A long overdue blog entry

Cool things have happened since my last entry. Here are some brief discussions of them.

1. The Inauguration - Absolutely amazing. I left my apartment at 3:30 a.m. and got back around 2:00 p.m. One of the most awe inspiring things was when people at the Lincoln Memorial started chanting "O-BAM-A" and it swept all the way the mall until everyone was chanting it. I can't even describe what this sounds like as it waves up to where you are standing.

2. First Serious Snow - I resisted the urge to make a snow angel at work, but I did run around in it and take pictures. It made me sad to finally have all this snow and have no one to play in it with.

3. K-Dog visits - Lots of fun and lots of laugh. That girl can crank out some wii games when she has to unlock things on them.

4. Charlottesville - Another awesome visit with the Colliers; this one featuring the Sawyers and the Scotts. My heart is renewed just spending an afternoon with them all.

Historically Yours,
Rach

Where Presidents Have Run

I am not a runner. I prefer a long walk or a good hike. Maybe someday the running itch will hit me, but for now, I'm good just being a cheerleader/team mom for the runners in my life. That said, I am now taking reservations at Rach E-Step's Bed & Breakfast for March. . . .

http://www.nationalmarathon.com/

Cause when we do it in DC, its national!

Historically Yours,
Rachael

PS: also potentially cool
http://www.halfmarathons.net/usa_half_marathons_dc_potomac_river_run_marathon.html

From a Coffee Cup

"I have faith. Faith in our wondrous capacity for hope and good, love and trust, healing and forgiveness. Faith in the blessing of our infinite ability to wonder, question, pray, feel, think and learn. I have faith. Faith in the infinite possibilities of the human spirit." ~ James Brown, Sportscaster and co-host of fox nfl Sunday.

As I sit in a cube instead of a church on yet another Sunday, these words from my starbucks cup bring my heart joy. I like it when God uses random coffee cups, a ridiculous corporation, and a sportscaster to pass the peace of Christ.

Historically Yours,
Rachael

LOST in the library

Today I received an e-mail from the Dharma Initiative (Lol, this is a long story, but essentially, I took some tests, and now ABC e-mails me cool things about LOST because I'm a member of the Dharma Initiative now). Anyways, the e-mail talked about the LOST Book Club. People are now reading books mentioned in LOST in an attempt to understand the craziness that is LOST. As a book dork, this makes me pretty excited. Just one more reason for me to love J. J. Abrahms. . . he gets people to read books.

On another note, I have also recently enjoyed going through the top 100 banned books and seeing which ones I've read. And yes, I did read the number 1 banned book when I was a kid.

Historically Yours,
Rachael

Historical Ramblings

It has been a long time since I've updated on life in Northern Virginia. I've flown in a plane (my first time), visited new museums, and its snowed twice since my last post! There have been good times and lonely times and some feet. I'm making new friends but wondering if I'll ever make soul friends again. I might be going to the inauguration (thank you Gresham Barrett if you make this happen!). I've adopted a fish name stewart. My apartment is decorated for Christmas and I've watched all my Christmas movies except It's a wonderful life and Charlie Brown Christmas. I've entered an awesome contest at eveningsoultide.blogspot.com. And now I've completed Grandmac Homework Assignment #1!

I definitely plan on having another post soon of ponderings and such. But, unforunately I have to work until around 9pm tonight, so I've got to get back on that. Until then, I remain,

Historically Yours,
Rachael

Clemson in a Red Sox's Bar

Since yesterday's game was in the middle of the day and I wouldn't have to be out at night by myself, I ventured down to Old Town Alexandria (think Charleston, SC) and into Bugsy's Sports Bar. Sporting bright orange, I took a seat at the empty bar in front of the large flat screen tv. The bartender, an older, round man with a salt and pepper beard introduced himself as Steve in a thick Boston accent. Even though I introduced myself as Rachael, I was immediately sugar, hun, and sweetheart.

As I ate and watched the sea of orange I so desperately longed to be in, several guys trickled in and took a seat at a bar. They were all married men, with thick New York/Boston accents, and all either Red Sox fans or Yankee fans. It was probably some of the most fun I've had in Alexandria. They taunted each other back and forth and Steve always made sure to jokingly remind the Yankee fans that he was the one serving the food and drinks so if they wanted either they better think twice before talking too much trash about his Red Soxs. They talked to me about Clemson and being in VA and tried to come up with excuses to give their wives so they'd let them stay late at the bar to watch the baseball game.

Throughout the game, Steve kept telling me to have hope that Clemson would pull off a win. If anybody knows about hope, its someone who has been a Red Sox fan for many years. When it was clear in the final quarter though that Clemson would not be victorious, Steve gave a sympathy shot to me and the four guys. It was nice to feel a twinge of community in VA. I have learned though that I'm going to have to start watching professional sports.

As I got up to leave all the guys told me I should come back and watch the baseball game that night, but I declined. When asked to make a pick between the Red Sox and the Yankees though, I chose the Red Soxs because, lets be honest, its always in the best interest to pull for the bartenders team. :)

Life Update

An update from NOVA (aka Northern Virginia. . . and yes it is very different from the rest of Virginia). My job is great. I am learning a lot and really enjoying the people I work with. The fall is a busy time for us so I've been keeping very busy.

I have a new Sunday tradition. In the morning I get up and drive down George Washington Parkway which follows along the Potomac. It is NOVAs version of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are plenty of little places to pull off and admire the view or hop onto the bike trail or play on a playground. My "spot" has two picnic tables right along the water. Its not much, but it is where I have felt God the most since I've been here. So that is where I take my pumpkin spice latte, a book by Winn, Bible, and journal. Sometimes I just sit and soak in the sounds and sights of the river. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I write. Sometimes, when its just me, I stand by the river and sing the old hymns I was raised on. It is the closest thing to "church" I've felt in my months here. Church is the hardest thing since moving. I wish I could put an ad in the Washington Post. "Desperately seeking a church family to dance in the truth with. Not interested in your mega church, politics, or bible beating. If you like passing the peace of christ and sharing in communion, please contact."

Last Sunday I had this thought. . . .
I don't really even want to find another church. None of them satisfies the craving for the community I am missing.

Historically Yours,
Rachael

PS - Check out D-Rock's awesome poem.