So much for my daily observations... What am I thinking? I'll have to do some catch up, I suppose. Today I accompanied roomie Melanie to her orientation in Lowell, Mass. We were attempting a "blind sister" routine that didn't get us further than the occassional curious glance. I feel so much better about allowing her to attend school there now.

Observation #2: Wednesday, Jeanne and I attended small group at MCC. People here have huge hearts.

Observation #3: Vision Night at MCC was awesome. It was just what I needed after a day FULL of food pantry orders.

Observation #4: Blind people don't make the best Medical Assistants, but at least you can pick up a free baby.

Welcome dear ones. It is with great pleasure that I announce....well, nothing....or everything....I really can't decide. Much can be said for those who have a thought, identify that thought, and soon categorize the thought. I, however, simply do not possess such a skill. So many personal discoveries, creative ideas, and ponderances have occurred to me and I cannot for the life of me organize them. I will begin simply and although this may take several weeks I presume that if I come up with one solitary thing to say for each day, soon enough it will all begin to measure up and make sense. We'll just have to see.

Observation #1: Today I attended only the second funeral since my mom died. It was difficult, but indeed healing.

Today was "honor the new interns" day at MCC. Jeanne and I were taken to Chili's for one scrumptious meal. And I think I have rekindled a friendship with someone who enjoys great deals on pants just as much as I. I shall withhold his name for the sake of privacy...but you know who you are. This week's trip to the youth prison was indeed the antithesis of last week's session. The girls were in a great mood and had a great time toasting marshmellows over the prohibited tea lights. We are such rebels.

Friday is our day off. Unfortunately it is also cleaning day and all of the interns must reluctantly remove themselves from Restoration House so the professionals can polish our mirrors. It truly is a strange sensation being on this side of the process. Today's adventures included a mindless trip to the magazine rack at B&N, "family" photo shoot in Londonderry, as well as a trip to the cinema to see Big Fish. If you possess any creative writing skills or merely have an appreciation for those who do, you will absolutely love this film. It comes highly recommended by me and my fellow roommates here in crazed Primary land. Did I mention that Kelly and I ran over Howard Dean the other night...we got paid too!

I came across this quote last night. Sandra's (my sister in law) dad passed away about four months after my own mom died and this was one of his favorites. Right now I feel that it adequately sums up those random thoughts fleeing in and out of my own mind.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I ~ I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference."
~Robert Frost

The beer bike has been assembled!!!! Watch out New Hampshire, here I come!

The frigid East lives up to its name. The people are warm-hearted and the weather is not. Despite the looming cold and silver skies I have managed to have a wonderful time. I have been here a week and feel as though a month has passed. There is much to be done around here and consequently I have hit the ground running.

Yesterday a group of us from Manchester Christian Church assisted a new church plant in Portland, Maine in renovating a cinema for their church services. Come to find out one of the planters, Beth, used to stay at our house in Hoopeston when she toured with CBC about 20 years ago. She and my mom wrote each other until ten years ago. Small world, big God.

Kelly, my mentor, has already adopted me as one of her own. Freakishly enough, her family reminds me of ours...they're crazy too.

Amtrak may not be everyone's chosen mode of transportation. Watching the happy train pull up in front of my quaint downtown apartment in Lincoln made me envious of the happy people stowed within. With books propped open on their blanketed laps, they would glance out the window to soak in one more stop on their journey. I had a similar experience on such a train that wound its way through the trees and hills of the midwest and out to Boston. A great ticket price meant that Dad and I would indeed be paying for the ride in another form; meaning, a long 27 hours on board our coach commuter car. If you have low patience I do not recommend such travel, but I tell you that this will not be the last time I ride across the states in a silver car on rails.

I must depart for yet another adventure. Tonight Kelly and I are going to the Youth Prison.

I miss and love you all!