I wanted to cry, but feared if I did the tears would freeze on my face. As I sat in my frozen ice box of a non-moving car I could not help to think, "This situation is like stale bread that is too far gone, even for croutons". I'm waiting for AAA to come and jump my what seems to be a dead battery. I feel like a broken record in blogging about my car. Stale bread indeed, sorry. I even confessed to my Sunday kids that my goal for lent was to stop worrying about my car, and pray when problems came. I'm not do...

I spent the afternoon playing my niece's new Wii. She got wii sport and guitar hero. My favorite game happened to be guitar hero as I managed to get 93% correct on "Eye of the Tiger" on my second attempt. Boxing was fun - although I think I should have fared better that the controller would register. Bowling was ok, and after all the excitement of the other games, probably the best way to wind down on a Sunday afternoon. The best part of the afternoon was hanging out with my son. It made me long for the days of simple games: Gin Rummy, Scrabble and Old Maid. What games do you miss from your childhood?